8/31/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was another Friday and another decision about what kind of ride we wanted. I have tried to make Fridays a bit easier and in many cases flatter but the group always make the ride the way they want it no matter what my plans are. Today was a little bit of both planning and unexpected drama. I got to the parking lot in time to talk with Dura Max and see Sidewinder drive up. Surgeon rode his bike to the parking lot as did Barracuda and Digger. I got a message that D’Artagnon was on his way just about the time Highlander pulled up followed by Wart and Gambler. We were waiting for D’Artagnon when Dura Max left to go pick up T-3 and Wart followed him. Shortly after than D’Artagnon arrived and eight of us headed down Gilmore to Acacia before turning south to Cypress and headed towards Johnston and Sanderson.

Surgeon led us to Wentworth where we caught the light and I took us to the airport and past Hanger 1. Highlander and Surgeon past me and I thought that they were planning on pulling out onto Stetson first so they could start the pace line. But they let me get out onto the street first and I pulled us along to Warren Road before turning it over to Surgeon who took us to California and started us onto Stowe.

Gambler told me that Bandit was on his way to meet us at Winchester letting me know that we would have a serious A group for the rest of the ride. I made up my mind at that point that I would stay with the B group no matter what the other riders did. I was still thinking about this when Surgeon turned up onto Stowe and I stayed on his back wheel all the way to Winchester and the little parking lot where we regroup. Everyone seems to be willing to stay in a group because no one else took off on a sprint before we got to Winchester either.

Just as we had expected Bandit pulled into the parking lot while we were waiting. One thing was for sure when Bandit arrived it would make Gambler antsy. Those two are like cats and dogs and always seem to be pushing each other a bit faster than most of us are willing to go. However today Barracuda and Sidewinder would be with them and both of those riders can hold their own. Not only that Gambler was feeling pretty good and showing off just enough to push Bandits buttons so I knew sooner or later one or the other would be dropping the hammer.

I was in front as we moved down Winchester and could almost feel the pressure for the line as Gambler, Barracuda, and Bandit, D’Artagnon and Sidewinder waited to pounce. The held off all the way to the dump road and allowed me to lead out as we headed west towards Leon. I got us to the Wild West Arena and Surgeon took over as we started up that short little hill before Leon. It was about 50 yards before the hill that Bandit rode past me with a big grin with Gambler, Barracuda, D’Artagnon and Sidewinder hot on his back wheel.

Surgeon took off after them but I held back and let them go making sure Digger and Highlander made it over the hill and to Leon before we made it out onto Simpson. Imagine our shock as we came up on the A group standing on the side of the road. At first we thought someone had a flat but then we noticed Bandit laying on the ground.

It seems he ran off the road, caught a wheel in the dirt and the bike threw him off and onto his hip, shoulder and head. We all waited around while we contacted his wife to see if she could come get him. The Shadow and his wife were driving by and they picked up and took Bandits bike home. D’Artagnon and Surgeon showed them where the house was and soon Bandit’s wife was there and taking him and Gambler to the hospital to be checked out. The rest of us pulled away from the side of the road and made our way to Lindenburger and then over to Menifee to head for the AM/PM and regroup with Surgeon and D’Artagnon. We took off again and made a fast run north on Menifee and headed through Nuevo to get to the Valero on Lakeview.

After rehydrating at the Valero we jumped back out onto Ramona Expressway and headed for home. Things were going pretty smooth till Sidewinder decided to jump out front and kick up the pace. Digger was having trouble staying in the draft and finally fell off the back so I dropped back and pulled him to Sanderson. We made the jog to Ramona Boulevard and found Highlander waiting for us by the fist stand of big trees. Once we pulled up to him we rode together towards Lyon to start the last leg for home. Once on Lyon I backed it down to a mild cruise so we could talk on the way back to the parking lot.

Digger turned off before we got back to Devonshire so Highlander and I rode side by side all the way back to Latham. I continued on for home while Highlander went back to his car and drove home. It is only about a mile from Burger King to my house so it didn’t take long for me to get back to my house and a cool shower. It was a good day weather wise but we were sad to see Bandit all covered in dirt. I understand he will be fine but his helmet has seen better days.