Relying on weather radar is not a sure thing. Before leaving on the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” ride today i checked for rain and nothing showed up any where close to the route. It didn’t take long for an omen of what was to come though. As I rode on the north bound I-69 service road I hit two patches of light drizzle but they didn’t last long and I continued riding thinking it would not rain. The sky was starting to get dark to the north and west but I thought I could ride away from as the route turned west at New Caney and then southeast riding on FM1314.

The ride was going well on Gene Campbell Road until a couple of claps of thunder hit to the west. I still thought I was far enough away that I would stay dry. Once I was on FM1314 riding towards Porter the pavement was damp with the rain just in front of me. The sky was dark ahead but I figured it was east of where I was going. As I passed River Walk it looked like rain ahead and I started thinking of places I could take cover. Just west of the Texaco at Sorters Road the rain started coming down. Traffic slowly passed and I rode across FM1314 to get under the pump canopy. I got a little wet but not as bad as yesterday. After waiting a few minutes I decided to take my rest break there but when I went inside they didn’t have any sport drink fountain drinks so I decided to wait until the Porter Stripes station. After about 10 minutes the rain stopped and the road wasn’t too wet and I left. My Elemnt screen when I stopped at the Texaco station.

The Stripes station was east about 1 mile. As I pulled into the station I could see more dark clouds to the northeast, north and northwest. I went inside and bought a fountain Gatorade to drink with my snack crackers. Sitting by the pumps I watched the sky get darker. The Elemnt screen at the Stripes station and the weather while I ate.

I rushed eating and didn’t finish the Gatorade so I could leave hoping to beat the rain. All was going well riding through Briar Tree passed the elementary school before parents arrived. Next I needed to get through Oakhurst and then Kings Manor. Oakhurst went quickly and the dark clouds were getting closer. Some more thunder and I rode quickly to Kings Manor. Parents were gathered at the Kings Manor school but the left lane was open. As I rode I thought of places I could take cover if it started to rain. The next place was the Kings Manor Community Center and Pool. Turning onto Kings Manor Drive South the rain drops started falling. I picked up speed but the rain increased. I was about 1/2 a block from the center and I moved to the sidewalk to get cover under some trees and then up to the porch of the center. I got a little wet but again not like yesterday. The came down hard as I waited in the dry area. It slowed a couple times trying to tempt me to leave but I stayed until it quit, about 20 minutes. Then I rode on the wet streets to the finish. Hosing the bike off I then went inside the house. The ride started at 11:36 and finished at 3:22 with two rain breaks.

Tomorrow the rain chance is less than 25%. I plan on biking again but I would like a dry ride.

Link to RideWithGPS map and data.

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