The bike ride began at 11:01 AM as I set out on the “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” route. The plan was to ride far enough to reach my goal for May of 660 miles. Biking 35.84 miles put me over my goal by 1.67 miles. So far this year I exceeded each month’s goal. With 7 more days left in May I have the opportunity to possibly reached 800+ miles for the month.

Weather was windy again but riding to the north for the first 17 miles meant a tailwind most of the time. After riding through Tavola and beginning the return leg the wind became a stiff headwind. Weather during the bike ride: start 86 (70% humidity), mostly cloudy, wind SE 20 mph 24 mph gusts. Finish 89 (65% humidity), mostly cloudy, wind SE 16 mph 25 mph gusts. My kit: shorts, short sleeve jersey, arm sleeves, and sunscreen. The weather screenshots at the start and finish of the ride.

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The 24 and 25 mph gusts sap a lot of leg energy when out in the open. I appreciated the trees and passing traffic blocking the wind for a few seconds or longer.

As I rode through Woodridge Forest these flags caught my eye as they waved in the wind.

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I could hear the fabric snapping as the wind pulled at the flags.

Today was the last day of school for New Caney ISD and the four schools I passed were already dismissed when I rode by. Humble ISD doesn’t end until May 31st.

Average speed topped out at 14.2 mph while on the ride south from Tavola. It dropped to 14.0 mph as I entered Kings Manor and settled at 13.7 mph by the 1:49 PM finish.

Saturday weather will repeat today’s and I plan on biking.

2019 now leads 2018, 2017 and 2016.