12/31/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I have been gone for a few days visiting my son and daughter in law in Colorado. I left Hemet when it was a bit damp and cool and got to Flagstaff when it was freezing. Spent several days in Colorado Springs with some snow and got back to Hemet looking forward to some warmer weather. Two things damped that expectation however; I came down with a cold and it was freezing in Hemet last night. Still I got bundled up and headed out to see how many would brave the weather for a short ride with a sick guy on the last day of the year. To my surprise there were several willing to brave the cold for a short ride out Soboba to Cranston and back. Dura Max, Digger, RCMP, Barracuda, Tax Man. T-3 and I pulled out onto Latham and turned on Lyon to start our ride north. It didn’t take long and we were past 7th.

T-3 and I rode together at the front to catch up on a week of not riding together and how our Christmas was. At that point I was feeling pretty good at least as far as my legs were going but it was easy to tell I was a bit low on air. It is a bit like a car with a restricted air filter in that you can still use about the same force to suck the air in but it just doesn’t get past throttle body to the engine. Digger must have noticed that I was down on power because he pulled in front of me and offered to give me a break as we turned onto Ramona and headed towards State. I can’t express how good it felt to be back out on the bike and with a few friends. It was even better drafting Digger after we got ready to turn north on State.

True to his work Digger pulled us past the light at the Expressway and then continued on past the fast food places and the College. Somehow the streets seemed to be pretty dry and while we weren’t setting any land speed records we were making pretty good time. I think because we were plodding along at a steady pace we didn’t see a need to stop and regroup as often as we normally do. Digger took us to Soboba and started over the rollers. When he gave up the lead I got it back and then RCMP past me followed by Tax Man. A few moments later Barracuda rolled by and I led the rest of the group to the golf course before we continued on to Ramona and then down to Cedar. By now we started to spread out a bit and while I was still breathing well and felt strong enough I was getting just a bit tired. We more or less regrouped at the light on Fairview and Florida before heading east through the trees and to Cranston Station.

RCMP made a good pull that kept us all together through the trees and started us up the hill to the station. I still felt like part of the group and was holding my own as we got closer to the driveway and got ready for a short break to regroup before heading back down the hill. Digger told me he would give me a break and not race me back through the tree to Carl’s and I assured him I had no intention of trying to run it up until I get over this cold. So we headed back west and soon we well on our way back to Fairview.

We managed t stay in one long pace line all the way back to Carl’s for some hot coffee and conversation. It felt good to warm up and reconnect with friends even though I have only been gone 9 days. It seemed like only a few minutes before people were ready to go and we walked out and got back on our bikes. We split into two groups with Dura Max, T-3, RCMP and Barracuda heading over to Acacia and Digger, Tax Man and I headed to Lincoln and headed back to Park before working our way back to Palm where we split and headed our separate ways. It was a good way to end the year and I hope an example of the year to come.

12/17/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) This has not been a year where we were bothered with a lot of rain out days for our rides. So far my worst year for rain out was year before last when we had 11 different week days that kept us off the road and in the house. Friday was the first day this year we gave up without a fight. I was determined that today would not be a repeat of Friday and to be honest as long as it wasn’t raining when I left the house I would get in a ride today. I just didn’t know how many had the need to ride like I did. However with a group as eclectic as ours I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be out there by myself. I left the house a bit early so I would have plenty of time for coffee as I waited to see how many die hard riders there would be. As I pulled into the parking lot Digger was already sipping coffee and watching Dragon Slayer while he unloaded his bike from his truck. It didn’t take long before Dura Max rode up followed by Ferret. We waited for a few minutes and decided to change the route from Bridge Street to Short Soboba. By 9am the pavement was drying and we headed out onto Latham to start the ride.

Turning on Lyon the new pavement looked wet but even at 16 or 17 MPH we weren’t throwing water. In fact my bike looked a lot cleaner than I thought it was going to. I pulled for quite a while but even with several layers on my legs simply weren’t warming up being a cruise for me. As we worked our way to Ramona Dragon Slayer pulled in front and gave me a break. By that time the roads were getting much dryer and I was drafting Dragon Slayer by about 10 inches with no cast off from his back tire. After we got to State Street Ferret pulled into the second slot and still we weren’t getting wet. Ferret and Dragon Slayer created a gap and got to Soboba first but Ferret had a flat and we had to stop while he fixed it.

Once we were ready to go again I told Ferret and Dragon Slayer that I wanted to take it easy on Soboba but we would meet them at the golf course and regroup. Soon they were pulling away and Digger was pulling Dura Max and I over the first two rollers. He gapped us a little bit after the second roller but we managed to pull even at the driving range. Before we got to the last little hill I took my turn at turn at the front and pulled us over it and up to the waiting speedsters. I was still a bit cool or at least my legs were but on the positive side the streets were almost dry and even the gutters we drying off. It was turning into a nice day.

This time as we pulled away I took the lead and headed for the river overpass and to the light at Main. Now all we had to do was work our way east towards Cedar and make the turn that leads to Fairview. Digger kept asking me how I felt and I kept telling him I was a bit sore and tired. Plus I had just a touch of a headache from lack of sleep. Little did I realize there was a method to his madness? I would discover that method till later however. We got to Florida and headed east towards Cranston Station. We stayed together till the last little climb and then split up a bit. We regrouped at the driveway to the station before heading back towards Carl’s on Florida. I started us back down the hill but soon Digger went flying by as if he were on a mission. A moment later Ferret and Dragon Slayer went by as well. About that time I realized we were coming up on the Little rise sprint into the trees. I was too far back to know who won the sprint but it looked like Digger was in the mix. After Dura Max and I caught up to him he told me that he figured that if ever it was a good time to jump me on the sprint into the trees today was the day. It made me smile all the way to Carl’s.

We didn’t stay long at Carl’s but we did have a few good stories to tell and some laughing did take place. Just like every other day there was a unheard signal that caused every to finish what they were eating or drinking and head for their bikes. There were no flats to fix so we were on our way to Lincoln and heading to Park where Dura Max left us. We got back to San Jacinto where Ferret left us and then to Palm where Digger and I left Dragon Slayer and headed for our respective homes. I got home looking forward to a hot shower and lunch. Both of which I enjoyed immensely before downloading my Garmin to Strava and sitting down to relax and just maybe take a nap. In other words it was a very good day.

12/12/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Yes, winter has arrived. At least if how cold it was when I got this morning means anything. I looked outside while the coffee was being made and it was 37 degrees and a bit overcast. I didn’t see much in the way of wind but they were predicting some and all I could hope for was that we wouldn’t hit it till we were on our way home. I was making an assumption that there would be a few joining me but I was at least pretty sure Dura Max would be there and maybe Digger. Anything more than that I would consider a success. By 9am we had 10 riders ready to brave the cold and head south on Gilmore and then over to Kirby on Acacia to start our trip towards Domenigoni.

As I headed towards Cypress I looked back to see Highlander, Huntress, Dura Max, T-3, Digger, Coyote, Red Rabbit, Gambler and Josh. I was feeling pretty good but I knew any sustained effort on my part was going to be difficult because I don’t warm up very fast in the cold. So I decided to pull on Cypress and maybe even on Sanderson but I planned on giving up the lead as soon as I could.

I didn’t get to give up as soon as I wanted but as soon as I got to the rise on Domenigoni I fell to the back and let someone else pull. To tell the truth I was pretty comfortable back there right up to the point where Gambler, Josh and Coyote took off on the group. Red Rabbit fell off the draft by Warren but I expected that. But by Winchester T-3 was having trouble breathing in the cold and fell off. Once I noticed her falling back I broke out of the pack myself and fell back to pull her up to Dura Max. The three of us followed the broken pack towards the saddle and stayed that way all the way to where we regrouped.

As we stood around sucking air it was obvious we were missing Gambler and Josh because they kept going to make the Strava segment to Lindenburger and Rabbit who had fallen off the back on Warren. It was still just a bit too cold to remove my Balaclava and Jacket but it was close and at least I thought about it. Finally Rabbit got there and took a breather before we sent him ahead to Menifee. I figured that with a head start we wouldn’t drop him before we got to Scott. Dura Max and T-3 decided t head straight to Murrieta so they left us as well.

We dropped off of the saddle and headed for Menifee just in time to catch Rabbit at the light. Gambler and Josh were waiting at the park and pulled out with us as we passed. We continued south on Menifee and headed to Holland and the little hill. We hit the bottom of the hill and Gambler, Josh and Coyote pulled out in front. I crested forth and waited for everyone else where the road gets wide. Coyote was still rolling and Huntress took off after him. I pulled Highlander, Digger and Rabbit up to Scott and headed after the quickly fading Huntress and Coyote.

I pulled my group to Haun and then headed north back towards Holland again. This time I took us west over the hill and to Murrieta. I was moving pretty good on the hill and took the corner at Murrieta well ahead of Highlander. However I caught the light at Newport and was sitting at the red as Highlander caught and pulled past me into the gas station to regroup with Huntress and Coyote. Once we were back on the road it was a simply trip to McCall with Highlander pulling. Gambler and Josh pulled up behind us having taken a wrong turn on Haun and Newport. We stayed together till we turned on McCall and got to the bottom of the hill. Coyote went home at Antelope and I followed Gambler and Josh as best as I could over Hospital Hill. They didn’t stop to regroup but I did and once we were all back together we headed to Simpson and then stayed in a pace line all the way to Chris’s.

T-3 and Dura Max were just leaving Chris’s as we arrived and Josh had to leave first before we got together and headed for Stowe ourselves. Rabbit pulled off at the store on Winchester and Stowe and we were about 100 yards behind him. At least as we turned on Stowe the wind was out of the south so it didn’t slow us much as we headed for California.

I followed Highlander and Huntress all the way to Stetson and then Huntress pulled us to Warren. Gambler took off for home as we got to the airport road and the group left me as I stayed on Stetson as well. I watched Gambler pull away all the way to Sanderson and I dropped down to Johnston before heading for home myself. By the time I got to my porch I had 41 miles on the clock and I was still cold. But I still enjoyed myself.

12/10/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) The hope was that we could get in a good ride early in the week because we are supposed to get some rain later in the week. The weather men were predicting a cold front and wind for today so I expected a hard ride at least in one direction if not two. So I dressed warm, tossed on a jacket and headed for the parking lot to see how many other brave souls would be joining me. I was not the first one there however, Dragon Slayer was there and Digger pulled up ahead of me. Dura Max was next to pull up followed by Rocky, Highlander, Tax man and Andy, (The Mechanic). Digger and I finished our coffee and we got ready to pull out of the parking lot. Before we could get to Gilmore Dragon Slayer had a flat. While he changed the tire we saw Von Richthofen drive up and T-3 rode up. Von Richthofen was on his way home from Yoga but T-3 was riding with us so as soon as the tire was repaired we were on our way south on Gilmore heading for Acacia.

To be sure my legs are still a bit sore from the extra cross training I am doing at the gym but I know I can work it out over time if I will just stay in the pack and not try to pull too much early on so that was my plan. Still I tend to lead west on Acacia and I pull us down Kirby and again west on Cypress till we get out to the light on Sanderson to head for Domenigoni. We got through the light right after putting a foot down and headed for Stetson where we once again caught the light. But we weren’t there long before we were off heading for Mustang and the High School.

I stayed out front a bit longer than I had planned and took us almost all the way to Warren. Dragon Slayer pulled up to relieve me and I fell back to the back of the pack to accept a tow all the way to Winchester. Shortly after Winchester Rocky took over and to be honest it made me smile. Rocky is a bit stronger than I am and I worried that he would beat me on the Saddle sprint. But with him in the number one slot he was burning matches fast than I was. The Mechanic was right in front of me and I was able to draft right up on his back wheel to lower my heart rate to under 140 BPM. Dragon Slayer was right behind me and I wasn’t sure if he knew where to attack on the saddle so for the first time in a long time I felt I had a good chance to win the saddle sprint. As we came up to Leon I started to act like a shark and kept moving out to see if Rocky was trying to break away. Dragon Slayer got suspicious and decided to make a run for the front. As he passed me I dropped in on his wheel and followed him to the front. By the time Rocky realized what was happening he was blocked in and I got the jump on the sprint and took the lead. For the first time in a long time I took the saddle first.

Just so you know Dragon Slayer is in the front, the next row starting from the left is Tax man, Highlander and Rocky. The Orange Jersey in the next row is The Mechanic and Digger is in the Yellow Vest. Dura Max in Red and T-3 in Green are in the back row. We hydrated and dropped down off of the saddle to Lindenburger and Tax Man took us north towards Simpson. But before we got to Simpson Dragon Slayer had another flat. This time I believe it was a pinch flat and we all took a break while he fixed it. He repaid us by pulling all the way from McCall to the AM/PM. T-3 and Dura Max must have had an appointment because they didn’t stop but the rest of us did and we started north on Menifee a few minutes later. Highlander took us to Mapes and Dragon Slayer started us towards Central. This turned into a speed run and this time they were ready for me. It turned into a drag race to the stop sign with Rocky, Dragon Slayer and I changes places to the very end. Our next stop was Nuevo and then up to Lakeview where Dragon Slayer took over again.

We were in Dragon Slayers neighborhood and he would be leaving us before we got back out onto Ramona. We said our goodbyes at his street and headed for Ramona Expressway wondering is we were going to run into a head wind. We did run into a head wind buy it was a light one. We took turns pulling and finally Rocky took over and pulled almost all the way to Bridge. Tax Man pulled around and kicked it up a bit but by the time he hit 21 the wind picked up and smacked him in the chest. He had to give up the lead and Rocky got it back. Highlander took a pull and The Mechanic took a pull and finally we were at Warren. We rotated till we got to Sanderson and then decided to take it all the way to Devonshire. Rocky started us off and I didn’t move forward till we got to Cottonwood.

We let Digger pull till we got to Menlo and then we turned on Devonshire as The Mechanic stayed on Sanderson heading south. Rocky and I stopped for a minute while Highlander and Tax Man loaded their bikes in the van. I rode with Rocky back down Lyon the Mayberry before we parted ways and I headed for home by myself. By the time I pulled up to my front door I had just over 40 miles and a big smile on my face. Yes it was a good day.

12/07/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) We had a simple recovery ride planned for Friday. One or two riders would be doing a Tri Sunday and we had a long ride on Wednesday so what better day to plan an easy ride? I got up and looked at the weather report and it looked like a perfect day, one that makes a cyclist glad they aren’t living in the northeast in December. I got and got dressed and had breakfast before heading out of my front door and down to meet up with my friends for a ride to Cactus Valley. There was a pretty good sized group as we left Burger King and headed for Acacia. Huntress was right there with Highlander, Digger, Dragon Slayer, and Barracuda. Andy, Centaur, T-3 and Dura Max were in the next rank as we made our way to Kirby. Trailing everyone was Gambler and his dad who decided to join us for a short ride just to get back into things. We turned south on Kirby and then up to Cypress and west towards Johnston.

I knew it would take a while to work the tightness out of my legs today. It was still a bit cool and I had spent an hour at the gym and took one of my bikes to the gym and back. I don’t believe I overdid it but still I am just getting used to working out an extra two days a week. But I was able to ride easily our front as we turned onto Sanderson and headed for Stetson. My plan was to split the group on Domenigoni and have Centaur take the A group at whatever pace they wanted while I kept track of the B group. I would need a planned stop to explain the plan to everyone after we got past Mustang.

As we got to Domenigoni I explained to Dragon Slayer that we would have to stop at Searl so I could take off my windbreaker. Once we stopped Gambler and his dad pulled up behind us and told us they were heading for home. Gambler was only getting in a light spin anyway. As we took off for State Street Huntress got a flat and the B group stopped to wait for her. Once the tube was replaced we were back on our way and found Centaur and Barracuda waiting for us on State. They soon took off and left us with Dragon Slayer and Andy on their wheels. I pulled for a while and then gave the lead to Digger till we got to the rise between State and Cactus Valley.

Digger and Dura Max took us over the rise but Highlander rolled past us before the top and we had to chase him all the way to the golf course. Once on his wheel I fell back to get T-2 and Digger. I was behind Huntress and just in front of T-3 as we crossed sage and watched her pass Highlander, Dura Max and Digger. It was a smooth attack with just the right amount of effort to get to the top first. T-3 and I caught Digger and then Dura Max fell back to ride with us till we regrouped at the end of the road.

After a brief rest and some hydration we were back on our way to State Street. Highlander was in the lead heading back to the hill with Dragon Slayer, Centaur, Barracuda and Digger on his wheel. I was still planning on keeping it mellow as Huntress and I dropped off the Hill at least 100 yards behind the lead group. Digger fell off the back and I pulled us to his back wheel and finally passed him before the last horse ranch. We rounded the corner onto State Street with Huntress on me like a trailer. We started to gain on Andy and were rolling along about 24 when Huntress came out to pass. I still had something left so I held her off but had to pump it up to closer to 26 to get her to fall back. I simply couldn’t answer the second attack and she beat me to Newport. It was a great pass. We went through the McSweeney housing tract and regrouped at State. The next thing to come was the State Street mile. When we got the light green at Domenigoni the race was on and Barracuda dropped the hammer within 200 yards of the light. I held on for about 2/3 of the distance to the rise and then realized I was burning matches at a far too great of a rate than was necessary to make it to Chambers and fell back. I would save my energy and recover on our way to Fairview. Highlander, T-3 and Dura Max stayed on Stetson while the rest of us took Crest and worked our way to Lake before going to Fairview. Huntress turned for home and we regrouped at Wilson Mesa before getting ready for the final run back to Florida.

Once we were on our way I tried to gt in a pace line with Highlander and Digger but they were not willing to run hard enough to hold off the fast moving A group behind us. My only choice was to get in front and put at least two riders between myself and Centaur. Barracuda had left us back at San Jacinto so I knew Centaur and Dragon Slayer would be attacking sooner or later. They didn’t jump me at Stetson so I started to pick up the pace and soon I was pretty sure I could stay our front till I got over the bridge and to the water department. It was one for me because no one came by till I sat up to look around and see where everyone was. Still it wasn’t my fastest Fairview mile. Our next stop was Carl’s for coffee before heading for home. Dura Max and T-3 headed back to Acacia and west and the rest of us went up to Lincoln. Highlander had a case of heading for the barn so Dragon Slayer and I had to chase him and his group all the way to Park. We did catch them and stayed with them till we got on Devonshire.

Normally we would cruise back to Burger King but the lights were tempting Highlander by not turning red till the last moment before we got there. Two or three more strokes and Highlander would be sprinting at the light. But he made up for it when we got to Santa Fe where the rest of us got caught by a left turning truck and he didn’t. We didn’t see him again till we got back to the cars. We all joked and talked for a few minutes before heading our separate way home. I rolled in looking for a hot shower and lunch. Yes it was a great ride with a great group of people.

12/05/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) We knew it was going to be a good day for a ride and Huntress wanted a longer ride before the end of the year. So at first I looked at a ride around Lake Elsinore but I discovered that Railroad Canyon was more or less shut down to bicycles on the east bound side. Highlander had already objected to the Mesa Metric so I tossed in the Perris Half Century with a detour around Lake Perris. I wanted to make it a good ride and planned on setting a Century pace for the B group and was going to let the A group do their own thing. All I needed was a group big enough for an A and B group. As luck and a beautiful day would have it I had a great group by 9am.

Heading east on Latham we picked up T-3 boosting the group to about 14 as we turned on Lyon and headed north. I was surprised to see Surgeon with us but then it was supposed to warm up today. Huntress was expected as was Highlander, Digger and Dura Max. Coyote has been busy for a few weeks but he was back along with Rocky, Red Rabbit and Dragon Slayer. D’Artagnon and Gambler made up part of the A team and they were joined by Shadow and Torpedo. Everything stayed pretty mellow on Lyon as it did on Ramona Boulevard as we started towards Sanderson.

As we waited at the light on Sanderson and the Expressway I knew the A group was chomping at the bit to hit the Ramona Segment on Strava. As soon as we started west on Ramona Torpedo started to ramp it up and Gambler, D’Artagnon, Rocky, Dragon Slayer, Highlander, shadow and Coyote gave chase. Dura Max, Surgeon, T-3, Digger and Huntress and I kept a steady pace and slowly reeled in Highlander. We were watching the A riders fade into the distance as I took my turn at the front and then gave the lead to Huntress. I fell back and followed Rabbit till he started to get dropped and lacked the energy to close with the group so I pulled in front. He didn’t feel like burning any candles trying to catch our group so we took our time till we regrouped at the Valero before heading for Bernasconi and Lake Perris. We didn’t all make it to the lake because as we started up Bernasconi I saw Huntress waiting on Shadow who had broken a chain.

Try as he might Shadow couldn’t press a pin back into the broken chain and it was his bad luck that I no longer carried a 7 or 8 speed link. I used to because Hornet once broke a chain and all I had were 10 speed links. However my Klein has a 8 speed chain so the extra link now resides with the Klein. So we called a friend to come pick up Shadow and Huntress and I hurried back on Ramona the meet up with the rest of the group at the entrance to Lake Perris.

It took a little while for everyone to get together at the entrance and the last to arrive was D’Artagnon. It seems as if he had a problem with his derailleur and it took time to get things worked out before he could catch up with the rest of us. But once he did we were ready to head west on Ramona one again but we didn’t get far before Surgeon had to stop and get something to drink at a Mini Mart before we worked our way to Perris Boulevard and started south.

This was one of the last times we were all together because we started to spread out from the stop lights. There was a rider that had joined us at the lake but I lost sight of him by 4th street. In fact with the exception of Dura Max, T-3 and Rabbit 4th street was the last I saw of everyone but Surgeon after we turned onto Goetz. Highlander had turned onto Ethanic and was heading for home. As Rabbit, Dura Max, T-3 and I started up the back side of Goetz Surgeon turned on Ethanic and I assume headed for home.

I got to the top just ahead of Rabbit and raced down to catch the group waiting at the Fire Station. Everyone but Digger decided to head for Newport and make a speed run for home. There were five of us left to head to Newport ourselves. Once headed east we decided to ride down to Lindenburger rather than back to McCall because we didn’t figure anyone would be waiting for us at Chris’s anyway. Dura Max mush have been feeling his second wind because he pulled us all the way back to Lindenburger and most of the way to Simpson. I took over and pulled us to Leon until we came to a road block we weren’t sure we were ready for.

We followed the Tiller for a little while before we got brave enough to try and pass it. Finally we got past it and started an easy cruise the rest of the way to Winchester and once through the light headed north to Chris’s for a quick coffee and a break after 44 miles.

After we were refreshed we hurried up Winchester to Stowe. Digger and I had to chase Dura Max, Rabbit and T-3 all the way to Stowe but once we caught them we stayed together all the way to California and then to Stetson. Rabbit left us at Warren and Digger turned at the airport road. Dura Max and I took T-3 back to her gate and then he took me back to Palm where I headed for home and watched him head east for his house. I got home with 52 miles on my bike and to a degree added to my soul. It was a great day for a ride.

12/03/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) We didn’t really know if we were going to be able to ride today because originally they were predicting rain for Monday. When I got up and started breakfast it was overcast but not raining so I knew I was going to at least give a ride a try. Just as I sat down to have some oatmeal I started getting calls from Highlander and Tax Man and then from Digger wondering if the streets were too wet. I declared them more than good enough to ride on and headed for Burger King. All I was pulling for was more riders than Friday and I was in luck because Digger and Dura Max got there about the same time as I did. Then Dragon Slayer, Jerry, Highlander and Tax man arrived. Finally Red Rabbit, Rocky and at the last minute T-3 pulled in just as we were getting ready to leave. She joined us as we pulled out onto Latham and turned onto Lyon heading for Ramona.

I had let it be known that I had no intention of pushing too hard because my legs were still a bit tight from working at the gym last Thursday. But one thing that should be patiently clear to anyone who has had the privilege of riding with our group is that they don’t show mercy on you just because you ask them to. Oh they will cut you some slack if they see you are struggling but only after you have demonstrated you are struggling and they see it with their own eyes. Dragon Slayer and Rocky pulled in front and started to pick up the pace and Highlander went with them. The problem with the faster pace was the tires tossed more water so soon we had Highlander back. We made it to Sanderson and Ramona Expressway and waited for the light to turn. The plan was for a steady even pull all the way to Lakeview and to not run into any Dogs. With Rocky and Dragon Slayer doing most of the work we made short work of Ramona and only dropped Rabbit but we always drop Rabbit on Ramona. The only difference was this time we had an ample layer of stray, hay and horse manure in the bike lane and it coated the bottom tube and chain stays on our bikes.

We pulled into Valero for a nature break and looking at some of the bikes looked like if we didn’t clean then we could all grow Chia Pet bikes within a few days. It didn’t matter much because up to this point it had been a good ride. However the restroom was out of order, again and so Dragon Slayer took us by his house for a quick stop before heading to Nuevo.

The rest of the ride was going to be pretty direct. We would go straight down Lakeview to Nuevo and then work our way to Central before a southern run down Menifee to Simpson. We recovered Rabbit and then sent him ahead on Menifee. Dura Max, T-3 and I were the last to catch him but we all regrouped at Florida.

We gave Rabbit another head start and this time he was almost to McCall before we gave chase. The rest of the group set up a pace line and we ended up- catching the light about ½ of a mile behind him. By Leon we were less than a ¼ mile behind him and Rocky had taken over for Dragon Slayer. After we came out of the first stand of trees we were less than one hundred yards behind the Rabbit and Jerry started the final sprint to close the gap. We got to the turn lane only to see him run turn left before we got to the cross walk. We all stopped for coffee and conversation at Chris’s. Just as we got ready to head for home Dragon Slayer noticed he had a flat rear tire. Rocky and I waited with him while he changed the tube while Highlander took the rest of the group home. Once we were on our way it was all I could do to hold on and follow Rocky and Dragon Slayer up Winchester, east on Stowe, north on California and east again on Stetson.

Soon we were riding past Warren and we followed Dragon Slayer to the airport road where Rocky and I stayed on Stetson and he headed back to Burger King. Rocky and I continued on to Sanderson and I dropped into the small chain ring to start my cool down spin as we dropped down to Johnston and east again. Rocky pulled off on Elk and I continued on to Palm and home. It was a pretty nice day even if the bikes will need cleaning. For me it was 38 miles and a chance to get to know at least two of the riders a little better.