7/22/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


What a fantastic day for a ride today was. The weather was just about perfect for the ride we had planned and the group was split before we even started. Most of our beloved animals were heading up to Idyllwild and that left one big B group to take an easier flatter ride for a relaxing Friday. At least I was thinking it would be relaxing. Once Highlander arrived at the parking lot we were ready to go and started down Gilmore to Acacia. Like normal we caught the light red at Kirby but there was a car there to trip the light so we made the turn and headed towards Cypress.


The whole group rode down Kirby smoothly and quickly with Highlander and Surgeon staying near the front follower by Ruby Tuesday and T-3. By the time we got to Johnston Vortex had pulled up next to me and we discussed part of Today’s TDF and what had happened yesterday in the Alps. Before we knew it we were at Sanderson waiting for that light. We made the turn and were quickly past Stetson and headed for Domenigoni.

Once on Domenigoni and up to speed I fell off the front and Highlander took over pulling the pack towards Warren Road. First Highlander then T-3 pulled off the front and fell in behind me. I watched Ruby Tuesday, Surgeon, Vortex, and Sea Lion fall back and as we got close to Leon Dura Max was pulling with Ocelot, Bounty Hunter and me right behind. To tell the truth I was perfectly happy to let Dura Max pull us to the top of the saddle when Surgeon flashed past me like he was being chased by Big Foot. Only it wasn’t Big Foot it was Sea Lion on his back wheel. I believe Sea Lion is getting stronger with every ride and soon he will need stickier tires to keep from doing burnouts when he accelerates. After chasing Surgeon to the top of the saddle we regrouped and headed for Menifee and turned towards Scott Road.

Once we started down Menifee all I could think of was how much I didn’t like the little hill just past Holland. I watched as Sea Lion, Vortex and Surgeon lined up to attack the hill and I decided shifting into the small ring was going to be my choice for today and just took and easy spin to the top. Once we regrouped we headed past Garboni and set our sights on Scott for the turn west.

Even the ride down Scott to Haun was quicker than I expected and by the time I made the turn north I was in the back of the pack with Highlander and Bounty Hunter pulling away. Sitting in the back of the pack I wondered if the lead riders were planning a stop for a nature break on Haun and Newport. It was all I could do to push myself up till I caught Highlander to tell him to stop and wait for the rest of us but I did and then fell back to ride with the rest of the pack. We regrouped at the AM/PM and made some minor equipment adjustments.

We left the gas station and Ruby Tuesday pulled us to Bradley before Highlander, Vortex and Sea Lion took off for McCall with Surgeon not far behind. Bounty Hunter was about halfway between the rest of us and the lead group as we made the turn and I didn’t catch him till we got to the light at Antelope. Surgeon was still looking strong as he closed with Vortex on the climb and Highlander passed me all the way to the top of the hill where we regrouped once more. Ruby Tuesday and T-3 left us and headed for home while we discussed how we wanted to ride to Winchester. Once back on Simpson Vortex pulled us almost all the way to Winchester catching T-3 and Ruby Tuesday just before we got there. We took a break at Chris’s and then headed for home up Winchester to Stowe.

Once again Vortex decided to pull and he pulled us all the way to Warren Road and at a very fast clip at that. We kept the pace up all the way back to the airport and finally turned it down a bit as we more or less cruised to Sanderson where we caught the light red like we almost always do. Highlander took the lead after the light and pulled us to Lowes and then through the parking lot to Acacia.

After we got back to Burger King we all stood around and talked about what a great ride it had been. After loading the bikes into some of the vehicles we said our good bye and I rode home at a much reduced pace. There is just something about the words, “an easy Friday ride,” that seems to make this group stronger. Still I had 40 miles on the computer when I got home. And once again I had a good time.