11/16/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) We try to make Friday a relaxing day and keep the ride simple. They had predicted rain earlier in the week so we weren’t sure we would get out Friday but when I got up this morning it was cool but dry. The weather map didn’t show any rain to the west and south of us so I was pretty sure we could at least get in 20 or 25 miles as I headed out of the door and down to Burger King. I got there first but a small group formed soon after and six of us started south on Gilmore. It was a quick trip to Acacia then Kirby and finally west on Cypress.

We were cruising through the housing tract and headed for Johnston when Dura Max pulled up and told me that he and T-3 would be modifying the ride. That was fine with everyone because there is no law that says you have take the same route as the rest of the group so we decided to split up after the Saddle and then meet up at Chris’s for coffee at the end of the ride. We got to Johnston and Sanderson just as the light turned green and quickly headed for Stetson. We got stopped there but were soon on our way to Mustang and the Domenigoni turn.

We decided to take turns pulling to make the ride easier on everyone. I took the first pull to the rise about a quarter of a mile past Sanderson. Digger pulled next but he stayed out front way too long and we were well past the dry wash before I could pull up next to him to give up the lead. Huntress, Dura Max, Rocky, (just down from Canada) and T-3 all took turns and I finally took over again just past Briggs. As we got close to the Saddle I felt like a sitting duck. Huntress had moved up on my back wheel and Rocky was pulling up as well. I kept the pace even as we started up the Saddle and about half way up the hill Huntress made a close to perfect attack on my right. She pulled past me but I got on her wheel and back up next to her at the top only to see a big smile on her face as we pulled to a stop just in front of Rocky. We caught our breath and regrouped on top of the Saddle and I was nothing but proud of Huntress’s sprint to be the first to the top.

As we caught our breath T-3 took the time to massage her leg and we could start to strip down from some of the layers and rehydrate a bit. We made a deal with Dura Max that while he took T-3 up to Murrieta was would jump over to Scott and come back on Haun. The plan would be that we would meet at Chris’s. I left my jacket on because it was still cool but Rocky being from Canada seemed warm as toast.

We followed T-3 and Dura Max to Menifee and we headed for Scott Road while they stayed straight. Huntress was still taunting me for her successful attack but we laughed about it as we got to Holland and got ready for the second little climb. As we got to the hill Rocky took off easily and I started to follow. Huntress didn’t give chase this time so I save some energy and down shifted for an easy climb. We didn’t stop to regroup but got back together and made it to Scott. Rocky gave up the lead before Antelope and took it back at the top of the freeway. He let us back by as we turned north heading back towards Holland.

Huntress took over about half way down Haun and Rocky relieved her just before Holland. We were back in line after Holland and heading to Newport. The plan was to stop and the Circle K and remove jackets and any arm or leg warmers we wanted to before heading east on Newport and turning on Bradley. For some reason the run on Bradley seemed extra easy and I should have pushed the Golf cart TT but I didn’t. I pulled us back to Cherry Hill and looked back to see everyone was still smiling or at least not frowning.

We turned east on McCall and headed for Hospital Hill. Digger pulled us all the way ti Hillpoint and then fell back and I took over to the flat spot when we had to watch for an ambulance coming up the hill. We paused briefly at the top of the hill before dropping down to Heritage and coming out onto Lindenburger and Simpson just as Dura Max and T-3 got there. Dura Max pulled us back to Briggs and T-3 took us to Leon and into the first set of trees. Dura Max pulled back out front to keep T-3 from pulling too long. Rocky got out front and I dropped in on his wheel just as Huntress started to attack. As she got out front Rocky attacked again and I dropped on his back wheel a second time only to make my own attack and finish the sprint to Winchester. We got the light and headed for Chris’s for coffee. After a brief stop we were back on Winchester and up to Stowe to head for home.

We moved quickly east on Stowe before turning on California as a group. we held a reasonable double pace line all the way to Stetson and kept the double line all the way back to Warren Road. Huntress pulled up t the airport road where Dura Max and T-3 headed for home. We rolled quickly past Hanger 1 and worked our way back to Sanderson where Digger pulled us to Lowes and around the back to Acacia. I got us down to Kirby and then to Gilmore where Rocky left us and we headed back to Florida.

Digger headed for home while Huntress and I stopped at her car and talked for a few minutes before I headed for home myself. I rode out onto Latham and back to Palm to head south. I got back to my house looking forward to a hot shower and lunch but with 41 good miles on my computer and a feeling of accomplishment. It sure beats couch surfing or watching daytime TV.