11/19/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Looking outside I could see that there were the beginnings of a beautiful new day. Yes it was cool but not cold and hardly a cloud in the sky. I had breakfast did some light stretching and got dressed for the day. The plan was to do a big square ride out to Ramona and almost to Perris before heading to Nuevo and down to Winchester. The only thing I didn’t know was how many riders would join me. We had a rather small group Friday even if the day was almost as good. I needn’t have worried because I got to Burger King to find Dura Max, Von Richthofen and 501. The group would swell to 15 by the time we were ready to head out to Latham to start the ride. By the time we were most of the way down Lyon to Ramona I could see Highlander, Digger, Von Richthofen, 501, Noah, Zach, Tax Man, Dura Max, Jerry, Red Rabbit, Gambler, D’Artagnon, T-3 and Rocky. We had two different groups that would ride Ramona at two different speeds.

I fell back to talk with Gambler because I was pretty sure that once we were out on Ramona the A group would drop the hammer and the B group would settle into a steady pace line. I was also pretty sure the young guns would be chasing Gambler and D’Artagnon as they headed for Nuevo. Because Von Richthofen was in charge of the three young Turks, a term of endearment for young riders that simply don’t know how fast they are, I thought he might go with them. Rocky and Jerry would be able the hang with them as well so we would be split into two groups of 8 and 7. I pulled till we got to Warren and we took turns all the way to Lakeview where Von Richthofen had to chase down one of the young pronghorns and bring him back to the Valero after he missed the stop at Lakeview.

We met up with three other riders coming back from Evans and heading to Nuevo and invited them to join us some Monday, Wednesday or Friday. I tried to get one of their phone numbers so I could text them our routes but I haven’t heard back yet. After Red Rabbit pulled in it was time to go so I got us out onto Ramona and headed for the two big rollers. Half way to Burnisconi the Young Turks attacked and D’artagnon, Gambler, Von Richthoven, and Rocky went after them. I pulled the Bs over the two rollers and onto Ryder where we more or less tried to regroup till Rabbit went rolling by and we ended up chasing Dura Max, Jerry, T-3 and Rabbit most of the way to Evans to regroup with the rest of the pack before heading south towards Nuevo.

I managed to lead us to Orange and turned east to Dunlap before turning towards Evans again and catching the light. Sitting at the red Tax man and 501 pulled up next to me waiting to make the turn east once more and head for Menifee. 501 easily pulled up next to be just so I would know how fast he recovers after a hard push. We talked briefly before the call of “car back” came from behind and he fell in behind me. Just as I got close to the top of the rise on Nuevo I heard a loud pop and Tax Man and Highlander yelled “flat”. Turns out 501 had a blowout.

Just as they started working on the tire Bandit drove up and talked to us for a moment. After he started to drive away Rabbit and Jerry rode in my direction and said 501 was through because his tire was split. We tried to get Bandit’s attention but it was too late. So I rode back to see what we could do and Von Richthofen decided to call for a ride. We switched pedals and let 501 take Von Richthofen’s Look while he waited for a ride home.

501, Noah, and Zach took us to Menifee and then Zach dropped the hammer on Menifee and 501 went after them. D'Artagnon took off after them first and caught Zach by Central. Gambler started the chase and Noah and I followed on his wheel. We were slowly but surely gaining on 501 and by Mapes we closed on D’Artagnon and Zach when they started a wrong turn but corrected. We watched as Rabbit was heading down Mapes but kept straight till we got D’Artagon and Zach. I had enough left to pull to Florida and then across the light. We didn’t stop at the AM/PM because no one was there. The 6 of us stayed together to Simpson and made the turn east and found the rest of the group coming off of Lindenburger. We were ready for the run to Winchester and to be honest I was looking forward to it as we past Briggs and I sprinted to the front to get a quick shot.

As we came out of the first set of eucalyptus trees the young bucks started to move to the front. Gambler was limping in on a low tire and I knew D’Artagnon still had plenty of gas left in the tank. Just before the second set of eucalyptus trees 501 took off followed by Zach and I jumped after them, Zach caught 501 and took the lead and I pulled up next to him for the spin sprint. The kid had the gear and must have been turning 110 but I came out of the draft and pulled ahead just before we entered the construction zone where D’Artagnon caught and passed me. I say up and geared down knowing the light would be red when we got there as Highlander and some others rolled past. We all rolled into Chris’s for coffee and conversation, except for the young guns that needed fuel. We took off for Stowe while Gambler and D’Artagnon took the three juniors to Domenigoni for a speed run. Dura Max and T-3 had already headed home so that left Highlander, Tax Man, Rocky, digger and I to chase Jerry and Rabbit back to Burger King. We passed Rabbit at the airport but did see Jerry even as we rounded Lowes.

I stopped with Highlander and Tax Man as Digger headed for home and we saw Jerry waiting for Rabbit. To my Surprise Noah and 501 pulled up and talked to us before heading for home themselves. Finally I left for home and more or less cruised to cool down from an almost perfect ride.