I tried several times today to ride before I finally got a break in the rain and took off at 1:17 PM. Earlier every time I would start to get ready it would rain. I watched the weather radar and the rain clouds would part and then come back over Kingwood. Around 12:30 I could see the rain had moved to the east and west. It was time to get on the bike and ride.

The streets were still damp but not enough to spray up my back. I was thinking of riding to the southeast to Huffman but the rain clouds seemed to congregate there and I change the ride to the north on the “Oakhurst – Sorters Rd – Valley Ranch” route. I hoped to ride 30 miles but this route just isn’t long enough and I ended up riding 27.45 miles averaging 14.4 mph.

Dark clouds were in the distance as I rode under US59 towards Sorters Road. The plan was to ride north and then turn south away from the clouds. Plans don’t always work though. As I exited Briar Tree and went west on Old Sorters Road I felt a few rain drops. The rain was light and didn’t increase as I reached FM1314. Riding on FM1314 toward Porter I still was in the light rain drops. At Valley Ranch Parkway I crossed over FM1314 to the Stripes store and stopped under the pump canopy for a few minutes to take a drink, rest and see if the rain was going to stop or stay the same. Leaving Stripes I went north on Valley Ranch Parkway under the light rain. The section from Stripes to US59 doesn’t have any shelter to get under if it rains so I thought I would be okay. Turning east from Valley Ranch Parkway on Valley Ranch Bend it was still sprinkling.

My wardrobe selection was a long sleeve jersey, shorts and a jacket. I chose the jacket in case it rained more than for warmth. It was called into service once I turned onto Valley Ranch Crossing for the final stretch to US59. I t started to rain harder but I kept going until I got to the store at US59. I waited under the pump canopy a few minutes and the rain went away. I didn’t wanted to get stopped there in case I had to call my wife to rescue me; the Grand Parkway construction is in the area and the station is hard to get to.

I rolled away from the canopy onto the US59 south service road to Porter. The street was wet and I rode through some mud from the construction traffic. I knew I would need to wash my bike when I got home. The rain stopped and I made it to FM1314 where I waited for the light to change. From there the service road became dry for a mile or so before I got back into the wet pavement. No more rain but wet streets spraying grime on me and my bike.

Under US59 at Northpark Drive and up the north service road to E. Knox Drive and I was within 5 miles of home. Crossing Loop 494 I rode through Woodridge Forest to Northpark Drive and then home. Rolling into the driveway I leaned the bike against the fence and took off my jacket, gloves and helmet to get ready to wash the bike. It was grimy but the hose and soap took care of that. Now a shower for me and I am ready.

I am making progress on February mileage reaching 293.02 miles with today’s ride. Year to date I am up to 435 miles. Weather has not cooperated this week. Monday through Wednesday was cold, Thursday I took my wife to the medical center, and Friday it rained. Tomorrow I take my niece and Brandi to the Top Hands Horse Show at NRG Arena so no biking. Monday another cold front arrives and stays for most of the week. Spring is a month away, when will the weather start behaving itself?

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