This was my first time riding the Bulldog Bike Ride in Waller, TX. I wasn’t sure how long it would take to drive from Kingwood to Waller so I got up at 4:45 and left home at 5:55. The roads do not go direct to Waller taking me through Humble, Spring, Tomball and then Waller. FM2920 connected to US290 and I had to check my phone to see how to get the ride start. Google Maps had no problem and I arrived around 7:15. I decided to not pre-register online because the late cost plus online fee was only $1 less. The registration was quick and I headed back to the Jeep. Before unloading my bike I walked around the parking lot handing out Texbiker.net business cards to around 20 people until I ran out.

The bike was ready about 7:45 and I made my way to the starting area. As I waited I took these screenshots of the weather.

Expecting the weather to warm up I wore shorts, a short sleeve jersey over a heavy long sleeve jersey and half finger gloves. The SSW wind felt cool but I was comfortable. Here are some pictures around the start area before we left at 8:00.

Leaving the starting line the ride turned left. I rode the 50 mile route (turned out to be 51.0 mile route). The riding was fast once I warmed up by the 1 mile point. The wind was at our backs but the road was rough in places. Around 8.5 miles I passed rest stop #1 but did not stop. From there the route was on country roads with varying road surfaces. The pace was still good with the wind behind me most of the time. The Garmin Edge 520 worked perfectly during the ride without any “phone disconnected” messages. Live Track work too.

I decided to stop at rest stop #2 to take some pictures, eat and drink. The sky was still overcast. The pictures at stop #2.

It was important to reach rest stop #2 by 10:30 to avoid being routed to the 32 mile route instead of the 50 mile route. I was there at 9:05 as you can see in the Garmin 520 picture.

After about 5 minutes or so I was back on the route. Now the roads turned into the wind and there were some small inclines but nothing approaching a hill to speak of. The road surface had segments of roughness but not too bad. At 26.96 miles I got to rest stop #3. Some pictures there.

The people at each rest stop were super friendly and the food was easily reached. At this stop I had a Smuckers Crust Free PBJ sandwich. It was good. I was making good time as the Garmin photo shows. The wind was still with us. Back on the road I headed to rest stop #4. The wind was more of a problem because it was a headwind or from the side. Road surface was rough in places.

I took a break at rest stop #4 for liquid more than food. This was the last stop before returning to the start. Some pictures.

The rest stop was at 39.71 miles into the ride. I wasn’t sure if the 50 mile route was 50 miles or around that length. If it was 50 then it was 10.3 miles to the finish. This was the hardest part of the ride. Almost the entire distance was into the wind and to add to the misery the road surface got ugly and rough. At times I slowed to 12 mph as I battled the wind. I made it to the finish line at 11:31.The weather screenshots at the end. The wind must have been higher than what is shown.

The route was closing at noon. After putting the bike in the Jeep I headed to the cafeteria for the pancake breakfast. It was a long walk. Wish I had parked closer. I ate 3 pancakes and 2 turkey sausage patties hoping that would recharge me for the drive back home. After changing clothes I headed out of the parking lot to home. As I was driving down the street to US290 several riders were making there way to the finish. It was after 12:00 but they were riding in.

I had a great ride with an average speed hitting 17.4 mph at several points. With the 51 miles I am only 8 miles away from my 346 mile goal for February. I think I can make it.

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