No wimping out on today’s ride. I stuck to the route I planned riding north on the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route. I did change the route slightly from the last I rode it January by staying on the northbound US59 service road all the way to New Caney where I turned left onto FM1485. The reason I stayed on the service road was because the southbound service road is open through the Grand Parkway construction at Community Drive and I could see the northbound traffic had moved from the detour onto the new road. It was okay but there was a one lane section in front of Rosewood Cemetery but there was enough room for traffic to pass if they wanted to. Some chose not to pass until I got through the area.

The weather was much like yesterday: overcast sky, 77 degrees and a NW 10 mph wind. A cool front is supposed to arrive later this evening and clear out the clouds but the temperature is not supposed to get too cool. I left home at 12:16 and got back at 3:02, missing the school traffic in Briar Tree but getting caught at Kings Manor.

I took a short break at the Shell station at Cumberland Blvd and FM1314. I had been riding into the wind and the winter legs needed a break. I took these weather screenshots. Note the 80% chance of rain.

This is the second time riding this route this year.

After leaving the Shell station the wind was mostly at my back allowing me to pickup the pace. I managed to improve my average speed up to 15.2 mph until I started on the residential streets with stop signs.

I need to set my March goal. Using the formula of averaging the last three years: 574 miles in 2015, 554 miles in 2014, 631 miles in 2013, I come up with a goal of 578 miles for March’s goal. So far 2016 (792 miles) is ahead of 2015 (433 miles) by 359 miles. I will check the cool front weather tomorrow morning to see if I can ride.

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