9/01/2010
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


I was eager for the ride today even after doing Bautista Canyon last night. I had a good run up and back and while my legs were a bit tired they weren’t as bad as I had expected. So I got up, worked on my Address Book in my phone and had some breakfast. By 7am I was out of the door and headed for Burger King. Today would be simple, Climb for half of the ride and fly down hill for the last half. Lambs canyon is one of those rides you either like or you don’t like and I will admit I like half of it.

I pulled into the parking lot right after Attack cat and just before Duramax and T-3. Soon we were joined by Double Time and CycoBob. Cossack, Gambler and Ocelot rounded out the group. We waited as long as we could but by 7:30 we decided to leave and head out to Lyon and North towards Ramona Road.


Duramax, Ocelot and T-3 decided to forgo Lambs Canyon and do Juniper Flats instead but they were going to ride with us till we got to Ramona and Sanderson. The Run on Lyon was very smooth and steady. I am not sure if everyone was daydreaming about the climbs we had planned or if we just wanted to stay close enough to have conversations but we move a bit like a pack waiting for a fox to jump out in front of us so we could give chase.

It was such a beautiful morning and the weather seemed to be cooperating and staying cool. What was pleasing me even more is it felt like there was a pretty low pollen count. I knew I would be sucking air in a few minutes and normally whenever I go through the canyon I start coughing like I was going to pass out. We latterly swooped off of Lyon onto Ramona Road and after we got back up to speed we saw updraft coming east on Ramona. He circled around behind us and slowly pulled in behind as we got close to Sanderson.

As we got ready for the turn on Sanderson I felt a sense of anticipation of how my legs would hold up to two climbs in such a short period of time. Even if I had planned on just going at my own pace we all know how we tend to push ourselves whenever we are faced with a challenge. As we turned the corner and headed towards Lambs canyon and Gilman road I thought to myself that maybe I would be better off going with Duramax and Juniper flats. But I watched as they turned left and followed Gambler, Cossack, Updraft, Attack Cat, Double Time and CycoBob.

This was Double Time’s first time in the Canyon so he may have been pacing himself but soon I pulled up to CycoBob. What impressed me the most was that I was within sight of the lead group all the way up the first incline. But it turns out the first hill wasn’t going to be my big problem. By the time I got to the dump and started up the second hill I simply didn’t have much spin left. I could crank along at about 74 RPM but that was it. Still it was enough to keep me within sight of the last of the lead group as they crested the hill and disappeared. I stopped just before the downhill leading to the mini mall and Jack in the Box.

Once Double Time made it to the top we rode together to the Coffee stop where Double Time got a flat. We had a quick break and tire change and when everyone was ready we started back down the hill. Updraft and Cossack took off in the lead and the rest of us followed for a while. Then Attack Cat and Gambler picked up the pace. Finally Double Time, CycoBob and I gave chase. I can tell you one thing for sure; Double Time likes the downhill side a lot. We raced down the hill to Ramona and home. It was a very good ride even if it was a bit challenging. I got in just 30 miles by the time I got home but I would have to say it was a good ride and Double Time did very well for his first climb of Lambs Canyon.