It was an overcast day when I touched the start button on the Edge 520 at 12:35 at the end of the driveway. Yesterday I fought the wind while riding south and east but today I decided to ride north on the “New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch” with the wind at my back until Roman Forest Blvd. It was enjoyable but I knew I would pay the price when I made the u-turn under US59 and rode south into the brutal wind. I had to stop for a cement truck before I could complete the u-turn losing the momentum I had. Standing on the pedals I moved to the right shoulder and struggled into the wind. Before leaving home I checked the airport weather to see the wind was from the south at 16 mph gusting to 25 mph. It was every bit of that. My previous 18 to 19 mph speed dropped to 12 to 13 mph. Approaching the traffic signals at FM1485 I tried to time my arrival to the light change and I did. What momentum I had carried me through the intersection. Shielded for a 1/4 mile or so by the overpass wall on my left my effort eased up every so little.

Slowly I made my way to Valley Ranch Blvd where I was perpendicular to the wind until the rounded the New Caney ISD stadium parking lot. This is where I was last Saturday for the Grand Parkway Bike Ride. Then the road turned back into the wind. Riding under the Grand Parkway my goal was to reach the Stripes station at FM1314 to take a rest break to prepare for the final 11 miles to home. I got there a few minutes after 2 PM. I didn’t want to stay too long or I would get caught in the Briar Tree school traffic. A snapshot of the 520 when I got to Stripes followed by the weather.

After eating a trailmix bar and a granola bar I refilled my water bottle and left Stripes. It was almost 2:30 so I hurried as best as I could into the wind to get past the Briar Tree schools. The school buses had already reached the elementary school but were sitting waiting for the children as I rode by. Made it! The next challenge (other than the wind) was the Kings Manor school but they should be gone by the time I got there. All that was left when I got to Kings Manor was one last bus loading at the curb. I rode by without any issues. I wove my way through Kingwood and got home at 3:24. The airport wind had let up some to 14 mph and 21 mph gusts but I couldn’t tell.The temperature was a few degrees warmer than yesterday at 76 at the end of the ride. I wore shorts, short sleeve and long sleeve jerseys and was comfortable warmth wise.

I am making progress reaching my March goal of 631 miles. With today’s ride I am up to 540 miles, 91 miles to go.

Thursday’s weather: chance of rain until 11am, high of 68 degrees. Biking will depend on the weather.

[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/8248253/embed 48% 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/524909382/embed/54ec9dbede801353d975288227710b6323c8ec89 48% 500px]

Comparison of the last 3 rides on mostly the same route. (Click on the image to enlarge it)