3/30/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


It looked like it might be a nice day today and I had an easy ride planned but like we all know you can never predict how easy or how hard any ride was going to be. The backwards Soboba ride is a Friday favorite and I had blown the ride a few weeks ago so I was looking forward to doing it correctly this week. The Klein was clean and ready to go and the sky was far less overcast than I expected as I headed towards Burger King to join my friends for a good day.

I was a bit surprised at how small the group was today but I do believe some people were racing this weekend. Still Wolf and Highlander where there when I got there and Rocket and Huntress both got there early. We pulled out onto Gilmore and got caught at the stop light. Once it turned green we were off to Acacia and the start of our ride.


We headed towards Kirby and I knew I was going to have to replace my helmet mirror. I simply can’t get used to not seeing who or what is behind me and it is hard to wait for someone to yell “car back” or clear before I move into the left turn lane. Still we made it to Kirby without any problems and quickly spun our way to Cypress and then west towards Sanderson. Cypress was as calm as ever and we quickly rolled through the neighborhood and out towards Sanderson with Highlander looking pretty strong early in the ride.

As we hurried through the green light on Sanderson and Johnston we managed to get to Stetson before the light turned red and made our way past Wally world and up to Mustang. As we past the High School I had to rely on everyone else to tell me it was clear to move to the left turn lane and pull up to the light at Domenigoni. Somewhere between Johnston and Domenigoni Ferret caught up with us and was there as we turned east towards State Street. I pulled all the way to State and Highlander took us to McSweeney and through that housing tract.

It is always a time of rest as we make the McSweeney loop. Not so much because it is hard but because everyone knows once we get back out onto State Street the pace north will pick up and we need to save our energy in case a sprint starts. By the time we were coming back out of McSweeney the weather was looking just about perfect and there was very little if any wind.

State went better than I expected and we stayed as a group in a pace line all the way back to Doemigoni and once again we got the light red. When we were off again I got the pull and every stayed in line all the way to Chambers and over to Buena Vista. It looked like someone was working on the old golf course or at least they were working on cleaning it up. We made a turn onto Thornton to work our way to Santa Fe and then Stetson.

Once on Stetson the pace picked up again for some reason and we were coming up to Columbia a lot faster than I am used to. Highlander stayed on Stetson and the rest of us hot footed it over to crest and then worked our way over to Lake and back to Stetson. Not being able to shift with my right hand has a draw back in that I tend to lose out on any hill because I can’t get low enough to spin and I was last up the hill on Lake chasing Huntress. Nothing much changed till Rocket left us at Lake and Stetson. Wolf saw Highlander way up in front of us and dropped the hammer but we didn’t catch him anyway. We regrouped at Fairview and started working together almost like a machine as we worked our way out to Ramona and then cut over to Soboba.

Once out on Soboba Ferret took the lead and kept a steady 22 to 23 all the way back to State before turning left and taking us back to Ramona and heading back to Carl’s on New Chicago. Wolf pulled most of the way till I got the lead at a light and managed to somehow drop most of the group at Hemet Blvd. I waited a block or two up the road and we rode to Carl’s together.

After some coffee and conversation we headed for home and once again Highlander took off like a rocket was tied to the back of his bike. Ferret stayed with him but Wolf, Huntress and I were several block behind him as we got back to Burger King and teased him about his fast recovery. I headed for home and got there with just over 40 miles on my computer. It was a good ride and the Klein is working pretty well for me. Good t have friends to ride with.

3/28/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

We had a rain out Monday but it was Ok with me because I wasn’t in much of a shape to ride anyway. I had to change a flat on my Klein and with a bad hand it turned out to be quite a challenge. I could only hope that till my hand gets better I don’t have a flat while out riding. The other problem is with Shimano Shifters I can’t reach far enough with my sore hand to shift into lower gears for anything that looks like a climb. My hope was that today it would be better but in truth it wasn’t. Still I was willing to give it a try and met the group at Burger King for a half century Wednesday ride. It was still cool but it was supposed to warm up and so Torpedo, Blood Hound, Rocket, Huntress, Highlander, Wolf and I headed for Gilmore, Acacia and Kirby to get started.


It was a short light at Kirby so we were cruising down towards the railroad tracks and Cypress pretty smoothly. Highlander seemed in pretty good spirits and was talking away as we turned onto Cypress and made our way west towards Johnston. While my Klein is a good bike it is nowhere near as smooth as a CF bike and my hand would telegraph every bump to my wrist and then my brain. Needless enough to say I tried to miss as many bad spots on the road as I could.

Once on Johnston we got caught at the light on Sanderson and Torpedo took over and pulled us to Domenigoni with Blood Hound and Highlander right on his back wheel and I was in fourth place. Torpedo was keeping the pace right at 21 all the way to Warren and then over the dry wash. We hit 27 on the down slope but were back to 21 or so as we got to Winchester. We were in luck because the light turned green before we got there and we were still rolling when disaster struck. One of our riders misjudged his closing speed on Torpedo and caught a wheel overlap. The next thing I noticed was Highlander sliding left so I went farther left as a bike crashed right in front of us. It is always a sad thing to see a rider down and we all stopped to render assistance.

Not as a commercial but two things we need to remember is never overlap a front and rear wheel and the other thing is how important it is to wear a helmet. I know there is a debate by some cyclists that if we use defensive cycling we will not crash and if we do it will not cause head injury.

In all of the road bike crashes I have seen in the last 5 years every-one had helmet damage. This was one of the most damaged helmets I have seen. Just a word to the wise it is better to wear a helmet and not need it rather than to find yourself about to take a header into the pavement and realize you needed one.

By the time our rider was picked up Dura Max and Ocelot had joined us and we rode at a bit more somber pace towards Leon and towards the saddle. The pull was still right at 21 as we closed on the saddle. Rocket had left us for an appointment so we were down to Highlander, Huntress, Wolf, Torpedo and I as Dura Max and Ocelot took a different route than we did as we past Lindenburger.
We made it to Menifee and headed south to Holland before turning towards Antelope and then south again towards Scott road with Torpedo pulling us along at about 22. I felt at a bit of a disadvantage here because I had to pick a gear that was almost fast enough in the small ring but still low enough to use the big ring when I needed more speed. I couldn’t shift with my right hand so I would shift between the big and small ring in front with my left hand. This worked pretty well for me till we got down Whitewood and turned on Murrieta Hot Springs and then back towards the gas station on Benton. My legs complained about the climb on Winchester but I made it and we stopped at the gas station for a short break.

Once we were back on the road we quickly made our way north on Winchester and up to the light at Thompson. We didn’t catch it green so we sat through the read before heading west again towards Leon to start our run home. After the light turned we easily made our way to Leon and turned north.

It was an easy trip up Leon and back to Scott and then back to Menifee. We stopped for a moment so I could plug in my battery extender to my phone and then rode together back down to Domenigoni. At first I thought we would lose wolf again but this time he had to stay with us because he drove his truck to the parking lot today. We all stayed together as we went back over the saddle and headed back to Winchester. For some reason today seemed easy as we left Winchester and made it back to the dry wash and Warren. I even took a turn pulling back to Sanderson and we all headed back to Lowes to make the turn for Burger King.

Once back out onto Acacia is was almost a cruise as we turned back to Kirby. As the light turned to green we could all feel the relief of being so close to the end of the ride. It was a 50 mile ride but my average speed was in excess of 17 as we made the final turn and headed back to the cars. I stayed and talked to my friends for a few minutes and then headed for home. It had turned into a good day for a ride and I was just running out of energy as I pulled up to my house to finish 53 miles for the day.

Cold Friday

3/23/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


I was unable to type on Friday so I couldn’t report on a good ride that so many showed up for. I will admit I was surprised to see some of the club there Friday morning because it was still a bit cold. It was real good to see Phoenix show up and nice that Dura Max could get there to join us. With Rocket, Blood Hound, Centaur, Wolf and Highlander there was a reasonable sized group as we headed over to Lyon and down to Thornton where we turned east towards State to start our ride.


It didn’t take long to get to State Street where we turned south towards Domenigoni for our trip west. I got us to State and Blood Hound took over to move us to Domenigoni. It was still a bit cold and foggy as we started back towards Sanderson. Blood Hound and Rocket were a bit more energetic than the rest of the group and they started to pull away as soon as we were headed west.

By the time I got close to Sanderson Rocket was turning around and heading for home. The man doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him so the fog must have penetrated all the way to his bones and made him feel like as ice cube. The rest of the group had more layers on so they could continue on past Sanderson and then past Warren to the dry wash and towards the saddle.

The group had just a bit of trouble staying together after the wash but by Winchester things was pretty normal with a steady lead out heading for the saddle. The pace was real close to 20 as they got close to Leon and people were taking turns pulling for the final run at the bottom of the hill. Wolf and Centaur were in fine form and would end up pulling for a good part of the ride. There was a regroup at the saddle and a very short break before heading down the hill to Lindenburger.

After Lindenburger the group turned into the housing tract to work over to Briggs and head south once again. If there was an advantage to the cold it was to help keep the smell of fresh country air down as we past the chicken ranch and the dairy before passing the RV camp and Holland heading for the end of the road and another turn west.

The group managed to make it over to Antelope before heading back on Domenigoni to Lindenburger to cut over to Simpson and work our way back to Winchester. Wolf decided it was a good time to break off and head for home because he was so close to home on Antelope so it was a bit smaller group that paced lined down to Winchester and then over to Chris’s for coffee and conversation. It didn’t take long before the group was back on the road and headed to Stowe to start home.

Stowe is always a sign that the ride is just about over and sometimes it is just a cruise and other times it is a race. Lately in has been a pursuit by a Weimaraner that has been pretty aggressive and very fast. But after a shout or two from the group the dog stopped before running into the road and dispersing the group as they headed for California.

All that remained was to ride California to Stetson and for everyone to work their way back to the Airport and then to Sanderson and back to Acacia before working their way back to Burger King and then home. A great day even if it was colder than expected.

The Lapierre's last ride

3/21/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

The day started out looking pretty good. It was clear and it was supposed to warm up with no wind. My hope was to get is a ride with a bit of everything for everyone. I wanted some climbing, some speed work, and some extra distance. I left the house feeling pretty confident and healthy. The day started out great but little did I know it wouldn’t end that way. Wolf and I wondered if anyone was going to show up but by 8:35 we had Cossack, Huntress, Torpedo, and Gambler join us.


We made it down Gilmore and onto Acacia heading towards Kirby to get things started. I talked with Cossack a bit as we headed towards Cypress go get ready to head over to Johnston and the light at Sanderson. I was feeling stronger than I had in a long time and looked forward to the run up Sanderson past Stetson. I felt I could do pretty well once we got to Domenigoni. As we past Wally World I was warming up well.

It didn’t take long before we were riding past Mustang and the high school to turn west towards the saddle. We took turns pulling all the way to Warren and I pulled over the hill at the dry wash before giving the lead to Huntress and she took us most of the way to Winchester where Torpedo, Cossack and Gambler pulled away. Wolf, Huntress and I stayed together all the way to the saddle and I pulled her over the top and gave the lead back as we started back down the back side. Wolf caught us by Menifee and we rode together all the way to Carl’s for a regroup. We left there and worked our way to Goetz and made a great run over the hill and down to Paris before working our way to Nuevo and heading back east.

Once again Cossack, Torpedo and Gambler pulled away from us and Wolf, Huntress and I followed as best as we could all the way to Menifee. We had the lead group in sight most of the way to Mapes. We lost sight of them at the last rise before Mapes and we turned towards Briggs and the turn south. The lead group was nowhere to be seen as we got close to the school so we pressed on as best as we could to see if we could catch up.We made it past Heritage High and turned through the housing tract before coming back out onto Briggs and I pulled till we got to the dump road where Huntress took over to pull us to Winchester and Chris’s. Somehow we got there just before Torpedo and Gambler but we all took the time to have coffee and talk for a while. Blood Hound showed up and joined us. Wolf headed for home while the rest of us headed back to Stowe and turned for California.

It was a pretty quick run back to California even if we were chased by dogs again. Shouting seemed to work and we followed Torpedo and Blood hound to California and then to Stetson. Blood Hound and Torpedo made it to Warren before the rest of us and only Huntress and I rode together all the way past the airport and back to Burger King. Torpedo joined us and I headed for home. I decided to turn down Whittier because it has a bike lane and I was still rolling along at about 18 when a car pulled into the bike lane and stopped right in front of me. I never had a chance to hit the brakes and ended up slamming into the car’s back bumper and flying into he back window head first. The Lapierre is history, my hand is sore, and I am not sure I can ride Friday. At least if the swelling in my hand goes down I can try the Klein. But I don’t know if I feel safe in a bike lane anymore.

Late cold Monday report

3/19/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


It rained all weekend and I wasn’t at all sure we would be riding Monday. The rain didn’t stop till about 11pm Sunday night but right on its heels a cold front arrived. I got up Monday morning and looked out to what could be described as a California winter morning. Crisp, cold and just a bit overcast but at least it was dry. I got to the parking lot and was greeted by Wolf looking for all-the-world like a swat team member. I was almost jealous because I had considered wearing my Balaclava but thought I wouldn’t need it. I should have gone with my first thought because it was cold enough for something to cover my mouth and nose. By 8:30 it was only Dura Max, Wolf and I. But we headed down Gilmore to Acacia and over to Kirby to head south.


Even though we were up for a ride we weren’t thinking of anything long or difficult so we were headed for Cactus Valley and then east to Fairview and Carl’s in Val Vista. All we had to do was make it up to Cypress and over to Johnston and we would be on our way for a little jaunt. It wasn’t getting any warmer but the effort was at least making us feel warmer, except for exposed skin. We turned south on Sanderson and made it through the light on Stetson and past Wally World.

Wolf started to take over the lead and we followed him past Mustang and the high school before catching the light at Domenigoni. Once we were headed back east Wolf got out front again and pulled all the way to State till we once again were headed south towards Cactus Valley. I took over the pull till we got to McSweeney and Dura Max took over for me after that.

At the hill before we turned towards Sage the cold started to hit Dura Max and Wolf once again took the lead and pulled us to the golf course where we stopped to warm up a bit before I pulled us to the beginning of Cactus valley and the little climb. Wolf past me as we topped the hill and Dura Max pulled up next to us a few moments later. We chatted a bit as we all rode to the end of the pavement and got ready to head back.

We started back towards Sage and I got out front for a bit till we started down the hill. I got a bit of a lead but by the first horse ranch Wolf and Dura Max were on my back wheel. We stayed that way all the way back to McSweeney. We cruised through the housing tract and came back out onto State and headed North towards Chambers and the zig-zag to Thornton and Santa Fe.

I took my turn again out on Stetson and pulled to Columbia and then to Crest, Wolf and Dura Max pulled to Lake and soon we were back on Stetson heading towards Fairview. I kicked it up a notch to get my average speed up to Fairview and we regrouped before heading back down to Florida and Carl’s for coffee and conversation. We were glad to get in out of the cold because even the slight breeze coming down from Idyllwild was cold. But it at least started to clear up as we left and headed for home.

Dura Max left us at Park and Wolf and I motored on back to Devonshire at a pretty constant 16 or 17 before heading straight west to Santa Fe and the turn down to Latham. Once again we were heading west past the police station and finally past State Street. I stayed with Wolf all the way to Lyon before heading for home. I only had 33 miles but I needed that hot shower to thaw out. Still a cold ride is better than no ride at all.

3/16/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


My hope was that Friday would be like Wednesday. My hope was dashed as soon as I looked out of the window this morning. I looked pretty dark with all of the fog and overcast and I was worried it might even drizzle before I got to Burger King. At least that fear didn’t come true. However once I got to the parking lot it didn’t seem like we would have a very big group. By 8:50 it was clear only Highlander, Centaur, Chinook and I were brave enough to face the ride to Elsinore and back.


A quick ride down Gilmore and a turn onto Acacia and we were on our way. We got to the light at Kirby and caught the red. We somehow managed to trip the light and were back on our way in less than a minute and heading south. I felt pretty good but I was cold and my legs simply don’t function very well being cold. I did pull up to Cypress and made the turn towards Johnston and Sanderson. We were still in warm up mode at this point and it was easy to stay in the lead.

Once we made the turn onto Sanderson Highlander got in front and headed for Stetson. He took one look at the green light and he picked up the pace to the point where Centaur wondered just who was pulling this train. He did back off as we got to Wally World and let me pull us to Domenigoni and make the turn west towards the saddle. One good thing about a small group is it is easy to keep a pace-line. I turned over the lead to Highlander and we worked our way through the line all the way to Winchester. When Centaur got out on the point and made a heroic pull towards the saddle.

As we past Winchester I thought Centaur would drop off the front and fall back to the back where I happened to be. But he kept right on going and has us rolling along between 21 and 24 all the way to Leon. I thought Centaur was holding back as we got to the bottom of the climb but he wasn’t and Chinook jumped the hill first and I gave chase. I couldn’t close on him and we all stopped to regroup on top of the saddle before heading back down the backside towards Lindenburger.

I took over and pulled us down the hill and past Lindenburger to Menifee. After passing the light I rode side by side with Highlander and we worked our way towards Antelope. As we got close to the light it was still green and Highlander once again dropped the hammer to make the light. He was almost to the top of the overpass before I even started up the ramp. He was still moving away as we past the off ramp and stayed there till we caught him at the next light. All that was left was for us to ride to Carl’s for a quick stop and then ride on to Railroad Canyon.
Once we started up the canyon we spread out a bit as Centaur and Chinook jumped up the first rise. But soon we ran into construction work and Highlander passed us all riding out in the car lane. Once we got to the sign man we jumped out there as well and caught him on the last climb and then we stayed pretty much together all the way to Mickey-Ds for coffee and conversation before heading back the way we came and home.

Centaur was the first on the two climbs and they waited for Highlander and I before the downhill leading to Murrieta. We rolled past them parked on the side of the road but they caught us and we stayed together all the way back to Antelope. Shortly after that Centaur started pulling again and he even won the Saddle sprint before we formed another pace line back to Winchester. We took turns till Centaur was back in front and he pulled us all the way back to Sanderson. As we turned north I downshifted and started my easy spin for home and left them at Johnston. I got back home with 45 miles on my computer and a 17mph average for the whole ride. Easy Friday may be all in my mind. We said good-by to Chinook who will be heading for home in Canada Sunday. Hope to see him next year.

3/14/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


Things were looking up a bit when I looked outside this morning. I expected to see cloud cover or at least a deep marine layer but it was relatively clear even if it was a bit cool. But after the cold ride we had Monday I decided to play it safe and put on a base layer and a jacket before leaving the house. I had a good ride planned and I was looking forward to it because today was 3-14 or Pi day. Tradition in the cycling community is today’s ride ends with PIE and I knew just the place to stop for the best pie in town.

I got to the parking lot to see Blood Hound was already there and Wolf and Centaur were already parked alongside of Highlander. Chinook rode into the parking lot and we all stood around talking and wondering when Huntress would arrive. Last week she was almost 15 minutes early and to our surprise she was almost 10 minutes early today. It was shaping up to be a good start. We were able to ride down Gilmore and west on Acacia to Kirby right at 8:30am.


It was pretty clear on this side of town and we could begin to feel the sun as we moved towards Cypress and made our turn west again to curve over to Johnston. We chatted easily through the housing tract and finally came to the light at Sanderson. Once the light changed we headed for Stetson with Blood Hound pulling up front. We made it through the Stetson light green and past Wally World on our way to Mustang.

I was wondering how the group would hold up as we worked our way west on Domenigoni but I shouldn’t have worried because everyone took turns pulling on our way to Warren. Highlander pulled through Warren and over the dry wash. Huntress pulled most of the way to Winchester and Centaur pulled part of the way to Leon before Wolf got the lead. I was forth passing Leon and thought I could challenge for the sprint up the saddle. But before I could make a jump Centaur flew by me and I never caught his back wheel. Still we all regrouped at the top and caught our breath.

As we sat on top of the saddle it was easy to see the fog down towards Menifee. Wolf had warned us it was still a bit thick when he came in from his house. As we started down the Saddle it seemed to be getting just a bit cooler and as we past Lindenburger traffic started backing up. It turned out there was an accident at the light before Menifee and traffic was so heavy we had to gross at the light and wait for a green before we could head south towards Holland.

As we moved towards Holland and the little 8 percent hill I talked to Huntress and discovered she had never been on the ride we call Country Roads. We would have to climb Holland Hill and make it to Scott before turning left and heading back towards Winchester. Centaur led the Holland Hill climb followed by Chinook, Wolf and Blood Hound. I stayed with Highlander and Huntress and we rolled by the lead group as they waited for us and the wide spot on the road. We rolled past the stop sign and made for the light at Scott. We took turns pulling all the way back to Winchester and finally crossed the light to the long downhill on Washington. Blood Hound and Huntress kept us at a very good pace as we moved to Benton Road.

Once we were headed back west on Benton we rolled past some real nice houses on both our right and left. Highlander was following close on Blood Hounds wheel and Blood Hound is hardly ever interested in talking so they started to pull away. I closed with them and Wolf and Huntress joined me as we made our way to the gas station on Benson and Winchester.

As we talked at the gas station I told everyone that we were duty bound to celebrate Pi day by having some pie so we should ride back to Hanger One and se in Bambi had baked any on our way home. We left north on Winchester and turned on Thompson towards Leon and then back to Scott. We were still riding as a group as we turned back to Menifee and then headed towards Domenigoni. Once on Domenigoni we rode over the saddle and made our way back to Winchester and headed north towards Stowe. We could almost taste pie the closer we got to turning east. It was even more tempting once we were on Stowe.


We headed towards California with Huntress leading the pack. We did have a dog try and give chase but the yelling from the whole group seemed to give him second thoughts and he stopped before reaching the road. I took us the rest of the way to California and then down to Stetson and Highlander pulled us most of the way to Warren where he gave it back to me so I could pull us to the airport road and then to Hanger one. When we got there the place was pretty full and Huntress had to head for home. I walked inside and noticed we were in luck because there was a whole counter full of different baked pies. We scored. I also got to see Gazelle having breakfast and we talked briefly. We then went outside and enjoyed Pie and Fritters in the sun.

We talked and joked about being glad we put on extra miles today to make room for the extra calories we were consuming when they brought a Fritter out for Centaur. I am always surprised how big their apple fritters are and this one didn’t disappoint me or Centaur.

It took some extra effort to get back on the bikes and head for home. Something about rich food and coffee just seems to make it hard to get on the bike and make a run for the cars. But being the strong élite of our cycling group we manned up and headed for the Burger King parking lot.

It was a quick ride and the sun did come out by the time we were headed home so I would have to say a good time was had by all. I will have to look to see when the next special day might be. I had 51 miles today and I enjoyed every mile of it.

3/12/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)

Did you ever have one of those days that worked out well even if not one thing went according to Plan? Well that is about how today went. I planned for a warm day much like last Friday but that failed as soon as I looked outside this morning. First off it was dark because of daylight savings time. I often wonder just what are we trying to save daylight from? The second thing was it was cold and didn’t even pretend it was going to get warmer. The next thing was I had completely forgotten what ride I had posted and wouldn’t discover my mistake until after the ride started. And with a rather small group it did start right at 8:30. I took us out onto Latham and to Lyon to head north to Ramona. Several times Wolf and Highlander asked if I was going the right way and I assured them I did.


My plan was to ride Bridge to Soboba and over to Carl’s and that is where I was leading everyone. We only got a few blocks north when we picked up Dura Max coming the other way. He pulled around to join us and we continued on past Cottonwood and slowly picked up the pace. Everyone looked confused and I kept getting asked if this was the way I had posted on Saturday. At that point I was still pretty confident I was going the right way but every time we got to a street people looked at me as if to ask, “where now”.

Finally we turned onto Ramona heading towards Sanderson and we had to pull over for Blood Hound when I decided to ask where people thought I was planning on going. Everyone assured me I had selected Backwards Soboba. Well I was on the wrong side of town for that ride so I figured we might as well do my first choice for today, Bridge to Soboba. Blood Hound took over pulling duties and took us to Sanderson and Ramona o Warren Road where the pace picked up slightly heading for Bridge.

I finally moved to the back and shifted into the big ring to slow my spin into an easy cruise. We approached the first of the small dairy farms and I noticed it must be feeding time as all of the cows seemed to be looking at us with their heads stuck through the feeding bars and eating whatever they put in front of them. Row after row of cows were stacking up on our right as we got to Bridge Street and made the turn north toward Gilman where we were planning on turning back east.

The trip down Bridge and around the farms to the Bird Preserve is almost always peaceful even if now and then a truck may roar past us. Still all in all the road is lightly used. Wolf, Blood Hound, Chinook and Highlander decided to pull away and head for Gilman while Dura Max, Tax man and I took in the sights as we followed at a distance. Still it hadn’t warmed up any even if we could see the sun trying to peek through the cloud cover. We regrouped at Gilman and headed back towards Sanderson. Once we turned south on Sanderson it didn’t take us long to get back to Ramona and head east.

The sky was just beginning to look like the sun might break through as we past Lyon again and the closer to State Street the better it looked. It was still cold however and I simply don’t care much for the cold. When we got to State Street Tax Man suggested that we could forgo heading north to Soboba and simply take Ramona all the way to Carl’s. For just a minute I contemplated it but decided we needed the workout and headed north towards Soboba. I pulled from the expressway to Soboba and took us around the corner as we began our run towards the Golf course.

As we got to the first of the rollers Highlander was pulling and everyone seemed happy to stay in a pace line till we got to the second roller where it looked like Highlander was going to give the lead to Blood Hound. But as soon as Blood Hound got in front and picked up speed Highlander fell back onto his rear wheel and the two of them started down the roller and away from the rest of us. I attempted to give chase but to no avail and they beat us all to the regroup at the Golf course and trees. However we didn’t rest long and soon we back on the road heading for Washington and Ramona. We turned and made our final run towards Cedar and Fairview.

Blood Hound and Highlander took off again and managed to hit each and every light green while the rest of us got each and every light red. They were nowhere to be seen as we past Hemet Street and we didn’t see if they made the turn onto Cedar. We were rolling along as a group as we headed towards Fairview and chatted away easily as we past the fire station before pulling together into a bunch shortly before we got to Florida.

All we had left to do was turn west on Florida and ride past Casino before we zeroed in on Carl’s. As we got to the light at Ramona Wolf jumped into a sprint and stayed in front all the way to Carl’s. We parked the bikes and went inside to warm up and tell stories about the ride. Blood Hound left first but that got the rest of us on our feet and we headed back to Lincoln and headed home. Chinook went down Florida to stop by a tire store and the rest of us stayed with Dura Max till he turned for home on Park. Highlander pushed us all the way back to Burger King and we met Chinook waiting for us as we got back to the cars. I said my goodbyes and headed for home. I got there with just over 40 miles on the computer. And the Sun was shining as I pulled in. A good day no matter what I had planned on Saturday.