1/21/2013 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Retribution Finally we had a day predicting weather suitable for Southern California. Looking at the forecast it seemed like a great day to ride to Lake Perris. I knew some would be out of town but I could only hope for a good turnout to make it easier on all of us going down Ramona. I dressed a bit lighter than I had last week, had breakfast and headed for Burger King. I was surprised to see Coyote was waiting for me as I pulled into the parking lot. We talked for a moment and I went over to the restaurant and got a cup of coffee. Dura Max got there by the time I came out. Bloodhound joined us and so did Rocky. Next Bulldozer rode up followed by Dragon Slayer and Torpedo and Punisher. The last to arrive but not the last to get ready was Tax Man. Ten riders isn’t bad for a Monday so as soon as we were all set we headed out onto Latham and over to Lyon to start our trim north before we could head west.

After we had gone a block or two Bloodhound and Torpedo took over the pull and I fell back to enjoy the draft in the pack. I got to enjoy that draft all the way to Ramona Blvd. The pace was steady but a bit quicker than we had been going for the last few days and soon we were out on Sanderson and waiting at the light on the Expressway. We were sitting behind a truck that had some live animal that obviously didn’t want to be in the truck. Dragon Slayer suggested we pound on the back doors to see what would happen but most of us weren’t sure that would be a good idea. After all it could have been anything from a Bull to a Velociraptor or Sasquatch for all we knew. None of which we would have liked to see come out of the back door. Once we turned Torpedo, dragon Slayer and Bloodhound started to draft the truck towards Warren Road. Torpedo stayed with it the longest. But lucky for me Bulldozer decided to pull the rest of us along at a bit more reasonable pace. I stayed on Bulldozer’s back wheel till we rolled through the light on Warren when I pulled out of line to see if we had dropped anyone. We had so I dropped back and picked up a rider and we rode together to regroup with everyone at the Valero Station on Lakeview.

Torpedo, Bloodhound and Dragon Slayer didn’t stop but we still had Bulldozer to lead us to the hill and into the back gate at Lake Perris. After we were sure everyone was ready to go I took us out onto the Expressway again and over the bridge and to the bottom of the hill. Bulldozer started up the hill followed by Rocky and Punisher and they quickly made it to the back road with me trailing in forth. I had it in an easy gear and got to the top of the hill to find Tax Man, Dura Max, quickly gaining on me. By the time we got to the bike trail Coyote and Dura Max were leading.

It was a beautiful morning and it was quickly warming up. We saw several other cyclists on the trail and for a change there were not many runners. The four of us rode around the lake and back through the day use area and finally to the Marina to meet up with the rest of the group. We sat down to rest and talk and enjoy to warm sun off of the lake. I got a chance to talk with Bulldozer for a few minutes and he mentioned he liked to plot my ride maps over the Strava course to see where the segments were and he wanted to try the Perris TT. I told him where I thought the segment started and we got up to start the ride home.

As I came out of the trees after the Day use area I could see Bulldozer out front and soon I saw him ramp it up and drop the hammer. He was moving pretty good by the time he turned back towards the south side of the lake and I could no longer see him. The only question was could he get the KOM. I wouldn’t find out till later that we have a DVV rider listed as KOM. Dura Max, Coyote, Tax man and I joined Punisher and Rocky for the ride home down the Expressway. Coyote pulled us almost all the way back to Bridge before giving it over to me.

Almost as soon as I got the lead the wind smacked me in the face. I over worked it and started to break up the pace line and we had to reform at Warren. Punisher started out a bit fast and once Rocky had the rest of us together I took off after him to see if he was coming back to Lyon with us. He said he planned on it and we turned onto Sanderson and then back onto Ramona together while the rest of the group pulled up behind us

Though the big dogs were more than likely were already home it had been a good ride for the whole group. I was thinking back to the first time I ever rode to Lake Perris and back and how hard it was to ride home from Lyon and Ramona. Today it was far easier and I knew I had a lot left in the tank. We made our way back to Esplanade where Dura Max left us and Rocky once again took the lead and pulled us back to Menlo. Coyote had been dodging the camera all day so I took advantage of him being boxed in to prove he was with us.

Once we got back to Latham we said good bye to Coyote and Tax Man while Punisher, Rocky and I headed back across Florida and back towards Acacia. Rocky and Punisher turned east on Mayberry and I continued on to Johnston before going east to San Francisco and home. It was an easy 44 miles and I didn’t even need a nap.