7/30/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) After the great ride we had Friday I was really looking forward to the ride today. I started out by doing 30 minutes of stretching while watching Olympic Water Polo. After cooling down I had breakfast and put my kit on before pumping up my tires and heading out of the door for Burger King. Coyote, Dura Max and Ocelot were already there and Highlander arrived with Tax Man shortly after. Once Surgeon and Nike arrived we were ready to hit the road for a easy flat east ride.

We headed down Gilmore to Acacia and I noticed things were unusually quiet in the pack. But As I got to Kirby I started to believe it was because it was such a beautiful morning and the weather was perfect. I did tease Tax Man about making the ride a flat one just for him but it truth it was for me as well because Mondays seem easier to control than Fridays. We headed up to Cypress and worked our way to Johnston and Sanderson only to catch the light red. Once it turned we were off towards Domenigoni.

Once we got t the corner of Sanderson and Domenigoni I could tell everyone was happy with a more relaxed pace so I could see no reason to push hard to Searl. I pulled till we got to State Street and let Highlander take us south towards McSweeney. As I fell back to the back I was thinking how much nicer it is to ride with a group of people you like than riding by yourself. My dreaming was interrupted as we had to make a turn onto McSweeney in front of a large truck that had split the group. But he did wait for us and we rode around the housing tract to get back onto State.

As we started south I wasn’t sure what to expect once we got past Domenigoni again. I didn’t want to be in front and to be honest a sprint wasn’t in my game plan. But after the light changed no one else wanted to take the pull so I started us rolling and slowly built up speed as we closed in on the rise. I considered pulling at a steady 21 all the way to Chambers but just as we started up the ride Highlander attacked. I was going to let him go but the magnetic pull of his bike passing cause me to start to spin up to try and hold him off before he could drop me. Whatever the outcome I didn’t get dropped and we worked our way over to Santa Fe to make the turn on Stetson to head east. Highlander, Surgeon and Tax Man didn’t go with us on Columbia but Dura Max, Ocelot, Coyote, Nike and I turned and worked our way to Crest and started towards Lake Street.

Once on Lake and back out to Stetson all we had to do was hook up with the missing three riders at Fairview. Just as planned they were waiting for us and I decided to take a shot at the Fairview TT. Turns out someone has notified Strava that that section was dangerous and they are no longer posting the leader board. Oh Well I made a pretty good run at it anyway. We continued on Fairview till it turned into Cedar and then out onto Ramona. As we worked our way towards the bridge crossing towards Soboba Surgeon pulled us till we got to Hemet Street where he had to break for home. I got the lead till the light over the river bed and over to Soboba to make the run west to State Street.

Shortly after we got started Highlander and Tax Man passed me and by the last roller Dura Max and Nike went by. I followed for a while before catching Nike and then Dura Max as we regrouped at State and headed south back to Ramona to make the loop back to Carl’s. Tax Man pulled us most of the way and in fact split the group at the light after the bridge crossing. I drafted off of him and Highlander till we got back to New Chicago where we stopped for coffee before heading for home on Lincoln.

We lost Dura Max at Park before Tax Man and Highlander started to pull away when Coyote, Nike and I got caught at the stop sign on Park but we reeled them in by the time we got to Devonshire and we all stayed together till the three of us got stopped again by a car in front of the police station. Highlander and Tax Man got the light at State green and we were at least a block behind by the time we got to Palm. We all got to the parking lot and talked for a minute or two before I left for home and a hot shower. Great day for a ride and I felt pretty relaxed for 40 miles.

7/27/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Sometimes making a change in training, eating, or applied effort needs to be made in stages. I however seem to be one of those people that doesn’t follow such sage advice and today I had an opportunity to experience the advantages and disadvantages of making too many changes all at the same time. Let me confess that I started reading a new book on cycling called “Bike for Life” and it pointed me to change my diet a bit and to stretch and exercise first thing in the morning. I started said regimen this morning and based on something I read managed to leave the house without eating any breakfast. I would pay for that later in the day. I decided to take the Klein out today because all in all it was going to be a somewhat flat ride. I got to the parking lot a bit early only to discover only Dura Max and Centaur waiting for me. It took a few extra minutes for The Shadow, Surgeon, Highlander and Huntress to arrive but as soon as they did we were off to Latham and heading north on Lyon.

I will admit the stretching seemed to be helping and I was feeling strong as I led the pack north towards Ramona Boulevard all the while talking to Surgeon about what a nice day it seemed to be and the hope that it would stay that way for the remainder of the day. Finally we fell into a pace line and soon we making the turn towards Sanderson with me still in the front.

Once we made the turn onto Sanderson and got caught at the light at the Expressway we were like a group of race horses waiting for the gate to open so we could head west on the long run to Lakeview. I continued to pull as we started towards Warren Road and finally gave things over to Surgeon as we started our rotation on the way up to Bridge. About half way up to Lakeview Centaur took over and the pace hit a steady 21. However the pace was steady and everyone managed to stay in the pace line all the way to the stop light just before Lakeview where we planned on a nature stop. As we pulled back onto the Expressway I was still feeling pretty good and was convinced that skipping breakfast wasn’t going to affect my energy level and the first roller to Barnisconi was proof as I led the pack to the top without pushing my Heart Rate past 150. The group split a bit as we started towards the second roller and I ran up on the back of the leaders too fast and had to downshift and back down to stay aerobic. I had already past the segment so there was no reason to chase everyone to Ryder and west to Evans.

The pace was easy but steady as we past a young rider on a BMX bike just before Evans. We turned towards Nuevo and cruised along to Orange Avenue where we turned back to Dunlop and caught the same Kid who must have taken a short cut. We caught him before Nuevo but he turned several blocks early. We caught the light red at Nuevo and when we did turn again towards Menifee there was the same BMX rider ahead of us again. I caught him before the bridge and we pulled ahead to Menifee where we regrouped once more. While we were talking the Kid past us and headed south on Menifee were we could just see him riding off into the distance. Once we were back on the road I pulled to Central and Huntress took over and pulled to the hill at the nursery. I made a jump at the rise and Surgeon ended up following me. Highlander pulled much of the group up to us and then past to pull to Mapes. I got back out in front and took the group to AM/PM for another regroup. As we were standing there we missed the fact that Dura Max had been caught at the light on Florida and while we waited I missed the fact that he did stop. I gave chase but it took me all the way to Lindenburger. We rode together all the way to Winchester and managed to get to Chris’s about half of a block before Centaur and the rest of the group. After a short stop for coffee we took off again on Winchester with Highlander pulling like a freight train. We rounded the corner on Stowe and started a slower pull towards California with me in the front.

I was still leading as Surgeon left us at Warren and we continued to the airport. As soon as we turned off of Stetson Highlander seemed to gain extra energy and I had to drop the hammer just to stay with him to Sanderson. As we sat at the light on Sanderson and waited for the rest of the group I began to feel the effects of skipping breakfast but pushed on as we went behind Lowes and out onto Acacia. Dura Max left us as we crossed Florida. Once back to the cars I stopped to talk with the group and while standing there realized I was out of gas. I was planning on slowly riding home but Huntress would have none of it and Highlander ended up giving me a ride home. So some changes I can live with and some I cannot. Skipping breakfast is one change I don’t plan on staying with.

7/23/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I don’t know if it was because I did 66 miles Saturday or if it was the weather but I felt a bit tired when I got up this morning. I had breakfast and got dressed only to have to sit and watch TV news because I got up too early. I had a simple little ride planned and figured I could cruise it even if I never got up to full speed so I had some coffee and pulled out onto the street to head for Burger King at 7:30am. Coyote, Dura Max and Ocelot were already waiting for me as I got there. Not long after I said hello Highlander, Tax Man, Surgeon and Red Rabbit arrived. At 8am we hit the road to start the ride.

Latham to Lyon was rather uneventful as we made our way north. Rabbit was doing quite well for having been off of his bike for over a year. We talked briefly and then settled into a loose double pace line and worked our way up to Ramona Boulevard. Surgeon pulled us to Sanderson and we turned only to catch the light at the expressway. Surgeon let me pass once on the expressway and I pulled till we got to Warren where Highlander took over and I fell back to collect the stragglers. We turned the corner to see Highlander, Surgeon and Tax Man waiting before we continued on heading for Gilman.

I ended up pulling most of the way to Gilman and Surgeon passed just before we got to the stop sign. We regrouped and took a short break to hydrate before I once again took the lead and pulled us first to Sanderson for another regroup and then south towards the expressway and Ramona Boulevard. We turned east to work our way towards Lyon and then to State.

Once we got to State Street we once again caught the light but it didn’t hold us up for long before we were headed back north. Once again I took the lead and pulled us back past the expressway and past Jack in the Box and Del Taco. It was strange that we got all of the lights green all the way to the college and Highlander and I talked about it. I held my position all the way to Soboba and made the first turn west to head for the golf course. I gave the lead to Highlander and he started the run through the rollers splitting the group in two.

I was following the Rabbit as Highlander pulled us over the first roller and then had to close the gap as Highlander, Surgeon and Tax Man pulled away. Highlander ended up pulling way too long and had to surrender the lead to Surgeon. Somewhere before the driving range Tax man started to fall off and I had to close the gap to Surgeon. Once on his back wheel I felt pretty good except I just couldn’t get a spin on. I hit the last hill with Surgeon and made a run at him but couldn’t pull at all. I was glad we regrouped at the trees. Highlander and I led the way over the river crossing and started us on our way to Ramona and towards Cedar. We made the turn at Cedar but only Highlander, Surgeon, Tax man, Rabbit and I made the light so we were about a quarter of a mile ahead heading to the fire station.

It didn’t take long for the lead group to make it back to Florida and west towards Carl’s. About half way there I caught a draft off of the back of a bus and managed a 33 MPH sprint all the way to Carl’s. We regrouped once more for coffee and conversation before heading back west to get back to the cars. Dura Max and Ocelot went a different way and Surgeon left us at Park while the rest of us made our way to Devonshire and down to Santa Fe before turning onto Latham for the final run home. I broke off at Palm and rolled up to my house with 38 miles on the computer. Not bad for a day when felt like a engine with a clogged air filter.

7/20/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was going to be hot and we had a extra ride planned for Saturday so I wanted something simple and flat. I knew I would be down at least three or four riders so I wasn’t sure how big the group would be but to be honest I felt so good when I got up I didn’t care. I left the house after breakfast and pulled into the parking lot to see Coyote and Dura Max waiting. It took a while but by 8 am everyone had arrived and we were nine riders strong and heading down the road to Acacia and Kirby and south.

It was good to see Blood Hound back and he was riding strong and steady. Ferret and Barracuda were my only worries because they tend to push a pace at times on Friday. Huntress was very animated and Coyote is almost always up for a good run even if he has a ride planned for Saturday. Surgeon and Dura Max tend to be steady and are satisfied with just about any pace we set. Ferret’s wife Mary was with us for the first time in a long time and was looking stronger than ever. We made it to Cypress and turned towards Johnston to get ready for the light at Sanderson.

Once we made it through the light I got the lead and pulled us past Wally World and then all the way to Domenigoni. I stayed on the front after we made the turn west and pulled us along at about 19 for about another quarter of a mile before giving it over to the next rider. Blood Hound took us up to about 20 but held it there till we got to Warren where Barracuda took over and pulled us all the way to Winchester at a steady 20. He kept the lead and pulled the whole group to the Saddle where we stopped to catch our breath.

Once we dropped down the back side of the saddle we got a chance to coast all the way to Lindenburger without having to pedal if we didn’t want to. I hit a top speed of 31 without even getting in a tuck and we moved past Lindenburger and made to turn into the housing tract on the left to start working our way over to Briggs. So far the ride had been pretty much relaxed and I had thought it might stay that way. But it didn’t.

Once we turned south on Briggs I started the outbound run and felt pretty good pulling the group along at about 17. Everyone was content to follow me till we got to Holland where Coyote pulled in front to give me a break. He managed to turn things up a bit once I closed in on his wheel and he kept ramping it up all the way to Gaboni and turned west. I fell back to ride with Dura Max and promptly got stung by a Bee just below my sun glasses under the left eye. I managed to get the stinger out and regrouped with everyone on Antelope before we headed back down to Newport and back to Lindenburger. We stayed in a good pace line on Simpson and Huntress took the short spring to Winchester before we turned back north to Stowe and worked our way back to Hanger1 for coffee and conversation.

Some of us got coffee and we ate energy bars as we discussed the ride and what we had been up to since the last time we got together. We were impressed with Ferrets new bike as well as Mary’s and were very glad she could join us again. I finished my coffee and took some pictures of some of the planes that have stored at our little airport.

By the time we were almost ready to leave Blood Hound got a call and had to leave without us. We slowly mounted up and got back out onto the street to head back to Burger King and the cars, for those who drove to the parking lot. Surgeon and I started out first and managed to get to the light on Sanderson a few yards in front of everyone else. Once it changed I pulled up to Lowes where Surgeon left us. We turned into the driveway and rode around the building to get back to Acacia and east to Kirby. Barracuda continued

on as we turned on Gilmore. We were finally in cruise mode and heading back to Florida to catch our last light. As we got back to the Parking lot Dura Max continued on and headed for home. I stopped and talked with Coyote, Huntress, Ferret, Mary and The Shadow who happened to ride up just as we did. Huntress was still a bit upset with me for not responding when she made the perfect jump on Simpson but to tell the truth she was by me before I could do anything. Finally I rode home for a Shower and lunch satisfied with another good ride with good friends.

7/18/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) The temperature was predicted to be just about perfect for a Wednesday ride and so I mapped a ride to Bautista and pulled for a good group to ride it. It had been a while since we had attacked Bautista as a group and normally we don’t get a chance during the warmer summer months. I left the house wishing for a good showing of both A and B riders. When I pulled into the parking lot Coyote and Dura Max were already there. Surgeon arrived and I noticed Highlander talking with the group but without a kit and not looking like he was planning or riding. Bandit, Gambler, Torpedo, Blood Hound and The Shadow pulled up as well and we thought that was about all of the riders, but just as we expressed that thought Huntress pulled up. Highlander decided not to attempt the ride today so the rest of us headed down Gilmore to Acacia and over to Lyon to start the ride.

For some reason Blood Hound started pushing the pace early and moved us to Thornton a bit quicker than we were used to. He turned onto Thornton and Torpedo moved up to ride with him. The rest of the group started to pick up the pace and I found myself trailing the pack cruising along at 15 MPH or better all the way to Santa Fe. I was at least 50 yards behind after we turned onto Stetson but I was in no hurry because Dura Max came back to keep me company. We were at least a block behind when we got to Columbia and maybe 200 yards back by the time we got to the high school. We didn’t get to the first dip before Fairview before the leading group turned south towards Bautista. We were three minutes back as we turned on Bautista and settled into a climbing pace. We didn’t close on our group but we did pass three other riders as we got to the Dam and headed for the river wash. We rounded the corners past the picket fence and commented on what a nice day it was for a ride in the canyon. About five or six miles into the climb we say Torpedo descending and he yelled and asked if we had cell service because Gambler had gone down in a corner. We pulled up just as someone was giving Gambler a ride back down the canyon.

We pulled over to see what had happened and noticed Gamblers Bike with a shredded back tire and ground down back rim. Without Gambler to explain what happened we were left with Bandit who had an equally bad looking front wheel and rim to explain the damage. It seems as if after reaching the top of the canyon well ahead of the rest of us, Torpedo, The Shadow, Gambler and Bandit decided to let the other four wait for us and they would head back down the hill to Carl’s. However after making the top three turns dropping off of the last three climbs on Bautista Bandit started to feel his front tire going flat. As he tried to slow down the tire left the rim and tossed him sideways. He managed to slide to a stop by putting a foot down but noticed Gambler rolling by just as he got off into the dirt.

We didn’t know what caused the flats so Dura Max and I rode up to retrieve the other riders and get them to come back to where the accident happened. We searched the area as best as we could while we waited for Huntress to ride home and come back with her truck to haul the two wounded bikes back to Gamblers. We couldn’t find any tacks, thorns or glass as we searched so we still don’t know what cause Bandit to lose it but we were assured it wasn’t speed because they were still coasting at the time.

After Huntress got back and picked up the bikes and Bandit we headed down Bautista ourselves. I led the way as we more or less cruised back to the Picket fence and headed for the dam. I was still in front after the dam and took everyone to the hard right and hard left heading out onto Fairview. The accident seemed to sober everyone were all happy to allow me to pull them back to Stetson.

Once past Stetson it was a very quick trip over the bat bridge and past Mayberry and the elementary school. We almost coasted all the way to Fairview before turning west to Carl’s for coffee and conversation. Torpedo and The Shadow didn’t stop but Huntress rejoined up before we mounted up to ride back to Burger King. We got there to find Torpedo and The Shadow talking to Centaur and we joined to conversation for a few minutes before I followed Huntress back to Palm where I headed for home. It was a great day for a ride even if the results were not the best. Gambler got a good case of road rash and some stitches in his hand but he will heal and be back with us when he can.

7/16/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) They predicted that the weather would cool off a bit on Monday and I was counting on it when I posted the long ride to Lake Perris. I didn’t even look outside before I had breakfast and got dressed but when I walked out to add air to my tires I could tell we had a break in the heat wave. In fact as I made my way to the Burger King parking lot it was downright cool. When I pulled in 501 and Dura Max were waiting over by the big windows and Centaur was still unloading his truck. Surgeon, Highlander and Tax man pulled in about the same time and we chatted till 8am before heading south towards Acacia. We made it quickly to Kirby and south again.

My goal for the day was to keep the pace steady at about the pace of a six hour century. It might be difficult to hold back Centaur and you never know about Surgeon and he was leading us as we moved to Cypress and headed through the housing tract and out onto Johnston before catching the light at Sanderson. We picked up speed as we headed for Stetson and got through the light before it had a chance to turn red. We moved past Wally World and zeroed in on Domenigoni to get the ride started.

Surgeon started the pace line as we turned west and stayed out front part of the way to Warren Road. I got the lead and took us past Warren and gave to lead to 501and we ended up taking turns all the way to Winchester. Finally Centaur got out front and pulled us all the way to the saddle where he started the sprint to the top and quickly pulled away for the chasers. I just managed to catch him at the top just before the fence but that would never had happened if he hadn’t pulled for about a mile and a half.

Surgeon discovered some bubbles on the front tread of his tire and was concerned that he might be tempting a blowout. He thought about calling for a ride home but decided that if he took it easy he might be able to nurse it home. We dropped down on the back side of the saddle and turned on Lindenburger and I took us to Simpson where Surgeon left us to limp home. We made a turn on Heritage and Highlander pulled us to McCall and gave the lead back to me as we turned on Menifee and headed north to the AM/PM for a break.

We formed a pace line and headed north on Menifee after leaving the AM/PM and Dura Max pulled us all the way to Mapes. Highlander then started the pull towards Central and was doing just fine when Tax man tossed a chain. Dura Max and I stopped while he fixed it and then we chased the rest of the group to Central and I took us to Nuevo and made the left. I stayed out front all the way to Evans where Centaur once again took over and moved us along towards the Expressway.

The weather was almost ideal as we turned onto the Expressway and headed east to the park road entrance. We headed doggedly headed for the front gate and through the turnstiles. Centaur and 501 started the attack first and Centaur took the hill first followed by 501 and I was a distance third. I did take the frontage road while Centaur stayed out on the main road so I managed get to the marina first. We took a quick snack break and then got back on the train to head east out of the park.

It took a lot of reserve not to attack the Strava segment on the east end of the lake but we did keep the whole group together as we rounded one turn after another. I pulled most of the way but 501 helped and gave me a break for at least a mile. He fell off just before the steep little hill and I crested it first but Centaur pulled past me before I got back out onto the exit road east.

Now all that was left was the run back down to the Expressway and head for home. Highlander took us all the way to Lakeview and the light after before Centaur pulled around and started a long lead back to Bridge. The wind seemed to be picking up so I pulled around and took us to Sanderson where we jogged over the Ramona Boulevard and stopped for a quick dose of Vitamin “I” and some electrolytes before continuing on towards Lyon where Dura Max and 501 would be leaving us and heading for home.

Once we split up Centaur took us south on Lyon with Highlander and Tax Man close on his back wheel. I cruised along at the rear enjoying the draft and missing out on what little head wind we had. We made it past block after block until we got back to Latham and turned back to Burger King and the cars. We had a short visit before I headed the extra mile and a half to home giving the slight extra miles I need for a half century.

7/13/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) No matter how people feel about Friday the 13th we were going to have a ride today. The only problem was it was supposed to be hot and muggy. In fact we had rain the night before. The news called it a monsoonal condition but having been in South East Asia during the Monsoon I would disagree. But it did remind me a lot of summer in Florida where I first discovered east coast humidity. So the plan was an easy flat ride west and a stop at Chris’s. I headed for the Burger King parking lot not knowing who would be there. However Coyote, Centaur and Dura Max were already waiting as I pulled up. By 8 am we were ready the hit the road with the addition of Barracuda, Highlander, Hornet and Gambler.

We pulled out of the parking lot and rode down Latham to turn north on Lyon. Highlander was in a talkative mood so we chatted as we moved towards Devonshire, Menlo and Fruitvale. I have to admit that I was feeling a lot better about the ride today than I did Wednesday. My knee wasn’t bothering me and I seemed to have more energy for some reason. Everyone else seemed to be stronger as well so I wondered just how quick this ride might end up being. Still I was allowed to set the pace all the way down Lyon and stayed out front as we turned on Ramona.

For some reason I still felt like leading as we moved towards Sanderson. As we rounded the corner and stopped at the light on the Expressway waiting to make the long run towards Nuevo I wondered how the pace might pick up. As the light turned I stayed out front till I got to Warren and turned things over to Highlander and Centaur. Everything was going fine till there was a mix up on a pace line change and Dura Max and I got dropped. We weren’t all that far behind as we got to the light just before Lakeview and stopped at the gas station to regroup. I knew things could get difficult once we started south on Lakeview with four A group riders near the front. Lucky for me Hornet started us towards Nuevo Road and held things at about 18 or 19 all the way. We made the right and then the left to head over to Central will the fast four pressing us all the way.

The pressure fell off a bit when Centaur got a phone call and we could slow down while he thought of business. Still Hornet and Gambler pushed it just a little as we moved South on Menifee. We stayed together till we got to Mapes and worked our way over to Briggs and south again. Centaur got another call and Coyote stopped just before the housing tract and Barracuda went straight across the dirt road leaving Gambler, Hornet, Dura Max, Highlander and I to head for the dump road without them. I got off of Briggs first and started towards Leon but soon Hornet pulled in front and started the pace line. I was very impressed with how strong Highlander was riding but at this point he was in third position behind me and I was concentrating on staying with Hornet. It wasn’t long before Gambler kicked things up a bit and pulled past both Hornet and me. Highlander was stuck to Gamblers back wheel like a shadow and I had to jump around Hornet to get on the train. By Leon Gambler had ramped it up to 24 and I wondered if I could hold on. Then just past Leon Highlander fell off and I had to close on Gamblers wheel or be spit off the back like a piece of flat tire on a big rig. It took all I had but I got there and held on till the last sprint for the flag at the Western Bar. All in all it was a pretty good run.

I was pleased with myself as we pulled into Chris’s. Once everyone was there we had our coffee and conversation while we rested. Not wanting to fight the traffic on Winchester and Domenigoni we decided to head north towards Stowe after coffee and once again I felt good enough to pull. I got us past the Railroad tracks and quickly up to speed as we closed in on the yard where the big Pit Bull used to live. At this point I still felt like I had another ten miles in my legs easily.

After the turn on Stowe we stayed in a pace line all the way to California. Hornet took over the lead and headed us to Stetson and then to Warren Road. Gambler, Hornet, Dura Max and I broke with the rest of the group at the airport and continued on towards Sanderson. Hornet left us at the Sonic driveway and Gambler went straight down Sanderson while Dura Max and I moved down to Johnston. Dura Max and I rode together till we got t my street and I left to go home. I got back with 36 miles on the computer. It was cooler than I expected but so humid I must have lost 3 pounds in perspiration.

7/11/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) There was every reason to expect a rather hot day today so we scheduled a short ride with very few climbs. There was no way to tell how many would show up but we normally have a pretty good summer showing so I expected a good turnout. I got up and had breakfast took a shower and picked out the next kit in line out of my closet and got dressed and headed for the parking lot. Coyote and Dura Max were already there when I arrived. As soon as Huntress arrived we got ready to leave and headed for Acacia and Kirby to start the day.

As we moved south on Kirby I noticed I felt just a bit tight and couldn’t seem to spin as smoothly as I wanted. Highlander had expressed just a bit of lethargy himself and thought he might not even stay with us for the whole ride. Gambler and Coyote were chatting away and Surgeon was cruising easily towards the front of the group. We easily rolled through the housing tract and out onto Johnston only to catch the light at Sanderson. Once it turned green we started towards Stetson to make the short jump to Domenigoni.

Once we past Wally World it didn’t take long for us to get to Mustang where Surgeon took the lead and got us to the light at Domenigoni. We saw a lone rider pass as we waited and followed her to Searl before passing. Gambler seemed to be as fit as ever and pulled us all the way to State where Coyote took over and started a speed run towards Newport. I dropped out of line by Newport and Huntress caught me before the hill heading towards Sage. I stopped by the golf course to wait for Dura Max and Highlander and then tried to close on Huntress but ran out of steam after topping the hill at Cactus Valley and Sage. I ended up gapped between Huntress and Dura Max till we regrouped at the end of Cactus valley for quick break before heading back.

As we got close to Sage Gambler and Surgeon pulled towards the front followed by Von Richthofen and Huntress. I followed at a distance with Coyote and Highlander till Coyote got tired of my pace and pulled around as well. I pulled Highlander and Dura Max back to McSweeney and into the housing tract there where we regrouped with the rest of the riders to work our way back out onto State Street.

I was determined to stay in the pack as we headed for the State Street sprint and did very well as we rolled past Domenigoni and got into the run. Surgeon was well in front followed by Huntress, Von Righthofen, Highlander and Dura Max. I was just in front of Gambler and Coyote. Just before we got to the rise and well after the sprint sign Highlander told me I had better hit it or I would never make it to the front and somehow I fell for the challenge and took off. I got a good jump but was never able to get on top of the gear and spin. Before I could reach the top of the grade Gambler caught and past me with plenty of spin left. We turned on Chambers and worked our way to Stetson and my energy level started to fall off like a balloon running out of air. I ended up trailing the group all the way to Fairview and regrouping with Huntress, Highlander and Surgeon. We were going to wait for Gambler, Von Richthofen, Dura Max and Coyote to come back from Wilson’s Mesa but Surgeon pulled a thorn out of his tire and had to make a run for the shade so he could change his tire. I ended up racing Huntress down Fairview and back to Carl’s where we all regrouped for coffee and conversation before heading for home on Lincoln.

We ended up dropping Huntress and Gambler off on their Street in the first few blocks and Surgeon, Von Richthofen and Dura Max left us at Park. Coyote, Highlander and I rode past the animal park and over to Devonshire. Once on the downhill side we made our way to Santa Fe and down to Latham together and I left them at Palm to head home. I got home to enjoy a hot shower and some lunch after which I felt much better. As for my energy drain, I guess I will chalk it up to low blood sugar and heat.

7/09/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I have discovered that it is easier to put a easy ride together on Monday that almost any other day of the week. So I kept the distance up and planned a relatively flat old ride the group used to do when I first started riding with them. I knew they were predicting a bit more heat today but it was my hope we would be home before it got too bad. I dressed in a light jersey and bibs and headed for the parking lot. There was a pretty good group already waiting when I got there. Ten of us headed for Acacia and Kirby right at 8am and by 8:05 we were heading south for Cypress.

501 and Von Richthofen were a little sore form working out the day before but they were having no problem staying near the front of the group. We quickly rolled past the railroad tracks and turned west towards Johnston. When we got to the light on Sanderson I had started a conversation with myself on not pushing any big gears today. My knee was still sore last Friday after my cleat mishap on the outreach for Haiti ride and by the end of each ride last week my knee was sore again. So today I planned on spinning more and pulling less. That was the thought I had on my mind as we turned south towards Stetson in an attempt to make the light before it turned red. We did make the light green and I ended up pulling us slowly to Mustang.

If Torpedo held back a bit today the ride down Domenigoni could be pretty easy. It might take a bit to keep the kids in check with 501 and Hornet but with any luck they would keep it down and we would cruise to the Saddle. The first small problem was when Hornet started having problems with his derailleur and had to leave. Then after getting started again torpedo pulled around took the pace up about 3 mph. Well before Warren I saw the group was split in two and I fell back to pick up the stragglers. Torpedo took the lead group to the Saddle to wait for us.

Once we had all regrouped we started down the back side of the saddle and once again I took the lead till we got to Menifee and headed for the climb just past Holland. Somehow we managed to get three riders stuck before the light and I waited for them to make the turn before heading for the climb. We picked up all but three riders at the top of the hill and then picked up Torpedo, Centaur and 501 on Scott road. Before we got back to Antelope there was a slight mutiny when all but Torpedo, Centaur and I decided they weren’t interested in the grade to Murrieta. They broke up again at Holland after turning on Haun while the three of us made our way to Scott and Murrieta.

It was a great view as we turned north on Murrieta and waited for Torpedo when he stopped at a little market by the corner. It was another surprise as we past Holland and discovered brand new pavement where they had been working on the road. We turned on Newport to join up with Highlander and his group but found Dura Max, Ocelot and Surgeon waiting at Carl’s. We waited till the other group joined us and then started north on Murrieta again.

It was a quick trip to Cherry Hill and back down to Bradley to head back to Newport. The ride was easy at this point and we made it back to Jack in the Box for coffee and conversation. Torpedo headed for home before we took a break. Once back on the road we took a little time to get back in line before heading back to the Saddle and east. Centaur and 501 started to make a run for it and Surgeon started to give chase. The rest of us stayed together all the way back to Sanderson where Von Richthofen continued on to State and I found 501 waiting for me just aft Stetson. I stayed with him till we got back to my street and then he went home by himself. It was pushing 98 when I got to my house and shut down the computer with just over 40 miles on it.