5/30/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



The weather had been spotty most of the week waiting to get to Memorial Day. Sunday was cold and very windy both here in Hemet and down at Huntington Beach. D’Artagnon was staying in Huntington and couldn’t get in a ride at all. However as we met at Starbucks the weather was just about perfect and we had a good group heading to Yorba Linda by 8am. We had an ever bigger group once we got to the Ice Palace and started out for the Beach.


There were 13 of us once we got on the bike trail and crossed the first bridge onto the south side of the river. Wolf, Shadow, Highlander and Double Time helped keep us rolling along at a good pace. T-3 and Ruby Tuesday were in front of me and D’Artagnon, Salena, Bandit, Alexander, Laura and Gambler were behind me as we moved past Imperial and under the 91 freeway.

The weather was just about perfect and the predicted wind never seemed to show up as we continued on towards the Beach. I was very impressed with the long pace line we formed as we passed one street after another and caught one cycling group after another heading west. At the rate we were moving it looked like we would be at the beach well before 11am and that would make it one of the fastest trips we had yet made on a Memorial Day ride. Soon I could see the Big A in the distance and in less than an hour after we started we were pulling into the rest area across from the Honda Center where we took a break and assessed the pace to be sure everyone was holding up.


It wasn’t long before we were back on the trial and heading over the bridge at Katella. The trail is pretty nice through this part of the SART and there are several small parks and playgrounds that we pass as we head past golf courses and soccer fields.

We crossed the river two more times before getting within sight on the ocean. It is true that with a light breeze you can smell the salt air well before you can see it and you can feel the moisture in the air as well. We had spread out just a bit following Ruby Tuesday to the last turn as we got to the end of the bike path were we regrouped and headed for the pier to look for a place to have a quick lunch.

We lost two riders as we got ready to head for home. I should say two riders left us. Bandit decided to catch a ride home with his family and Salena was staying in Huntington anyway so she had already put in 57 miles when we returned to the beach.

Once back on the trail we quickly made it back to the first bridge and crossed over the Santa Ana River. The weather was still warm and we had the added bonus of a slight tail breeze. Slowly but surely I found myself drifting back in the pack and watching Wolf, Highlander and D’Artagnon pull away. By the time we got close to the soccer field I finally was able to catch a draft off of Gambler and after a few under passes managed to work may way up to the back of the D’Artagnon, Highlander and Wolf group.

There was one more regroup at the Honda Center before we headed for the Ice Palace. Ruby Tuesday and T-3 were way out in front and managed to get back to the cars first. Still within a few minutes we were all back at the parking lot and packing up to head for home. I had just over 57 miles on the computer when I loaded my bike onto the rack and I felt pretty good. Everyone else looked like they had enjoyed the ride as well.


We waited while Double Time called his wife to come pick him up and grabbed a quick soda before heading for home. After dropping Wolf and Shadow off I headed for home and took a well deserved rest.

5/27/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



I have said before that you can never tell up front how a Friday ride will go. At least it was relatively warm as I headed for Palm and then turned towards Florida as I moved in the direction of Burger King. I was a bit surprised that no one seemed to be waiting when I got there but it turns out they were all at the north side of the parking lot talking to Highlander, Phoenix and Centaur. Once everyone arrived we were 13 strong and ready to head for Dominigoni and west.


We had no problem quickly moving down Kirby and through the housing tract on Cypress. We were still warming up but cruising easily onto Johnston and then waiting at the light on Sanderson. I was thinking we would make one long pace line on Domenigoni but that never really happened and we moved all the way to the saddle in about four separate groups. Ruby Tuesday and I rode together followed by Highlander and T-3 followed by Dura-max, Ocelot and Barracuda. By Winchester Ruby Tuesday and I pulled over only to get passed by Dura-max and few yards later Highlander, T-3, Ocelot and Barracuda. We all regrouped at the top of the saddle and then took off for Menifee to head south towards Scott Road.

We attacked the little hill on Menifee and quickly moved onto Scott before heading west to Hawn and then back north to Newport. Gambler, D’Artagnon, Shock wave, Centaur and Casey Jones made the turn onto Newport heading to Bradley way ahead of the rest of us but Centaur and Shock Wave waited for the rest of the group just after the turn so that we could all ride together to McCall where we regrouped with the lead group. Next it was over the top of McCall and down the back side to work our way over to Simpson.

We quickly rode past Leon and came up on Winchester and decided to go up a block or two before heading up to Stowe. The A group was way ahead of the B group so I could only hope they were planning on waiting for us at Hanger 1. Once out onto Stowe we started to form a pace line and head to California.

There is a problem when Centaur and I try to ride together and I believe it could be that our two bikes speak two different foreign languages. Centaur would say not so fast and his bike would say “Non così velocemente”. I hear what sounds like don’t coast add velocity so I go faster. I say not so fast and my bike says “Pas aussi rapidement”, and he thinks I am talking about passing his rear posterior rapidly. Sometimes it makes for a long hard sprint.

None the less we made it back to Hanger 1 and some of us stopped for coffee and conversation. Some decided to head for home but the coffee was calling and I pulled up to the restaurant to see D’Artagnon, Barracuda and Gambler kicking back and enjoying the warm weather sitting outside on the deck facing the airplanes.

After T-3, Highlander, Ruby Tuesday and I got our coffee we moved outside to soak up some of the warm sun and catch our breath. Both T-3 and Highlander had been running strong all morning and Phoenix hadn’t been out with us in a while. It was good to know that she was going to be able to start joining us on Fridays.

After about 30 minutes of coffee and conversation we started to wrap things up and got back on the road. Gambler, Barracuda and D’Artagnon took off first and Ruby Tuesday, T-3, Highlander, Phoenix, Centaur and I headed towards Sanderson where T-3 and Ruby Tuesday left us. We moved down Sanderson to Acacia and then back to Burger King before heading to our separate homes. Just over 40 miles and perfect weather makes up glad to be a group and glad to be living in California.

5/25/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


The hope was for a good warm day to ride and that is just what it looked like as I rode down Palm heading towards Florida. I was not the least bit surprised to see several people waiting for me as I pulled into the parking lot getting ready to ride. For whatever reason we were short some of our A riders but most of the B group was there so ten of us pulled out onto Gilmore.


The planned ride was one of our favorite out and back rides to Elsinore. After two days of extreme pursuit it was also a time for an easier pace than the last two rides. We didn’t push it down Kirby or on Cypress but still we were moving along at a pretty good clip. We ran into a early problem on Sanderson when one riders got a flat. We all waited and talked while the tire was fixed and then moved onto Domenigoni. We decided to run a pace line with the whole group making 30 to 40 second pulls and managed to average 20+ MPH all the way to the saddle without anyone getting tired. We regrouped at the top of the saddle and talked about how easy the short leads had been on everyone.

We took off down the saddle and headed for Menifee and then over the freeway towards Murrieta. We spread out a bit but by Bradley we were back in a group heading for Carl’s on Murrieta. We made a brief stop at Carl’s and then headed out towards Railroad Canyon. For one of the first times ever we all made it up the first climb into the canyon within sight of each other. Surgeon and D’Artagnon pulled away with Sea Lion while I waited for Highlander, CycoBob, T-3, Ocelot and Dura-max.

We met up with Attack Cat at Micky Ds and had a quick cup of coffee before getting back out onto the street and heading up Railroad Canyon. We took the first little climb more or less as a group until Surgeon started to pull away. About 100 yards later D’Artagnon pulled around me and gave chase and Attack Cat followed close in his draft. I started to pick up the pace but noticed I was pulling away from the rest of the group so I fell back and rode with Highlander and T-3. It seems as if Sea Lion dropped a chain so we waited at the first light and regrouped before heading the rest of the way through the Canyon.

We were still all together as we got to Newport and Antelope where the group caught the light red. Wolf moved into the left turn lane to head for home and the rest of us finally moved on over the saddle heading for home. We pulled up to Surgeon by Winchester and most of us turned onto Sanderson and headed back towards Burger King. T-3, D’Artagnon and I broke off at Johnston and I got back to my house with 45.45 miles on the computer. It was a great day and a great ride just as I had thought it would be.

5/23/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


I can understand the terms we have for Monday when we have to get up every week and go to work. Blue Monday indicates a state of mind that seems a bit depressing. For a cyclist heavy cloud cover can cause the same feeling of depression. Looking outside this morning it was grey and overcast, in other words a blue Monday. Still to my surprise we had 14 riders as we pulled out onto Gilmore Street.


We made it through the light on Kirby on the first try and headed south into a slight wind towards Cypress. For some reason cold wind just seems stronger than a warm one and at least for me it requires more effort. Still everyone seemed determined as we turned onto Cypress and headed for Johnston.

The ride today was going to be a bit trickier logistically because we would be breaking into three groups with three slight variations on the ride. Highlander and Tax man were breaking off on Sanderson making it a 25 mile ride. The A group of Gambler, Blood Hound, Rocket and Centaur would be doing the marina making it a 40 mile ride and the rest of us would be following the route making it a 38 mile ride.


After the turn at Sanderson the rest of the group worked its way past the airport and past Warren Road on Stetson. The wind seemed to be blowing right in our face and was keeping our speed down quite a bit. Well before we made it to California Blood Hound started to pick up the pace. It didn’t take long before the rest of the A group had moved to the front and started to give chase. By the time they had turned onto Stowe they were in full pursuit mode. Like a giant slinky we turned into three parts and followed the A group lead all the way to Winchester where we regrouped and talked about the A group challenge. It was decided the A group would make a run for the Marina and the B group would try to see how far we got before they caught the B group.

Things started out pretty much as planned as we moved down Winchester towards Domenigoni. Then Wolf hit a pot hole and his drop bars rotated down so part of the group stopped while he made his repairs and the A group took off to attack the Marina. Once the B group was reformed we headed for State Street into what once again seemed like a head wind. It may have been a cross wind but it wasn’t helping our progress at all.

We did get to State Street before the A group got off of the Marina ramp but Bounty Hunter and I had stopped on the corner of State and Domenigoni while everyone else took off down State towards Stetson. As Bounty Hunter and I crossed Domenigoni and State at the light we noticed the A group pulling into the turning lane. We could just barely see the B group fading into the distance and were waiting to see when the A group made the turn. Before they could make the turn we noticed a lone rider coming up behind as at a rapidly closing pace. It turned out to be Casey Jones who must have joined the group out by the marina and was planning on staying with us at least part of the way to the ranger station. He ended up taking off after Blood Hound and we didn’t see him again till we got to Florida and we headed up to Cranston Station.


After a short regroup we headed back down Florida towards Carl’s for coffee. It was still cold and now the wind was right in our face again. It doesn’t seem possible but it seemed like the wind had been in our face all day. I for one was looking forward to some coffee and conversation and a chance to get in out of the cold. The coffee was hot and the conversation was good and we took at least a 30 minute break before heading for home.

We cruised west down Lincoln till Dura-max and Ocelot broke off at Park and Blood Hound broke off before we got back to Devonshire. Double Time, Sea Lion, Wolf and I continued on to Santa Fe where we made the jog at the High School and the turned west once more on Latham. We made it past the Library and I broke for home at Palm. I got just shy of 40 miles door to door when I pulled up to my house. I enjoyed the ride even in the cold and wind because we have a great group of people to ride with. I am looking forward to Wednesday and a sunny day. At least so far that is the prediction.

5/20/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



What a beautiful morning it was as I looked out of my front window this morning. Gone were the clouds that had covered us all week and gone was the frosty mornings we had been having. I had a easy ride planned and if we had a good sized A group I had a little twist that should keep them interested in the ride. I got to the Burger King parking lot to find several riders waiting for me. Counting Raptor we had 17 riders as it got close to 8:30. I took that time to give the A group their special challenge. They would have to add about 3 miles to their ride on Domenigoni and they would have to catch the B group before we could reach Menifee and Florida.


We all sat at the light on Gilmore and Florida together and joked about the split that would take place when we got to Acacia. Rocket, Blood Hound, Barracuda, Gambler, Bandit made the turn east towards State Street while the rest of us turned west towards Sanderson. I was just a bit surprised to see Surgeon with us on his brand new Cervelo he looked fast just because he was sitting on it. But for whatever reason the B group was 11 strong as we moved south on Kirby heading towards Cypress.

We were not breaking any speed records going down Cypress but we did pick it up a bit once we got onto Sanderson until we caught the light at Stetson. With the B group top speed is not as important as staying in a group so we agreed on a pace line of between 20 and 21 on Domenigoni. Before we got to Mustang I fell in behind Dura-max and Ocelot and followed them all the way to Domenigoni and Warren Road.

As we turned west towards the Saddle there was a tremendous chase going on back at State and Domenigoni. The A group was working like a well oiled machine in an effort to run down the B group as soon as possible. I am sure their hope was to catch us before we got to the Saddle and from what I was told about their average speed they had a good chance of doing just that. To a degree it was like a Tsunami coming up from behind the B group and we didn’t know how close it was. We hit the bottom of the saddle and made it over without stopping to regroup. We did manage to Lindenburger and half way to Simpson before we noticed the A group was merging into the back of our group. They caught us at least two miles before I had expected it.

The whole group made it to Menifee and McCall where Sea Lion broke off and headed for home. We made the turn on Menifee and headed towards Florida with a tightly running pace line. The plan was for us to take a break at the Am/Pm on the corner of Florida and Menifee. As we got to the railroad tracks Huntress and Blood Hound took the lead and pulled us into the Am/Pm parking lot.

Once we were back on Menifee we more or less stayed together as a group all the way to Nuevo. Once past Mapes we were moving at a pretty good clip and I pulled as long as I could before pulling over and watching the A group fly past me and make the turn east on Nuevo heading for Lakeview. I pulled back to allow the rest of the B group to catch up and we made the turn together. At this point the B group was still bigger than the A group and we were planning on regrouping once more at the Valero Station on Lakeview.

There were still 15 of us as we regrouped on Lakeview. We grabbed a gel and some electrolytes and talked a bit more about the ride up to that point and people started to get just a bit antsy about getting back onto the road and heading for home. To be honest it was impressive to see so many riders still together this late in the ride and I had to wonder how long it would be before the group split up once more before we got home.

I didn’t have that long to wait as it turned out. I started out pulling the group east on Ramona Expressway and managed to hold the group together pretty well for the first mile or two before I pulled over and let others set the pace. We kept together for another mile or two before I noticed we had a small group falling off of the back of the main group and I was in that smaller group. About 5 of us ended up watching the rest of the group pull away and in fact pull out of sight by the time five of us got to Warren Road.

Highlander, Dura-max, Ocelot, Full Throttle, Bounty Hunter and I ended up together until we lost Bounty Hunter and Full Throttle on Warren Road. The four remaining riders stayed together and followed the main group till we got back to Burger King for some coffee and conversation. Pulling into the Burger King parking lot Highlander seemed surprised that we had an average speed much higher than he was used to for a ride of 40 miles or so. We may have been run over by a much faster A group today but I would have to say both groups seemed to have had a good time. I for one enjoyed being with friends as much as I enjoyed being on the bike. I consider it a double blessing.

5/16/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



With the strange weather we have been having I didn’t know just what to expect as I got ready to head out to the parking lot to meet the rest of the riders. To tell the truth it was just a bit cold as I put on both arm and leg warmers. Even as cold as it was there were 11 of us ready to leave at 8:30 am.


Because the group has been getting bigger it seemed like a good idea to split the group during the ride so that the A group could get a workout and the B group could be the rabbit. The break would take place when we got to Leon and the old dump road but I didn’t think much about that as we turned off of Acacia onto Kirby heading for Cypress. I was pleased to see the Raptor was still with us as we turned on Cypress and headed for Johnston.

It didn’t take long before we were out onto Sanderson and were working our way over towards the airport. We all now know to keep away from the concrete cut the city has decided to make on the north side drainage edge of the airport road. We turned out onto Stetson and pulled hard for Warren Road with the whole group in one long pace line. I knew the Stowe sprint was ahead of us but up to this point I wasn’t sure if I was up to any sprint let alone involving the cream of the A group.

Blood Hound took the lead on California but gave it over to me with most of the B group in close pursuit. Still I knew that at some point the A group would form up and come around and I wasn’t disappointed. Soon I watched as D’Artagnon, Rocket, Gambler, Wolf and Blood Hound passed me. I felt pretty good at that point as we stayed in a rather fast pace line heading for the Parking lot on Winchester. My big mistake was following Blood Hound as he retook the lead and then trying to pass him. Once I got back in front I found myself pushing into a head wind and the cold air was rushing past my teeth. Fatigue and pain hit me at about the same time as D’Artagnon and the rest of the A group pulled back around and away from me. Still we all pulled into the parking lot within a few feet of each other.

We regrouped and waited for Raptor and Tax Man before deciding to take off for the dump road and the group split. Tax Man left us on Winchester and Raptor stayed with us till Leon. This is where it got interesting as the B group turned south on Leon and the A group continued on to Briggs. The B group would be getting a 2 mile head start to McCall and the A group would have to fly to catch us before we got to Jack in the Box on Newport. Once the B group got to McCall and Heritage I could almost feel the A group heading in our direction. The good part was the whole B group worked together and got over McCall together and quickly headed for the turn past Murrieta and back on Cherry Hill. There were nervous look over our shoulders as we got to Newport and headed east.


The B group did get to Jack in the Box first but by the time I had walked up to get some coffee the A group pulled up and walked into the restaurant. If they would have hit one or two red light green or if we had hit one or two lights red they would have caught us. Still this time they didn’t and it proved satisfying for both groups. We had coffee and conversation before heading home and to prove we were still friends two A group riders and two B group riders were still smiling as we mounted up and got ready to leave.

We rode back towards the saddle and the A group decided to pull away for their final hard run home. The B group didn’t exactly slack off and we kept the A group in sight almost all the way to Winchester. They did disappear into the horizon as we got to Winchester but the B group did work together and we made it easily back to Sanderson where Dura-Max left us and then to Johnston where T-3 left us. Highlander, Wolf and I got back to the parking lot and talked for a few minutes before we also headed for home. It never did get all that warm but it was much better than when we started out. Just over 38 quick miles and time with good friends made it a great day.

5/13/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)




It may still be cool now and then but one look outside this morning made it pretty clear that winter is gone. With better weather we have also had more riders turn out for the rides. I had pretty good expectations for today’s short easy ride. By 8:30 we had 16 riders so I guess it could be said I wasn’t disappointed as we pulled up to the stop light on Florida and Gilmore.


It always takes a few minutes for the light on Gilmore to change to green but once it did T-3 was quick to move towards the front of the group and lead us towards Acacia. It is almost time to split back into two distinct groups again like we do almost every summer. While we have been getting a pretty strong A group I have been surprised at how aggressive some of the B group riders have been lately. I have also been surprised at how strong those same riders have been towards the end of some of our rides. T-3 and Highlander have stepped up their game quite a bit in the last few rides and looking over my shoulder I could see that Highlander and T-3 were planning on being in a good position for this ride as well.


As I got to Acacia and made the turn towards Kirby T-3 closed with me and paced me all the way to the light on Kirby. We turned towards Cypress and she obviously had warmed up faster than I had because she pretty much set the pace as we headed south towards the Rail Road Tracks. We turned the corner together and the rest of the group followed just a few yards behind.

Today two riders joined us that I hadn’t expected, Full Throttle was back again and Barracuda joined us for more than pre-ride conversation. Add that to the heart of the A group in Rocket, D’Artagnon and Gambler and you have the prospect of a good club ride that you can do a lot with. I already decided that it would be a good idea if the A group made the extra climb to the Marina while the B group made a run for Cactus Valley. It is always a challenge to see if the B can be caught before they reach the end of Cactus Valley. There have been days that it has been close even with a good lead by the B group.


I was surprised to see several of the B group riders turn to follow the A riders towards the Marina. Still I managed to lead Ruby Tuesday, Full Throttle, Highlander and T-3 down to State Street and headed for Cactus Valley at a pretty good clip. I pulled as long as I could until I found myself a bit winded and in pain from sucking air in past my teeth. The dentist had left my mouth a bit sore and breathing hard through my mouth wasn’t making it feel any better. After I pulled off of the lead Full Throttle took over for a while until Ruby Tuesday made a small break at the hill on the corner of State and Cactus Valley. I grabbed her back wheel and drafted her all the way to Sage and up the hill till we got to the end of the pavement and waited for the rest of the B group to arrive.


We decided not to wait for the A group and headed back towards State Street only to meet the A group coming at us before we got back to Sage. We managed to get back to McSweeney before Blood Hound caught us at the lead of the A group. We more or less merged as a combined group as we moved back towards State and we found the rest of the A group waiting for us at State so we regrouped and waited for the stragglers


The A group pulled away heading east and Highlander followed with Ruby Tuesday and T-3. I waited with Warden and talked until Dura-max, sea Lion and Ocelot pulled up and joined us. We started to chase Highlander and his group east as we worked our way north to Stetson and west towards Fairview. Once on Fairview we turned towards Wilson Mesa and regrouped with Highlander, Ruby Tuesday and T-3. Once we were all back together Ruby Tuesday and T-3 decided to break off for home and Sea Lion, Dura-max, Ocelot, Highlander, Warden and I headed north on Fairview to Florida to see if we could meet up with some of the A riders for coffee at Carl’s on Florida and New Chicago.

We did see Gambler, Blood Hound, D’Artagnon and Surgeon having coffee and we enjoyed the conversation while we relaxed and relived the ride and talked about future rides. As much as I enjoy the rides with this group I enjoy the socialization as well. It is easy to see the group as friends and that makes riding with them even easier. So after telling stories for 20 or 30 minutes we were back on the road heading for home. D’Artagnon broke south as soon as we left the parking lot with the rest of us heading for Lincoln.


Gambler turned for home first and by the time we got to Park Dura-max and Ocelot left us. Blood Hound broke off at Yale and the rest of us continued on to the Burger King parking lot. We talked for a while and I headed for home and a good hot shower and lunch. It wasn’t that many miles but it was a good day with some good sprints and climbs. 34 miles isn’t bad for an easy Friday.