2/03/2010
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca



Maybe because we are cyclists we are more in touch with things around us. We see things and hear things that we would miss if we were riding in our cars and trucks. It seems we are even more in tune with nature and the weather. If you have ever taken the time to notice squirrels seem to know when it is going to snow. Weeks and days before the snow arrives these small animals run around gathering food and getting ready to hole up and wait out the storm. I think cyclists are a bit like that when they feel rain is coming. At least today the number of riders, 14, that showed up at Burger King would seem to indicate people felt some urgency about getting in a ride just in case we have to hole up on Friday. We had planned on one longer ride before those of us going to Palm Springs felt ready and today was going to be that day.

Everyone seemed eager as we turned onto Kirby and then took the short cut to Johnson. Rocket and Cossack took the early lead and held it all the way passed the Airport and onto Stetson. We had a new rider with us today named Jackie riding one of Hit man’s bikes. I was surprised she was still game for the ride when I mentioned we would be making the Southern loop to Lake Parris. Even though the ride pace was rather relaxed we made quick work of the road all the way to Winchester where we regrouped. I didn’t notice at first but after a few shots I saw that my camera said it was locked. I figured I could find out what that meant after we made our first stop.

Rocket and Cossack took off on Winchester road and I decided to go with them until we turned onto Grand where it seemed that we had lost a whole pack of riders. I turned back only to see than rounding the corner. Soon Huntress pulled up next to me and we rode together till we saw Cossack and Rocket riding back in our direction. It seems as if a whole section of the road had a large patch of sand washed over it so we ended up heading down Leon and west on Simpson. Cossack had to leave so Rocket went with him as the rest of us continued on. Our next stop would be the Am/Pm on the corner of Florida and Menifee. I don’t know if I should call the Am/Pm a pit stop but watching Attack cat repair has cleats with Beowulf and Gary, Socrates, looking on made it seem like one. Still we had a chance to visit as Duramax got a chance to talk with Jackie and Hit Man and Huntress exchanged information.






Once back on the road I led the way north on Menifee and pulled most of the way to Mapes before Huntress flew by me and picked up the pace. She had us cruising along about 23 or 24 MPH before she started to fade a bit. Duramax then took the lead and pulled us most of the way to Nuevo Road. We ended up waiting at Nuevo till Hit man and Jackie showed up. They decided to shorten the ride a bit and headed back through Nuevo to Lakeview and home Duramax left with them. Beowulf and Socrates decided to turn back when they didn’t see Hit man and Jackie so that left Attack cat, Huntress and I to soldier on to Lake Parris.

It was my plan to simply ride passed Lake Parris on Ramona but Huntress wouldn’t hear of it and insisted we ride up to the marina and around the lake. As we discussed this idea we met up with Power surge coming east on Nuevo. We all rode as a group back towards the Lake and Power surge left us at the entrance to the Lake. We had to slide under the gate because the lake seems to be closed most of the week or at least Tuesday through Thursday. Once under the gate Huntress chased me up to the Marina and then we took a leisurely ride around the Lake and back out onto Ramona on the east side. With the exception of brief stop to a leg cramp and some rehydration the ride down Ramona was uneventful till Huntress let Attack cat and I at Sanderson. The two of us continued on back to Burger King with 52 miles on my Compute round trip. I would have to say we are ready for Palm Springs especially if it is as nice as today happened to be.