By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/29/13 I got up this morning knowing it would be the last group ride I will have for at least a week and a half. Knowing that I had planned a 60 mile ride around Lake Elsinore that would give the climbers, sprinters and cruisers something to look forward to I was also aware some people might not show up. What surprised me was by 8AM we had twelve riders ready to go and almost half of them were part of our A group. I had a bit larger breakfast to get ready for this ride and I felt pretty good as we pulled out of the parking lot and headed down to Acacia and then over to Kirby and south.

Breakfast was holding up well as far as my energy level went and the whole group moved smartly south on Kirby to Cypress and into the housing tract to work our way to Johnston. We managed to catch the light at Sanderson green and soon were rolling past Stetson and Wally World. Bloodhound as normal was pulling ahead and heading towards Mustang while the rest of the group closed ranks and looked serious about getting to Domenigoni and heading west.

I got the lead at Mustang and got ready to make the turn west when a rider in a TT helmet passed me and go on to the road first. TT helmet or not I was pretty sure the group would run him down. As soon as we were all together I started to pick up the pace and planned on chasing the rider down. I thought better of it and backed off only to have two of the A rider pull in front and pull us all the way to Winchester. We passed the TT helmeted rider along the way and followed the A riders to Leon before setting up for the saddle. Once the grade increased Gambler attacked and soon was pulling away. Because I still felt like breakfast was working for me I attacked Gambler. But alas before I reached the fence my retro rockets burned out and I had to back out of zone 4.

I remembered that before we got to Leon Digger had warned us we were being paced by a recumbent. Looking to the back of the pack I noticed Alan had joined us on his new “bent” and seemed as comfortable as anyone with the pace being set.

Quicksilver was overjoyed at staying in the heart of the draft all the way to the saddle so I was pretty sure she was going to try and stay close to the front all the way to the canyon and beyond. She did pretty good staying close all the way to Carl’s where we were going to regroup and take a nature break. As we waited to be sure we had all the riders we discovered we were missing MacGyver and when Bulldozer called to see where he was all he got was he was on his way. We would discover that wasn’t enough information later on. We decided to start for Railroad canyon only losing Tax Man at LaLadera. As we headed for the light at Goetz I fell back to see if indeed MacGyver was on his way and watch as Quicksilver moved out to get ready to attack the canyon.

I was the last one to reach the first hill into Rail Road canyon and never once say anyone behind me as far as I could see. I finally picked it up a bit and chased down Digger but I was unable to close on Alan even on the last hill. I dropped down to the left turn just past Mickey Ds and waited for Digger. It wasn’t till we stopped on Mission Trail that we learned MacGyver was in front of us. Somehow he passed us at Carl’s and we didn’t see him. It took is a few minutes to ride to where he was waiting and continue around the lake.

I knew the group would hammer it on the back side of the lake and I was equally sure Digger didn’t have a clue as to where we were going to stop for coffee so I fell off the back of the group and pulled him north around the lake. Everything was going fine till we got to Ortega Highway and my breakfast energy wore off. One thing about a low carb diet is when the juice is gone it is really gone. Fortunately it is mostly downhill all the way to Jack in the Box where the rest of the group were waiting.

I needed the break more than most and consumed another energy protein bar and re-hydrated while visiting with the other riders. I felt a little like a cell phone that had been put on a charger as we took our time getting ready to head back out and on the road back towards the canyon. I decided to take advantage of the recovered energy and made the corner and turned south towards the old town of Lake Elsinore. I got away from the group and made it the Graham before Gambler and Bulldozer caught me. As they passed I grabbed a wheel only to hear Bloodhound yelling something about a flat in my ear. I stopped in time to have Highlander pull up to me and then rode back about a mile to see Quicksilver with her first flat. It got fixed and we headed back to the old town and back towards Mickey Ds and the entrance of the canyon.

As we started through the lights heading into the canyon Highlander got a two intersection lead on us and I pulled us as hard as I could to the start of the climb and about 75 yards behind Highlander. I looked down and saw I was in zone 4, a no-no according to my coach while on the diet, and told Quicksilver to pull around and give chase herself. I down shifted and watched everyone but Digger and Hornet pull away. It took me till the top of the first grade to get back into zone 3 and stay there to the top of the light on the second grade. We regrouped with the remainder of the group just before the downhill leading to Goetz. We dropped down and headed for Murrieta.

We stopped so I could have a meal replacement at Murrieta and then moved on to Bradley and then Haun where we took the lane trying to avoid what happened to Bloodhound when he got hit by a truck mirror when the truck past too close trying to squeeze over to get on the freeway. We made it over the freeway and then Antelope and set our sights towards the Saddle.

As we got close to the saddle Quicksilver was in the lead and Greg pulled around to help pull up the hill. I jumped around to join him and found myself just rolling on by and attacking the hill. The legs and lungs felt good and I pushed towards the top but I watched my Heart Rate climb like a temperature gage on a car with a bar radiator and had to back off before cresting but still stopped to wait to regroup as Highlander had suggested. I then dropped off of the front side of the saddle and pulled us to Leon before Hornet took over and pulled us to Winchester. We then took turns pulling all the way back to Warren where Greg and I took over and got us to Sanderson. I stopped to wait for Quicksilver and Digger as they got caught at the Light on Sanderson and rode back north with them till I broke away on Johnston and headed for home. I got there just as it was getting hot and looked down at 61.9 miles on my computer. Not bad for my last ride before my vacation. I look forward to seeing everyone in a week and a half.

Suspected Alien Abduction.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/26/13 The day was supposed to be much as Wednesday was. Not real hot in the morning but maybe a bit humid. When I got up this morning and took the dog for a walk it was cool and overcast. I got home, had breakfast and got dressed. I thought it would be a small group with several gone or on a vacation so I took my time getting to Burger King and meeting up with Digger. As I suspected by 7:45 there were only 5 of us, Digger, Dura Max, Surgeon, Bloodhound and me. But as I was about to believe that would be the whole group T-3, Barracuda and Daredevil arrived. I was pretty sure some more A drivers would show up and sure enough Bulldozer and Gambler rode up and we were ready to go. It was out onto Latham and over to Lyon to head south towards Florida and then to Stetson.

No sooner had we crossed Stetson and made our way Thornton and turned east a few drops of rain hit us. It wasn’t a cold rain and it wasn’t that heavy. But it was enough to splash off of our glasses and caused a stream of water to start to form off of our tires. I wasn’t that concerned at first till we got to State Street and the entire A group of riders disappeared. I had seen a flash of lightning but this was like an alien abduction. Still I thought I had Barracuda, Digger, Dura Max, T-3 and Surgeon with me but soon like a science fiction movie I noticed Surgeon was gone as we turned onto Domenigoni and headed west. Wet but not soaked and feeling pretty good so I continued to pull toward Sanderson so that whatever was taking our riders wouldn’t catch us and take any more. We still had a light sprinkle as we pulled up to the light at Sanderson where Dura Max and T-3 split off and headed for home. We were down to three riders and I could only hope the Space Aliens that must be capturing our riders would be confused and not know which group to follow. By the time we got past Warren I gave up the lead and Digger pulled most of the way to Winchester. The rain had slackened and we could see some sky peeking through. Once Barracuda took the lead we spread out and headed for the Saddle to regroup.

As we rehydrated, not as deeply as we might have on a warmer dryer day, we noticed there was very little water spotting on the pavement at the top of the saddle. We took a moment to decide if we wanted to continue onto the rest of the ride and decided there were very little chance that we would get any wetter than we already were, and a good chance it would get better so we wanted to continue on.

All we had to do was drop down the back side of the saddle and get past Lindenburger and on to Laguna Vista to work our way to Briggs and south again. I tried to stay on Barracuda’s wheel and did relatively well till we got to Holland and my low carbohydrate breakfast started to wear off and once again we spread out and made the turn onto Garboni. We closed ranks as we got back to Menifee where we stopped for my energy bar break before heading to Antelope.

Once we were on Antelope we could see the sky and it looked like the rain was gone. We quickly made our way to Newport and then down to Lindenburger. Barracuda took the lead and pulled us all the way to Simpson and then east to Winchester where we planned on getting coffee at Chris’s. It was a welcome break at Chris’s and we wondered how our A group friends were doing in the belly of a space ship. Surely the big dogs weren’t afraid of the rain. Surely they didn’t give up the ride willingly. Our best guess was we would get home and read about their abduction in the local newspaper. And if they had been abducted the three of us were willing to invade the mother ship and force their release before the weekend was over. With that in mind we headed for home by making our way to Stowe and east.

We decided to more or less cruise our way to California and then to Stetson. As we headed east and crossed Warren it started to sprinkle just a bit but quit when Digger turned for home at the airport. Barracuda and I continued on towards Sanderson but before we got to Sonic Barracuda flatted. As he changed the flat I swear the space aliens made it rain on the very spot he was standing and nowhere more than five feet away from him. But change the tire he did and we continued on to Sanderson and then to Johnston before reaching my street and home. But imagine my surprise as I downloaded my Strava and discovered that the Dig Dogs of our group hadn’t been abducted but rather had slinked away from a little rain. But come to think of it wet big dog fur might smell bad anyway. No harm no foul.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/24/13 Another fine morning was dawning as I looked out and had one of my breakfast bars. I got a big glass of Crystal light and sat down to watch the news. My dog had other ideas however so I got a chance to take a 15 minute walk through the neighborhood to assess the temperature before going back inside and changing into my DVV kit and heading for our group ride. As I have been almost ever since I went on my new eating program I felt that I had just enough energy to do the planned ride today but I looked with just a bit of trepidation on the climb up Bautista Canyon. I knew Quicksilver would be back and she is improving so much on climbing I worried about being dropped early on the climb. I noticed Dura Max was missing as I pulled up to Digger and only a few riders had arrived by 7:45. Now I thought too many had seen to post on Bautista and decided to pass. But by the time we were ready to leave the A group showed up in mass and followed us out of the parking lot and onto Lyon to head towards Thornton to start the ride east.

As we made our way to Thornton I thought about how our group has morphed into two groups with two needs and styles. Today’s A group had already been up Bautista once before joining us at 8am and now on their second trip they were one rider stronger. Gambler, Daredevil, Bulldozer and MacGyver now had Bloodhound with them. The B group had Surgeon to lead us out with Digger, Quicksilver and me following. To the B group Bautista was a ride in itself to the A group Bautista was simply a training aid. But even with the two different sets of abilities the two groups get along quite well. My reflections faded and I got back into the ride as Bloodhound pulled us up the State Street on Thornton and then took us to the golf course to get ready for the turn on Santa Fe.

Once we made our way onto Santa Fe and up to Stetson Bloodhound started to push the pace a bit and I started to wish I had a fuel gage to see how a low carb breakfast would hold up to a ride east. The A group soft pedaled behind us as we got to Columbia and Bloodhound turned towards Crest. Surgeon did join us going through the old homes and over to Lake but I was sure he was heading for Fairview on Stetson. As we popped over the rise on Lake Bloodhound took off like his namesake looking for an escaped convict. We were still in cruise mode and watched him go.

Once we started down Stetson Quicksilver started the pull and pusher herself a bit farther than she should before she fell back. I had most of the A group on my wheel as we turned onto Fairview and just caught sight of Surgeon turning onto Bautista. That was like flashing raw meat to a wolf as the A group came around me and dropped the hammer for their second try at Bautista. Once I made the turn they were almost out of sight so I pulled up to wait for Digger and Quicksilver. I stayed with Quicksilver and Digger as we made the right turn at the orange trees and felt the pressure on Quicksilver pushing me all the way to the big left. It was there I started using my gears and once I found the one I could spin I jumped away at the Dam. I never saw any of the A group and always felt that Digger and Quicksilver would close on me before the end of the road. But they didn’t and I managed to make the climb in time to take a picture of Quicksilver’s first ride to the end of the pavement on Bautista.

The A group had already started down the canyon and I noticed they had picked up D’Artagnon. Because it was Quicksilver’s first decent of the canyon I stayed back to make sure she got the correct line and between Surgeon and I we took both Digger and Quicksilver back out onto Fairview to get up to Florida.

When we were coming down Bautista we were surprised to see some of the As making a third run up Bautista. It looked like Gambler was driving Daredevil, Bloodhound, MacGyver and Bulldozer hard. I didn’t think they would be back at Carl’s before we were ready to leave. However before I had time to drink my first cup of coffee Bloodhound and MacGyver joined us. MacGyver had to leave early but Bloodhound joined the rest of us as we headed for home on Lincoln. He was still with us as Surgeon turned at Park to head for home.

Bloodhound was feeling good and took us around Park and onto Devonshire. He stayed with us as we moved west and finally left us at Yale. Quicksilver, Digger and I continued on to Santa Fe and then down to Latham before we headed west again. So far I have been able to finish a ride and today was no exception. The weight loss seems to make it easier for me to spin up a hill but it also leaves me pretty low on reserves in case of any sprints. So today I give a lot of credit for my gear selection and the good company I was riding with. Digger left us at Palm and I stayed with Quicksilver till she got to her car and headed for home. I got back to a welcoming shower and another pound less than I was Monday.

Running on empty

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/22/13 It was supposed to be a cooler day and one of our riders wanted a west ride so I toss in an older but longer ride for today. I could only hope the weather wizards were right and that I could muster enough energy to do a half century. When I had my breakfast I was tempted to add some extra carbs but was sure an alarm would go off both at my doctors’s office and my nutritionist’s. So I had my 110 calories, got my kit on and headed for the door to start on my way to Burger King. I wasn’t expecting a big group but I wasn’t surprised to see Digger and Dura Max and as I pulled in Bloodhound. Bulldozer and Gambler showed up so I knew I had an A group. Daredevil pulled up just before Torpedo so I was sure we would have a fast pace if we wanted one. Surgeon pulled up but I never know if he will be riding as an A or a B rider. Highlander and Tax Man arrived about the same time as Hornet. Seemed like a good group to start with as we moved out onto Gilmore to start the ride. We added Goliath as we crossed Florida and made the turn on Acacia to Kirby and then south.

We quickly made our way to Cypress and then added T-3 making it a very nice sized group for a Monday. Bloodhound took over the job of leading us to Johnston and then around the corner onto Sanderson and north. At the light we turned left and headed west towards the airport. By the time we were headed past Hanger 1 we were pretty much all behind Bloodhound and ready to get out onto Stetson.

Once we got out onto Stetson Bloodhound kicked it up as the pace line formed behind him. As we got to Warren and crossed Highlander pulled up and told me we were spread out quite a bit. I moved back to see about the stragglers as the A group moved forward taking Highlander and most of the group with them. Soon Digger and Tax Man pulled up to me me and said that Dura Man and T-3 seemed down on power today. I discovered that Dura Max was off the pace and that T-3 was having a leg problem. So we cut it back and formed a C group that followed everyone else to the regroup point at the Country Market.

As we got ready to leave things got a bit more complicated. I told the A group where we were headed and knew most of the B group would give chase. I did chase the Highlander led group down Winchester and then rode back to get T-3 and Dura Max as we turned onto the Dump Road. By the time the C group got to Leon everyone was out of sight. We couldn’t even see them in the distance as we turned on Briggs.

We took our time getting to Mapes when I got a call from Digger telling me he and Hornet and turned south on Menifee and followed Highlander and Hit Man who were heading for home. We said we would wait for them to return to Mapes and then followed Hornet north towards Nuevo. We then picked up Goliath coming back from Nuevo after Surgeon left the ride and we all rode together to Nuevo and then Evans.

We made our way to Ramona and headed east. As we got close to the rollers Hornet took off headed for Lakeview. I pulled the rest of the group most of the way up the first roller where Goliath pulled around to help. I looked back and only T-3 was on my wheel but she fell back to get digger and Dura Max while Goliath gave chase to the fast moving Hornet. I simply didn’t have the reserves to chase him all the way to Lakeview. He rounded the corner about 100 yards in front of me before we all regrouped at the Valero. We headed south on Lakeview and I pulled us all the way to Nuevo. I still noticed that while weight loss makes pushing myself down the road easier it also seems to cut back on my energy reserves. Still I felt good enough to make the jog over to Central to start down to Menifee.

Once on Menifee I gave the lead to Hornet and he moved us on towards the nursery over the rise. Digger fell off the back and I ended up pulling him back to the group just before Mapes where first Goliath took the pull and then I got it back just before we rolled over Florida. I told Goliath to pull us to McCall and he did a yeoman’s job of keeping the pace almost perfect for the rest of the group.

I got the lead back at McCall and took us to Simpson and pointed east towards Winchester. I seemed to be really losing steam and had Goliath pull us to Leon so I could take some Endurolytes and try to get some of my legs back. We finally made it to Winchester and up to Chris’s for coffee or Hydration. I really need some more fluids and felt much better as I led us back up Winchester to Stowe to make the turn home.

As we moved east I began to feel better and was able to pull us to California and then north to Stetson. I still had enough juice to get us to Warren and then to the airport road where Digger broke off for home. Goliath, T-3, Dura Max and I headed on to Sanderson and then over to Johnston where we followed T-3 to her gate. Goliath and Dura Max dropped me off at my street and I got home with 53 miles on the computer. Not a bad day if I say so myself.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/19/13 I really didn’t know what to expect for today’s ride. The Wednesday morning ride was pleasant even if it got just a bit warm at the end of the ride. Still the weather wizards said it would be hot and I wanted to avoid that as much as possible. Then I learned Quicksilver wouldn’t be there so I pushed the mileage to 40 and headed west to avoid the smoke from the Idyllwild fire. There were just four little bumps in those 40 miles, the Saddle, Holland and Menifee, Holland and Murrieta and McCall. Normally this would be a relaxing ride. That would turn out to be only one of my surprises. I would get to Burger King before the first surprise turned up. Digger, Dura Max and I were standing there when Highlander arrived. We stood around talking when Bloodhound and Bulldozer arrived. Then I noticed Quicksilver did intend to ride before leaving on vacation. Surgeon pulled up just before Gambler and D’Artagnon. So it was with a strong A group and a reasonable B group that we took off down Gilmore and turned on Acacia.

It seems as if the A group was eager to separate into two groups early today as Bulldozer and Bloodhound left us on Kirby and vanished after turning on Cypress and heading through the housing tract. Gambler and D’Artagnon were still with us up until we got to Sanderson and then they let it be known they would see us at the Saddle and took off as if trying to find Bulldozer’s slip stream. The rest of us rode on at a more sedate 17 mph as we rolled by Wally World and headed for Mustang.

We finally got to Domenigoni and formed a pace line heading towards Warren Road. Surgeon took a long pull that took us to the dry river bed and over the bridge. I got us to Winchester and Highlander got us to the foot of the Saddle. Surgeon started the climb and I took off for his back wheel. I would have been content to stay there and save some energy for the rest of the ride when I noticed a shadow gaining on me and looking like they were coming around. I thought the closest one to me was Highlander but my second surprise was that Quicksilver was the one attacking. It was all I could do to out run her to the top where we regrouped again. The A group was already over the Saddle and gone so we dropped down the back side and headed for Menifee.

We saw the A group sans Bulldozer but with the addition of Bandit, at Lindenburger and they fell in behind us as we continued on to the light at Laguna Vista and continued on behind us all the way to Menifee. They were lined up behind us like fighter planes closing in on a flight of bombers just before a strafing run.

We were in luck however because these fighter planes were more interested in staying with us than strafing us and the followed at the back as we continued south towards Holland. Highlander, Surgeon and Quicksilver were riding in the front with several of us a few bike lengths behind them. Things stayed the way till Bloodhound moved forward and started up the hill. Surgeon more or less went after him and followed by Highlander and Quicksilver pulled up next to me and challenged me to a sprint up the hill. I told her I wasn’t interested but she insisted and dropped the hammer on a spin. She flashed by Highlander with me holding on for all I was worth to keep from being dropped. About halfway up the hill her jet pack sputtered and I got away a few bike lengths. She attacked a second time before a flame out and ended up getting caught by Highlander. Once again we regrouped at the top of the hill and I waited for my lungs to catch up with my body. The A group went on to the gas station at Antelope so D’Artagnon could get water and we soon rode by them on our way to Scott and Haun. We stopped so I could eat one of my energy bars, something I was sorely in need of and waited till the A group got there. Once we started again they took off on a hard run toward Holland and Haun with Highlander in tow. We found Highlander waiting at Holland and headed over the next hill before Murrieta with Quicksilver once again attacking towards the top of the hill. We regrouped and the Chevron Station on Murrieta and Newport before heading for McCall. We were all together till we started east on McCall where I found myself in the back of the group with Digger, Dura Max and T-3. We caught the light at Antelope as the rest of the group faded away. That was the last we were to see of the A group. Quicksilver made it to the top of McCall spinning like a true climber.

The plan was to drop down the front side of McCall hill and make the run to Heritage before turning on Simpson. Most of that worked just as planned and we made it as a group onto Simpson and headed east. It was here that Highlander discovered we were going to be taking Leon to the Dump Road and grumbled about how he didn’t care for that road. No matter I pulled to Leon and started up towards the Dump Road. Once again I was in no hurry but Quicksilver and Highlander seemed to be and they took Surgeon east ahead of Digger, Dura Max, T-3 and me.

I cruised over the rise and to the sprint point on the Dump Road that ends at the Wild West Arena. It was good to chat with friends as we enjoyed the ride together and the fact that so far it was cooler than we had expected. It took us a few minutes to get back to Winchester and I had time to get caught up on what T-3 had been up to over the last few weeks. We all turned north on Winchester and soon found or way to the Country Store on Winchester and Stowe.

The charm of the Country Store is they have Pies from Julian and sodas from our childhood. Much to my bad luck Sodas from our childhood don’t come in diet and my doctor would have an alarm go off in her office if I downed one of the old sugar loaded Sodas from the last two generations. Quicksilver had to get back early so several riders decided to go back with her leaving Dura Max, T-3 and I to ride home by ourselves, at our own pace.

We slowly picked up speed heading down Stowe and I will admit the pace was refreshing because it wasn’t so hectic as we got to California. We turned north and were soon on Stetson and heading east again. T-3 was commenting on how glad she was that she decided to ride today rather that stay in trying to avoid the smoke. With the light wind we didn’t have a smoke problem. Dura Max and I dropped her off at her gate then continued on to my street where I turned for home and he continued on towards his house. I got home with a bit over 40 miles on the computer and a smile on my face.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/17/13 It was going to be another guessing day between me and the weathermen. They were saying it was going to be a scorcher and I had to try and plan a ride that got us back home before our tires exploded from the heat. We had a good ride Monday and it wasn’t all that bad running out to Lake Perris and back so I rolled the dice and put up a 37-38 mile ride starting no farther east than Sage Street before heading west to Lindenburger and coffee at Chris’s. I headed for Burger King and got there about 7:30 am to meet Digger and Dura Max. As I parked my bike riders started showing up from every direction. By the time we were rolling down Latham to Lyon we had Bloodhound, Daredevil, Gambler, Dragon Slayer, Quicksilver, Bulldozer, and Rick from Beaumont, Shadow, Surgeon and T-3 in the group.

Only a few of us made it through the light on Florida and I led Quicksilver Dura Max, Bloodhound and Digger past Acacia and the Hemet Valley School District offices. The rest of the group didn’t catch up to us till we got to Johnston. As they pulled up behind us I had a feeling we were going to have a good A group and a strong B group. I got out front and took us over Stetson and then down to Thornton before turning east towards State Street.

I still had the lead on State and halfway to Domenigoni when Rick took over and gave me a break. He pulled us all the way to the curve on Cactus Valley and part way to the golf course when they A group decided to drop the hammer. I told Rick to go with them and took over the pull myself till we turned south on Sage. We got about halfway to Diamond Valley Market when the mounting bands broke on Quicksilver’s bike computer and we stopped to pick it up. We regrouped the Bs at the market and after a quick break we started back down towards Domenigoni. We knew we would have to run hard if the As turned around and gave chase so run hard we did. We couldn’t stay together on Domenigoni and split into two groups with Surgeon, Highlander and Quicksilver in front and Dura Max, T-3, Digger and I in back. Once again we regrouped at the Saddle thinking we had escaped being run down by the As. Picture 43

We dropped off the back side of the saddle and turned onto Lindenburger. Quicksilver made a quick stop for a phone call and three of us had to chase the fleeing group of Highlander, Surgeon, T-3 and Dura Max. I managed to pull Quicksilver up to them by Leon and Dura Max and T-3 turned onto Leon to head for home. At least that is what I thought they did. I pulled till we got to the last stand of trees on Simpson and told Quicksilver to spring a sprint on me as a surprise before we got to Winchester. She did very well and got to Winchester just in front of me. We stopped at Chris’s for coffee only to find most of the A group waiting for us. Gambler had already gone home it seems. One or two of the riders had to do some minor adjustments on their bikes before we were ready to head for home. When we got started I had to hang back with Quicksilver as she talked the owner of Chris’s into feeding a stray dog we spotted. Once again we had to give chase till we got to Stowe. By the time we got there the A group was long gone. T-3 and Dura Max were just ready to pull out of the Country Store and the B group was waiting for us. We were all back together heading east towards California.

We stayed together as a group till we got to California and then to Stetson. We turned east again and Rick pulled us to Warren before giving the lead back to me to get us to the airport. Highlander pulled to Sanderson and Quicksilver pulled to Lowes. It was a quick trip around Lowes to Acacia and then back to the parking lot. We sat and talked for a few moments before I headed for home, lunch and a shower. Once again I had a great day with friends and got home before the weather got too hot. A great day was had by all.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/15/13 It was supposed to be hot today so I figured was could make it a flat quick ride and try to get home before we melted. And because it was going to be flat I thought I would ride my Klein. So I had breakfast, put on my kit and headed for Burger King. The group must have been as eager as I was because Digger and Dura Max were already there but Highlander, Tax Man, Dragon Slayer and Blain pulled in right after I did. Blood hound Gambler, Daredevil, Quicksilver and Torpedo were there early as well. We waited till 8am on the dot before heading south on Gilmore and picking up T-3. She turned around and took us to Acacia and Kirby before heading south again.

I fell into line and let Bloodhound lead me to Cypress and west to Johnston. Bloodhound took us north on Sanderson to Wentworth and we had to wait at the light till we had a clear street on which to make a left turn. I was just as happy to follow everyone to the airport road and west out onto Stetson.

Somehow I got out onto Stetson first and picked it up till we reached Warren. Quicksilver pulled ahead and Highlander followed and soon several riders has separated from the rest of us. I feel on with Tax Man, Dura Max and T-3 as the bid dogs rolled by and started to close down the B group breakaway. As my group of four moved to Stowe we say the big dogs blow by the breakaway and head for Winchester were we were all going to regroup again.

Once everyone was rested and ready to go I led us out onto Winchester and south. I was going to try and hammer the segment and soon created a gap. However as I rounded the curve the wind hit me right in the face and I knew I was going to come up short. I did round the corner onto the dump road first but soon found myself chased down and moved to the back of the pack. Two of the big dogs, Daredevil and Torpedo took off like scalded dogs and faded into the distance. In fact they missed the turn at Leon and had to come back to it just as I got there.

I had to wait for Tax Man while Dura Max and T-3 headed for Simpson and I let Tax Man lead me down Leon to Simpson and west towards Briggs. Tax Man was running strong and I was more than happy to stay in the draft all the way till we regrouped with the Highlander group.

We rounded the corner onto Lindenburger and noticed the A group waiting at the first cross street. Highlander, T-3, Dura Max, Tax Man, Quicksilver rode on by only to get to light at Domenigoni first. Highlander wanted to regroup at the top of the saddle but I told him we might have to chase Quicksilver all the way to Leon. Quicksilver did hot the hill first and did it pretty fast but I did catch her and we did wait for the others. I hit it hard on the downside of the saddle and ran alone all the way to Leon where the A group caught and passed me. Everyone else caught me at Winchester and the B group stayed together all the way to State Street and then over to Thornton to work our way back to Stetson.

Highlander took us to Columbia where we split again. Digger, Quicksilver and I turned towards Crest while Highlander, T-3, Tax man and Dura Max stayed on Stetson all the way to Fairview. Quicksilver pushed Digger and I all the way back out onto Stetson and finally we turned on to Fairview. We thought the rest of the B group was gone but we didn’t notice T-3 and Dura Max had pulled to the side of the road and were surprised to see them pull up behind us at Florida. We rode to Carl’s together and found some of the A group waiting for us. After our last break we headed for home with Dura Max and T-3 heading for Acacia and the west end of town while the rest of us moved up to Lincoln and headed west. I was surprised that some were still eager to run pretty hard towards Park and the pace didn’t slacken much as we moved towards Devonshire. Bloodhound left us and Dragon Slayer moved up to help move us onto Devonshire. A quick jog onto Devonshire and we were moving rapidly towards San Jacinto and then Santa Fe. We dropped onto Latham and soon moved past State Street. We crossed the light and closed in on Palm where Digger and I would be turning for home.

It seems as if I had guessed right on just how many carbs I had for breakfast because I was just starting to run out of energy as I rolled back over Florida and then Acacia. It was starting to get hot and I was going to be happy to get in and have lunch and a cool shower before kicking back for the rest of the afternoon. As they say, just another day in Southern California, great for cycling and being with friends.

Lake Perris Cruise

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/12/13 Thursday had been cool and a bit overcast and I was expecting much the same for today. At last I was expecting that for the morning. We had such a short simple ride Wednesday I wanted to see if we could get in a bit longer cruise with some scenery so I planned a ride on Ramona to Lake Perris. I wasn’t sure how big of a group we would have but I looked forward to getting in at least 40 miles today. I got to Burger King only to find Dragon Slayer waiting with digger and Dura Max. I no sooner parked my bike than Highlander arrived followed by Quicksilver. I was glad to see Quicksilver after she had been off sick for two days. Bulldozer and Gambler joined us as did Alan, MacGyver, Hornet and Barracuda. As soon as 8am rolled around we were out onto Latham and headed up to Lyon and north towards Ramona.

To be honest my legs were pretty tight today and I was feeling it as we turned north on Lyon. My conclusion for my sore legs was because I didn’t follow the advice of Joe Friel in his book on cycling past 50. He said if our time is limited then we should use the time to cycle rather than any other exercise because it will give us the most direct benefit for more cycling. The problem is I lack the courage to tell my wife that working in the garden is exercise that doesn’t contribute to my cycling so I should give it up. So I put the thought out of my mind and led us the group to Ramona and headed west towards Sanderson.

As we got ready to head west on the Expressway it was suggested that we all stay together as a group at least till we passed the yard with the Golden Retriever. We all lined up when we got to Warren and I started to pace us to the first driveway when Digger had a flat. We all stopped to supervise the repair.

It was our luck that for once the big dog didn’t come out to chase us. Even better luck because our big dogs were assembled at the back of the pack. One of them was armed with pepper spray just in case but we didn’t need it. Shortly one of the big dogs pulled around me and faded into the distance. Not long afterwards Gambler, Dragon Slayer and Bulldozer left as well and I gave up the lead to Quicksilver. She pulled almost all the way to Lakeview before giving the lead to Highlander and Barracuda pulled around us as well. We turned to stop at the Valero and watched Barracuda head off after the fading A group. Once we were back heading west I pulled almost to the Bridge before MacGyver took over and led us up the hill. I changed the route to the back gate and MacGyver had to double back and follow us to the bike path. Dura Max and Digger entered the park last and I rode with them around the east end of the lake to join the group waiting for us at the Marina.

As we sat there and visited, rehydrated, re-fueled and talked about the Tour de France I noticed Hornet was playing with his front derailleur and several joined him and tried to assist him in the adjustment. Finally they seemed to improve the shifting and we got a chance to finish visiting.

Once we were ready to get back on the road I was pretty sure the big Dogs would take off and leave us in the dust. What I didn’t expect was for Quicksilver to take off so quickly and pull away for the remaining group. Soon I found myself chasing her all the way to the picnic area at the north east end of the lake. Highlander, MacGyver and I followed Quicksilver out of the trees and started around the east end of the lake and the TT there. MacGyver pulled around and I dropped onto his back wheel with Highlander and Quicksilver right behind me. Hornet was the next closest to us with Digger and Dura Max trailing. MacGyver kept kicking it up till finally Quicksilver dropped off and the remaining three of us tried to close in on the fleeing A group in front of us. I didn’t notice the missing Quicksilver till I had pulled in front just before the short hill leading out of the park. I slowed and soft pedaled till Hornet rolled by and Quicksilver finally pulled up the hill. We regrouped with Highlander and Barracuda at the top of the grade leading out of the back gate.

By the time we were back out onto Ramona the A group and MacGyver were long gone and Dragon Slayer was headed for home. We caught up to Highlander at the light on the other side of Lakeview and took turns pulling all the way back to Sanderson and finally to Lyon to make the last turn south towards Burger King. Dura Max and Digger left us at Menlo and Barracuda left us at Latham. I am not sure where we lost Hornet but Highlander, Quicksilver and I stopped by the vehicles at Burger King before I headed home. I got back with 45 miles on the clock and just in time before the sun burned off the last of the marine layer to start adding the heat. The ride felt good and I was happy to spend the morning with friends.