I wasn’t planning on riding today but an unexpected release from another commitment allowed me to go. I was delayed some because my wife and I went out to eat first but this gave the sun time to warm things up a bit. The home weather station showed 74 degrees as I walked out to the garage to get started at 2:45. I thought the extra 6 degrees above yesterday warranted a slightly different wardrobe so Left the leg warmers and wind breaker jacket at home. For the first 12 miles or so this seemed like a good idea but when I turned south at New Caney the southbound US59 service road included some shade the northbound one didn’t.

As long as I kept a good pace my body heat counteracted the wind chill most of the time. Whenever I stopped it didn’t take long for the coolness to penetrate my long sleeve jersey. After I left the Strips station on FM1314 most the route was in the shade. Coupled with the shade the sun was going down further behind the trees. By the time I reached Kingwood I was looking forward to pulling into the garage out of the light but cool breeze. It was 69 by the time I got home at 4:57.

Today’s route include some roads I haven’t used in awhile. First I took the northbound US59 service road all the way to New Caney. I rode through the construction zone at Community Drive but I figured Sunday’s traffic would be light and it was. Only a few cars passed me during the short stretch without a shoulder before Community Drive. On the southbound side no cars passed me in that construction zone. The next change I rode through Forest Colony instead of Valley Ranch. I exited onto Valley Ranch Parkway which took me to the Stripes station on FM1314.

After a short Diet Pepsi break at Stripes where I enjoyed the sun I got back on the bike for the final 11 miles. This section was the chilliest with lots of shade and turns into the cool breeze. I ended up biking 29.31 miles and averaged 15.3 mph. With today’s ride the week’s miles totaled 183.09 and November miles now total 215.67. Year to date stands at 5762 miles.

Tomorrow’s weather forecast points to another good riding day: 75 degrees and partly cloudy.

Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com metrics and maps.

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