9/12/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I have been looking forward to today’s ride for a long time. I decided to make it a metric rather than a half and looking at the weather it seemed like it would be a perfect day for it. I arrived at Burger King and waited till Digger, Surgeon, Highlander, Coyote and Huntress were ready to go and we moved out to start the ride. It was a simple hot skip and a jump out to Kirby and South

The plan was to stay well within ourselves and make this a metric with an average speed of less than 14mph even with the hills. It was a cool morning and that started out to seem far too easy. But believe me it didn’t stay that way. We pushed our way out onto Sanderson and up to Stetson and west. We didn’t go by the airport road but rather stayed out on Stetson all the way to Warren and up to California before heading south. Surgeon seemed to be feeling frisky and pulled us up to Stowe before we headed west again towards Winchester.

There was no sprint on Stowe and we stayed in an orderly pace line after we made the turn and could see Winchester off in the distance. At this point I felt very comfortable and followed Surgeon all the way to the parking lot on Winchester for a regroup, more out habit and need. With just a few moments rest we headed back out onto Winchester and headed south again. I got the lead till we turned onto 9th street and gave it up to Surgeon till we got ready to make the turn on Leon to drop down onto Simpson.

We took it easy on Simpson and I kept it at about 17 or 18 till we got to Briggs. Surgeon was back in front to Lindenburger and then onto Heritage. We were heading to McCall not just to climb the hill but to add some miles to get in a Metric. We only had one short relief stopped planned at the station on Bradley. As soon as everyone was ready we were back on the road on McCall and cruised to Murrieta. Coyote and Surgeon turned us back towards Newport where we would be turning east at least to Antelope.

Surgeon left us at Antelope and we headed south towards Scott. Coyote and Huntress started to pull away and Digger went with them. Highlander stayed with me and we caught them at the light on Scott. We stopped for water at the 7/11 on Scott and Antelope and once again Huntress and Coyote pulled away but this time Digger stayed with Highlander and me. We made our way up Antelope and over to Whitewood and started the long downhill run to Murrieta Hot Springs Road.

Traffic was horrid as we worked our way to Winchester and Highlander was going to leave us there. Huntress talked him into staying with us to Rancho California so he did turn south on Winchester and we made it to Nichols together. It was up and over the hill at Walcott and we ended up taking Butterfield Stage to Rancho California. So far everyone was feeling good And Coyote and I had to give chase to Huntress, Highlander and Digger till the hill past California winery.

I was running strong out front on Rancho and stayed there on Glen Oaks and made the turn onto Mesa first. I climber the first hill still in front and then I simply ran out of steam. My heart rate spiked and as I waited for it to come down everyone past me. Huntress stopped to check on me and waited till I was back on the road. We got to the second climb on Benson and once again I was toast. I even got a slight case of leg cramps. I sucked down some more water and took some Endurolytes and after a few tries made it over the 1.8 mile climb and headed for Sage. Just as was about to make the last climb I heard Digger in the dirt parking lot on Sage and Benson. I stopped to check on him and it turned out to be my downfall. After sitting there to wait for a ride I totally ran out of gas and had to accept a SAG ride home. The bad part was me pushing too hard and dehydrating. The good thing was having friends looking after me and Diggers brother drove us to Diamond Valley lake store. Some Gator aid and soda and I was back in business. A little lunch and I was out running errands. Big thanks to everyone for the great ride even if I didn’t finish. At least I got in a half Century.