2/18/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


Who would believe the weathermen would have been wrong about the rain on Friday morning? I got up to a pretty nice looking morning today even if it was just a touch cold. After being rained out Wednesday I was looking forward to getting out and spending some time with good friends and my bike. I dressed warmly and took off towards the parking lot to see who would be joining me.

There were four other riders unloading their bikes as I rode up, Blood Hound, Centaur, Highlander and Dura max. Soon we were joined by Huntress, Bandit, Gambler, and Rocket. Barracuda and I rounded out the main group and Raptor and traveler made up the C group. By 8:30 we were off headed for the north end of town.


Looking behind me I could see the fast guys were just cruising along and I knew they would be pushing it sooner or later. For now they were satisfied was conversation and following along at whatever pace I set. A quick turn onto Lyon and we almost scampered north. I got a chance to talk with Highlander and Blood Hound as we worked our way passed Devonshire, Menlo, and Esplanade.

By the time we got to Cottonwood we were moving along at 18+ MPH and our legs seemed to be warming up quite well. Before we got to Ramona Boulevard Blood Hound moved up front and pulled us till we got to the turn through the little housing track where we worked our way out to Ramona and headed towards State Street.

The closer we got to state the more of a pace line we got into as we started the run towards Soboba. Once again we jockeyed back in forth till Blood Hound took the lead again and we were one solid line moving passed the college and headed towards the river bed. Once over the bridge and turning onto Soboba the pace picked up again as Blood Hound pulled us towards the first of the rollers. Gambler, Bandit and Rocket pulled around Blood Hound and for some unknown reason I went with them. We stayed together over the first roller and did the same for the second one. I managed to stay with them till we started to climb slightly by the golf course. When Rocket took the lead he fired the retro rockets and I simply couldn’t hold on and fell off the back of the draft. We were spread out for at least and eighth of a mile till we regrouped at the top of the last roller and the golf course. Highlander, Dura Max and I more or less cruised the rest of the way to the Ranger station while Rocket and the rest of the group took off at a quicker pace.


We finally regrouped at Cranston Station and took a few minutes break to discuss how blessed we are to be living in Southern California at least from a weather point of view. Here we are when most of the east half of the US is freezing riding between rain storms on a clear cool day that reminds most people of spring.


Once we were ready to head down Florida to Carl’s it became a mad dash in no time. I held onto Rockets back wheel all the way past the trees when Gambler and Bandit jumped us and took off. I tried to grab a wheel but couldn’t close and a few minutes later Rocket and Blood Hound ran me down and gave chase themselves. Barracuda followed suite a few minutes later and it was all I could do to not lose more ground as we got back to Carl’s. We regrouped and some of us stayed to have coffee while some had to leave early. Finally Barracuda, Huntress, Dura max, Blood Hound, Highlander, Centaur and I headed back towards the west end of town. Dura max left at Park and the rest of us rode back to Burger King before separating and heading for home. It was great weather and a good ride. It wasn’t a very long ride, I only got in 31 or 32 miles but it was a good day and we had a lot of fun. Just what the doctor ordered.