Double Long Sleeves – February 23rd Bike Ride
My thought to ride the Bulldog Ride in Waller got derailed because of the cold (for me anyway) temperature forecast (45 degrees) and the rather high day of ride cost ($45). So I stayed home waiting for the weather to warm up to 60 or more. While I waited I watched the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad spring classic near Ghent, Belgium. While I thought it was cold here the weather there was a -5 C, down in the 20’s F. This is way below my tolerance level but I also don’t get paid to ride either. Every time I watch live streaming races from Europe or elsewhere I am amazed to be sitting in front of my computer and seeing the scenery and the races.
This might have inspired me for my ride. I bundled up because it was 66 degrees and I planned on riding 35+ miles. Bundling up meant two long sleeve jerseys, leg warmers with shorts, windbreaker jacket but half finger gloves. This turned out to be just right with the wind chill factored in. I felt warm the entire ride as the temperature slowly increased to 71 when I got back home.
My route went north on the US59/I69 service road to New Caney, turning left onto FM1485 to Gene Campbell Road and onto FM1314 to head back toward home. I stopped at the new Stripes store at Old Sorters Road and FM1314 for a Diet Pepsi before rolling into Briar Tree and Oakhurst. This route totaled 38.24 miles, better than my goal, at 15.8 mph average speed. This is the first ride since last Tuesday due to wet and cold weather. Today’s ride moves the February total to 250.7 miles leaving 119 to reach my 369 mile goal. I should be able to ride tomorrow but Monday has a 50% chance of rain but maybe I can sneak a few miles in. Wednesday and Thursday look dry and in the 60’s. Look at the slides below for more ride data. Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com data.
This coming Saturday I am registered for the Gator Ride in Baytown, TX. I started checking the weather and it does not look like it is going to be warm but it will be clear. As the week progresses I will have a Gator Ride weather watch.
I will need to dig deep in my closet for gear to keep me warm on this ride. What a way to start March riding!
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