Short Sleeve Jersey Required – February 23rd Bike Ride
The weather made it to 94% of the forecast temperature 83 degrees (out of 88) at the start of the ride. By the time I got home it dropped to 77 degrees. But I am not complaining. I noticed that central Texas reached 91 degrees. As the headline says with a temperature like this a short sleeve jersey was required and appreciated. The clouds were a little thicker than I preferred but the sun shone through so I applied sunscreen before the start. The southwest wind showed 12 mph with gusts to 21 mph. This repeated yesterday’s wind. Today I started south into the wind so I could finish with the wind. The plan almost worked but I only managed an average speed of 14.8 mph but I did get to 22.3 mph for my max speed. Looking at the 5 mile splits I can see why the average dropped below 15; only 2 of the 6 splits averaged 15 mph or more, the others were below that mark. Average cadence was 77.4 RPM.
I planned a slightly modified route from the usual one to Huffman. As I rode east on FM1960 I noticed abnormal traffic as I approached Fairlake Drive where I turn south off FM1960. Once I started down Fairlake the traffic kept building up. Normally I might pass 3 or 4 cars over the two mile stretch to FM2100 but the traffic kept coming. I figured there was a blockage somewhere up ahead but my route had some options. When I turned north onto FM2100 I still could not see any problem but about a mile further I rounded a bend and I could see the traffic stopped. Biking beside the stopped vehicles I made it up to the spot where the Harris County Deputy Sheriff blocked the road. About two tenths of a mile ahead the railroad tracks held a big truck with the trailer stuck on the high tracks. The deputy said she had been there 45 minutes and the truck probably preceded her by 15 minutes. I took a couple of pictures with my cell phone (below, the zoom is not real clear) and the map shows the spot.
After waiting about 10 minutes and talking with some other bystanders I asked the deputy if it was okay for me to go ahead and get by the truck on the left side of the road. She said that was how she got through and to go ahead. The trucking company routed another truck to help get this one free. I think the big tank causing the problem was for drilling mud. I resumed my ride and went where the deputy directed. While I waited we noticed the wind seemed to increase, probably with the soon to arrive cool front.
Back on track I completed the 30.18 mile route battling the wind as I headed west over Lake Houston on the McKay Causeway. The temperature felt cooler going west than it did earlier when I biked east. February miles total 293.08 and YTD stands at 560.32 miles. Friday and Saturday weather do not look biking friendly so I may not get to ride again until Sunday.
2-23-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map
2-23-2012 Home Weather Station End