8/31/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

A quick day in the life of an A rider.


The day was supposed to be the coolest of the week so I extended the distance a bit and decided to send both t A and the B group on the same ride. I was looking forward to pushing myself a bit and joining the A group as much as I could. With that in mind I headed for the Burger Kink Parking lot feeling pretty good.

Surgeon and Centaur were already waiting for me as was Highlander. Dura max, Vortex and Blood Hound arrived and I noticed Shawn was with us again. T-3 arrived about the same time as Full Throttle and D’Artagnon. Sea Lion and Wolf pulled up and I thought we were ready to go but Huntress and Puma arrived just as we were about to pull out onto Gilmore. Now we were ready to ride and took off for Acacia. We made the light at Kirby and headed for Cypress. As I turned onto Cypress and headed for Johnston it was one of the last times I was in front of the group.


We turned right on Sanderson and caught the light just past the railroad tracks and waited till the light changed. As soon as we were headed towards the Airport we were attacked by goat heads and suffered three flats. Blood Hound continued on to Hanger One and didn’t realize we were held up. Once back on the road we quickly moved past the airport and out onto Stetson. This was just about the last time I got am chance to rest at all. We quickly pace lined to California and made the turn onto Stowe where I tried to slowly move myself towards the front of the pack were I expected the A group to mount an attack. I attacked first and got a pretty good jump. But it was too early and well before I could get to the barn I was run down by two chase groups. My first attempt to play with the big dogs was denied. More than half of the pack caught me before we got to the parking lot on Winchester.

It took a few minutes to catch our breath and we did a preemptive tire change on T-3s bike while we were at the Winchester farms parking lot. I think I got almost as winded pumping up the tire as I did during the sprint. Still it wasn’t as hot as it had been for the last few days and we still had most of the ride to go. So we pulled back out onto Stowe and waited at the stop sign to head down Winchester to Grand.


Vortex and Blood Hound kept the pace moving along rather briskly after we were headed west on Grand and I found myself about five riders back from the lead. I would have been content to hold that position except Centaur started the second sprint just before the rise on Grand. D’Artagnon and Shawn took off to give chase and for reasons beyond me I took off after them. I was lucky that I had a chance to recover from the sprint on Stowe and managed to catch the leader at the top of the rise and sat up to wait for the rest of the group. from that point till we got to Briggs the group split in two with a gap of about 150 yards between us.

That gap shortened a bit but the following group caught the light at Florida and we didn’t catch the lead group till we got to the Am/Pm at Florida and Menifee. The next challenge would be McCall. The group was looking forward to it and I considered hitting the hill with the As. However disaster struck for me when we caught the light just before the bottom of the hill red. Everyone had to take off from just about a dead stop and wolf caught me just as we topped the hill. You simply can’t trust a Wolf.

Over the hill and a regroup just past Bradley and we discovered Huntress had to abandon the ride and head for home. At Murrieta Puma left us as well and part way up the rise Sea Lion made a jump and created a good gap before he was caught by D’Artagnon, Shawn and Centaur. The group simply rode a pace line down Cherry Hill and out onto Bradley then out to Newport. About half of the group stopped for coffee at Jack In the box and half continued on.

The ride home was a two part mini race with Surgeon taking the climb on the back side of the Saddle and D’Artagnon started a hard pull that separated the group as we past Leon. We caught the lead group at Winchester but split again shortly after the dry wash.

Sea Lion, Surgeon, Highlander and I caught the light at Warren and fell behind but could still see the leaders as they made the light at Sanderson and Sea Lion continued for home while we had to wait for a green.

The remaining three of us rode down Sanderson and through the parking lot at Lowes. As we turned onto Acacia and finally got ready to turn onto Gilmore I could just see D’Artagnon in the distance heading east. We caught Vortex and Centaur at Florida waiting for a light and stopped to talk briefly before I headed home for a shower and lunch. Just over 42 miles on my computer and a hard workout trying to chase the A group. Somehow I am not sure I am ready to ride with the As. I know it is harder to take pictures when I do.

8/29/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


When planning the ride for today I noticed we had at least one more day of double digit we kept the weather but at least the humidity was a lower than it had been Friday. Still it seemed like a good idea if we kept the ride short and simple and so a quick and easy ride to cactus valley seemed to be in order. I headed for Burger King looking forward to an easy recovery type of ride. I remained to be seen just how the ride would turn out.

Most of the regulars were there by 7:45 including Cossack riding his old bike and Bud joining us for his second ride. I don’t think it will be his last. With Blood Hound, Barracuda, Rocket, Centaur, D’Artagnon and Cossack riding I knew we would have a good sized A group. With Full throttle and Jack Rabbit joining them they would be a force to be reckoned with even if the B group had a pass on the marina. Tax man, Surgeon, T-3, Highlander, Dura max, Bud and I would be on our own. After riding down Gilmore and west on Acacia to Kirby the B group was well represented in the front.


Normally once we get on Kirby and turn onto Cypress we take it easy and warm up or legs. That didn’t happen today and we kept up a pretty good pace all the way to Johnston and then to Sanderson. While waiting at the light I wondered how fast the group would run down Sanderson. I kicked into a moderate pace line and I took over the pull as soon as we got to Stetson. As we moved past Walmart I noticed the B group was still in a good position to make a run on Domenigoni and head to Cactus valley before the A group could run the marina ramp and catch us.

The turn onto Domenigoni saw Rocket start to pull away but quickly Blood Hound gave chase and soon Full Throttle was chasing both of them. I managed to keep the B close and we past Searl just as the A group made the turn. We were on our way to State and would have a 2 mile head start to Cactus Valley. I finished my pull once we got to State Street and the rest of the group did quite well pulling us to the turn towards the Golf course. I stayed behind Tax Man and we slowly closed on Bud as he got ready to turn around and head for home. Tax Man and I followed the rest of the group to the end of the road. We took a short break before heading back to intercept the As.

On the way back we talked and rode easily back up to the top of the rise where we say some of the A group coming our way. Barracuda was leading with Blood hound, Rocket, Cossack, and D’Artagnon not far behind.

Centaur was still riding hard and looking strong as we watched him approach us ahead of Jack Rabbit and Full Throttle. They decided to turn around and join us one the way back so that we would all make it back to Domenigoni and State Street about the same time.

Blood Hound past me about 200 yards after we past Sage and Surgeon tagged onto him as they pulled away. Cossack past and helped me pull the B group till Barracude and Rocket went by and then he pulled away as well. We didn’t lose that much ground to them and past Domenigoni together. Somehow I lost Jack Rabbit and Full Throttle and decided to wait at Chambers till they caught up. But it turns out Jack Rabbit headed for home as did Cossack. But we still had Warden and it was good to see him back with us. We regrouped on Thornton and Buena Vista and got ready to head east together.

Rocket broke for home on Stetson as did Barracuda. We headed over to Crest and as we came back to Stetson we lost D’Artagnon at Lake. The rest of the group headed for Fairview and then on to Carl’s at New Chicago and Florida for coffee. We only stayed for a short break before heading for home on Lincoln heading back to Park.

After we made it to Park Dura Max stayed with us till we broke for Devonshire. Blood Hound left us at Columbia and the rest of us followed Highlander all the way to Santa Fe where we turned to Latham and started of final run back to Burger King.

We were still riding as a tight group as we got back to State and everyone seemed to have enjoyed the ride so far and I decided to ride down Lyon with T-3 before heading for home myself. I got home with just about 35 miles and feeling pretty good. It seems like a short ride was a good idea for such a hot day.

8/26/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


The weatherman said it was going to be hot and humid and by the time I got up and out onto the road it was already both. I took it easy as I made my way to Florida and wondered to myself just how many of our riders would be willing to come out on a day like this. Turned out I didn’t need to worry because Surgeon and Highlander were already there as I pulled into the parking lot. I just had time to say hello when Dura max and Ocelot pulled up and Sea Lion came right behind them. By 8am we had 16 riders ready and willing to go. So we pulled out onto Gilmore and stopped at the light on Florida.


It has been pretty typical lately to see Blood Hound, Highlander and T-3 up front in the early stages of the ride. Today was no different as we got to Acacia and turned towards Kirby. It was muggy by the time we caught the light on Kirby the temperature was still under 90 degrees. There seemed to be a light breeze but it wasn’t slowing us down any and so we rather quickly made it down Kirby to Cypress.

We had discussed the ride before we left the parking lot and I indicated that if the A group wanted to run hard I would hold the pace down for the B group so they ride in the heat would be easier to do. I was thinking about this as we rode down Cypress and wondered to myself just how many would go with the A group if they did take off on a break. As we got close to Johnston I noticed Puma was coming at us from the other direction. He joined us just before we turned towards Sanderson.

I should have known the ride down Domenigoni was going to turn exciting when I saw how eager everyone looked as we picked up speed passing Walmart. I looked behind me as we passed Mustang and there were no gaps between riders from number 1 to number 17.

I turned the corner and started the pull towards Warren but gave it up before we were halfway there. Highlander and T-3 took turns pulling and we were almost all the way to Winchester before the group took off and picked up the pace. I never caught the lead pack before they topped the saddle and regrouped but I did motive we had added Bandit at Winchester. We regrouped now 18 strong.

After we rested a bit it was decided that we would continue on to Carl’s on Newport and Murrieta. The plan was for Gambler to take a few of the A rides and attack Goetz while I took the B group off on La Ladera. We were going to divide up after rehydrating at Carl’s and then leave in two groups. Once we got to Carl’s several of the B riders decided to give Goetz a shot and that group of 11 took off just before the 7 of us pulled out onto Newport after them.

We had very little trouble cutting the pace back a bit as we rode towards La Ladera and crossed Murrieta on a long slow green. Highlander and I followed Surgeon most of the way to La Ladera where we turned and picked up Rocket who had decided to stick with us so he could make a quick stop on his way home. T-3, Dura max and Ocelot rounded out our group of seven as we past the little park on La Ladera. We were all still together passing the ground Owls on Honeyrun.

From there Surgeon took over setting the pace as we made our left on the street heading to McCall. Rocket pulled up to ride with him while the rest of us followed at a respectable distance. T-3, Highlander and I filled the gap between the lead two riders and Dura max and Ocelot.

Highlander pulled up next to me and asked if I wanted to pace him up McCall hill but shortly after he asked me he took off and caught a light green at the bottom of the hill and I didn’t. He made it to the top well before T-3 and I. Once we regrouped it was a fast run down the hill, past the housing tract on Heritage and out onto Simpson to make a run to Winchester. Only Surgeon, Rocket and I stopped for coffee at Chris’s and we only stayed for a short cold drink and conversation before heading for Stowe and home. Rocket left us at the airport and Surgeon and I made it back by ourselves. Huntress and Shawn pulled in about 15 minutes later and we talked for a minute or two. When I got home I had 38 miles on the computer and got inside just before it broke 100 degrees.

8/24/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



Well there is no doubt about it we have summer time upon us. I looked out this morning and it was as clear as a bell and already creeping up on 80 degrees as I left the house. I have an easy route planned for the day but that didn’t mean people would show up if they thought they might melt before they got home. Still I was hopeful as I rode down Palm to Florida and headed towards Gilmore. Even though I left the house early Wolf and Highlander were waiting when I pulled into the parking lot.

Taking a head count it seemed as if we had 10 riders not counting Raptor as he pulled of the parking lot before the rest of us. Once Huntress pulled up and Highlander got his gloves on we were ready to go. We pulled up to the light on Florida just after it turned red so we knew we had a long wait. As soon as the light turned green we were on our way to Acacia to begin an easy 38 miles.


I wasn’t sure what kind of pace to set today but it was more or less taken out of my hands when Blood Hound decided to take the lead as we rode down Kirby towards Cypress and made the turn west towards Johnston and Sanderson. Up to this point the streets seemed pretty quiet and there was very little traffic. It was even better as we turned onto Cypress and rode down the wide smooth street through the quiet little housing tract.

It is a great relief not to have to worry about the light on Sanderson when we turn north before we make the quick jog left to head towards the airport. We made the turn in rapid order and made it to the railroad tracks with only one car passing us. We did catch the light red after the tracks but it didn’t hold us up for long and soon we were headed west again. Highlander and Blood Hound were flying in formation up front as we got close to the airport.

We ran into a little traffic at the stop sign were we have to make the quick left and then a quick right before heading past Hanger 1 but we were soon past it and dodging the speed bumps and road cuts that have bother so many of our riders in the past. We have had two riders fall because of getting their tires stuck in a road cut that happens to be just 1 inch wide, just wide enough to grab a front tire and take a bike down. It didn’t happen today but I noticed the cuts were still there. Vortex and Highlander had no problems avoiding getting stuck however.

Once out onto Stetson where Blood Hound pulled us to Warren Road, where we caught sight of a lone rider ahead of us. Blood hound gave up the lead to me and we closed with the rider just as we got to California Street. I pulled alongside and started a conversation with the rider who picked up the pace to match ours rather easily. He ended up pulling us as we started on Stowe and was in the lead till Blood Hound took over after about 200 yards. Just about then Gambler, Rocket and Huntress came flying by for the traditional sprint and I tried to give chase. I never caught them however so we regrouped at Winchester and caught our breath.


Once we had rehydrated and everyone had caught their breath it was time to ride down Winchester and head for the dump road. We held together well till we turned onto the dump road where Gambler, Rocket and Blood Hound picked up the pace and created a gap between us. Then Huntress and Vortex took off and Highlander, Bud and I followed with Wolf and Dura max followed some distance back. We almost lost sight of the lead group by Leon and were quite a bit in front of the trailing riders just before Simpson.

Once again we regrouped at Linderburger and got ready to head for Domenigoni. The temperature was beginning to rise and it was pushing 90 at the time. We rode to the light on Domenigoni behind Blood Hound and got caught at the light where Rocket left us to assist a perspective rider picking out a new bike. We took off as the light turned green and after about 100 yards started the sprint climb up the back side of the saddle and quickly down the front. As we got back to Winchester I discovered that Wolf must have killed some spoiled game because he was not feeling well. There was no grass for him to eat so I rode with him to Sanderson where he headed for home. I hope his vet checked him for a cold nose because he looked tired as he left.

We regrouped before State Street and then headed past the old golf course on Thornton before turning on Santa Fe and up to Stetson. The plan was to head to Fairview and make a turn towards Florida. Huntress headed for home before we got to Fairview and Gambler left as well. We were down to 5 riders but we still felt good even if the temperature was now on the century mark. All we had left to do was make a cuick un to Florida and then to Carl’s and coffee.

We didn’t stay at Carl’s and headed up to Lincoln to head for home. Highlander, Bud, Vortex, Dura max and I chatted away as we headed back west and got close to Park where we traditionally lose Dura Max. Today he stayed with us and decided to ride all the way around park. Vortex and Highlander pulled us all the way to Devonshire and Highlander pulled us back to Santa Fe.

Four of us pulled up to the Pep-boy’s driveway and almost coasted back to the parked cars. We took a few minutes to talk about the ride and to discuss bike related topics. It might seem strange to some that after spending 2.5 hours together we would have all that much to talk about. But the truth is we are a group of people that seem to like each other not just ride together. It was only 38 miles from car to car but I got in just over 40 by the time I got home. Great day even if it was hot.

8/22/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



Today seemed like a good day to think outside of the box and try a new and longer ride with the group. I looked for something about 45 to 48 miles with a few rollers and some new things to see. He only question I had was how many people would be interested in stretching it out a bit. That thought was on my mind as I left the house and headed for Florida and Gilmore. I had nothing to worry about because riders started showing up as soon as I got there.


By 8am we had 3 from Team 4 seasons, two of team Full Throttle, and three of the Musketeers. We also had Dura max, Ocelot, Surgeon, T-3, Sea Lion, Blood Hound and me, 15 riders not counting Raptor heading in another direction. About a minute maybe two later we were all sitting at the light on Gilmore and Florida ready for it to change.

We rode down Gilmore to Acacia to Kirby and got caught at the light like we do almost every time we get there. There were enough of us to trip the light so we didn’t have long to wait before we made our way south on Kirby all the way to Cypress. I was surprised with how cool it was today. They were predicting 100 degrees today but up to this point it was just 80. We made it to Sanderson and started towards Domenigoni with T-3 pushing hard for the front.

After the turn onto Domenigoni I pulled for a while before falling back to the back of the line and T-3 started her pull well before Warren and pulled us well past the dry river crossing. Shortly after Gambler got to the front the A group split off and the group split in two with Highlander leading those of us in the B group. Gambler ran the A group hard to the Saddle where we all regrouped to catch our breath and grab some quick hydration and have Goliath join us.

I took the opportunity to explain the rest of the route from the saddle to Menifee then left to Scott and left again to Winchester and over to Washington and then down to Benton. Looking at the group I noticed a blank look on about half of the group’s faces and then a smile as they said they would be more than happy to let me lead them to Scott and maybe even to Winchester. We all laughed and started down the back side of the saddle towards Menifee.

We made it to Scott and regrouped and I led the way towards Winchester. As we past Leon Gambler, D’Artagnon, Blood Hound and Surgeon pulled past me but we caught them at the light on Winchester. Once across Winchester Scott turns into Washington and shortly starts a long downhill run before a few rollers and finally Benton Road. We decided to change the route and stop at the shopping center on Winchester and Benton. Sea Lion and I followed with Dura max and Ocelot till we regrouped at the gas station in the center.

It was a short trip north on Winchester to Thompson and then west towards Leon. I wasn’t sure we would make it into the turn lane on Winchester but traffic cleared and we took the lane and waited for the light to change. The road looked a bit like it went uphill but it was easy to ride and only about two blocks down the road we ran into Leon to make the turn north back towards Scott.

The ride back to Scott was easier than I had thought it was going to be and the group broke into two parts again. The B group stayed within sight of the A group all the way back to Menifee and then followed all the way back to Domenigoni where we regrouped again before hitting the saddle one last time. We were on the run home from there and I know that everyone wouldn’t stop for coffee after this ride. D’Artagnon and Gambler passed by Winchester and Blood Hound went with them. Team Full throttle headed for home as well and Ocelot, Dura max and Sea Lion. Vortex and I set up for the turn at Winchester and watched Dura Max, Ocelot and Sea Lion head for home.

By the time we got to Chris’s we were down to five with Highlander, Tax Man, Surgeon, Vortex and I. We noticed that Vortex had suffered a broken spoke and Surgeon assisted with wrapping it out of the way so he could make it home. Once we were back on the road Surgeon took off for Stowe and it was all we could do to keep him in sight. We finally all made it onto Stowe and headed for California at cruising speed.

We set a good pace all the way to California and Vortex was doing pretty good considering he had a broken spoke and a low rear tire. Highlander pulled us down Stetson and over Warren before surrendering the lead to me and I pulled us to and past the airport. We were still in one group at the Light on Sanderson and ran hard to Lowes and through the parking lot to Acacia. We got back to Burger King with Tax Man almost sprinting over Florida to the parking lot. It had been a good ride and I was impressed with everyone on doing so well on a new ride and a longer one at that

We stood around and talked for a few minutes about how much we enjoyed the ride and things we can do to make the rides better in the future. After about 15 or 20 minutes we headed for our homes and I got home with 50 miles on the computer. I think it was one of the easiest 50 miles I have done in a long time. This ride was a keeper.

8/19/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)



I don’t know why but I was up at 4:30am this morning and made some coffee. I had an early breakfast and had my coffee and watched early news by 5:30 am. I was just a touch sore from the Wednesday ride so I had a shorter flatter ride planned for today and I managed to get to the parking lot just after Surgeon and Centaur. It took a little while but by 7:50 we had 17 riders waiting to pull out onto Gilmore. To my surprise an announcement was made by Surgeon that I had been awarded a gift card. I was speechless and touched. Still right at 8am we started to pull out onto Gilmore only to see Raptor have a flat. He sent us on because he was planning a different ride and we pulled up to Florida to wait for the light.


Blood Hound looked fully recovered from Wednesday as did team 4 Seasons with Highlander, Vortex and Spartacus. Sea Lion and Surgeon separated the lead group from Surgeon and Rocket with Team Full Throttle in the back mixed in with Dura Max, Ocelot, Bounty Hunter, Barracuda, Centaur, and T-3 just as I noticed Erin had joined us. We moved down Kirby and onto Cypress with little or no trouble.

We lost most of the group at a short light on Johnston and Sanderson. We regrouped just past Wal-Mart and moved on to Domenigoni. It didn’t take long and we had a great looking pace line going. I found myself about 10 riders back and comfortable in the draft. Full Throttle and Blood Hound made a break by the time we got to Warren but for a change we kept the pace steady and very slowly chased him down at the bottom of the Saddle. The sprint to the top hardly even broke up the pace line.

It took a few minutes before we were ready to start down the far side of the saddle because some of us wanted to make sure we were hydrated and rested before the next leg of the ride. As I got ready to lead us out I noticed two runners coming towards us from the opposite direction so I waited till they past and we started towards Lindenburger.

Once past Lindenburger we turned at the first light and worked our way to Newport and then Briggs to ride past the dairy and chicken farm. When we past Holland we ran into more little black flies than I have ever seen but they left us on the rise to Garbani. From there we made a dash to Antelope and finally back on Domenigoni. We picked up Goliath at Menifee and Blood Hound got out in front again as we turned onto Lindenburger. Vortex pulled us all the way to Simpson and started us east towards Winchester. I pulled for a moment but Blood Hound was out in front again before I knew it.

As Blood Hound started to pull away I managed to send Goliath after him to make sure he made the turn onto Leon. Turns out that I really didn’t need to bother because Centaur, Barracuda, Full Throttle, and Jack Rabbit were more than happy to chase him down as well and they all made the turn well in front of the rest of us

We made the turn onto Leon at least 50 yards behind the lead group and most of the sprinters were up front. Thank goodness Surgeon decided to work with me and pulled me up to the back of the lead pack just as they crested the rise on the dump road. The sprint changed leads several times with Barracuda taking the lead all the way to Winchester. We decided to stop at Chris’s for coffee and conversation.

When we headed for home the push up Winchester was a lot harder than I thought we normally ran. I caught up to the back again just as we turned onto Stowe and the pace didn’t slack at all as we moved towards California. I made the turn with Goliath onto California and we kept it rolling over to Stetson and headed back to the airport. Once we got to Sanderson T-3 broke off and headed for home.


When the light finally turned green the group I was with kept the hammer down all the way to Lowes and it was all I could do to catch up once more. It seemed to me that the riders this Friday had a lot more energy than on many of our other rides. They turned into Lowes in front of me and stayed ahead of me all the way to Acacia

I got back to the parking lot and we talked for a few minutes before I headed for home and a hot shower. I got in the 36 miles I expected and had pretty good average speed. We got in that 36 miles before it got too hot and everyone looked just as fresh at the end as they did in the beginning. Great day, great ride, great people to ride with.

8/17/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

A ride of attrition

Wednesday is when we normally have our harder rides or longer rides and today it was a little of both. I knew it was going to be hot but nothing more than we have done before so I was looking forward to it as I pulled into the parking lot a bit early and waited for everyone else to arrive. They started to trickle in as Surgeon arrived right about 7:35. By 8am we had Raptor, Vortex, Highlander, Huntress, Blood Hound, Centaur, Gambler, Dura Max, Ocelot, T-3 and Sea Lion. We all hit the road with Raptor splitting off at Florida. I started off riding with two of my good friends T-3 and Highlander.


Now normally I expect a half century on a hot day will start out pretty slow till people get warmed up and then it might pick up a bit but nothing like one of our fast Friday’s. However Blood Hound only seems to know one speed no matter how long the planned ride will be. Surgeon said he was going to take it easy today but he has been running pretty strong lately and I always have to keep an eye on Highlander and Vortex of team 4 Seasons. Plus with Gambler and Centaur I can always expect a fast break sprint at key points on the ride.

Once we got past the airport and out onto Stetson things start to get tense because I know California Street is just a set up for Stowe and somewhere on Stowe a sprint is simply going to happen. Today was no different and Surgeon started us off west on Stowe as we waited for the first guy to break for Winchester. I was behind Surgeon and next to Vortex with Blood Hound and Highlander right behind me. Vortex was teasing me about pinning me in if a break came but he left a hole as Centaur came flying by us and I managed to fall in on his back wheel as we pulled away from the main group. Soon Blood hound gave chase and not long after that Gambler pulled in behind us. We hit the parking lot on Winchester only a few seconds apart and regrouped. We took off down Winchester and made a turn onto the dump road before we broke into two groups.

We traveled down grand to Briggs and then up to Mapes before hitting Menifee and made the run to Nuevo. The main group got into a fast pace line and got to Nuevo well before those of us trailing. We regrouped on Nuevo and again on Evans and rode together all the way to Ramona. Heading towards the short climb in front of Lake Paris the pace picked up and Gambler and Bandit, who had joined us on the dump road, attacked the climb at the light. I chased them all the way to Lakewood and regrouped at the gas station out of breath. My day went downhill from there. I needed some something for my allergies and my heart rate was running a bit high at anything over 18 MPH. Thank goodness Dura Max was felling good because he just about pulled me all the way to Chris’s.

I needed the break at Chris’s and was feeling much better as we left and headed back to Simpson to make a run to Warren. Up to this point I knew Ocelot and I had turned our efforts down to monitor our heart rate but I didn’t know Blood Hound had been pushing himself in this heat. We had to stop to allow Dura Max, Ocelot, Sea Lion and Blood Hound to catch up only to find out Blood Hound was just about through for the day. T-3 and I rode with Vortex and Surgeon back to Johnston and then picked up T-3s truck to give Blood Hound a ride home.


Ocelot and Dura Max continued on and I called Surgeon and Huntress to let them know we were all ok. I got home about 1pm with 53 miles on the clock and just a bit tired. But all in all it was a good ride and we all got home safe. One of the reasons we ride as a group is to look after each other and I have been where Blood Hound was today. I am grateful I ride with the people I do.

8/15/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


Monday rides are a grab bag type of ride. I am never sure who will show up and I never know how I am going to feel first thing Monday morning. Today was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and a bit warmer than it had been most of last week. I got up got dressed, had some coffee and a light breakfast while I watched the news and I was ready to go. I got to the parking lot first and waited for everyone else to arrive. It took a while but by 8am we had a reasonable sized group pulling out of the parking lot and heading east on Latham.


Team 4 Seasons was a bit light today with just Highlander and Tax man and the three Musketeers were down to two with just Rocker and D’Artagnon but they had a guest member in Shawn. Puma, T-3, Sea Lion, Surgeon, Goliath and I filled out the group as we headed north on Lyon to start the ride.

Blood Hound had us moving pretty quickly up Lyon and we were past Menlo in hardly any time. We were waved through the intersection of Lyon and Cottonwood and started to pick up speed and stretch out into a pace line. We didn’t get all that far before we heard the dreaded words “flat”. I was too far in front to see who it was so I turned around and rode back to see D’Artagnon giving a clinic on tire changing.

D’Artagnon did a pretty quick job of changing the tire and we were back on our way in less the 10 minutes. Blood Hound led us up to Ramona and we turned towards State Street. I thought we were moving a bit faster than we normally do at this stage of a ride and as we past block after block we started to spread out into a long line. Somehow we caught the light at State green and turned north once more. The only problem was Dura max and Ocelot didn’t make the lot so we pulled over to wait for them just past the expressway.

It looked like they caught every light red between us and them but they soon pulled up to us and we started north again. This time I got out front and pulled the group past the College and towards the bridge at the river crossing. Once again we formed a long pace line and stayed pretty close to each other all the way to Soboba for the run east.

Rocket cut in the retro rockets and took a few riders with him as he past the group I was leading at the top of second roller. Unlike many of our rides down Soboba the trailing group didn’t fall apart and we followed at a respectable distance from the breakaway group. Sea Lion and I took turns pulling at a steady 20 MPH all the way to the golf course hill where we regrouped.

Once back on the road we headed over the riverbed and turned towards Florida and the ranger station. The Musketeers took the lead group down to Cedar and then out to Florida. Dura max, T-3, Ocelot and I were several lights behind but we made it to the Ranger station a few minutes after the rest of the group.


Tax man had decided to take a short cut to get back to Carl’s but he forgot we were going to the ranger station so he wondered what was taking us so long. We decided not to spend much time at the station and headed back down Florida to Carl’s. We formed a loose pace ling and took turns leading. Not so much pulling but rather jumping the lead and trying top to run away. I made the last jump just past Casino and got a chance to experience another driver than didn’t think we should be out on the road. After a short conversation we continued on to Carl’s and had some coffee and conversation.

After we started for home we broke into several groups, the largest heading for Lincoln and Dura Max, Ocelot and T-3 headed for Bautista. Rocket and D’Artagnon headed for Acacia and home. Nine of us headed for Park on Lincoln.

Blood Hound broke off at before we turned onto Devonshire. We cruised all the way to Santa Fe and down to Latham. As we past Buena Vista and Goliath broke for home. The rest of us made it back to the parking lot and talked about the ride for a few minutes before I headed for home. It was just over 32 miles but it felt good and everyone seemed to have a good time. I may enjoy riding but this group adds to that enjoyment.