4/20/2012

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)


I really don’t know why I think a flat Friday ride would be easy. I plan on it being easy and relaxing just in case one member of our group is racing on the weekend. But today was one of those days where nothing was all that normal. I looked outside and it was clear and warm and so I started to Burger King on my rebuild hand built. I didn’t get two blocks before I noticed the cassette was loose so I had to ride back home and change wheels. I really had to kick it in gear to get to the meeting place in time so I was very warmed up as we got ready to leave to start the ride. Gilmore and Acacia were past quickly and we were on Kirby before we knew it


Looking behind me I could see an eager group ready for some speed work. It could make for a long hard day. Highlander and Surgeon were closest to me but right behind them were D’Artagnon, Gambler, Torpedo, Barracuda and Ferret. We also had a new rider visiting the area Tom. Following then were Dura Max and Ocelot. Not a bad group for so early in the year. They were all still right behind me as we turned on Cypress heading west.

We were still moving along pretty quickly as we got to Johnston and turned towards Sanderson. Then it was back down to the railroad tracks and the stop light for a left turn towards the Airport. Highlander pulled up next to me and teased me about how much energy I was expending so early in the ride. We made the turn in front of the airport and got ready to go back out onto Stetson.

I pushed the pace a bit as we headed for Warren Road and soon we were pushing 21 MPH. For some reason it was easy to keep the pace going all the way to the stop sign. I we dropped back just a bit as we continued on Stetson leaving Warren. I really don’t like being out front on this part of Stetson. Once we get to California things get a bit hectic and whoever hits Stowe in front of the pack has to run hard to keep from getting run over by the group behind him.

I took my turn heading for Stowe and Torpedo flew by men to make a speed run towards Winchester. About half way down Stowe Gambler pulled up next to me and let me draft him and recover a bit before we got to the old barn. We were spread out quite a bit at that point but for the most part we pulled into the parking lot on Winchester as a group behind Torpedo. Dura Max and Ocelot were the last ones in and we regrouped to get ready to head down to the dump road.

Ocelot flatted just as we were getting ready to leave and decided to send us on their way because here and Dura max had to get back early. I took us down to the dump road and headed west towards Leon. It was about here the drag race started. I held on till we got to Briggs and then cooled my jets as we headed north to the housing tract and just missed catching the lead group at Florida. We made our way to Mapes and then over to Menifee and back down to the AM/PM at Florida for a regroup.

From there things sort of went downhill for me at least. I was out front till we got to McCall and then we caught the light red. Torpedo left the light rather quickly and I tried to stay in the small ring and spin. Highlander and Surgeon past me and I had to kick it up just stay with them. Highlander, Surgeon and I missed the light on Domenigoni and had to give chase all the way to Winchester. Surgeon and I were almost up to the last riders in the lead group when we caught the light and Highlander joined us before I changed back to green. He stayed with us to Sanderson and then to my surprise left us and headed for home. Surgeon and I were joined by Gambler and D’Artagnon coming out of the Marina. We regrouped on Thornton and headed for Stetson to make the long run to Fairview. I ran out of water before we got to Columbia and started to fade well before Fairview. I pulled into Carl’s last and quickly got something to drink. Thirty minutes later we headed for home.


Gambler and D’Artagnon left us well before lake and Surgeon, Tom, Ferret, Torpedo and I more or less did a fast cruise towards Park where we planned to scamper over to Devonshire and head for home.

I stayed with the group all the way to Santa Fe and then to State Street. I decided to leave everyone at Palm and make a run for home myself. I finally had enough fluids in me to stop the cramps and restore some of my energy so I kept the pace up all the way home to end the ride with 45 miles and a slight sun burn. Still it was a great ride even if it wasn’t an easy ride.