After 4 days off the bike due mostly to Hurricane Nicholas it was good to be out riding. The overcast sky and 70’s was different from the last bike ride though. I watched two bike races waiting for the weather to improve a little but it didn’t really change. I got ready and my Canyon Endurace wheels rolled at 10:23 AM. To make up for not riding and falling behind on my September goal I chose a longer route, “Kingwood to FM1960 Railroad Overpass – Back”. This marked the 2nd time riding it in 2021. I rode 41.92 miles which put me back ahead of the pace to reach the 700 mile goal. I thought 2021 YTD would lose ground to 2020 YTD but 2021 still leads by 129 miles at 7,169.

The forecast called for low 80’s and maybe some of the clouds lifting but when I finished the ride at 1:32 PM none of that happened. Weather summary: start 75 (91% humidity, 72 dew point), overcast, wind N 8 mph; finish 76 (89% humidity, 73 dew point), overcast, wind NE 8 mph. Arm sleeve were more for comfort than sun protection. I prefer less humidity but this is Houston. Mist fell for early parts of the ride but either it stopped or I rode away from it. The last 2 times I visited Liberty County I got rained on but not today. I was glad to break that streak. Tomorrow may brighten up and warm up.

Time off allowed some rest for my legs. I spun the pedals well even into the headwind crossing Lake Houston going east. I built my overall average speed to 14.1 mph after the u-turn on the railroad overpass but it settled at 14.0 mph for most of the miles back to Kingwood. Then it fell with all of the stops and starts. I forgot the resurfacing of FM 1960 in Liberty County didn’t go all the way to the concrete railroad overpass. About 2/10 of mile were chip and seal. Not too jarring since it was wore down.