The day arrived for a longer than usual bike ride. I picked the New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch route because the average distance is 43.5 miles which would get me within range for a 200+ mile week. Interesting that I’ve only biked this route 4 times before today in 2023. I really didn’t mean to slight the people of Roman Forest. Its a nice place to bike. I rode out the driveway at 10:45 AM on my Canyon Endurace bike. After the last ride on the Canyon I waxed the chain because it was making sounds. Today the chain was much quieter and smoother. The ride went north along US59 to community Drive where I moved to Loop 494. I rode over the unopened new Caney Creek bridge again before entering Tavola. I stayed on Via Principale Parkway after taking Gran Roble and other side streets to Aragoste Parkway. Aragoste ended at Roman Forest Blvd. A right turn onto Roman Forest Blvd. and into the town. The main street shoulder provides space to ride with traffic to my left. Magnolia Bend circled to Appian Way but I took a side street to Dogwood Lane and then to Appian. Galaxy Blvd. connected me back to Roman Forest Blvd. to start the return to Kingwood. The weather was great with plenty of sun, moderate wind and humidity. I finished at 2:12 PM after biking 43.39 miles. The week rides now total 178 miles. Saturday’s ride should get me over the 200 mile mark. I’m 77% of the way (540 road miles) to my 700 mile goal for October. I’m getting 2023 YTD miles closer to 2022 trailing by only 49 miles. Weather: Start 78 degrees, humidity 55%, dew point 60.5, fair, wind W 4 mph; Finish 88 degrees, humidity 37%, dew point 58.5, fair, wind W 9 mph.