Half Century

1/29/10
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca

Sometimes things simply don’t seem to be going according to plan and this last two weeks seem to be one of those times. Because of the weather I have had plenty of time to clean my road bike and while doing just that I discovered a small hairline crack in the frame. Now I have to send it to the distributer to see if they can fix or replace it. Then the good part might be that I just put my Jamis back together so at least I could do our group rides on that. Today was the first test of my assembly skills as I had to use the Jamis for one of our longer Palm Springs warm up rides. I set up a ride just over 55 miles and e-mailed the directions so all the regular riders. All this was on my mind as I left the house and headed for the meeting place today.

When we all assembled at the Burger King I could see it was going to be a small group. I knew Parky, Deacon and Rick wouldn’t be going with us because of the distance and some of our regulars hadn’t showed up by about 8:50. By 9am it was Beowulf, Highlander, Attack cat, Duramax, Shadow and me. I explained the route and we were off on Lathum and turned on Lyon to make the run up to Ramona Expressway. We setteled into a steady pace heading towards Lake Parris. I did manage to get to the side of the road and catch a picture of Beowulf pulling us passed the dairies between Warren and Lakerview.


The drawback to taking a picture from that distance is you fall off the back of the draft and you have to work extra hard to catch back up. This was a trail run for my Jamis after I put it back together. It also showed me how much harder it is to get a basically touring bike up to speed. Thank goodness Beowulf saw my trying to catch up and he fell back to pull me up to Duramax and then the rest of the group.

Our next obstacle was going to be the two little hills in front of Lake Parris. Highlander was leading the way and I was able keep up pretty for the first ½ of the hill or so. As I pulled up beside Highlander Beowulf and Attack Cat took off followed by Shadow. I shifted into a lower gear to try and hold a spin and Highlander dropped me like I was rolling backwards. About then Duramax passed me and I ended up trailing everyone almost all the way to Evans. We did manage to stay together as a group as we turned onto Parris Boulevard and I was even able to stay up front for a little while. We were all still in a pretty good mood as we neared the 25 mile mark towards the end of Parris Boulevard and made the turn onto Goetz. I know Highlander was having a good time because he like being able to catch and pass me at will. His smile kept giving him away.

We decided that once we got on Newport we would stay in it and stop at Jack in the box for coffee. Looking at my computer I could see we were making pretty good time for the distance we were going and everyone had been taking a turn at the front so some of us could rest while in the pack. The great thing about one of these longer rides is we get a chance to talk more and at time laugh. I decided to try and get a good picture of Shadow and Duramax stuck one of his water bottles out thinking he was blocking the shot. All it really did is show why it is so hard to draft Shadow. It is clear to see Shadow isn’t much bigger than a water bottle.

We picked up the pace a bit and made it to Jack in the Box about 11:20. It was good to refuel and refresh ourselves before heading back towards Winchester. We were heading back down Newport by 11:45 and hit the Domenagoni Saddle right about 11:50. I had just enough energy left to attack the hill and managed not to get dropped by a grinning Highlander. Once over the saddle Beowulf and Attack cat took off towards Winchester road. About halfway back to Sanderson Attack cat decided he wanted to head out to Cactus Valley and Beowulf decided he would go with him. They had been strong all day and looked like that had energy left.

At the corner of State and Domenigoni I managed to catch up as two of our riders made the turn and Duramax stopped because we saw Sherpa heading for home. We rode up to McSweeney together and Duramax and I headed for home.

By the time I got back home I had 55.1 miles on the clock at 16.5 MPH. All things considering the test ride for the Jamis worked out pretty well. It will work pretty good as a century bike and weekend café rider.

1/25/10
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca

It has been more than a week since my last group ride. The weather simply has not co-operated and I was beginning to get cabin fever. It turned out I didn’t have cabin fever I had a cold. I tried to get out Saturday but by the time I got home I knew I should have stayed in bed. My hope was that I would be better by Monday. When it was time to get up this morning I was feeling about 60 percent so I decided to give it a try and got into my Bibs and Jersey and headed for the meeting place.


It was my intention to take it rather easy and plan out a pretty simple route just to get in the miles. I suggested the traditional La Ladera loop figuring that even if I got dropped badly I could find a way to get to Chris’s to meet everyone for coffee. Just before we got ready to leave a new rider pulled up and unloaded a nice looking Cannondale and walked over for introductions. His name was Sigfried and we quickly filled him in on our route and get ready to leave.

Everyone was out of the parking lot before I could get my helmet on so I had to hurry a bit to catch them at the light and get in front to get a picture. The whole group reminded of a pack of dogs that were ready for a fox hunt. I felt less like a Fox Hound and more like a Basset Hound thought that this might end up being a long day. My only hope was that Rocket would take pity on me and hold the pace down on Domenigoni and I held to that hope as we passed Stetson on Sanderson where Quicksticks joined the group. A few blocks later Shadow pulled into line and we got ready to make the turn west on Domenigoni. I held on reasonably well till we got to Winchester Road when Highlander, Duramax, Beowulf and Sigfried, Attack Cat started pulling away.


I simply didn’t have the steam to catch them and it looked like Beowulf was heading for the beach as he crested the hill and the Domenigoni Saddle before I even made the bottom of the hill. I was lucky however because they decided to regroup at the top of the hill and that gave me a chance to catch up and to catch my breath. Red Rabbit was the last to arrive and once he got there we all took off heading for the park at La Ladera. We made a quick relief stop and headed on towards Macall. The pack stayed pretty close together for most of the ride over to Macall and I was just hoping to hang on till we got over the Hill on Macall.

Once we got to the top of Macall we only had a brief chance to catch our breath before Red Rabbit took off down the back side heading for the housing tract and Simpson. Once on Simpson we got back into a pace line and soon I found myself in the back of the pack being pulled along by the draft. Highlander notified me as he passed that he intended to stay on Simpson rather than turn on Leon and over to Grand. Once he said that the pace increased as Rocket pulled up front. I pulled forward to let Shadow know he had dropped a candy bar and Attack Cat allowed me space back in line just in front of him.

I held on the best I could till we were well passed Leon before I saw that Rocket had separated by about 20 feet from the front of the pace line. We were passing a stand of trees that blocked any wind so because I had been drafting all morning I decided to pull forward and fill the gap. Once I started passed the line and fell behind Rocket we were rolling along at a pretty good pace. I tried to pull for a while but I only lasted about 100 yards before Rocket pulled back in front and towed me to Winchester road. As we turned onto Winchester heading over to Chris’s we caught up with Deacon and Rick so for a change we got to Chris’s before Deacon. We all stopped for coffee or soda and after talking for a while split up and headed for home, some going by the airport and some back down Domenigni. It was a beautiful day with good company and I got in 39 miles with an average speed of 17MPH. Even if I wasn’t feeling great I felt better than I had in days.

1/15/10
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca

To be honest I was a bit sore this morning, or at least my legs were but still I wanted to get out for a ride so I got up, had breakfast and started getting ready for a ride. The weather was supposed to warm up to 72 today so picking out my kit took a bit longer than usual but at last I settled on a long sleeve jersey and a cycling vest and tights and considered myself ready. As I left the house I kept saying to myself that at least it was a Friday ride so it should be easy. I left with that thought in mind.

Things started out pretty normal for a Friday. Duramax, Parky and Deacon were already at the parking lot when I pulled up. Rick,Power surge and Hit Man arrived followed by Bounty Hunter and Rocket. I was surprised to see Steve show up, the racers don’t often ride with us and we had a new rider, Scott show up. Turns out he is a friend of Highlander and Highlander couldn’t ride with us because of a mechanical problem. Huntress arrived before we were ready to go which is a surprise in itself. Beowulf and Raptor were there as well. We decided on a relatively flat ride and I was relieved thinking it was going to be a typically easy Friday ride.
As we turned onto Cypress heading for Johnson I looked back to see everyone talking and just cruising along at an easy pace. I almost always enjoy the quiet neighborhoods we pass through on our way to the big roads like Sanderson, Domenigoni or Ramona Expressway. A car does come by now and then but for the most part you almost get the feeling like the roads are almost set aside for bicycles, skate boards and joggers. Now and then we will take the time to wave to someone walking their dog. Today we were the only ones on Cypress and it looked like a good day to be riding. We made the quick turn onto Sanderson and the turn onto Wentworth and finally onto Walden/Weaver by the airport. Once out onto Stetson the easy pace started to change. We did hold together pretty well west to California Ave. But we started to spread out once we made it onto Stowe. We did regroup at Winchester but Duramax and I got caught at the stop sign and watched the group disappear into the south. We did manage to catch the pack at Domenigoni and started back east towards Warren Road. Rocket got to the front and slowly but surely picked the pace up till there was a separation with him and Hit man from the rest of the group. Next thing I knew Steve, The Barracuda, Started to pull part of the group to close the gap. At about 26 or 27 MPH I watched as people started falling out of the lead pack and soon Barracuda had closed on Rocket and Hit man.

Soon I found myself riding between the two groups and finally I caught up to Power Surge and we rode together talking till we got to Warren where I saw someone closing on me. I thought it was Duramax and Bounty Hunter but when the rider pulled up next to me I saw we had been joined by The Mounty, Dudley. He had been out training and watched us turn onto Domenigoni. Soon I lost both Power Surge and Dudley and tried to close on the leading group. I didn’t catch Huntress till I got onto State Street and finally we stopped to find Beowulf waiting for us. Somehow we had lost Duramax who it turns out had followed Dudley onto Sanderson. I called him on the cell and he said he would see us at Carl’s so we regrouped once again at Thornton and Buena Vista and headed for Columbia Street. We turned to ride through the older neighborhoods next to the hills and continued East. The group had shrunk somehow but we were all still in a good mood.

I heard Rocket say something about being cold and the next thing I knew he was gone and Bounty Hunter must have gone with him. The group had shrunk by about half but we were still together and still riding strong all the way to Fairview. Once on Fairview I could smell the finish of the ride and my legs stopped complaining all the way to Florida and back to Carl’s at New Chicago. We stopped for coffee and got a chance to talk with Scott before heading home. A quick jaunt over to Park and finally back down Latham and by the time I got home I had about 34 miles on the clock. Not a bad day for a ride.

1/11/10
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca


One thing that has changed since I started cycling is I started watching the weather closer than I used to. I had been looking at the weekly forecasts for a while and it sure looked like today was going to be a good day for a ride. When I got up and looked outside of my front window it was a beautiful morning. I was looking forward to riding with my friends and I was looking forward to meeting some new riders that were planning on joining us. With that in mind I had breakfast and a cup of coffee before putting on my kit and shoes. I loaded my back pockets with gel and a granola bar and my keys and some money and headed out of the door.

I got to the meeting place about 8:40 and was greeted by Duramax, Deacon and Parky. Soon we were joined by Rocket, Highlander, Red Rabbit, Cossack, Hitman, Raptor, Von Richthofen, Quicksticks and a new rider named Gerry. Counting me we had 13 riders. We planned to ride west and maybe break into two groups with Rocket leading one group back east to the ranger station for a longer ride. As we started out of the parking lot we lost Raptor because he was having trouble with a tire and decided to go home. The rest of us motored on towards Acacia.


After warming up a bit on Acacia we all made the turn onto Kirby and settled into an easy pace. Looking back I could see we were all in two lines and the group seemed to be having a good time. I have to admit it is hard not to have a good time when the weather is as nice as it was. The temperature was about 65 degrees and the sky was a beautiful Robin’s egg color with just a few wisps of cloud here and there. My obvious reverie was interrupted by a low riding dark blot closing on me at something in excess of 18 MPH. I looked carefully and noticed it was Parky as he passed and told me he was in a hurry because he needed to make a quick stop before heading on towards Winchester. I had to put the hammer down a bit just to catch up to him and get a picture.

Once we turned onto Sanderson Rocket took the lead as we headed for Domenigoni. We all made a smooth right hand turn and got ready for the slow increase in speed that always comes as we start the run towards Winchester. It was about here that our plans changed. Rocket cut his tire and flatted. He decided to replace the tube and limp home. He wished as well and sent us on our way.

Red Rabbit took off and the rest of us soon followed. We caught him just before Warren and I pulled the group all the way to Winchester. We took turns pulling from Winchester to the base of the Domenigoni Saddle where Hitman chased down Cossack with Gerry in close tow. We regrouped at the top of the Saddle and then rode down to Menifee to make a left.

We started to spread out a bit heading for the short hill on Menifee. Hitman took off and scampered over the little hill and the rest of us followed only to regroup and take off a few layers before going on to Scott Road. As we turned onto Haun we got split up a bit but we soon were all heading for Holland Road. Shortly after we turned towards Murrieta Road Cossack decided to head for home. As I looked around to make sure we had everyone else lined up Highlander and Duramax started pulling away going up the grade on Holland. We all caught up with them on Murrieta but it was only a sign of things to come. Duramax was running strong on cruise control and Highlander seemed to have more energy the longer the ride lasted.

Once on Macall we were all back together and heading towards the freeway. We were catching all of the lights red as we left the last light before the freeway. Highlander pulled past me at the top of the overpass and managed to get through the light just as the rest of us had to stop. It was here the first chase was on and we attempted to reel him in as he started up the hill. We never caught him but at least he waited at the top of the hill on till we all got there. Red Rabbit rode right on passed and we started another chase. As we worked our way through the housing tract Hitman pulled in front and set a pretty quick pace and once turned onto Simpson we noticed the group was split again. We could see Red Rabbit in the distance but Hit man and I turned back to make sure everyone made the light. Highlander decided to take up the pursuit of Red Rabbit and by the t me we had a pace line going he was several hundred yards ahead of us. He had been lined up ready for a break all morning and this looked like a perfect time.

We did manage to close the gap quite a bit as first I pulled and then Hitman till we were well passed Leon. It was clear however we weren’t going to haul him in even if we were cruising along at a comfortable 22 MPH. True to form we caught the light at Winchester and we all made the turn together as we rode over to Chris’s. Buy the time we pulled into the parking lot Highlander and Red Rabbit had already parked their bikes and were heading inside for coffee.

We always have a good time at the coffee shop stop because we get a chance to talk, laugh and joke about the ride. After about 20 minutes we headed for home riding past the airport. Yes it was a great ride and a great day. I had 43 miles in by the time I got home and I had met a new friend. Does it get any better?

1/08/10
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca
To me a Friday ride is like the end of a century. We push a bit hard on Monday and sometimes Wednesday but on Friday the pace is whatever you want to make it. It was with those thoughts in mind that I got up this morning and got ready to leave the house.

The riders trickled in one at a time all the way up to 9am when we were ready to leave to ride over to Lyon and up to Ramona. We broke into two groups with Parky leading a new rider from Canada, Rick, taking a more direct route east while 8 of us were working our way up to Soboba road. After a block or two we picked up Gary who had been running a bit late making 9 in our group. Raptor was already warmed up so he pretty much led the way to Ramona Road.


Just as we got ready to make the left turn on State Street Raptor continued straight and I figured he was heading for home after starting his ride earlier than we did. The rest of us followed Rocket as he headed north on State street.

As we passed the College we were strung out in a pretty respectable pace line and we stayed that way till we made the turn onto Soboba as we approached the first little climb Rocket hit the retro rockets and started to pull away from the pack. I wasn’t surprised because he always runs the road hard. I just kept asking myself if I wanted to give chase and I kept saying I didn’t.

I stayed with the pack and we rode along together about halfway up the first little hill and then Hit man passed and started to pull away. Trying to keep an eye on my Heart Rate Monitor I let myself pick up the pace a bit and found that I was soon following Hitman up the second climb and my heart rate was climbing as well. I tried dropping down a gear and floating on my pedals and soon Beowulf pulled around me. I decided to fall on his back wheel and just as I did Quicksticks rode passed me and closed the gap on Hitman. Rocket was still running on autopilot but at least I could still see him

Before the golf course Quicksticks backed down and we caught up and started the last little climb. It had warmed up a bit so we all stopped and took off a layer and the long fingered gloves. Once we were all de-layered we were off again and made the run to the Soboba Bridge. Gary had quite a lead as we rounded the corner but soon Rocket attacked and I decided to follow like a stinger missile. We crossed the top of the bridge flat out and I was out of air. Thank goodness we were on cruise control as we turned back on Ramona heading for Florida.

By the time we started up Florida towards the Ranger Station we broke into two groups. Hitman joined Gary and me and the rest were up front with Rocket. We made the ranger station somewhat sooner than I had expected so we killed a few extra minutes before starting back down Florida for the run to Carl’s.

Rocket and Duramax made it out onto the highway first try while the rest of us had to wait for some cars to pass. By the time we started towards town Rocket and Duramax were about 150 yards ahead of us. I was perfectly content with that gap till Bounty Hunter flew passed me to give chase. Tired or not I had to go with him and we started to chase the two receding riders. We took turns pulling each other till we were joined by Hitman and finally caught their back wheel. We kept going at a pretty good pace till I noticed that Rocket might be getting tired. I decided to pull around to try to pull a bit but when I did Bounty Hunter and Hit man came with me and we simply incited Rocket into a burst of speed that turned into a full blown sprint. Rocket got such a kick out of this sprint that after a few short minutes he wanted to do another one.

The end result of this was that while we only had 33 miles on the computer for the day’s ride we had a pretty good average speed and considering that we were going east that was pretty good. That includes time in traffic and riding through town. We also had a chance to get to know Beowulf and Gary better. They were even still smiling when we got to Carl’s. After resting and refreshing I ended up riding home with Parky and a new rider Rick. I would call it a great day.

1/06/10
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca

There was just a touch of tension in the air when I woke up this morning. I got up early for some reason and was ready to go way before it was time to leave the house. I decided it was warmer than it had been for a few days so I didn’t put on quite as many layers as I had been using and sat watching the news in full kit with the exception of my helmet and gloves. When the wall clock chimed for 8:30 I was up and out of the door in a flash.

I turned on my MP-3 player and rode over to the Burger King feeling pretty good. As I pulled up both Duramax and Parky were waiting for me. A few minutes later Rocket rode up and I could still feel that everyone was feeling eager for today’s ride. Highlander and Hit Man arrived just before Raptor and I thought we were about ready to go. Just then we noticed two new riders pulling up and were introduced to some friends of Hit Man, Greg and Gary. We quickly decided on Juniper Flats and we were off down Lyon to Ramona. Highlander would have agreed to just about anything as long as it was west.


We do most of our socializing on the first few miles of our rides and today wasn’t any different. We had discovered that Ramona Road was now open to Sanderson and it was much to our relief that we would be able to avoid the bumpy Cottonwood and Warren. Some of us slowed down to allow Hitman’s friend Greg, now called Beowulf, the opportunity to catch up. He had to make some minor adjustment to his computer and had some distance to make up. Parky and Raptor passed us as we were waiting and it took quite a while for us to gain on them. I didn’t catch them till we got to Ramona Road.

At the time Raptor thought Parky was going to cut the ride a bit short and split off from us at Sanderson but by the time we got to the expressway Parky decided to stay with us all the way. In fact he stayed with us pretty well until we got into the normal pace line heading passed Warren road and the group started to pull away. We were moving along at about 19 or 20 MPH when one of the riders got a flat. As we waited for it to be repaired Parky passed us and continued on towards Lakeview. We didn’t see him again till we made the turn at the Lakeview light.

I pulled over to have a quick conversation with Parky after the light and he told me he planned to ride up the flats and he would see us at Chris’s. Rocket and I rode off to try and catch Highlander who was several hundred yards up the road. We pulled up behind him with Duramax just before the stop sign where we turned left to get on Juniper flats road. Rocket passed me at the first big turn and I followed him to the first grade increase then he started pulling away. I got into a spin and was able to hold a steady pace and a heart rate of just over 150 almost all the way to the top. Duramax wasn’t far behind me as I got to the top.

Hitman, Beowulf and Gary had stopped to take off some layers so we were pretty far ahead of them by the time we started the climb. As we waited at the top of Juniper flats we talked about what a good day this was for a ride and how cold it is for some of our friends and family living to the east of us. We were considering riding back down to the stop sign to see if Hitman and his friends were on their way when they rounded the corner and started up the last hill to where we were standing.

Once we were all together at the top of the climb we started the best part of a hill climb, the ride down the back side. Highlander took off and stayed in from most of the way until the last turn when Rocket caught him. Once Rocket got passed him I used my superior weight to catch and pass him. One of the very few places I can stay ahead of the group is on a long downhill. Rocket took the lead back when we turned onto Florida and we regrouped again at the High School. Once through the housing tract the tension built once again as we turned towards Grand and the run towards Chris’s. Once on Grand we all got in a pace line and headed towards Leon. The two new riders were right with us and Beowulf was showing a lot of strength for this late in the ride.

I found myself in the front of the group about a mile before we reached the typical sprint point but I was feeling pretty strong so I stayed out front and pulled all the way to the top of the rise when Rocket pulled up next to me and started the sprint. He managed to accelerate a bit quicker than me so I fell in on his wheel not realizing that Highlander and Beowulf were right behind me. I tried to go to the left and pass Rocket only to hit something and start a bit of a wobble. I pulled back in line and decided to pass on the right only to run completely out of gas twenty yards after gaining the lead. Rocket started to pull away and Beowulf went with him. Highlander pulled up on my left and we rode the rest of the way to Chris’s together. Once there we took a quick break and then headed for home by the airport. When all was said and done I had 39 miles on the computer and a nice ride. You know it is a nice ride when you not only had fun but are tired to boot.

1/01/10
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca


As I got up this morning I realized that it was the first day of a new decade. Vocally I haven’t made in New Year’s resolutions but internally I suppose we all do. I wanted to ride more and improve my style and endurance more in 2010 than I did in 2009. With that in mind I got ready for the days ride with a very positive attitude and maybe just a bit more energy in my tank that some other days. We would have three separate groups today so I had no idea who might join me but I was sure I could count on Duramax.


Shortly after arriving at the Burger King I saw Duramax riding in my direction. Once he pulled up I was expecting to see a new rider visiting from Baltimore and maybe Metric Man would come down from Beaumont. Sure enough they both showed up and unloaded their bikes getting ready to start the ride. The rider from Baltimore was named Aldona and she had a beautiful lime green Trek TT bike strapped to the back of her car. I was surprised to see Power Surge but then it was New Year’s Day so he should have the day off. The Red Rabbit pulled up on one of his Lapierres. It was almost 9am and to me this seemed like a perfectly good group to start the ride.

We had decided on a ride some of us call the Goetz Pyrenees. We turned towards Kirby and I got a shot of Metric Man riding relaxed and ready for the ride. We were working our way over to Sanderson from Kirby. This is always one of my favorite parts of the ride because we get to catch up on what we have been doing since the last ride or get acquainted with new riders. Power Stroke spent some time telling Aldona a bit about riding in our area and I think he was describing the benefits of the ride we were taking.

Having spent some time riding with both Red Rabbit and Power Surge I was a bit worried when I saw the two of them talking and Red Rabbit was acting a bit like a celebrity when they see the Poparazzi. I knew we had some small hills coming and I have been passed quite a few times by both of these men. You never know how Rabbit is going to ride one day from the next. He has dropped me more than once on hills I have thought I was doing pretty well on. Power Surge is just a strong rider that knows more about riding than I do and has been known to pass me when I least expect him to.
Once out on Domenigoni we fell into a casual pace line and started to eat up the miles heading west. I was thinking to myself that this was a well balanced group ride. Everyone took turns pulling and we kept the pace between 20 and 22 MPH all the way to Winchester road. Rabbit did fall out of the draft but that might be because he doesn’t like to draft or pull so we expect it. We soon caught up to him and once again took turns pulling as we came up on Leon. Once we passed Leon the pace line stretched a bit but we all managed to take the hill in line and at a respectable pace. We gave Rabbit another lead and then chased him down again as we headed towards La Ladera.

We made a quick pit stop at the park on La Ladera and then followed The Red Rabbit all the way to Goetz and made the right turn heading up the hill. Rabbit had dusted my britches the last time we did this ride so I was determined to run it better this time. I made better use of my gears and finally passed The Red Rabbit just before the first of the three climbs. Soon I noticed that there was a shadow right behind me and I expected it to be Metric Man, Power Surge or even the Rabbit but it turned out to be Bounty Hunter who stayed stuck to me like a trailer all the way up the first two climbs.

Once I made it to the top on the last hill I stopped to regroup and everyone did just that in less than 20 seconds or so. At least The Rabbit didn’t run over me this time and we all cruised over the top and down the hill heading towards Ethernic. Power Surge practically flew down the hill. It took Bounty Hunter and Metric Man most of the way to Ethernic but we were all smiles as we turned the corner heading towards Murrieta. Before we made our next turn Power Surge decided to head for home. It was good to ride with him again and we hope he can come back soon.

Once on Murrieta Metric Man picked up the pace and we almost raced back to Macall. We got to the top of Macall and took off for Winchester with Metric Man setting the pace because he had somewhere to be at noon. We ran down Simpson Heading for Winchester with two groups. Metric Man pulled us most of the way to Leon and I pulled us about ¾ of the way to Winchester where Bounty Hunter sprinted passed me only to allow me to catch him at the stop light. Metric Man and Bounty Hunter continued on as Aldona, Duramax, The Red Rabbit and I stopped for coffee at Chris’s before heading home. It was a great way to start out the New Year. I had 45 miles with another 2 ¾ hours of riding under my belt. I did I mention it was a beautiful day?