Schlumberger Education Expedition 2009

After having missed a relatively warm week while I was travelling with work, Saturday morning dawned cold and windy. We had 15 mph NW winds and the temperature at 5 am was 46 F. No incentive to get out of bed for this ride. I had organised to hit the trail with a bunch of friends with a departure time of 6 am, to get to Hightower High School in Fort bend, for the 7.15 am push off, which was around the time when it was going to get light

Above shot is taken about 9 am at Rest stop 2. We ended up doing the 53 miler due to the wind being blusteringly strong. It was so cold, that we were all wearing extra layers to stop the wind cutting through. Fingers didn't warm up till the sun was out for at least an hour.

The rest of the day turned out to be sunny, but windy and the wind was cold. Turnout for this ride was not as big as last years when the weather was better. We saw the odd bit of road kill along the road, and quite a few black caterpillars trying to cross the road. Horses, Cows and several fields along with the odd small town as we cycled through Manvel and Rosharon. Manvel is Manvel is a city in Brazoria County, Texas. The current population is approximately 7,160 as of April 2008, and it is about a 40 min drive SW of downtown Houston.

The ride raises money for the local school district, so the schools had volunteers out to help with the rest stops. They ran a competition for the best rest stop and we all picked number 6. Apart from cheering the cyclists on till they were hoarse, they also kept the bikers who stopped, entertained while they played games like twister, next to the food and drink stop.

The wind took its toll. We made it back by 12pm for a meal of fajitas (beef or chicken) or a choice of subway sandwiches. We burnt plenty of calories and it was good to get something to eat after that. All in, a good ride and good to get some windy riding practice in!