I wanted to start July biking off with a good route so I chose the Spring Creek Greenway for 48.5 miles. My goal for July is 800 miles. Leaving at 9:03 AM put me in front of the mid day heat and the shade on the greenway was much appreciated.

Weather during the bike ride: start 88 (69% humidity, 76.5 dew point), mostly cloudy, wind SW 5 mph. Finish 90 (59% humidity, 74.2 dew point), partly cloudy, wind variable 4 mph. Attire: shorts, short sleeve jersey, and arm sleeves.

Traffic getting to the Bevil Jarrell Memorial Bridge was light except for waiting a few cars to pass before I entered Hamblen Road. I read that the City of Houston and Harris County have revived cooperation on re-routing Hamblen Road. Maybe this will include a bike lane that has been mentioned before.

Once I got to the upramp to get on the bridge I saw the deer carcass that had been there the last two rides was gone. I took these photos on the bridge.

Exiting the bridge and down the ramp I was greeted by a truck with a reach bucket blocking the way and walked through some mud to get around it. When I got to the trailhead two other bikers were there, one was looking at the map and the other rode up from the west. I said hello to both of them as I went by.

At Jesse Jones Park I took the left turn at the bridge to add a few extra tenths of a mile and then back to the trail. AS I rode west several other bikers passed going the opposite direction and I pass several that were slower than me going west.

To preserve time I didn’t stop for a rest break riding west. I did stop and take these photos of the greenway shade.

The shade kept me cooler than I would expect for a July ride with sun. There were a few places where the greenway was covered by water from recent rains but less than an inch deep. I rode slowly through the water trying to keep the Canyon clean.

As I approached the western end of the trail a sign said there was a mile left and I thought it was still closed like the last time but when I got to that spot the orange barrier fabric was down against the railing and the barrier was moved out of the way. As I rode onto the concrete path I looked to my right and saw all of the rock and other materials put in place to repair the bank where it washed out. These photos show that spot.

When the creek floods again I wonder if the repairs will withstand the rushing water.

Two unusual sightings during the ride back to the east: a black snake slithering across the trail and a large turtle off to the right of the trail.

On the way back east I stopped at Dennis Johnston Park for water and then back on the bike. I passed a few more bikers and walkers before stopping at Pundt Park to eat a Clif Bar. I didn’t stay too long and rode east with the last stop at Jesse Jones Park to refill my water bottle for the last 9 miles.

The traffic on Hamblen Road was about the same but once I passed Forest Cove Drive it disappeared. Winding through Forest Cove and Kingwood streets I finished the ride at 1:12 PM, about when I told my wife I would be back.

Tuesday weather looks favorable for biking.

With my rest day on Sunday previous years are still trailing 2019.