11/12/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Winter has slammed into Southern California, at least our version of winter has. When I got up this morning it was in the low 40s and I was cold. But it was predicted as one of the better days for the week so I planned a longer ride. A good half century for a Monday was ambitious but I was pulling for the best as I got dressed with base layers, Balaclava, and a jacket. I got to Burger King first and parked in the sun by the windows just before Dura Max arrived. We went in to get some coffee as Jerry, Highlander and Tax man pulled up and waited for Red Rabbit, Gambler, Torpedo, Digger and Barracuda. We hit the road right at 9am and met T-3 just as we crossed Florida heading for Acacia.

We decided not to waste any time and we were pretty lucky to catch the light at Kirby just as it was ready to turn green. I had planned on slowing things down a bit trying to get into the winter off season mode. But Tax man didn’t seem at all interested in backing off and I knew it was only a matter of time before the A group decided to stretch their legs. So I took us up to Cypress and took a picture as we headed west before falling back to enjoy the draft from inside the pack.

Tax Man started to take the lead and he was told that he would have to pull us all down Domenigoni for showing that much energy. Some of us thought he he knew we were teasing but I am not sure Tax Man did. Red Rabbit moved forward before we got to Johnston but I knew he would because he wants to get a run at Sanderson so he can hold on to the draft once we start making the run. Tax Man started us out rather quickly as we headed for Stetson but we caught the light red and had to wait for it to change. Tax man started us off again and it was just a bit too quick for Red Rabbit to stay up front.

Somehow I managed to get the lead once we turned on Domenigoni and Tax Man and I gapped the rest of the group by about 75 yards. I backed down just a bit but they didn’t close so I stayed out front far too long before giving the lead to Tax Man and falling back to pick up Rabbit. He was doing much better than he normally does but 19 seems to be his max cruising speed for anything over a mile and a half. So I pulled him all the way to the saddle where we regrouped and met up with Bandit and Coyote. That gave us a strong A group of 5 and a B group of 8. I told Gambler and Torpedo where we were going just before we got ready to drop down off of the saddle.

As we were sitting there Rabbit decided to leave early to get a head start. He felt it was a rather long ride for him and he didn’t want to hold anyone up when we still had 40 miles to go. He was well past Lindenburger before we started down the hill and we didn’t see him as we got to Laguna. Traffic was light as we got close to Menifee and we all managed to get into the left turn lane and could see Rabbit waiting for us on the corner. I figured this be one of the last times we would see the whole A group or at least by the time they got to Antelope it would be.

Rabbit got out front and headed for the hill just past Holland. I had to work a bit to catch him to be sure he turned to Antelope and headed south. It would not have been the first time I lost Rabbit because he made a wrong turn. I am sure it will not be the last time I lose him either. Still we all made the turn together and just as I predicted the A group took off. I ended up pulling us towards Scott road and most of the way to the Hospital sharing some time with Highlander. As we got to the stop sign just past the used bus lot I fell back to make sure Rabbit was still with us and then followed Highlander to Whitewood and south again.

Whitewood is one of the best downhill runs we have and it takes us all the way to Murrieta Hot Springs before turning east to Winchester. As we started down the hill I got in a tuck position and quickly was hitting close to 30 MPH before we got caught at a light and had to slow down. Rabbit isn’t very fast going downhill and so when we got to Murrieta Hot Springs I waited for him and we regrouped with the rest of the Bs at the first big intersection. I was very impressed with T-3 as she was staying with the group just like she did in the old days and keeping t rest of us on our toes. We did have one long gradual climb on Winchester as we headed for the French Valley airport and as we topped the rise we were hit right in the face with a cold wind that stayed with us all the way to Benton and our regroup with the A group.

I downed some Heed and finished off an energy bar before we got ready to leave the gas station and head north to work our way over to Leon and start for home. We stayed together till we turned on Leon and Torpedo dropped the hammer. It wasn’t long before Gambler and Bandit gave chase and then Barracuda and Coyote pulled away. Rabbit looked like he was going to leave as well but got caught at a light and ended up pulling us about half way to Scott where Highlander took over and pulled us the rest of the way.

Once we had turned onto Scott Highlander pulled us to the hill and I pulled around at the top to help out and get us to Menifee. Highlander, Tax Man and Dura Max got us to Garboni and I tried to make a run to Newport but got held up by two cars at Holland to keep me from getting any time on the Menifee segment. The group didn’t catch me till after I turned onto Newport and headed for Lindenburger.

We worked our way over to Simpson and stayed together as we rode past Leon and finally to Winchester. When we turned north on Winchester I was the only one the stop at Chris’s so in effect for me the ride was over. Everyone else stayed on Winchester and headed for Stowe. I had some coffee before getting back on Winchester myself and cruising to Stowe and down to California and finally to Stetson. I was in no hurry as I more or less glided past Warren and then on to Sanderson before moving over to Johnston and heading home. I did get in 52 miles and my legs were just a bit sore but I was glad we did a half century.