I worked in the front flower bed after watching stage 5 of the Itzulia Basque Country while waiting for the temperature to go up a few more degrees. No need to wait for the wind to increase, it was already plenty strong from the north to northwest. Apparently I got too close to the Texas Laurel bush I was trying to stand up and it nicked my arm sending blood down my hand. A trip inside and to put a bandage on it. Completing the work I got ready for today’s bike ride. Rolling away at 11:49 AM on the Cervelo Caledonia. (Check the video to see a new item on the bike). I wanted to make the route a little different biking north. I chose my “New Caney – Roman Forest Blvd – Valley Ranch” route modifying a few streets at the start and later on at Porter. The streets are familiar ones but not in this combination. Since 2012 I biked this route just 4 times.

Since the distance varies each ride the route map must’ve been different from today’s trip. The 2012 ride was on my Motobecane – 2011 Le Champion CF Ltd bike. The other three are on current bikes I ride.

The wind does not want to let up. It is strong enough to cause the NWS to issue a fire alert with very low humidity and dew point. My legs got punished on the ride to Roman Forest Blvd. I thought when I made the turn back to Kingwood the wind would be friendly but I still had to fight it when I was out in the open. The wind is hanging around since the front passed through on Wednesday. I like the low humidity and dew point but the wind is brutal. Weather conditions for the ride: start 70 (humidity 23%, dew point 30), fair, wind N 17 mph gusts 24 mph; finish 73 (humidity 21%, dew point 31), fair, wind NW 16 mph gusts 29 mph. The humidity is not normal for the Texas gulf coast.

My kit reflected the new combination of shorts, long sleeve jersey, and a short sleeve jersey. The wind had some chill to it but the LS jersey was enough to feel comfortable with the sunshine once I warmed up.

Highlights from the AXS.SRAM.com activity report: 27 RD shifts, 1:36:48 riding time in the 35×15 gears, total biking time 2:23:59. Finished the ride at 2:18 PM.