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.