The weekend is not going to be very good for riding with a 100% probability of rain predicted on Saturday. My experience says that 100% probability of rain really means you’re going to get wet.

However, this Friday morning presents a nice day to downtown Houston. At 6:00 AM I slipped out the kitchen door toward the garage, and noticed the Brookstone Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer with readings of 68ºF and 44.6ºF. I put my briefcase in the trunk of the LT and pulled out my raingear for a little wind protection. The gear slipped on easily over my dress leather jacket. I donned heavy gloves and headed toward Gosling Road and then Woodlands Parkway.

I set my seat and handlebar grip temperature controls on medium and soon crossed over the frontage road to merge into I-45 while it was still dark. Oddly enough, I like merging into that heavy traffic . . . slight acceleration into the slow lane and with a brief glance over my shoulder to confirm my mirror view, I twisted that black thing and herded that bike to the passing lane at about 80 MPH.

The grips and seat radiate pleasant heat into the appropriate body parts as I cruise into the I-45 HOV lane entry point just north of FM 1960. It was clear sailing initially in that well protected lane so I triple digit’ed it for a while before falling behind a lane of cars moving about 70. The sunrise illuminated feather-like clouds to my left while hundreds of cars sat stopped in the standard lanes to my right. The Autocom headset, tied into the BMW radio system brings NPR radio into my helmet. NRP is covering the Hamas victory in elections in Palestine while I’m thinking about what will be the result of catering to such an extreme group.

As I near downtown, the temperature has risen to about 50, and I follow the signage to Smith Street, slicing between buses and other commuters. I enter the garage safely and the rain gear returns to the trunk with nary a shiver. A brief walk across to One Allen Center through the pedestrian over-street walkway gets me to my 11th floor office.

What a way to start one’s Friday! I’ll have an intense day, on the phone, in meetings, and preparing plans. All the same, while I’m working, I’ll have the ride home in the back of my mind when the temperatures should be about 68ºF.

I hope you find many chances to ride in Houston’s winter. If you’re in the HOV lane, be especially careful where merging lanes enter from park-n-rides or from side streets. Other than those instances, the HOV lanes present a fairly sane trip downtown and back.