Today’s bike ride took me to Huffman but I altered the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route because the bridge on Old Atascocita Road at the railroad tracks is closed for construction. As I rode past Fairlake Drive there two large signs warning motorists (and I guess bicyclists too) that the bridge is closed. This could pose a problem if the railroad crossing at FM 2100 and FM 1960 closes. This happened several years ago when a truck got stuck going across the tracks with a low clearance trailer. Supposedly the construction will finish by the end of January. There are several organized rides that use these streets in February and later.

With the altered route I biked 30.89 miles rather than 32 or 33 miles. This boosts my January miles to 101.2, 33% of my 300 mile goal. This is also the longest ride so far too.

The began at 11:56 am and finished at 2:20 pm. Not very fast compared to typical rides when I have not been off the bike so long. Weather during the bike ride: Weather: start 76 (69% humidity), mostly cloudy, wind SW 7 mph. Finish 79 (60% humidity), mostly cloudy, wind 6 mph

I still need base miles to get in shape. After riding 25 miles the leg power dropped off and turning the pedals took more effort. Average heart rate was 135, average power was 104 watts, and max power was 336 watts, lower than yesterday.

On the way back I stopped at a pond near the Atascocita golf course and took these photos. Click the image to enlarge them.

Several ducks swam around the pond quacking some times and catching my attention as I almost rode by without stopping.

Starting Wednesday the weather will change for the cooler at first and then by my definition colder by the weekend. So I am not sure when I will ride next. Getting 4 days in a row in January is unusual. Below is the year progressions chart from Strava comparing a number of years and miles YTD. Click the images to enlarge them.