9/17/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was a great morning for a ride today, clear blue skies, moderate weather and no wind so we had a nice easy ride planned and I was thinking we would have a pretty good turnout. At least both T-3 and Dura Max would be starting from the same place as the rest of us so we could keep track of each other. By 7:30 however we were down two riders because Highlander had a doctor’s appointment and Tax Man was no where t be seen. However Blood Hound was back with us and showed up right after Digger and Surgeon. Just as I was about to give up hope that anyone else would arrive Red Rabbit pulled in and we were ready to go. It was a quick turn out onto Gilmore and down to Acacia. Our plan was to pick up T-3 on Kirby when heading for Cypress.

We pulled around the corner on Cypress and waited to see what had happened to T-3 and Dura Max. While we waited the Rabbit took off and headed for Sanderson. Digger and I soft pedaled waiting to see how far back Dura Max was while Surgeon and Blood Hound were ahead of us. We were still too far to see and trailing riders after we turned onto Sanderson and in a very little time we were out on Domenigoni heading west. Bloodhound must have recovered from his time off pretty well because he had us rolling along about 24 or 25 shortly after we made the turn west and he held the lead till we got close to warren and we were closing on the Rabbit like a freight train. By the dry wash we knew Dura Max and T-3 at Warren to Digger and I stopped to wait till the caught up and we formed a pace line till we caught Surgeon and regrouped at the Saddle.

We dropped down the back side of the saddle and Surgeon left us at Lindenburger. Little did we know that Tax Man was chasing us on Simpson and past Surgeon heading back towards Hemet. We must have turned on Menifee about time Tax Man came out onto Newport. We got a short light on Menifee and headed south not knowing Tax Man was chasing. We talked easily and we got close to Holland and the little hill and Blood Hound led us up and over to regroup once more at the turn out between the hill and Garboni.

Our next goal was to get to Scott Street and head west all the way to Murrieta. Bloodhound was leading as we made our way to Antelope and got the light green. We made it up and over the freeway and past Haun as a group and Bloodhound dropped it into a stead pull starting up the long grade to Murrieta. I stayed with him for a while watching my heart rate carefully and soon we had separated ourselves from the rest of the group by about 100 yards. I looked up and downshifted to keep my effort down a bit and to my surprise the rabbit was gaining on me. I picked up the spin a bit and held him off but he must have burned all of his matches trying to catch me because as we turned north he dropped back almost a quarter of a mile behind the rest of us.

I fell back and picked the Rabbit up at Holland and pulled him to the group at Newport. We took the opportunity to stop by Carl’s for a rest stop and I called Tax Man to see where he was. I only got his voice mail but least we knew he was out there somewhere. Once we were back on the road we took Murrieta all the way to Cherry Hill and turned east. We more or less cruised down Cherry Hill and got to Bradley to make the turn south again. It is easy to tell when you are in Sun City because there are so many gold carts running down the street. I also noticed the farther we had gone the stronger Digger seemed to be getting. It is good to see new riders advancing like Digger.

As we continued south Bloodhound picked up the pace a bit as we got close to Newport and he caught the light before the rest of us could get there. He got started around the corner heading east and I got through the intersection just before it turned red. Everyone else had to wait so Bloodhound and I soft pedaled to Haun where they managed to catch us at a red light before heading over the freeway and turning into the parking lot to stop at Jack in the Box. Dura Max and T-3 three decided to continue on while the rest of us took a break and had something cold to drink.

All that was left after our break was the run back home. We pulled out at Newport and Antelope and headed east to Menifee and the Lindenburger where it changes to Domenigoni. I took us up and over the saddle and followed Bloodhound back to Leon. Bloodhound pulled away a bit as neither Digger nor I wanted to try and hold 23 MPH all the way to Winchester but we caught him at the light and waited just east of Winchester for Red Rabbit. As soon as he caught up we headed east again and for the most part stayed in a pace line all the way to the dry wash.

Rabbit was going to break off at Warren so Digger and I stayed with him till he stopped to make the turn. Once he was gone we knuckled down and chased Bloodhound all the way to Sanderson. He beat us there by at least 75 yards but had to wait at a red till we pulled up. It took a minute or two before we got to turn north and make our dash for home.

When we got back to Stetson Bloodhound turned and headed for home while Digger and I waited for the light. Once it changed we rode down to Johnston and turned towards Kirby. We talked casually about today’s ride and if I thought he was ready for the ride Wednesday. I was sure he was strong enough for the ride and told him so. Last Wednesday’s ride was much harder and longer so this Wednesday should be no problem for him. We noticed Dura Max on the side of the road talking to T-3 and he joined us on our way back to Palm where digger left and San Francisco where I turned for home. All in all it was a great day and a good ride.