Late out of the gate for today’s bike ride starting at 12:25 PM. I waited for the temperature to get to 60 degrees after watching the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. Then my prescription cycling glasses arrived. I tried them on but there doesn’t appear to be a prescription on the lens. I exchanged a couple of phone calls and will return them to see if there is a problem or if I am expecting something different than what I ordered.
With all that done I got ready to ride into a very strong NW wind on the “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” route going to the north. I dressed according to the temperature and the wind chill. I wore shorts, leg warmers, a long sleeve thermal jersey, wind jacket, and a new pair of Bellwether Windstorm full finger gloves. The gloves might’ve been over done for the end of the ride but while riding to Tavola I needed them to keep my fingers warm.
The Cervelo Caledonia bike performed well with my choosing the 35×15 gear for most of the ride according to the AXS.SRAM.com ride activity report. Only short sections on the return leg allowed me to switch to 35×13 when the wind let me. Weather at the start and the 3:18 PM finish: start 64 (humidity 33%, dew point 34), fair, wind NW 15 mph gusts 22 mph; finish 68 (humidity 27%, dew point 33), a few clouds, wind NW 20 mph gusts 32 mph. The wind gusts repeatedly pushed the bike from side to side depending on which direction I rode. My legs got a workout for sure pushing the pedals. I felt the difference whenever the trees and buildings blocked some of the wind. Even trees on the far side of US59 blunted the wind a little. There were times riding to Tavola when the road went east turning the headwind into a tailwind. My legs appreciated the rest.
This was the 3rd time biking this route in 2022. Today was the slowest average speed and highest effort and average power according to the SportTracks summary below. The distance was less at 35.84 miles. Those miles moved me closer to my 650 mile goal for March at 504.1 miles leaving 146 to ride. I am ahead of the pace to reach my goal. The week now totals 83.19 miles. I will need a couple of 40+ rides to get to 200.
