5/19/2010
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Hemet, Ca.


Just what does it take to make a great ride? Some might say good weather. Some might say a good route. Some might say good equipment and some might say good riders. Today we had all of those things and more.

The day started out great when after pulling into the Burger King parking lot I noticed that T-3 was riding with Duramax. Surgeon, Hit man Cossack and Rocket all seems just as pleased as I was to see her back on her bike. It may take some time before she is back to 100 percent but at least we know she is on the road to recovery. It was also good to see Sherpa back with us and once again Noel joined us putting him one ride closer to getting a nick name. Powersurge rolled in just before we were ready to leave. The group decided to split in two half riding west with T-3 and half riding north towards Lambs Canyon. T-3 was in good company with Duramax, Hit man and Surgeon so I decided to ride with the group going north.


It would be a short ride compared to some we take but Lambs Canyon has both a challenge and a reward. The challenge is the 8 mile climb to the Jack in the Box with two 8 percent grades and the reward is the ride back to Ramona Expressway after the break. I knew I would pay the price riding up the hill but I look forward to the run home and this day would be no different. We moved up Lyon at a pretty good pace and stayed together all the way to Ramona where we caught the light just as it turned red. Rocket pulled us to Sanderson and I took a turn at the front to Just before Gilman but I could see the first grade coming us so I pulled out of line to let the climbers have at each other and prepared for the climb that for me would be a long grind.

All things considering I was doing pretty well on the first grade and Powersurge was kind enough to stay back with me as we watched Rocket, Cossack, Attack cat, Noel and Sherpa pull away. I was saying within striking distance of Sherpa when he stood up to push an 8 percent part of the hill and I watched him leave me and close with the lead group as they started to spread out under the pressure Rocket was putting them through. I watched carefully as my heart rate started to increase and realized that I had made most of the first grade in my big chainring. Not a good way to try and keep a spin going. I was far more careful as Powersurge and I passed the dump and got ready to start the second grade of climb. Just a few strokes in the big ring and it was a downshift into the small ring and a spin of 80 plus almost all the way to the top of the second grade. Well except for the little 8 percent kick towards the second crest where I had to drop into my lowest gear to stay above 65 RPM.

A brief stop for coffee and it was back on the road heading home. As we crested the first rise and started down the hill towards the dump Attack cat slid passed me and took off at a blistering pace. I did see him coming so I was able to grab a wheel and stayed with him till I had a chance to pass back. I pulled most of the way to the second hill where Attack cat passed me once again. Again I managed to grab a wheel and drafted him most of the way to the final rise and final decent to Ramona. I passed and took the lead on the last rise and stayed there all the way to Gilman. Attack cat jumped back in front as we passed the Gilman off ramp but I got back in front and managed to lead the way to Ramona and our regroup. That was the reward part of Lambs Canyon, a blistering downhill run of about 8 miles

As we headed for home I fell behind and paid the price for not taking an allergy pill before riding the canyon. I got home with only 30 miles on the clock but I felt good about the ride and good about the people I rode with. I will need a flat Friday ride after two climbing rides in a row but I look forward to that as well. It was a great day to be a cyclist in Southern California.