9/26/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) The Lake Perris ride is always one of our favorites even if it can be a bit longer than some of the riders want. Still the morning started out cool and clear and I headed to Burger King in anticipation of a great ride. I got to the parking lot a few minutes before Coyote and we were still talking when Dura Max rode up followed by Highlander. It only took a few more minutes before Centaur, Surgeon, Digger, Bloodhound, Gambler and D’Artagnon arrived. I looked around to see T-3 was with us and no one else showed up by 7:30 so we got ready to go. Starting with 11 people we headed for Acacia only to hear from Huntress that she was late. She ended up not riding with us but at least she gave it a try. We scooted down Acacia and South on Kirby to Cypress and through the housing tract.

This time of the year the sun is pretty low in the east as we head out and it get hard to get a picture with the sun in the back ground. I knew I would have take pictures as we turned more south on Cypress or wait till we were heading north if I had any hope to avoid the bright sun. So I waited till we were out on Johnston waiting for the light at Sanderson to move back towards the front so I would be in position once we past Stetson and headed towards Mustang and then Domenigoni.

I told Gambler that he would have to take the A riders west on Domenigoni and I would pull the B riders to the Saddle. We could regroup at the AM/PM on Florida. We rounded the corner and headed west and a gap soon developed but I couldn’t keep Rabbit with the group so soon he was dropped and I pulled the rest of the Bs to the saddle where we all took a break together.

As soon as we were all ready we dropped down the back side of the saddle and turned the corner at Lindenburger. We still hadn’t a clue as to where Rabbit was but the rest of us were together so we headed north on Lindenburger to Heritage as we worked our way out to Menifee.

As we got to the AM/PM Dura Max and T-3 decided not to stop and continued on. We took a nature break and refueled at the gas station and before we were ready to leave Rabbit showed up. He got a minute or two before we got back on the road. I pulled to Mapes and Gambler took over. After we crested the rise Gambler picked up the pace and it was a hard fast run heading towards Nuevo.The pace was a bit too fast for Rabbit and he was spit off the back. About a quarter mile later we dropped Digger and I was pushing hard to stay with Gambler and D’Artagnon. Highlander was on my wheel and I simply couldn’t tell who was behind him. Still I tried to make a jump as we past Central and took the lead for a short period of time before D’Artagnon, Coyote and Centaur came by as well. When we rounded the corner on Nuevo Highlander and I pulled over to collect Digger and Rabbit before making it to Evans and turning north again.

I was still feeling pretty good as we worked our way to Ramona and came back east towards the entrance of Lake Perris. I was still feeling refreshed as we turned towards the entrance turn styles. Highlander, Digger and Rabbit were hot on my wheel so I took it up a notch and got ready to use some of those gears I spent so much time getting for my bike. It turned out to be one of my better runs up the Marina hill towards the dam and Highlander was my closest pursuit ride but Rabbit wasn’t all that far behind him. We all made it easily up the hill and regrouped at the Marina Store and Boat storage.

Almost as soon as my group got there Dura Max and T-3 had to leave for an appointment. Surgeon and Bloodhound left with them while the rest of us had something cold to drink and shared war stories. Then we got ready to leave and Rabbit left first to ride at his pace. We took off through the parking lot and down the trail.

Now a small problem raised it ugly head. I have become so over confident about taking pictures that I spent too much time focusing when the guys came through the trees. I didn’t count on the slight turn to the left so naturally I drifted to the right only to find myself on the edge of the paved path. I almost saved it but after a few feet I rode off into the dirt. I worked so hard to stay upright and slow down that by the time I came to a stop I realized I hadn’t unclipped. Like someone from a cartoon my front wheel sunk into the soft dirt and I fell over. My friends almost couldn’t stop laughing but still managed to get a picture of me flat on my back.

After Gambler picked my bike off of me I got dusted off from all of the pepper tree leaves and pepper corns we were back on the trail and headed around the east end of the lake with me too embarrassed to let anyone lead. It might not have been one of my fastest runs but I kept the pace up all the way to the little hill and then east out the back gate.

Highlander and I made it out onto the expressway first and dropped down the hill towards Lakeview well ahead of the group. Coasting down the hill towards the bridge gave my legs some rest and so I was able to keep up 22 or 23 all the way to Lakeview and past the light. Before we were past the second light Gambler pulled in front to give me a break. We didn’t get far however because just as soon as we were up to speed D’Artagnon got a flat. Like any good friends we stood around while he changed it before heading east again.

Once we were finally headed back east towards Sanderson we set the pace at 20-21 and cruised in a very well organized pace line all the way to Warren. At the light on Warren I informed everyone that there was a segment to Sanderson and dropped the hammer. I stayed out front about half way before Gambler, D’Artagnon, Coyote and Centaur past me. I got back past Centaur but couldn’t catch the three leaders. As we got to Sanderson and dropped over to Ramona Boulevard we waited for Digger and three of us followed the rest of the group to Lyon and back to Burger King. I stopped to talk with Highlander and Coyote before heading for home myself. It was a good ride and faster than I expected, even with the little mishap under the pepper trees.