9/29/2010
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



I didn’t know what to expect on the ride today. My mapping program wasn’t working or at least responding even though I pretty much knew what ride I wanted to do anyway. So with just a written and verbal description I felt a simple familiar ride was in order and I wanted to add a little climbing into an east run. We would just have to wait and see who showed up for the ride.

Both Duramax and Wolf were waiting as I got to the parking lot. We were quickly joined by Rocket, Gambler, Surgeon, Cycobob, Warden, Attack cat and T-3. I recapped the planned ride and we got ready to leave right at 8am. We pulled out of the parking lot and headed down Gilmore to start out west on Acacia before turning on Cypress, Johnson, Sanderson and finally on Wentworth towards the Airport.


The entire group made the turn together and we started to pick up the pace just a bit. We still hadn’t moved into a pace line but we had moved into a double line. There was a bit more traffic on Wentworth than I have been used to but it didn’t seem to bother anyone. But even before we got back onto Stetson I could see the group was getting lined up for the run on Stowe.

Surgeon pulled us all the way to California and then to Stowe. I took off on a hard run and managed to get myself run down about 100 yards before Winchester. Still we didn’t have long to wait till everyone was back together and I explained that we would be making a hard run to Dominigoni before heading east to the Marina. Today my plan was to take the whole group up to Marina hill and then back down to State before heading to Cactus Valley. Rocket, Gambler and Attack cat took off and the other seven of us followed. Rocket and Gambler were coming back down as I got to the last turn of the climb. Attack cat started back down after I started the last straight away. I got a few pictures of the rest making the climb as I cruised back down myself.

We regrouped at the bottom of the hill and were joined by Raptor who had been riding around the soccer field waiting for us. It only took a few minutes before everyone made the return trip from the top of the hill where we caught our breath and hydrated before heading back out to Domenigoni to ride down to State Street.

As we moved towards Domenigoni I got in front and started a pull that would take the group all the way to State Street. I had replaced some of my electrolytes at the regroup spot and managed to get a mouth full of Hammer Gel before starting down State but I still hadn’t recovered from the climb I started to fall back in the line and was passed by Warden, Wolf and Surgeon. They soon attached themselves to Rocket, Gambler and Attack cat as cycobob, T-3, Duramax and I followed about n75 yards back.

Whatever pace Rocket and Gambler were setting it was stringing out rides as I headed past the golf course and got ready to make the short climb at Sage. The electrolytes were beginning to be replaced and I started to feel pretty good. I hit the hill pretty hard and crested it pretty easily. We regrouped at the end of Cactus Valley and started back towards State Street. It was a hard and quick ride as we rounded the corner of Cactus Valley road onto State Street and we were still moving rather rapidly passed McSweeney and then passed Domenigoni. Rocket and Gambler simply pushed the pace all the way to Chambers and I could only hold on for dear life. I ended up waiting for the rest of the group before we got to Buena Vista. The rest of the ride to Fairview was pretty direct and as cycobob ended up pulling me most of the way to Fairview.

Rocket had to leave us early but the rest of the group made it to Carl’s after one final regroup at Fairview and Stetson. It is always good to make the turn on Fairview because the rest of the ride is either flat or down hill almost all the way home. We stopped for coffee but Attack cat had to leave for an appointment. We didn’t stay at Carl’s long before we headed back towards Burger King and the end of the ride.

It turned out to be a great ride and as always I realized what a great group we had. I managed to get in 44 miles today but what made it most enjoyable was the company of riders I was with. We seem to be more than a cycling group we are friends.