11/30/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


The weather channel warned us that it might be windy and so I decided to play it safe and plan a easy ride east through town to the ranger station. I got up and noticed it was only 42 degrees and at that time of the morning it wasn’t windy. I tossed on some arm warmers and leg warmers and a light jacket and headed out the door. I got to Burger King and waited for the group to arrive. Bandit and the Snake, (Jake) arrived with Matt, and two other friends. Centaur, Highlander, Huntress, Dura Max, Blood Hound and I rounded out the group and headed up to Latham and over to Lyon to begin our ride.


Lyon to Ramona was more or less uneventful as we easily made our way north from Latham. Blood hound and I took turns pulling till we got to Ramona and Blood Hound and Vortex moved ahead as we moved towards State Street. As luck would have it we got a green light at State and turned north again while Dura Max continued on Ramona to Washington. We picked up speed going to Soboba and began the run through the canyon. The A group decided to drop the hammer and I simply didn’t have the energy to keep up. Highlander worked with me to make the ride to the golf course and we all regrouped to see if everyone was there. I had a bit of a leg cramp that got better with some vitamin I and some electrolytes.

We took off again to cross over the river bed and I had just enough steam to get into the sprint with the big dogs. I thought I was going to be able to stay with Bandit when the Snake came flying by both of us at the top of the rise. I got to the light with everyone but I felt a bit winded so I backed off and more or less cruised with Highlander and watched as the A group pulled away. I think we caught every light red all the way to Florida and we caught that light red. We turned for the ranger station and saw the last rider of the lead group pull into the ranger station just as we came out of the trees. Before we got to the driveway Dura Max was on his way back down to Carl’s.

Once we regrouped with everyone we headed back down Florida o Carl’s ourselves. Blood Hound helped Highlander, Huntress and I stay ahead of the big dogs back to the shell station and there the group caught us. We stayed in a long pace line till shortly after Fairview and broke into another sprint just before the light on Ramona. Most of us stopped for coffee and conversation at Carl’s while the A group minus Blood Hound continued on. We followed a few minutes later.


We spread out waiting for Huntress because she by her house to get her phone. Dura Max and I rode together with Vortex trailing waiting for Huntress. Centaur, Highlander and Blood Hound pulled away. Once Dura Max and I got to Park I stopped to let Huntress and Vortex catch up and they weren’t that far behind. I could see the animal Park was getting ready for Christmas.

Dura Max and I had to work to catch everyone by Columbia and he left us to ride around Park before heading home. Huntress, Vortex and I had to hustle to catch Centaur, Highlander and Blood Hound before we got back to State Street. Things slowed to a Cruise as we got to Santa Fe and Blood Hound led us back onto Latham.

It was still pretty calm as we got to Buena Vista and cruised past the medical buildings and the police station. Traffic was light and we made good time past the Library and stayed as a group all the way to State Street.

We got back to Burger King to find the Big Dogs still waiting and talking. It was good to have such a strong group with us today and it takes a lot of pressure off of me knowing they can take care of themselves. It wasn’t that many miles but it was a very good ride today and I got in 32 miles to add to my yearly total. I made my 6000 miles so every mile in December will be pure gravy. I can only hope we dodge another bullet with the wind on Friday.

11/28/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


It was time for another week to start and we still have pretty nice weather for this time of year. Friday’s ride had been pretty light and I didn’t know what to expect for today. So I was surprised to see Wolf as I pulled into the parking lot just a bit early this morning. We talked for a few minutes and I decided it was cold enough that I needed a second cup of coffee.

By 8am there were seven of us and we were ready to hit the road. We headed down Gilmore towards Acacia with Wolf, Blood Hound, Gambler, Tax man, Bandit, Highlander and me.


Traffic was heavier than normal on Acacia but we managed to pull up behind two cars waiting at the light on Kirby. We only had to wait for one cycle before we could turn left and head south towards Cypress and the beginning of our ride west. We crossed the rail road tracks and made the turn on Cypress to get over to Johnston.

Behind me I noticed Highlander and Tax Man. It turned out that those two riders would be with me all morning and we would be making up the B group. We made the turn onto Sanderson and started towards Dominigoni. I had no idea how hard the pull was going to be or if we would be running into a head wind but I did know I was still cold and I don’t run hard in the cold. I took the lead as we turned the corner but I had no intention of pulling very far.

We stayed together most of the way to Winchester where the A group took off and I fell back to pick up Highlander and Tax Man. Highlander was just getting over a cold and his oxygen intake was a bit limited. We caught up to Wolf and he helped pull us to the saddle for a regroup.

After a brief rest we were off to re-hydrate at Carl’s before heading to Goetz and the 3 mile climb. I don’t believe Tax Man had even been on this ride before and he was getting a bit suspicious when we started the climb. I settled into a easy cadence and we climbed as a group up the first of the three steps. Wolf pulled around to give chase to Gambler, Bandit and Blood Hound but we kept the same pace over the second climb. Highlander was feeling his cold by the third climb but he made it to the top and we raced down the back side of Goetz to regroup just past Ethernic.

I got in front and pulled the group to Case and then over to Paris Boulevard. I had enough energy to keep the pull till we got to Evans and Nuevo when I dropped to the back. We stayed together to Menifee and all the way up to Central when Bandit, Gambler, Blood Hound and Wolf took off. I followed as best as we could till we got to Mapes. I noticed the A group had waited for us and started east on Mapes just before we got there. Just as soon as we turned onto Mapes Tax Man had a blow out. It sounded like a shot and the tube split about 8 inches and blew part of the tire off of the rim. We fixed the flat and headed for Briggs and tried to meet up with the A group by the school but just as we pasted the stop sign Tax man got a second blowout that unseated the tire.

We decided to try another tube and only inflated the tire to 60 pounds and just try and ride easy to Chris’s. We made it through the housing track and onto the dump road with no problems. It took us a little longer than normal but we made Chris’s for coffee with no more flats. We didn’t stay long and soon were back on the road north on Winchester and then east on Stowe heading for California and home.

It was still a beautiful day and as we turned onto California heading down to Stetson we spotted a few white Egrets hanging out in the fields along side of the road. I am not a bird expert but that is what they looked like to me and I couldn’t get close enough to get a good picture of them but they looked majestic in flight.


It didn’t take us long to pass the airport and get back to Sanderson. Highlander seemed to get stronger the closer we got to home and I think even Tax Man started to pick up the pace and worry less about his tire. Whatever the reason we got back in short order and talked for just a few minutes before heading for home. I got just over 52 miles to add to my yearly average. It won’t be a record but I will have more than 6000 miles in before December.

11/25/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


I cannot believe how slow a big Thanksgiving dinner can make one feel. I didn’t get home Thursday night till after 10pm and quickly tossed together an easy ride for Friday. I figured that after a night’s rest I would have digested that Thanksgiving dinner and would be up to a good quick ride to burn off some of those calories. I should have known it wasn’t going to be that easy as I struggled to get out of bed and get ready for the ride.

I got to Burger King and noticed Dura Max was waiting for me. We were there a few minutes before Blood Hound arrived. I had plenty of time to go in and get a cup of coffee before Sea Lion and Hornet, (David) arrived. To my surprise Sue decided to ride with us today. A small group but an eager one was ready to go by 8am. The group wasn’t getting any bigger so we took off down Gilman and turned on Acacia before catching the light green at Kirby and turning south.


We were rolling along pretty smoothly but I still felt like a stuffed turkey as we turned onto Cypress on our way to Sanderson. It was colder than I thought it should be and it was harder to breathe than I thought it was going to be. I was beginning to think that I should have stayed home and taken an extra day’s rest because it wasn’t warming up like I wanted to. We took Sanderson to Domenigoni and I managed to pull everyone to State Street and then to McSweeney to loop back to State before heading east. By the time we got back to State the dreaded shout flat and noticed Blood Hound was slowing down.

Flats are always a team effort in our group and this one was no different. Sea Lion and Dura Max assisted Blood Hound and we were back on the road and heading north within about 10 minutes. We moved north past Domenigoni and stayed together all the way to Chambers and Thornton before moving out onto Stetson to begin out trip east to Fairview.

We worked our way east on Stetson to Columbia and then to Crest to cruise through the old homes on the east side of Hemet. We talked and rode easily all the way to Lake Street before turning once more on Stetson. Once out onto Fairview we changed the ride and decided to ride up Cranston Station before returning to Carl’s. Sue, Hornet, and Blood Hound led us to the Ranger station and we took a short break.

We began to lose riders on the way back down to Carl’s. Blood Hound pulled us through the trees and I pulled us to Fairview where Hornet flatted and decided to call for a ride home. Blood Hound left us at Fairview and Sue stopped at Casino. Sea Lion left us at Carl’s so Dura Max and I stopped at Carl’s by ourselves. We were joined by Sue and after some coffee and conversation the three of us headed for home on Lincoln.

Dura Max stayed with us till we got back to Park and Sue and I made our way to Devonshire and continued west to Santa Fe before dropping down to Latham and back to Burger King. We got back with just over 30 miles on the computer and finally the chill was gone. I still had what I will call turkey lethargy and wasn’t able to pick up a very good pace on the way home. Still I am glad I got out for a ride but I realize how much diet has to do with our ability to exercise. I guess it is time to eat lighter and least till I am back on an even keel.

11/23/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


I had a bad morning today because I was wide awake at 4am. I tossed and turned for a little while but eventually I gave up and got out of bed. There is very little to do at 4am so I decided to read a little and have an early cup of coffee. It also made it easier to get ready for my ride today because I had plenty of time to get my Kit together and plenty of time to check my bike over before leaving the house. Everything was in working order and I had all of my spare tools and inner-tubes in my bag so I put on my jacket and headed for Burger King to see how many were up for a ride to Lake Parris. It turned out that we had 14 riders as we pulled out onto Latham and made our way over to Lyon for the run north.


Dura Max seemed to be riding strong because he normally doesn’t ride up front as we move down Lyon and today he chatted easily with me past one street after another. Highlander wasn’t far behind but that has become something I expect to see in my mirror. Today Highlander had his nephew Ivan with him and we were doing the Parris ride to get in some distance and to make it interesting for Highlander’s nephew. Ivan seemed like a strong rider and stayed with the leaders most of the day.

As we move down Lyon the group got closer and closer together and soon I found myself drifting back to make sure we weren’t dropping anyone. Somehow I had lost track of Dura Max and didn’t realize he was up with the leaders as I moved back in the pack. Once I got to the back I ended up falling off the draft and had to work with D’Artagnon to catch back up with the lead group. Thank goodness D’Artagnon is a strong rider but still I ended up losing the lead group and had to play catch up almost all the way to Ramona.

Once out onto Ramona Expressway twelve of the riders formed a pace line and ran hard west towards Nuevo. Dura Max and I followed well behind the main group and we were easily rolling along at 20 plus all the way to Lakeview and then started up the hill to the back road into Lake Parris and passed through the back gate. I stopped to take off my jacket and Dura Max and I took out time riding on the Lake Parris bike path on this clear beautiful morning.

It is hard to believe we are in the fall season and parts of our country are getting snow. In fact I have talked to people from some eastern states that are putting their bikes away for the winter. We are fortunate that with a few exceptions we get to ride almost all year long.

It was so nice riding around the lake and through the trees in a park like setting that we were almost disappointed that we had to take a break at the marina. However the store wasn’t open so we had to set and talk with only the snacks we brought with us before getting ready to head home. I knew the A group would stay with us all the way back to Ramona but I didn’t think they would stay with us once they started down towards Lakeview so I had to get a picture of them at rest before they disappeared into the distance.

It was good to see a new female rider to keep Huntress company even if she is more than capable of holding her own with most of the men in our group. I looked over to see here conferring with Wolf and Blood Hound and even Matt. I am always suspect of Huntress and her intentions.

We really didn’t stay long and managed to cut our conversation down a bit and hit the road for home. I knew I had to get a picture pretty quick because once we started down the hill to go out of the front gate thing were going to get hectic. Once we turned onto Ramona Expressway it was a bit like a rocket getting ready to launch. Vortex got out in front and started picking up the pace till the pack started to spread out. I got caught at the last stop light and had to watch as the lead group faded over the top of the hill before I even got rolling again. I fell back to ride with Wolf and Dura Max and we didn’t see the rest of the group till we got back to Lyon.

When we pulled into the parking lot Huntress, Highlander, Sue, Sea Lion and Vortex were loading their vehicles and getting ready to head for home. The five of us pulled up to the cars and spent some quality time discussing this ride and some future rides we want to do. I got home with 45 miles on the computer and a need for lunch. After a quick shower I ate lunch and took some time to rest before I went out for some last minute Christmas shopping. I had a great ride and can only hope others enjoyed it as well.

11/21/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


Today’s group may have been a bit smaller than some groups but we had a good ride none the less. We were joined by a new rider and most of team 4 Seasons with Highlander returning from his vacation. Still the roads were wet and the humidity was high so we felt a bit colder than the 51 our thermometer displayed. It was a bit after 8am as we headed down Gilmore towards Acacia. We turned onto Acacia and then onto Kirby and chatted easily heading towards Cypress.


I talked easily with Vortex and Highlander as we rode through the housing tract on Cypress and it looked like we were riding into clearing skies. I like the ride backwards over McCall because it tends to be easier than it looks. On a normal day it is a quick ride that gets your heart pumping from short sprints and two little climbs. It is also a good ride for new riders so Sue, our first time rider, should feel comfortable. While thinking about this I rounded onto Johnston and then back north on Sanderson before turning west towards the Airport.

Once out onto Stetson we got in a rather loose pace line and worked our way to California Street where Dura Max and I watched the other 4 move ahead to Stowe and head west towards Winchester. I was still trying to warm up and my legs were not happy with the cold and Dura Max wasn’t in a hurry so we simply watched them go and decided we would just regroup with them at Winchester.

I took us down Winchester and turned onto the dump road and we lined up again to make the run to Leon and then Briggs before heading north. Like most days we got caught at the light on Florida and Briggs. Once we crossed Florida I took the lead till we past the school and then watched Highlander, Vortex and Sue pull away on Mapes while Dura Max and I chased down Tax Man. We regrouped at the AM/PM and then moved on to McCall and over the hill. We got to the end of McCall and turned back to Cherry Hill before heading back towards Bradley.

So far the ride had been smooth and easy and it looked like we would get to Newport and then to Jack in the Box early. However about 500 yards before Newport we came to a flooded spot on Bradley that looked like a small lake. We knew we could slowly ride through is and maybe keep our feet dry. But we also knew if we got halfway across the water some car would come by and cover us with water like a water fall. We were standing there talking about finding a detour when a man in a large pickup stopped and offered to ferry us over the water to the other side. We jumped at the chance and thanked him profusely for saving us from becoming drowned rats.

We had coffee at Jack in the Box and talked for maybe 20 minutes before heading for home. We had a mini sprint over the saddle and settled into a comfortable pace line starting just before Leon. Everything was going good till we came upon some small debris in the bike lane and I took the right side while everyone took the left. It was like running through little land mines because my tires were almost shredded. I got so many cuts in my tubeless tires it looked like smoke was coming off of my wheels. There were so many cuts in my back tire that I was pretty sure my day was through. I could have pulled the tire and replaced the tubeless valves with a tube but I knew it would be a mess. We decided to send Vortex to get his truck and I would attempt to limp down Domenigoni as best as I could. I made it to Warren where I waited for Vortex.

Still it was a good ride even if I have to replace two tires. Well it is about time to put winter tires on a set of rims so who knows maybe it was just time to get tires anyway. I am glad I decided to take the tubeless tires off at home. There is a lot of cleaning necessary when taking them off of the rims and while I could have put a boot or two in to get me home the tires looked like a slasher had attacked me with a switch blade.

Special bar-B-Que

11/19/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)
Bar-B-Que 2011

To some cycling groups are all about the bike. To others it is all about the training or personal fitness. There are even some that might say it is all about the competition. To D V V some of that is true but mostly for us it is all about the people. Yes we ride because we like cycling but we ride as a group because we like each other as well. I for one enjoy my time with the other members of our group as much if not more than the challenge riding gives me. This weekend was partly a demonstration of our social nature. We are not just a cycling group we are a Tribe. Like any small tribe we enjoy getting together to celebrate and any real celebration involves food. Because of the weather some of our riding groups have been smaller than during the summer but the weather doesn’t slow us down when a Bar-B-Que is planned. Here are some pictures of our first D V V Bar-B-Que.



Here we have Sam, Full Throttle, Keagan, Dart, with part of their family to their right and Shadow, Ben and Gambler, Nathan to his left.
















Here we have Piranha, (Bud), Nathan’s Dad, Shadow, (Ben), and Vortex, (Dennis), to his right and Spartacus, (Anthony) and his wife with their backs to us talking to Double Time, (Jim).












It should be obvious by now we like to talk to each other and seem rather comfortable doing just that. But it should also be noted we like to eat as much as anyone.
























I would like to remind everyone to thank Jeff, (D’Artagnon) for letting us come to his house for this event. We shouldn’t forget that Nathan, (Gambler) was our Grill Master. And we also have great side dishes in the true tradition of having pot luck. With the food there we could have brought in families from the neighborhood and fed them as well.






















After a short meeting people started to have to leave so we got a quick shot of those that were still there. I consider them more than a club that I ride with. They are my friends. After meeting their families and seeing the support they get from them I would be honored to include them as my friends as well.

11/18/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

The cold icy fingers of a fall/winter low pressure front had moved in overnight and I was cold when I moved out onto the street to go meet my friends for an easy Friday ride. I wasn’t all that interested in trying to keep up with the big dogs today I only wanted to get in a few easy miles before the weekend and then two days rest. The strange thing is no matter how the ride starts out it can end any way it wants to. We had a strong A group and a smaller B group and that normally means a quicker ride than posted. We headed out towards Acacia on Gilman knowing that no matter how easy the ride to Kirby was once we got to Domenigoni things would pick up.


The group held back a bit as we pulled up behind a school bus on Acacia and followed it south towards Cypress. Barracuda and Centaur kept close pace behind me as Blood Hound slowly worked his way forward. One thing was easy to notice and that was it was not getting any warmer. I had removed my wind breaker and wasn’t all that sure that had been a good idea. Still I was pretty sure if I pushed myself a bit today that would make it seem warmer even if it wasn’t. Trouble is when it is cold and humid you feel it all the way to your joints. At least at my age you feel it.

We turned off of Johnston onto Sanderson and more or less cruised past Stetson and then past Mustang as one solid group. I knew that the A group was going to attack the Marina hill and I had planned on taking the B group to Cactus Valley and waiting till they got there before we headed back north on State Street before turning east towards Fairview. I was surprised to see almost all of the B group follow the A group towards the Marina Hill. Only Vortex and I followed by Dura Max and Ocelot headed on to State Street after everyone else turned off. We took it rather easy and got to the end of Cactus Valley road about 5 minutes before the A group led by Gambler arrived. The real Bees made is leave a few minutes before we were ready. I tried attacking Bandit and Gambler on the State Street sprint but get past them and they pulled away as we rounded Chambers and then Thornton.

Things were still in push mode as we got back out onto Stetson and we lost Blood Hound when he broke for home. I had to push hard just to keep up with the group as we headed for Columbia and turned for Crest. That part of the ride is normally taken at an easier pace because of how nice the old neighborhood is. Most of that part of the ride was going as planned.

Things changed as we got past the first stop sign and I noticed D’Artagnon pulled over making a phone call. I turned around to see if everything was ok and after a few minutes we were on our way and chatting as we gave chase to the main group. Even while talking D’Artagnon is a powerful rider and he had us pushing all the way to Lake Street and back once again to Stetson. He saw the tail end of the main group heading for Fairview and the chase was on. D’Artagnon had me rolling me down Stetson at 20 and I don’t know that I have ever hit 20 in that part of Stetson before. He pulled away from me on Fairview when I made a nature call and we all regrouped on Wilson Mesa before running hard down Fairview back to Carl’s. Bandit and Gambler were still pushing the pace. We regrouped at Carl’s for coffee and Conversation before breaking up for home.

I was surprised how much energy the five remaining riders seemed to have as we moved west on Lincoln. Huntress was still riding as strong as she was at the beginning of the ride and I felt compelled to fall in on Sea Lions draft just to get back to Devonshire. At least once on Devonshire it was all downhill to Pep Boy’s. The wind was picking up and it seemed colder than when we left this morning. I got home with 37 miles on the computer and I have to say it turned out to be a good day for a ride.

11/16/2011
By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

It was time for some climbing and a chance to see how my legs had recovered from my more aggressive bike set up. I didn’t know how many people would show up for the ride but I was looking forward to it. I started down Palm and noticed that there was a bit of cool humidity but at till I got to Florida and turned west. I got to the parking lot and was surprised to see Wolf and Centaur talking by Centaur’s truck. If we needed and horses shoed we were in luck.

People started to show up by twos and threes and soon we had 14 riders ready to head out to Latham and over to Lyon to begin the trek north to Ramona.


I got out in front and started an easy pull that moved from 16 to 17 and then a steady 18. I thought I would hold it steady at 18 but by the time we passed Cottonwood the pace slowly picked up till we were pushing 20 and then 21. To me it simply seemed like an easy pace but what it was really a precursor to the ride down Ramona expressway.

The A group was pretty big today and as we closed in on Warren we were doing about 23. It was easy to see things weren’t going to slow down any and I was still feeling good as we past Bridge and some of the leaders were falling off of the front. By the time I had 4 riders behind me the group started to fracture. I decided to drop back and help the trailing group make it up to the light at Lakeview. It was so foggy that Matt missed the lead group turning at the light and we regrouped before he made his way back to the light.

This would be Spartacus’s first ride up the Flats and I wanted to follow him up the hill. Double Time indicated he might head over to Nuevo and go around the hill so he left early as we waited for everyone to get rolling. D’Artagnon flatted giving Double Time a big lead so I guess he decided the hit the hill and make us chase him. I followed everyone till we started up after the big left sweeper. I decided to see if I could catch the back of the lead group but shortly after the first climb I decided to gear down and spin rather than push. By the second hill Sea Lion caught me and by the last climb Spartacus was hot on my back wheel. We crossed the top of the hill and down Juniper Flats road with Spartacus right behind me. We regrouped once more on Briggs and waited till everyone caught up after the fast downhill.

As we rode through the housing tract and back out onto Briggs things got interesting. Vortex, Wolf, Centaur and I started after Blood Hound but he had at least a ¼ mile lead. When we turned onto Grand we got in a pace line behind Centaur and started making a run for Leon. We were gaining on Blood Hound and I noticed the rest of the A group started lining up behind us. We had a reasonable lead and Centaur had us moving at least as fast and the chase group as we closed in on Leon. Vortex took over just before Leon and pulled us to almost the rise. Now the chase group was closing and Wolf took over to make a run for it. The chase group broke up into individual sprints and I saw then just before they caught us. I managed to come around Wolf and catch a wheel a few yards ahead of D’Artagnon and held onto Bandit and Gambler all the way to Winchester so we could stop for coffee at Chris’s. We didn’t stay long before we were back on the road and up to Stowe.

Double time was cooked by the time we were heading for home. He hasn’t been riding with us much and Juniper Flats is not his favorite ride. Soon I noticed he fell off the back of the group so I rode back and stayed with him till we got back to the Airport where we found Spartacus waiting for us. We caught the long light at Sanderson and Spartacus lead us to Lowes and behind the building towards Acacia.

Double time was still cruising even if he was tired and he followed us out onto Acacia and over to Kirby. Once the light changed Double Time pulled us to Gilmore. We even got the light at Florida green and made it back to Burger King before Centaur was ready to leave. I got home with 40 miles on the computer and my legs felt much better than Monday. Maybe this new set up is going to work.