8/27/2010
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


As it is often been said, “What a difference a day makes.” We can add to that what a difference 10 or 20 degrees makes. I moved the start time up an hour and shortened the ride just in case the weathermen made a mistake reading their bear grease or lost the cricket in their pocket and were wrong about it being cooler today that Wednesday. I got to the parking lot just in time to see Les, (The Warden), pull up in his red little truck. I pulled over to talk to him as he unloaded his bike and Ocelot, Duramax and Surgeon stopped there as well.


All of us seem to have arrived early so when Rocket pulled into the parking lot he didn’t notice anyone waiting. I am sure he thought he was early or worse yet had the wrong time. But just as he was pulling up to where we normally park several of us came from around the truck at once. He expressed great relief that he wasn’t going to be doing the ride today all by himself.

People kept arriving as T-3, Gambler, Bandit, Huntress and Highlander all pulled up. We also had Jim, (Double Time), Jeff, (Updraft) and Steve,( Shock wave) join us as we were ready to leave at 7am. I had a text from Bounty Hunter indicating he would join us at Sanderson and Stetson so it looked like we would have 15 for a Friday ride.

We all made it through the light on Kirby and Acacia just fine and we easily turned towards Johnston through the houses and I was glad to see Highlander with us again after he and I had been playing vacation tag for months. I had already explained the plan to everyone and I was looking forward to seeing how well it worked out. The A group would make a run at the Marina while the B group worked its way over to State Street before working over to Stetson and heading east. We were joined by Bounty Hunter by the time we got to the Marina entrance.

Now the ride was on because we knew the A group would be pushing it to catch the B group before we made it to Fairview and up to the housing tract. We settled into a steady 18-20 MPH as we rode down State towards Thornton and finally to Stetson. We kept looking over our shoulders to see if the A group was about to roll over us but we were still clear of them as we turned off of Stetson and onto Columbia

I tried to pull ahead to get a picture as we moved down Crest but the sight through the view finder showed me I was in front of a very determined group and it looked like they might be willing to ride right over me to be sure they got to Fairview first.

As we wound our way through the old homes on Crest we started to spread out a bit. Soon we had split into two groups ourselves with Huntress and Surgeon moving out smartly with about six riders and three of us trailing. I decided to make sure I was drinking plenty of fluids so I ended up riding in the back as we got closer and closer to Lake. Warden, Highlander and Double Time were up front with Surgeon, Ocelot and Huntress leaving T-3, Duramax and I to monitor the back of the pack watching for the A group to start closing.
Highlander decided to call it a day at Fairview and Ocelot and I chased after Huntress, Surgeon, Double Time and Warden but as we turned onto Fairview we could see the A group gaining on us. They caught some of us but one or two did make it up the hill to the housing tract before everyone stopped to regroup. Updraft and Shock Wave were with the A group and it seems as if they were doing very well. All we had left to do was make the run down Fairview and make the turn towards Cranston Station. As I announced the plan Huntress took off like a shot and got at least a 70 yard start on the group. I gave chase but I couldn’t catch her before she got back to Stetson.

I made the mistake of telling her she could draft off of my wheel only to realize I might as well have waved a red flag at a Bull because she shot back around me like I was rolling backwards. I caught her by the Bridge before Mayberry and we both got caught by a crossing guard by the School. I did get a better jump as we pulled away from the school and realized she had pushed us way ahead of the rest of the group. I may not have been 100 percent but I felt I had a big lead and with luck I might make it to Cranston Station before the A group ran me down. Once I made it to the trees I could see the A group coming like a freight train. I didn’t know how much I had left but I felt if I could just hold 18 MPH I should pull into the station before I was caught. Sure enough I just pulled into the parking lot in front of Rocket, Updraft and Shockwave.


We got back onto Florida where we formed a long pace line and ran back towards Carl’s. The great part about coming back from the Ranger Station is it is all downhill back to New Chicago. We managed to catch most of the lights green and we were at Carl’s before 9am. We also had Parky waiting for us which was another pleasant surprise. A quick cold drink and we split up and went home in about three directions. It was good to see so many riders back with us and joining us and it was especially nice to see Bounty back on his bike and riding with us. Once again it was a great ride with good friends.