Pausing the live video of stage 4 on the Giro d’Italia I went to get ready for today’s bike ride. Earlier I checked the weather radar and saw a big block of rain southwest of Houston. I thought I might have enough time to bike at least 24.2 miles to not lose ground on my goal for May. I filled my water bottle and put it in the Cervelo’s cage and squeezed the front tire. It was soft but not flat. I haven’t ridden it since Saturday and fixed a front tire flat on May 4th. I switched to the Lynskey Helix but forgot the water bottle. (a backup bike is great) I rolled away on the ride at 9:45 AM with an overcast sky, 96% humidity and a 7 mph breeze. I planned to ride south through Atascocita and Walden, stop at FM 1960 to check the radar and if it looked okay then ride east over Lake Houston. As I reached the Kings River Drive on W. Lake Houston I heard thunder for the first time. It was beginning to look like my plan would not work. Riding on Upper lake Drive I felt light rain and heard more thunder. I made the decision to head back to Kingwood rather than ride on and probably get soaked or caught waiting for the storm to pass. I picked up the pace trying to beat the approaching storm. Back across the river I rode beside W. Lake Houston Parkway under some trees which block some of the light rain. I waited to cross Kingwood Drive hoping the rain wouldn’t strengthen and rode behind HEB setting a Strava 2nd fastest time on New HEB Alley (1:28). From there it was about 2 miles to home and the end of the ride. I knew it was close as I rode on Tree Lane when the wind kicked up and the temperature dropped. I made it home by 11:09 AM with only light rain. About 15 minutes later the storm arrived. I rode 18 miles which was less than I planned but better than zero miles. For some solace the stage 4 cyclist also rode in the rain but they didn’t quit like I did. I lost a little of the daily miles I was ahead on my goal but still have a cushion of 12.09 days versus today being the 9th. Maybe the weather on Wednesday will be better.