The day did not start with a bike ride likely because the weather forecast did not have the temperature going much above 60 but as the afternoon moved on my weather station showed 66 degrees and the the sun was warming the air so I started my ride later than usual at 2:35. With the later start I was limited to a shorter route and once I was out riding the stiff WNW 14 mph wind and 21 mph gusts amplified the chill in the air. To combat the wind and 65 degrees I wore shorts, leg warmers, short sleeve and long sleeve jerseys, windbreaker and full finger gloves. It might have been okay to wear half finger gloves but I wanted to wear them in preparation for tomorrow’s Gator Ride. They came through fine blocking the wind and keeping all of my fingers warm. I am not sure if today’s weather means March is coming like a lion or not but compared to Monday’s upper 70’s forecast I am leaning to the lion side rather than a lamb. When I got back home at 4:26 the temperature had dropped to 64.8 degrees and the wind slowed somewhat to NNW 14 mph with no gusts.

My route went south through Atascocita and on to Walden staying west of Lake Houston. The route was 23.4 miles long and with the stiff wind my average speed fell below 15 mph to 14.4 mph. I also did not want to tax my legs too much in anticipation of the Gator Ride. Going up over the Fred Hartman Bridge requires substantial effort. Now that March has arrived I have a new goal of 581 miles, a substantial increase over February. Last March I rode 20 days in March. Links to Garmin Connect and RidewithGPS.com for today’s ride.

The weather forecast for Baytown for tomorrow’s Gator Ride:

The 62 mile ride starts at 7:30, the 51/33 mile rides leave at 8:00 AM, and the 43 mile route starts at 8:30. I think I will ride 43 miles if I can brave the cold. By 8:30 maybe the sun will warm things up some. My planned wardrobe: leg warmers and shorts, three long sleeve jerseys, windbreaker jacket, full finger gloves.

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