8/02/2010
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



I was looking forward to Monday’s ride because I had been tweaking by bike all weekend. By brakes had been set too close, the rear derailleur was just a bit off when I shifted. The seat post had a little grit in it and I had to make sure my saddle was level. I took a test ride Saturday and everything seems t be working fine. I had planned a ride to Lake Parris and was ready for a good pace.

When I got to the meeting place at Burger King Duramax, Ocelot and Sidewinder were already waiting for me. We stood around and talked till close to 8am before Hit Man arrived and it was easy to see we would have a small group. Still it was decided we would go to the lake and so we pulled out of the parking lot and headed down Latham and turned up Lyon.


Normally we take our time riding up Lyon and don’t pick up the pace till we get to Ramona Expressway but today we were cruising along close to 20 most of the way. When I say we I mean all of us were riding in a pace line from Cottonwood to Ramona Road. I took the first pull as we got to the Expressway and gave it up as we got to Warren road where we picked up Casey Jones. He turned before we could cross at the light and he had to pull in behind us at Bridge Street. From here on we formed a pace line and took turns until we crossed the bridge on the other side of Lakeview. Sidewinder and Hit Man attacked the two hills in front of the lake and Casey and I followed. We got to the street going into the park right after Sidewinder and Hit man and Duramax and Ocelot got there right after us. I looked down at my computer and saw that we had a group average of just over 17.4 MPH. The next stop would be the Marina.

We climbed the hill into the park as people were checking in their boats and Jet Skies at the shack. I can remember when I used to dread that hill. It was like climbing the Alps when I first started riding with the group but today I was able to pull it in the Big ring and at under a Heart Rate of 160. It was no big thing to Sidewinder and Hit man but to me it was still a good grade and a test to how far I have come in the last two and a half years. I turned onto the road to the Marina just ahead of Casey Jones and Duramax and Ocelot followed right after him. We all coasted down the road to the marina entrance and got ready for a short break.

We had some fluids and a bit of a snack as we rested at the Marina. What we actually did was to drink some of our water and feed the squirrels. I can honestly say none of those squirrels look like the economy has had much of an effect on them. One of the squirrels looked like a fat Albert as he came back over and over again to push the smaller squirrels away for the chips and pretzels they were strong arming out of us. But as soon as we were finished we were back on our way and headed around the lake. We made short work of the lake bike path and passed a fallen cyclist that was being well taken care of by emergency services. We took off back down Ramona and stayed together till Hit man had to step it up to get home and drive his wife to work. Sidewinder and Casey Jones went with him and Duramax and Ocelot and I rode back to Burger King together.

We grabbed something cool to drink and commented on how great the ride felt and what perfect weather we have been having for the morning rides. We left together and the rode with me back to my street as they headed for the east side of town. I got home with 45 plus miles at 16.4 MPH. Once again I realized how good we have it living in Southern California and how lucky I am to have good friends to ride bikes with.