The cold weather left and I hit the rod for the first bike ride since completing the Gator Ride last Saturday. I chose the “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” route adding a couple of extra miles to try to catch up on my 585 mile goal for March. I rode 37.44 miles which helped but I am still short about 17 miles after 7 days into March; 116.71 miles so far.

While the cold weather moved on the clouds came in with an overcast sky as I rolled out at 11:57 AM. Weather during the bike ride: start 65 (88% humidity), fog/mist, wind SE 10 mph. Finish 69 (83% humidity), overcast, wind S 13 mph. I dressed accordingly wearing shorts, long sleeve thermal jersey, windbreaker jacket, and half finger gloves. I felt some chill until I warmed up around 15 minutes into the ride.

When I got to Tavola I noticed new markers on Via Principale Parkway at Gran Roble Drive. This area is being developed with earth movers cutting in streets and utilities.

After taking those photos I continued on visiting two other sections with houses under construction before getting back to Roman Forest Blvd. Back on Roman Forest Blvd. riding to I-69/US59 I felt some mist and hoped it would not get stronger. It didn’t but several times it returned for brief times.

Taking Valley Ranch Parkway around behind all of the retail stores I rode under the Grand Parkway to make a left turn onto Azalea Blvd. to get back to the south bound service road on I-69/US59.

More light mist for a few minutes as I rode south and entered Auburn Trails and then into Oakhurst.

The sky seemed to lighten ever so slightly giving me hope to finish the ride without any serious moisture falling from the sky. I rode past the schools in Kingwood before the traffic built and finished the ride at 2:52 PM.

Yesterday during the daytime I waxed the chain on the Canyon Endurace CF SLX and fixed a problem I caused by not installing the rear derailleur hanger correctly. This caused me to not be able to remove the rear wheel. I had the hanger cocked in a forward position rather than to the rear. I figured this out by looking at the enlarged photo of my bike on the Canyon website.

Friday weather forecast calls for the temperature to go up to the high 70’s but the overcast sky will hang around but rain is 30% to 40% probable. I plan riding.

I need to get more biking in as I look at the year progressions graph. 2019 now lags several other years.