7/04/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



As I rode towards the Burger King parking lot I was thinking that being able to cycle with friends on the 4th of July. I didn’t know how many riders would show up but it didn’t really matter because however many there were I was sure we would have a good ride and a great time. Yes it was hot but we had been out when it was hotter and this wasn’t so bad. When I pulled into the parking lot I noticed we already had six or seven riders waiting for me. By 8am there were 17 of us ready to go so we rode out onto Latham and made the turn north on Lyon to start the ride


We moved rather easily up Lyon and past one street after another as we got closer to Ramona. Even though we were moving along at a pretty good clip people were still talking and showing they had plenty of energy for one of our favorite rides. Looking back I wasn’t at all surprised to see Vortex and Blood Hound with a determined look on their face. But I was surprised to see Highlander and Surgeon close to the front with what can only be described as a poker face. Behind then I could just make out T-3, Warden, Ruby Tuesday, Gambler and Thea (Falcon). This looked like it was going to be a good ride.

I took a head count as we turned off of Lyon onto Ramona and headed towards Sanderson. We still had 17 riders but the ones driving the pace were Blood Hound, Surgeon, Highlander, Tax Man, T-3, Vortex, and Wolf. Behind me pacing themselves were Rocket, Gambler, Falcon, Ruby Tuesday, Barracuda, Bounty Hunter, Dura-max and Sea Lion. If they were taking it easy before we got to Sanderson the run down Ramona expressway might get exciting.

We finally turned west on Ramona Expressway and somehow I ended up in front to pull till we got to Warren Road. Rocket worked his way to the front and started to pick up the pace. For whatever reason it looked like Blood Hound was going to let him go, not that anyone can do much about it if Rocket has all his boosters going. Soon I noticed Vortex pick up the pace to give chase and before long the whole line was hitting 25 with me on the tail end trying to take a drink. Rocket had an appointment so he broke off at Bridge Street and I tagged up with Tax Man to follow the group to Hansen where we stopped to regroup and let people fill their spare water bottles.

The next part of the ride is never pretty but it is always interesting. We picked up Bandit as we turned on Contour heading for Juniper Flats. The group started to split a bit as we passed the school on Warren Street.


I rode with the lead group for a while and then moved back to check on the tailing riders. People tend to hit the hill at their own pace but I didn’t want to lose anyone because of an equipment failure in the hot sun.

But we didn’t lose anyone and soon we all topped the hill and started down the back side of Juniper Flats for the run to Briggs Street.

Our next stop was going to be Chris’s and we all rode through the housing tract back to Briggs in anticipation of the traditional sprint on Grand right after Leon. Things got changed a bit when Casey Jones tried to break away from the group and head for Chris’s several hundred yards in front. I put my head down and started the chase with Barracuda, Gambler, Bandit, Blood Hound, Surgeon, Falcon and Wolf. I fell off the front and managed to grab a back wheel only to find myself in an exploding pace line. By the time I got to Leon I was dropped and had to watch as Barracuda, Gambler and Bandit ran down the break and passed just as I topped the rise and pulled up next to Falcon. We cruised to Chris’s for coffee and conversation as usual.

I managed to stay just in front of Bandit and Gambler as the group took off towards Stowe and once again fell back to ride with Tax Man as we made it first to California and then back to Stetson before passing the Air port and finally catching Wolf, Dura-max, and Warden when we got to Sanderson where Ruby Tuesday and T-3 turned for home. I rode back to Lowes with what was left of our group before starting out on Acacia for the final run back to Burger King.

Acacia to Kirby seemed to take only a moment and it wasn’t much longer till we turned back onto Gilmore. We managed to catch the light at Florida red but noticed there were a few riders still at Burger King as we sat on the corner waiting. After saying good bye I headed for home and lunch. It was just getting hot as I pulled my bike through the front and let my wife know I was home. I had 39 miles on the computer and consider it a good day.