The bike ride started at 12:05 PM after waiting for the temperature to get to 70 degrees to not wear leg warmers. I chose the “Atascocita – Huffman – Walden” route because the last time I rode it was November 19th before my trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving. I rode 32.69 miles which put me over my 150 mile goal for December at 169.9 miles on the road. Combining road and Zwifting my total for the month comes to 221.49 miles.

Weather during the bike ride: start 71 (48% humidity, 50.4 dew point), a few clouds, wind variable 5 mph. Finish 73 (43% humidity, 49.5 dew point), fair, wind SE 6 mph. While it got above 70 degrees I dressed for the 60;s with shorts, long sleeve thermal jersey, and jacket. In the shade it felt chilly (I am a wimp) but after I warmed up I felt comfortable. The light wind helped not chill me too. At some point winter weather will arrive and Zwifting will be my daily activity. Winter arrives a week from today.

Until I got an email last night from our city councilman biking this route concerned me because of the potential traffic rerouting on the bridges on W. Lake Houston Parkway at the San Jacinto River. The north traveling traffic detours to the southbound lanes while replacing bearing pads at a section joint near the north side of the bridge. But the email said the work schedule changed while the city evaluated some details. For now the normal traffic patterns remain and I can ride that direction without detouring. The southbound trail along W. Lake Houston Parkway at the Ben’s Branch bridge remains closed while the Harris Count Flood Control District contractors remove silt from Ben’s Branch. I heard equipment as I rode under the bridge but I could not see them. Dirt in the bayou shows signs of activity west of the bridge but not to the east where it connects with Lake Houston. The silt contributed to flooding in Kingwood earlier this year because the water flow slowed due to the silt buildup over the years. Until this year HCFCD did not have authority to work on Ben’s Branch because of numerous owners.

Early in the ride I almost collided with a young boy on a BMX bike as I entered the greenbelt trail on Silver Falls in Hunters Ridge. The trail entrance goes through some brush and trees before you can see much and as soon as I saw him I yelled out swerving left and then right as he ducked passed me. Another BMX rider followed about 30 to 40 feet later but no problem since he saw the earlier close call. That lone encounter ended the crash course for the bike ride.

Sunday weather may include 80 degrees. The RGV will be warmer than that making me yearn for some heat.

The graph below shows 2019 exceeding 2018 YTD miles. YTD totals 7,892 for 2019.