Weather was a big deal during today’s bike ride. I started the ride at 12:30 PM, a delayed time while I hoped the temperature would get closer to the forecasted high of 71. But it didn’t look promising so I bundled up and took the “New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch” route to the north. I biked 41.47 miles which was my goal for the day.

Bundling up consisted of shorts, a thermal long sleeve jersey, short sleeve jersey, leg warmers, wind jacket, and full finger gloves. I debated about the gloves but with no sun over ruled regular gloves because I don’t like cold fingers. As it turned out I probably overdressed because at the 3:43 PM finish the jacket sleeves were wet and the jerseys soaked when I took them off. Weather during the bike ride: start 67 (67% humidity), overcast, wind SE 8 mph. Finish 71 (67% humidity), overcast and breezy, wind SE 23 mph gusts 30 mph.

Not sure when the wind became so strong because I didn’t notice it on the ride north to Roman Forest and the tailwind helped. Riding into Tavola riding to the east I got the first taste of the strong wind. Among the trees in Roman Forest the wind got buffered and I enjoyed the wind helping me get back to I-69/US59 on Roman Forest Blvd. At the turn to the south on I-69/US59 service road the headwind took its toll. I thought my legs were tired from the ride yesterday but when I got home I saw how strong the wind was. That explains around 6 miles left on the ride my legs turned to jello and speed dropped to 13 mph or less. Struggling to ride through Kingwood the speed dropped more. Once I finished the ride my legs complained as I walked inside the house. Sitting as I write this they are recovering.

Thursday weather forecast calls for rain. If that turns out to be false I have a small window to go for a 22 miles ride.

2019 YTD miles finally is ahead of 2016 and 2018 but still trails 2017.