I drove to New Caney to start today’s ride parking at Brookshire Brothers. The weather was a little overcast but the temperature was 79 degrees with a light breeze. Perfect for biking. After unloading the Stradalli and putting the wheels on I put on my shoes and helmet to leave at 1:02. After the last ride I checked the Duck tape on the inside of the left chainstay and it had been rubbed through. I positioned the wheel in the rear and moved it to the right a little with the quick release. Today after putting the rear wheel in I checked the clearance again and nudged the wheel to the right. I would check the results when I got back.

The name I gave this route sounds a little European: New Caney – Cut and Shoot – New Caney. No cheering crowds along the side of the road though.

Starting at New Caney I stayed on the US59/I69 service road all the way through Splendora to Fostoria Road. I can’t remember the last time I road norht of Splendora and on Fostoria Road. My route plan was fluid because I wasn’t sure of the total distance. I could turn south from SH 105 West on several roads: Old SH 105, Crockett-Martin, Waukegan Road or FM1485. I was averaging 16+ mph and feeling pretty good. The distance wasn’t too bad so I opted for FM1485. Before I got there though I did have a dog sprint on 105 around the 18.4 mile marker. A large light brown dog came out the front yard of house on my right. He stayed about 5 or 6 feet to my right but was matching my speed. I yelled a couple of times and he either gave up or my yell influenced him. That’s 3 dog sprints out of 4 rides, way above what I normally encounter.

Fostoria Road built up over the years from when I first started biking there in the 1980’s. There use to be a couple of houses north of Morgan Cemetery Road. Now the houses sprouted up but are the large lot type.

On SH 105 the right shoulder varied from wide and smooth to narrow with those divots cut in the asphalt. Sometimes those divots and the shoulder only left 2 feet to ride on. One spot by the landfill entrance in Security the shoulder was covered with dirt from the garbage trucks exiting forcing me into the main lane for a couple of hundred feet. Traffic always made room for me in those spots.

Reaching FM1485 I turned south and saw the sign showing 17 miles to New Caney. My legs were ready to head back to the Jeep. On FM1485 the shoulder had some small rock from the trucks leaving Pavers Supply. After I crossed the railroad tracks the rock all but disappeared. The road was rolling and my tired legs faltered some getting up them. I relished the downhills but they didn’t last long. At the FM2090 and FM1485 intersection I took a couple of minutes rest waiting on the light to change. Not too far away at FM3083 and FM1485 I planned on stopping. At that point I thought there was 7 miles to the Jeep (it was really 8 miles). A quick stop at the Dollar General store netted two small bags of chips. From there I stopped at the Valero station next door for some sport drink and rest.

Rest and refreshed I set out from the Valero station to New Caney. I got to the Jeep at 4:22, 45.19 miles later. Average speed was 16+ mph most of the ride with a max of 16.3 mph and 16.2 mph overall according to the Golden Cheetah program. My phone showed 83 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.

As I put the bike in the Jeep to head home I checked the Duck tape on the left chainstay, no rubbing marks. Great! I need to pay close attention to the wheel position when I put the rear wheel back on at home.

Just 18 miles until the Stradalli hits 6,000 miles. I will install new tires after the next ride. I don’t want to risk a flat if I starting away from home like today. The front tire has 5982 miles on it and the rear has 4982.

643 miles YTD, 208.44 miles for March, and 77.32 miles this week.

Tomorrow the weather forecast calls for 50% chance of rain. Biking will be iffy.

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