Warmer weather arrived and I took advantage by biking the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route for 39.13 miles. This boosts April to 123.06 miles towards my 600 mile goal. I started biking at 11:59 AM, earlier than the other rides this week.

Weather during the ride: start 73 (88% humidity), mostly cloudy, wind NE 10 mph. Finish 82 (67% humidity), overcast, wind E 7 mph. I overdressed for the last half of the ride wearing shorts, a thermal long sleeve jersey (the overdressed part), and a short sleeve jersey. Until I warmed up around 4 miles into the ride the long sleeve jersey felt comfortable against the wind but the later half of the ride I was warmer than I prefer.

I altered the route slightly by riding Eagle Drive to Loop 494 and then north to the street behind Food Town. When I got close to the service road I spotted pretty wildflowers and took these photos. The dogs came to the fence after I stopped to see what I was going to do and when I left the large dog raced along the fence as far as it allowed.

The dogs didn’t bark or make any noise while took the photos. I wondered who is taking care of them since the man who lived at the marine store/shop is in jail for killing a woman in a mobile home to the right of the wildflowers.

Leaving the wildflowers and dogs I rode underneath I-69/US59 by Caney Creek to get back to FM 1485 and go west to Gene Campbell Blvd.

So far the wind hadn’t been a problem and riding west on FM 1485 kept the wind at my back. I improved my average speed along FM 1485 to 14.0 mph and once I turned onto Gene Campbell Blvd. shielded by trees I nudged it up to 14.1 then 14.2 and by the time I got to FM 1314 it was 14.4 mph.

Before I made it to FM 1314 I stopped at the new development, Ports Mill (strange name to me). The streets are expanded and there are numerous new homes but I don’t see many occupied homes. Maybe they are away from where I took these photos of the new community center and pool.

Expecting a headwind while biking SE on FM 1314 I was surprised that I kept my speed at 16 to 18 mph and held my average speed at 14.4 mph. The wind was stronger when I turned right onto Old Sorters Road but not my much. Making my way through Briar Tree and Oakhurst before school et out helped me avoid the traffic. This continued as rode by the school in Kings Manor and Bear Branch too.

Finishing the ride at 2:53 PM was sooner than the other rides this week.

Saturday weather shows a 50% chance of morning rain which might get in the way of biking but I hope not.

After not riding yesterday (Thursday) I fell behind 2016 (-29 miles) but maintained my lead over 2018 (+22 miles). 2017 still continues be ahead of 2019 (-120 miles).