I was slow getting today’s bike ride started. It just seemed like was moving in molasses. Once I got free of the molasses I rolled my Lynskey Helix bike out and started the ride at 11:04 AM. The route was New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch for the 15th time this year. I again added the loop through Lilliput Farms and this time I made the correct turn to ride to Railroad Ave. to get back to Roman Forest Blvd. On Railroad Ave. a couple of dogs spotted me riding by their house barking with the small dog squeezing under the fence and onto the road but well behind me. In Tavola I rode in the newest areas again before exiting onto Roman Forest Blvd. I rode both sections of Brooklyn Trails that straddle Mills Branch Drive. I noticed the RV park at E. Martin Drive gained several more tenants. Maybe “snowbirds”. I was reminded that Sycamore Drive in Woodbranch Village is rough. Next time I will take the other streets in Lilliput Farms to avoid Sycamore. Because of the late start I didn’t finish until 2:13 PM.

According to the weather station the wind was 10 mph but as I rode west through various Kingwood Villages and Woodridge Forest it felt stronger than that. Once I reach the frontage road along US59 it became a nice tailwind helping me all the way to Tavola. On the way back to Kingwood I pedaled into the headwind most of the way. The open sections were the worst. I was glad I wore a long sleeve pol T-shirt under my short sleeve jersey because the wind still had a hint of chill whenever I was in the shade or a strong gust hit me. I was comfortable in the sun. Weather conditions: start 77 (humidity 59%, dew point 62), clear, wind SW 10 mph; finish 83 (humidity 45%, dew point 60), mostly clear, wind S 9 mph.

There were several times I should’ve changed from the 35×13 gears to the 35×15 as I rolled up to stops. I guess I was thinking of something else.