3/03/2010
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca

So far in the last 10 days the score has been weatherman zero, bike club 4. Either the predicted rain comes in early and we miss it or it comes in late and we miss it. Today was one of the ones where the rain is late. It wasn’t the warmest day we have had but is was warm enough that I didn’t need arm warmers or leg warmers but I did have a base layer on under my jersey. After breakfast I left for the Burger King parking lot feeling pretty good about the ride we had planned.


Deacon, Parky and Duramax were waiting as usual and we started a conversation as the other riders started to arrive. Everyone was informed of the route we were going to take and we got ready to leave just as Huntress rolled into the parking lot. We rolled down Kirby with all the groups together and Parky was even leading as we turned onto Cypress and they way he was riding I thought he might stay with the B group for the whole way. Only Deacon was missing because he had business to take care of on the other side of town.


We were still pretty much together as we rode down Sanderson and made the turn onto Domenigoni. However once on Domenigoni the group split in two with Rocket, Highlander, Duramax, Hit man, Attack Cat, Beowulf pulling away and Huntress, T-3, Bounty Hunter, Gary, (Socrates) and me following. Rick, (Traveler) and Parky were a distance behind us. At times Bounty Hunter and Socrates would take off and seem to be trying to close the gap but because of a traffic light or the rest of us working together we would reel them back in. The rest of us took turn pulling at a pretty steady 20 MPH but it was nowhere near fast enough to close with the leading group. Shortly after we passed Warren Road I tossed a chain and we stopped to replace it. Traveler caught up with us and drafted the group all the way to Winchester where Duramax and Highlander were waiting for us. We continued to take turns pulling till we caught up with the lead group waiting at the top of Domenigoni Saddle.


We got back under way and headed for the left turn on Menifee so we could get over to Scott road. We all made the light on Menifee fairly close together and pedaled easily towards the little Hill approaching Holland Road. As we got closer to the hill the speed seemed to pick up a bit and Rocket launched up the hill in front of everybody else followed by Attack Cat. I gave chase for a little while but soon backed off as we got to the top. Everyone was pretty close together and T-3 was riding as strong as I have seen her in a long time. We slowed briefly and regrouped before moving off again towards Scott road and once again the group split. Rocket was going to take part of the group on Hahn while I took the other part of the group all the way to Murrieta.


Once we turned onto Murrieta it was pretty much all downhill till we got to Newport and saw Rocket, Highlander, Beowulf, Attack cat and Bounty Hunter. Rocket and Attack cat had to get back early so they left on Newport as the rest of us continued on Murrieta and spread out a bit till we regrouped on Cherry Hill. A quick run up to Bradley and then back to Newport and we were headed for Jack In the box. Parky and Rick were there waiting for us but we didn’t have time to stay long because both T-3 and I had appointments. So after a brief stop we were back on the road and heading for home. Duramax and Highlander made the Domenigoni Saddle first and waited for the rest of our group at the top of the rise. Attack cat sailed on passed and once we were all regrouped we followed. Duramax, Highlander, Hit man, T-3, Huntress and I stayed together all the way to Sanderson. It looked like Beowulf and Socrates were some distance behind us as we made the turn north towards Florida. Duramax and Hit man continued on to State Street and Attack cat headed back towards the Ranger station on Florida east of Val Vista. I ended up with 44 miles and a good clear day. I hope the weather Friday is as good as it was today. I also hope the group is looking forward to it as much as I do.