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.