By: C. Kent, aka (Superman)
I was looking forward to the ride today because it was supposed to be another beautiful day without much wind. But it was a little sad as well because Chinook and Artemis would be returning to the great white north like snow geese. We would miss them and can only hope they will be back again next year. One of the things I enjoy about our group is that we tend to be friends as much as just someone to ride with. I for one will be looking forward to them returning next year. Still after breakfast I got dressed and headed for Burger King to start the day.
Once again Digger was already there followed shortly by Dura Max and then Highlander. Dare Devil pulled up while we were talking and Bloodhound and Kevin were close after that. Bulldozer and Dragon Slayer were next followed by Artemis and Chinook. D’Artagnon and Huntress were the last to arrive before we were ready to head north out of the parking lot and over to Lyon.
Bloodhound started out setting a little brisk of a pace while we warmed up but then what did I expect? Still everyone stayed together past Devonshire as Bloodhound slowly pushed us up in speed. It wasn’t long before we rolled past Esplanade and came up on the blind intersection At Cottonwood which for a change didn’t have a string of cars hiding behind the trees talking on cell phones and not really looking to their right, the direction we were coming from. So with luck being with us we kept going till we got to Ramona Boulevard and headed west towards Sanderson.
The line started to stretch just a bit as we moved west and Highlander pulled up next to me to let me know people were beginning to slow at the back to I pulled out of line and went back to support the people that might lose the draft. I knew we wouldn’t be able to stay with the group over about 19 but at least I could pull at that speed all the way to the stop light. Once we were headed west on the Expressway I fell into my pace and watched the group pull away past Warren. We couldn’t even see them by the time we got to bridge but still we weren’t that far behind time wise. We got to Hansen to regroup with everyone about two minutes after they did. In fact they didn’t have time to get out of their warmers before we got there. Some quick hydration and a shot block or two and we were on our way.
I started out easy heading south towards Contour. I always remember my first ride up Juniper Flats and delighting in the idea that at long last we had a short ride that was flat. Imagine my surprise the first time I hit the climb on Juniper only to not see the top till I got past the stop sign at the false top. I knew Chinook had made the ride before but not Artemis. I thought she would enjoy it however because it was a beautiful day and not too hot. Besides the real challenge isn’t the climb it is the descent. We are talking a fast 35 or 40 mph drop down a road that curves like a snake.
The drop down the hill was as advertised and from the conversation at the bottom I take it that Artemis must have almost tossed it away at least once on the way down. The road hasn’t survived the winter as well as we might have wished because there were times a Cyclocross bike might have been a better choice because of how ruff the road has become. So any crash at speed would be like sliding across sandpaper so I was pretty happy that on her last day here she didn’t deposit a pound of flesh on Juniper Flats Road. We regrouped at the High School before heading south to the dump road.
After we rode through the housing through the housing tract to avoid the dirt part of Briggs the bid dogs started stretching their legs. We broke up into at least three groups as we turned onto the dump road and were stretch out almost from Leon to Winchester by the time the fast guys finished their run. After a discussion about the speed of the A riders and a lot of laughter we were back out onto Winchester heading north. I pulled till we got to Stowe and turned east. I will be honest I was almost as happy to think about stopping at Hanger 1 for pie and coffee as I was sad to see Artemis and Chinook having to go back to Canada.
3/22/2013
Maybe I wasn’t as excited as some other about Hanger 1 because no sooner had I snapped a picture than Bulldozer dropped the hammer followed shortly by Dare Devil. Soon D’Artagnon, Dragon Slayer, and Chinook. They pulled away rather quickly and were almost to Stetson by the time I got to California Street. As I rounder the corner at Stetson they were well past Warren and heading left at the airport road. Dura Max wasn’t planning on stopping so I was the last to arrive at Hanger one to join everyone else. We had a good time visiting and reliving some of our rides together before having to mount up and head back to Burger King and home.
I got back to Burger King with a few of the riders and talked briefly before heading for home myself. It wasn’t the longest or fastest ride we have had with our two departing friends but it was a good ride anyway. Sorry to see them go and I will be glad when they come back.
Bloodhound started out setting a little brisk of a pace while we warmed up but then what did I expect? Still everyone stayed together past Devonshire as Bloodhound slowly pushed us up in speed. It wasn’t long before we rolled past Esplanade and came up on the blind intersection At Cottonwood which for a change didn’t have a string of cars hiding behind the trees talking on cell phones and not really looking to their right, the direction we were coming from. So with luck being with us we kept going till we got to Ramona Boulevard and headed west towards Sanderson.
The line started to stretch just a bit as we moved west and Highlander pulled up next to me to let me know people were beginning to slow at the back to I pulled out of line and went back to support the people that might lose the draft. I knew we wouldn’t be able to stay with the group over about 19 but at least I could pull at that speed all the way to the stop light. Once we were headed west on the Expressway I fell into my pace and watched the group pull away past Warren. We couldn’t even see them by the time we got to bridge but still we weren’t that far behind time wise. We got to Hansen to regroup with everyone about two minutes after they did. In fact they didn’t have time to get out of their warmers before we got there. Some quick hydration and a shot block or two and we were on our way.
I started out easy heading south towards Contour. I always remember my first ride up Juniper Flats and delighting in the idea that at long last we had a short ride that was flat. Imagine my surprise the first time I hit the climb on Juniper only to not see the top till I got past the stop sign at the false top. I knew Chinook had made the ride before but not Artemis. I thought she would enjoy it however because it was a beautiful day and not too hot. Besides the real challenge isn’t the climb it is the descent. We are talking a fast 35 or 40 mph drop down a road that curves like a snake.
The drop down the hill was as advertised and from the conversation at the bottom I take it that Artemis must have almost tossed it away at least once on the way down. The road hasn’t survived the winter as well as we might have wished because there were times a Cyclocross bike might have been a better choice because of how ruff the road has become. So any crash at speed would be like sliding across sandpaper so I was pretty happy that on her last day here she didn’t deposit a pound of flesh on Juniper Flats Road. We regrouped at the High School before heading south to the dump road.
After we rode through the housing through the housing tract to avoid the dirt part of Briggs the bid dogs started stretching their legs. We broke up into at least three groups as we turned onto the dump road and were stretch out almost from Leon to Winchester by the time the fast guys finished their run. After a discussion about the speed of the A riders and a lot of laughter we were back out onto Winchester heading north. I pulled till we got to Stowe and turned east. I will be honest I was almost as happy to think about stopping at Hanger 1 for pie and coffee as I was sad to see Artemis and Chinook having to go back to Canada.
3/22/2013
Maybe I wasn’t as excited as some other about Hanger 1 because no sooner had I snapped a picture than Bulldozer dropped the hammer followed shortly by Dare Devil. Soon D’Artagnon, Dragon Slayer, and Chinook. They pulled away rather quickly and were almost to Stetson by the time I got to California Street. As I rounder the corner at Stetson they were well past Warren and heading left at the airport road. Dura Max wasn’t planning on stopping so I was the last to arrive at Hanger one to join everyone else. We had a good time visiting and reliving some of our rides together before having to mount up and head back to Burger King and home.
I got back to Burger King with a few of the riders and talked briefly before heading for home myself. It wasn’t the longest or fastest ride we have had with our two departing friends but it was a good ride anyway. Sorry to see them go and I will be glad when they come back.
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