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.