4/01/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



Finally spring has pushed back winter and we had a warm day. Of course it must be remembered I like warm weather more than some but still there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and not a hint of wind, a perfect day for a Friday cruise with a bunch of cycling friends.


Counting Raptor and Traveler there were 15 of us basking in the sun when 8:30 rolled around and it was time to hit the road. To my surprise and pleasure Cossack was able to join us today which always is a special treat. Warden and Huntress were the last to get ready to ride but it was very close to being on time as we pulled out of the parking lot and started south the begin our ride.

As we moved through town and out towards Cypress I looked back to see what looked like a pretty good peloton following me. A strong A group and a strong B group that looked ready and willing for today’s adventure.

It was also good to have Bounty Hunter back with us after several weeks off not feeling as well as he should. That is one good thing about the warmer weather it tends to bring out some of the missing riders. Warden had joined us for the second time this week and he was riding strong for being off as long as he had.

The good part for me is that when it is warm my legs warm up a lot faster than when it is cold. Sometimes I am ten miles down the road before I feel like I could keep up with the B group let alone grab a wheel on one of the A group riders. Highlander assured me he would look out after me if I got carried away and ended up getting over tired or over heated on this warm day.

We finally worked our way out to Sanderson picking up Sea Lion on the way. He told us he would have to leave early but he would ride as far as the saddle before heading for home. I took over the lead just before Domenigoni and pulled all the way to the river crossing after Warren Road. Shortly after falling to the back of the pace line the whole group came to a stop because Rocket flatted. The B group was sent on while the tire was being changed and I made the mistake of staying with the A riders to assist in the pull chasing the Bs to the saddle. It was a hard run catching the lead group but we closed just before the saddle and regrouped at the top.

We stayed together down the back side of the saddle and most of the way to Scott Road but as we headed towards Haun the two groups started to spread apart. Sea Lion had left and the B group was spread out a bit as we got close to Holland. Bounty Hunter had to leave on Holland and Haun and we regrouped once more at Murrieta and Newport. The A group took off to make the run to Chris’s and home because some of them had to get back early. Dura-max and Ocelot broke off at Cherry Hill and the rest of us rode to Chris’s together. Huntress was living up to her name and was riding stronger than ever. We stopped at Chris’s only picking up Centaur who had been waiting for Phoenix who was staying with the B group.

After some coffee and conversation we decided to ride down Simpson to Warren Road to avoid the Pit Bull that had chased huntress the week before. We still had half of the riders we started with in the B group and we were still cruising along about as easily as we had done during the start of the ride.

We made it to Warren and then turned on Mustang to avoid some of the traffic. We took that road all the way to Sanderson and made quick work of the ride down to Lowes and turned into the parking lot to ride around the back of the store. Phoenix had done very well not only keeping up but staying right in the middle of the group for most of the ride.

We moved back out onto Acacia for the second time today and Highlander took over the pull and lead us back to Kirby and then to Gilmore and back up towards Burger King. I ended up with a bit more than 40 miles but for the first time this year I went through two water bottles. However from the smiles on their faces I would say everyone had a good ride today. We look forward to having Phoenix and Warden return again next week. They look like they might have had a good time as well.