11/30/09
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca

The weekend clouds were gone and looking out of my front window all I could see were clear blue skies. It was a bit cool as I left the house but it seemed warmer than last Friday so I didn’t bother putting on my Balaclava or long gloves. As the group assembled in front of the Burger King everyone seemed like they were in a good mood and ready for a good ride.

Once we were ready to go it was time to count heads and a quick check showed we had Raptor, Rocket, Highlander, Tax Man, Hit Man, Duramax and me. It should be easy to keep track of seven riders so we were off heading south to work our way over to Sanderson and Domenigoni.

Once we were heading east on Domenigoni we settled into an easy pace of 19-21 MPH. I knew we would lose Raptor to a previous engagement somewhere along the way and he may have left us at Warren Road. The rest of us stayed in a tight pack all the way to Leon Road. It was turning into a quiet ride that was just a bit cooler than I expected. We spread out a bit by the time we got to Domenigoni Hill so we stopped to regroup and catch our breath.

Once over the hill we turned on Linderburger and headed for Macall. There was a slight debate between Tax Man and Highlander about climbing the back side of Macall but once they decided to make it Tax Man took off and lead me, Duramax and Highlander to the top. We picked up speed heading towards Murrieta but Rocket broke off and headed for home because he was running out of time.
The rest of us made the loop back to Cherry Hill and then took Murietta to Newport and the Jack in the Box in Sun City. We enjoyed the fellowship and conversation for about 20 minutes and the left for the ride home.

It occurred to me that Highlander must be a bit like a horse heading back for the barn once we are heading home. He set a pace and pulled away from the rest of us with Tax Man on his back wheel all the way back to Domenigoni Hill. Hit Man took up the chase at the bottom of the hill and once over the top decided to take off on his own for the ride back home.

Duramax got his legs working at that point and pulled me all the way back to Winchester at a rather brisk pace.

Once we crossed Winchester I was planning on taking a turn in the front when an old folk song came to mind.

“Away out here they have a name for rain and wind and fire.
The rain is Tess, the fire's Joe and they call the wind Mariah.

Mariah blows the stars around and sets the clouds a-flyin'.
Mariah makes the mountains sound like folks was out there dyin'.”

Mariah decided to join us by blowing right in our face. She was supposed to be blowing out of the North but for reasons only known to her she turned west just as we passed Winchester. Our speed dropped dramatically and about half way back to Sanderson Duramax and I stopped to allow Tax Man and Highlander to catch up. It seemed to me that Mariah was hitting us in the face at about 12 to 20 MPH and she didn’t let up one bit when Highlander and Tax Man turned on Sanderson. Duramax and I continued on to state Street and Mariah warned us she was coming out of the north by the time we reached the Marina access road. Once we turned north on State Street we knew just where Mariah was coming from and she fought us every inch of the way till Duramax turned for home just before Thornton.

I managed to make a left turn on Johnson and it seemed as if the wind was blocked for the rest of my ride. At the end I had 40 miles on the clock and a very good workout. While it is satisfying to overcome a challenging ride the best part is spending time with friends, and I am not including Mariah.

11/27/09
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca

Due to technical problems I have been unable to post and ride reports for more than a week. But finally I am back on line and once again hope to catch everyone up on how our group has been doing. First I will attempt to bring everyone up to date.

On November 14, 2009 we had one of our monthly Coffee Shop rides. It was a great day and an easy ride. We try to make Coffee Shop rides short and flat so we will have more time to visit and get to know each other. What made this a special ride was that later on that afternoon we would be having a bar-b-cue at Backdraft and Gazelle’s home.
By Monday the 16th we were ready for another typical good fall day in Hemet and decided to make a run down Domenigoni to Menifee and over to Scott Road. We split up before we got back to Newport road and managed to regroup in Sun City at Jack in the Box. At that point we left for home in separate groups. Still by the time we some of us got home we had a respectable 40 miles on the odometer.
By Wednesday the 18th it was time for a run up Batista Canyon and once again the weather seemed to be made to order just for us. The ride out to Fairview was smooth and we all entered the canyon together, except for Tool Man who had to wait for Shadow to meet up with him to ride towards Mountain Center. Hit man and Huntress both had appointments so the turned around before the top of the canyon and Rocket was on his way down before I got to the top. Four of us regrouped at the turn around point and bucked a head wind most of the way back to Fairview. The Red Rabbit and Whippet broke off for breakfast at Stetson leaving Duramax and me to go to Carl’s to see if Deacon and Parky were still there. We were joined in the end by Tool Man and Shadow and once again had a good time reliving the ride and just talking. I was just shy of 40 miles by the time I got home.
By Friday the 20th it was time for another quick run down Domenigoni to La Ladera. We stayed together pretty well as a group with only an occasional break from the pack by Hit man or Cossack. By the time we got to the little hill on Domenigoni right after Leon Shadow proved to me that he could still pass me going uphill just about any time he wants. Only about three of us stopped at Chris’s the rest seemed to have other commitments so Shadow and I took a long break for coffee and conversation. It was another day that was just a tick short of 40 miles with very little wind.
Monday the 23rd started out pretty cool for this area. But of course standing in front of Burger King we are standing in the warmest place in Hemet so just about everyone ends up taking off leg warmers and arm warmers before the ride starts. We decided to take on Cactus Valley for a ride that would end up on the eastern side of town but we started off by going west to Winchester. This turned out to be a rather quick ride for our 40 miles. At least for those of us who did the whole ride. Somewhere after we turned onto Domenigoni Rocket and Hit man took off with Highlander in tow and we didn’t see them again till State Street. Well we did see Highlander because he and Tax Man turned to head for home on Sanderson. Red Rabbit never made it passed Chris’s in Winchester and Rocket had an appointment so he left us at State. By the time we got back to Carl’s it was Duramax, Hit Man and I. Still it was a nice ride and we got in another 40 miles.

Tuesday the 25th was a very different ride for our group. We were heading for Nuevo and then over to Chris’s, or at least that was the plan. Red Rabbit and Shadow took a short cut at Warren road and Raptor turned off at Bridge Street. We were traveling along in a semi pace line with Rocket pulling us along at a reasonable rapid pace. About the time Hit Man took the lead we could see Red Rabbit and Shadow ahead of us about ¼ of a mile. Hit Man put the hammer down and we closed the gap much faster than I had expected. The problem was we had dropped part of the group and when we stopped at Lakeview we go separated. Rocket, Cossack, Hit Man and I looked back down Ramona to see where everyone was only to miss them when they turned at the light and went straight to Nuevo Road. We ended up riding all the way back to Warren Road to see is anyone was having trouble. Rocket and Cossack left us as we got back to Cottonwood and Hit Man and I managed to ride over to Stetson and back to Winchester only a few minutes after Shadow and Red Rabbit met up with Parky at Chris’s. I was pleased to get in my 40 miles but I was very surprised at my 17.5 MPH average speed when I got home.
Friday the 27th brings us up to date. It started out pretty cool and I was planning on a recovery ride. We opted for Bridge Street, Gilman, Soboba and over to Carl’s. All in all I think we were pretty successful with the exception of some grumblings from Highlander about the pace going up Bridge to Gilman. I did remind him that he was in front of me so I could not be blamed for the pace even if I did pick the route. I never did have to take off my leg warmers so setting at Carl’s seemed very comfortable. Drafting Highlander on the way back down Florida pushed my average speed up even if I ended with just over 32 miles for the day. I look forward to what Monday has to offer.

11/13/09
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca

Compared to a lot of places today was a good day for a bike ride. Compared to our typical ride over the last few weeks it was a bit cool. Just as I was about to leave the house I decided to go back in and put on knee warmers and a long sleeve jersey with w hood. The group that showed up for the ride confirmed my assessment as they were all dressed warmer than Wednesday as well.

At least two of us had appointments today so we decided on a shorter than normal ride that headed east. Our pack included Huntress, Rocket, Quicksticks, Red Rabbit, Duramax and me. We left the parking lot just after 9am leaving Snow Goose and Parky with the intention of meeting them at Carl’s about 11am. The sky was a bit more overcast than it had been an hour earlier and there was a slight breeze.

After turning off of Sanderson and onto Domenigoni we made a quick run up to the road leading to the marina. We all followed Rocket on the climb to the top of the hill and back out onto Domenigoni. We then turned onto State and went through the houses off of McSweeney and headed back down State Street. The Red Rabbit decided to head for home when he got back to Domenigoni and Rocket had an appointment so it was down to 4 of us.
We turned east on Stetson and South through the old homes and somehow we lost Quicksticks. We found him again after turning off of Lake Street and rode together to Fairview. The sun would pop out and flirt with burning off the clouds but it still wasn’t getting any warmer however Huntress and Duramax still had a smile on their faces. Duramax left before we got back to Carl’s.
Pictures

Coffee was good and the conversation was as well. When it was time to leave Huntress, Quicksticks and I rode over to Park heading west. Disaster struck when Quicksticks went down just before we made the turn onto Columbia and it looked like he sacrificed his body to save the bike. Ginny and I raced back to help him up but he assured us he was all right. He later seems as if he landed harder than he let on. We can only hope he recovers quickly.

By the time I got home I had logged in a short 29 miles with good friends on a good day.

East to the mountains.

11/11/09
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca


It is hard to believe it is fall and we still have such nice weather for cycling. It was a bit cool the night before but this morning it was fairly warm and just a touch overcast. By the time we all gathered for the ride it must have been close to 70 degrees and that maybe is why the ride was so well attended. Before we started off there were 16 riders assembled in front of Burger King.

Once we got started Tool man broke off to take another route. Snow Goose and Parky left as the cruiser group while 13 of us joined up to head down Lyon on our way to the Small rollers on Soboba.


Not long afterward we turned off of State and onto Soboba the group split into two as Rocket and Hit Man started to pull away. I got a good picture of Quicksticks and T-3 pulling the rest of the pack and decided to give chase to see if I could keep up.

I did manage to close with the two leaders and caught them by the second roller with Cossack nipping at my rear wheel. That was a great move considering he was at the back of the second group when I took off to chase Rocket and Hit Man. About half way up the second roller it was my turn to take the lead and pull the leading group and I did so until just before we reached the edge of the golf course just before I pulled out of the lead I got a picture of Rocket as he took the lead.
As we got to the top of the last roller by the entrance to the golf course I pulled over to get a shot of the rest of our group climbing the rise. First Whippet and Red Rabbit rode past.

Then came Duramax and Von Richthofen and Highlander up the hill.

Then Quicksticks, T-3 and Shadow and Raptor topped the rise just before we regrouped and headed on towards the Ranger Station on Florida.

When we made the turn to ride over the Soboba Bridge Cossack took off and three of us gave chase but he made it to the top of the bridge before we could catch him. Still it was a good run and got our heart rate up. The rest of the ride to the Ranger Station was rather leisurely, at least for me and the group I was with. T-3 even told me she felt the ride up Florida was one of the best she has had. We did see Rocket heading back before we got to the turnaround point and we lost Highlander and Raptor to other commitments.
We did catch up with Rocket when one of his retro rockets went flat and he had to do a space walk to fix the malfunction. Still he was smiling as I took photographic proof for the masses.
But after we all regrouped I took another picture and we headed towards Carl’s. T-3, Cossack, Red Rabbit and Whippet continued on and the rest of us stopped to talk about the ride and refuel. But the time I got home it was a bit over 80 degrees and I had 34 miles on my odometer. A good time was had by all as they say.

11/09/09
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca


I will freely admit I wasn’t looking forward to today’s ride. To tell the truth I was in pain from a hike I took with T-3 and Ruby Tuesday on Saturday. All afternoon Saturday and all day Sunday my Knees, legs and lower back hurt and I could only hope they would be better by this morning. As I opened my eyes from a deep sleep I silently ran a systems check on my body. Arms: Check with minimal soreness. Back: Check with minimal stiffness. Upper legs: Check felt pretty good. Knees: Check they seem to be working without soreness. Lower Legs: Fail with major complaints about having to move. Feet: Recovered from soreness and ready for action. Oh well I guess I will get up anyway and limp along with the group.

Thank goodness the group was in a sympathetic mood so they easily agreed to a fairly flat run through Nuevo to Chris’s. The group split right at the start into two. Parky, Wart and Snow Goose, People from Michigan are called Michiganders and a gander is a male goose, went one way and Rocket, Raptor, Hitman, Highlander and I went another.
Raptor left a bit before the rest of us and we were in no hurry to catch him until Highlander caught sight of him and started closing the distance. Once Raptor was reeled in by Highlander the two of them pulled us most of the way to warren road.
We lost Raptor at Ramona Expressway and continued on by running an easy pace line all the way to Lakeview. After a quick stop for refueling at the gas station on Lakeview we all stayed in line pretty well all the way down Menifee. Once we turned onto Mapes Highlander seemed to get a bit of extra energy and started to pull away from us after we turned onto Briggs road. Highlander caught the light green at Florida and made it almost to the housing tract before we crossed Florida.
Just as we came out of the housing tract I could barely see Highlander disappearing into the distance and was discussing with Duramax where he might be. Duramax picked up the pace a bit and pulled me to within about 300 yards of Highlander. Ahead of Highlander I could see Wart and Parky and realized there was no way I was going to catch Highlander before he slowed down to say hello to them and I didn’t. I did pull even with him before he could take off again. But I made a good effort and now my upper legs were complaining just like my lower legs were first thing this morning.
After some great fellowship and visiting we left for home. Highlander, Rocket and Hitman turned and headed for the airport and Duramax turned towards Domenigoni to chase Parky and Wart. By the time I got home I had logged 40 miles in 2 hours and 17minutes. Now I feel balanced, I am sore from the hips down. But it beats riding in the rain or snow.

A little climb

11/04/09
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca


There are a lot of days when things start off well and then turn bad but today was something different. Today was one of those days that start out wrong but get better as they go.

Shortly after we started assembling deacon noticed that Duramax had a flat tire. Duramax has always been a mentor to me and I was not surprised to see him calmly remove the front tire and start to replace the tube. Rocket, Hit Man, Huntress talked as the repair process went along and Wart soon joined us as we watched. Connie pulled up or should I say walked up and she had a flat tire. Wart was quick to remove her front tire and begin the repair process himself. Quick Sticks pulled up about the same time as Raptor and we waited as Wart worked and discussed riding to Juniper flats. Just as Wart was pumping up one tire Duramax told us to leave without him because he now had a flat on the rear tire? Quick Sticks decided against riding the Flats and so we left Connie, Deacon, Parky, Wart and Quick Sticks and headed out parking lot towards Kirby and Cottonwood.

The Red Rabbit warned us he was going to run hard today so it was no surprise to see him riding near the front with Hit Man as we traveled down Kirby.


Hit Man pulled most of the way from Cottonwood to Ramona and Rocket started the pull down Ramona towards Nuevo. It was a easy pull of about 18 to 19 MPH and we all seemed comfortable. When Rocket pulled off of the front Huntress took over and kicked the pull up to 20 then 21 MPH and held it there for quite a while. We were surprised as he pace and we were surprised by an Ultralight the circled us and waved as they passed and climbed back into the sky.


Hit Man took off towards Lakeview and Surgeon wanted to stop to pick up some Poweraid or juice so most of us stopped to wait. Red Rabbit didn’t wait and he continued on towards Juniper Flats. Once we were all refreshed we took off again and waited one more time to regroup as we made the turn at the stop sign on Contour. It was about here that Hit man decided to take off and give chase to Red Rabbit and the rest of us stayed together till we passed the school on Warren Street. We spread out from that point and I tried to stay on Rockets back wheel for the first 1/3 of the climb. Once I downshifted

Rocket pulled away but I still managed to keep a rather respectable pace. Rocket and Hit Man went back after reaching the top to look for T-3 and I stopped at the top and took some pictures as the group pulled in behind me. Once down the back side we made quick work of the ride to Winchester for a quick Coffee break and the ride home. Just over 38 miles and the temperature was just over 80 degrees by the time I got home. To me this was a good day.

11/02/09
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca
When the alarm gently reminded me it was time to get up it was already getting light. A quick check of the thermometer told me it was warmer than last week and a look at the sky told me it was going to be a great day for a ride. I had a light breakfast put on my riding Jersey and Bibs and headed out the door.

I could tell the ride was going to be well attended because there were quite a few riders already waiting by the time I got to the parking lot and I had left the house early. Once everyone was assembled the ride was selected and off we went on a slightly different route.

Everyone seemed pretty eager as we left for Acacia and by the time we turned off of Kirby the group was still running like a tightly controlled pack of hunting dogs.
After turning off of Sanderson and heading towards the air port The Red Rabbit pulled ahead a bit and stayed there till just after we turned onto Stetson. Shortly after we passed Warren Road the Tool Man decided to pick it up a bit and took off on his own and quickly pulled away. We didn’t catch him again till he decided to wait for us at Winchester road. Just before we made the turn on Winchester I looked back to see Hughlander, Hit Man, Rocket, von Richthofen, Duramax, Tax Man, Red Rabbit and Whippet. I didn’t see Wart but I did see a different Jersey pulling up behind us.

Red Rabbit passed us at the turn and the different jersey started working his way through the pack. Tool Man got squeezed out into traffic with Rabbits unorthodox lead and passed us and I made a dash after him when to lone rider tried to pass behind me. Just passed Chris’s the road got wider and Tool man let us catch up before we were to turn onto Stimson. Hit man, Rocket and Tool Man made a run for it as Mike, a local ride we see now and then attempted to pass. When they turned on Stimson he went straight and the new leading pack of Rocket, Tool Man and Hit Man pulled away. We in the chase group were rolling along at a pretty clip, if you consider 23 MPH a pretty good clip. None the less we caught up just before Lindenburger because of road construction.

We all turned onto Domenigonoi together and headed back towards Hemet and that was just about the last time we were together. Once over the Domenigoni Hill and headed out on the flats Rocket, Whippet and Tool Man were off again. They waited till we regrouped just passed Winchester and we got in a line that held together until almost Warren Road when Whippet attacked the overpass and the group fractured. Highlander and Tax Man fell back planning on turning on Sanderson. Duramax, von Richthofem and I road together only to watch Hit Man turn on Sanderson and to ride up on Whippet taking a break about halfway to the Marina entrance. He rode with us for a few hundred yards and then we lost him.

We saw Tool Man and Rabbit at State Street and Tool Man went back to see if he was ok. By the time von Richthofen, Duramax and I got back from riding through the housing tract and back to state Street it was down to just the three of us.

We made it to the east end Carl’s almost right at 11 to have coffee with Deacon and Parky and were joined by Raptor after he had his men’s meeting. 40 miles with an average speed of close to 17 MPH tells me it was a good ride and a good day.