The rain ended early this morning but the overcast sky hung around as did the cool temperature. Hoping that it would get closer to the forecast temperature of 71 degrees I wasn’t hurrying to leave but round 11:15 am I decided it would get much warmer. Bundling up with shorts, leg warmers, long sleeve thermal jersey, short sleeve jersey, and wind breaker jacket I rode off at 12:02 pm on the “Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood” route. I decided to wear regular biking gloves and my hands were comfortable once I got warmed up.

With the later start I didn’t plan on biking too far but rode 29.25 miles, more than yesterday’s almost wet ride. I am chipping away on my goal for October with a total of 618.43 miles including today’s miles. I need 82 miles to reach my 700 mile goal. Now that I am in the double digits I feel better about getting there.

Weather during the bike ride: start 64 (90% humidity), overcast, wind NW 14 mph, gusts 21 mph. Finish 65 (83% humidity), overcast, wind NW 13 mph. The wind wasn’t an issue most of the ride since the direction was off to my side riding north and on the return leg. With the strong wind the wind breaker jacket was a good choice. This particular jacket doesn’t have good ventilation so at the end of the ride sweat built up on the jerseys, jacket and gloves. I didn’t realize that until I finished the ride.

Once I rode to the north bound I-69/US59 service road my speed increased and I got to New Caney without battling the wind too much. At Community Drive switching to Loop 494 put some wind breaks versus the wide open areas along the freeway. At New Caney I turned onto the street by the Roman Catholic church and biked back to the service road. I didn’t stay on it very long and took the u-turn to go under the freeway to go back to the south. About 200 yards after entering the u-turn road I saw three dead feral hogs laying on the curb. I rode by and then looped back and took this photo.

I didn’t look close but they probably were shot. This is as close as I have been to feral hogs. I suspect the Caney Creek bottom land was where they came from which is behind the curb and to the left. Glad I didn’t encounter them alive.

Resuming the ride I made the u-turn and headed south. The wind was on my right side now and not causing major issues. Biking SW on Valley Ranch Parkway was the only section where I battled the wind the most. My watts jumped up to the high 200’s and low 300’s. When the parkway bend more to the south the wind became less problem some. Biking through the Azalea District in Valley Ranch I stopped and took these photos.

I thought the wispy grass like plant with the burgundy tassels blowing in the chilly wind looked nice. From there I rode to the service road to then head to Kingwood Drive and u-turn back. Entering Kings Manor I passed the school well before the parents and buses arrived. A few miles later I pass another school again without any traffic. I finished the ride at 2:17 pm.

Friday it supposed to warmup to the low 70’s and the clouds should thin out. I plan on riding to headway on my mileage goal.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary