For Houston, “winter†is probably over Bike Ride
Warm weather (81 degrees at the 3:07 PM finish) continues and I was back on the bicycle for a bike ride on the “New Caney – Roman Forest Loop – Valley Ranch” route for the first time this year. This is the second longest ride this year at 38.39 miles but this Saturday I plan on increasing the longest ride mileage to around 55 miles when I bicycle the Humble Lions Club bike ride, provide I don’t get lost as in previous years.
I made good time and pace on the way north to Roman Forest Blvd. thanks to a strong tailwind but riding east on Roman Forest Blvd for the “loop” portion of the ride the wind wasn’t as friendly. My pace slowed down considerably up the small incline on Roman Forest Blvd before I made the right turn onto Magnolia Bend. Biking on Magnolia Bend was somewhat easier thanks to the change in direction, trees and the houses lining the street. Passing by the school construction site I still cannot determine what grades the building will be. Previously I guess it would be a middle school but looking at the building it looks more like an elementary school.
Leaving home at 12:19 I wondered if I might ride through school dismissal traffic but I managed to avoid that except at the Kings Manor school but the left lane was clear and bicycling in that lane I passed the school buses and cars waiting for the students.
The Space City Weather daily newsletter today said they are starting to feel comfortable that the last frost for the Houston area is behind us.
“For most of central and southern Houston and Harris County, the average last freeze date falls in mid-February. It’s not going to freeze again before then, and by extension I’d be confident in planting from here on forward. For areas north of there, including Montgomery County, the freeze date is generally later, in the latter part of February or early March. Even so, I’d bet the chances of another freeze for the greater Houston metro area this year, including areas like Montgomery County, is now significantly less than 50 percent. …”
I like this news. It could be warmer tomorrow (Tuesday).
Nothing unusual on today’s bike ride except for the strong south wind at 18 mph and 25 mph gusts. No wonder my pedaling was much hard when I rode south from Roman Forest. I was beginning to think my legs were shot.
Links to RideWithGPS.com and Strava.com.
Today’s weather while bicycling.
