By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/10/13 After Monday I simply didn’t know what to expect from today’s weather. We weren’t expecting 100 degree weather before noon Monday and originally it was supposed to be about the same kind of weather today. Late yesterday I got news there might be some cloud cover or marine layer that just might keep the heat down without hammering us with humidity and that is what I was pulling for. Still I put together a short ride just in case. I took off for Burger King and got there in time to see Highlander, Digger and Dura Max waiting for me. Surgeon and Bloodhound arrived after me. Alan wasn’t far behind and last but not least Red Rabbit. At 8am we headed out onto Latham and north on Lyon to get the ride under way. Before we got to Cotton Wood Hornet caught up with us make our group 9 strong.

Rabbit was dragging a bit today so I kept falling back to pull him up to the group. Dura Max was good enough to help and we rounded onto Ramona and headed towards State in the back of the line. Bloodhound must have been feeling pretty good because he was pulling like a freight train. I managed to get him to back it down a bit and we all managed to get to the light on State about the same time. Once the light changed I got up front and started us on our way to Soboba.

As we passed by the Expressway I knew we weren’t breaking and speed records but also had very little chance of keeping the whole group together in a pace line. So as I rode by the college I told Bloodhound we would do a regroup after we crossed the bridge and turned onto Soboba. I kept the pace steady at twenty mph till we were heading east on Soboba. Once we were all back together I started us down Soboba and over the first roller.

It took only a few minutes to see Rabbit wasn’t going to be able to keep and I looked back to see Dura Max pulling him towards the second roller. I dropped back again to assist him and soon we had Rabbit in tow and were coming up to the driving range and the last little hill before another regroup. As we started up to the back side of the golf course Rabbit fell back again but we both knew he would catch up at the trees when we stopped.

Once we were all ready to go I got us started towards the dry river crossing. As we turned back towards Ramona at the light I got a great jump on the group and headed for the bridge by myself. Alan gave chase but I had too big of a lead and crested the rise first. I will admit it has been a while since I felt strong enough attempt a charge at the bridge but today was a good day. We had to wait for Hornet and Rabbit because the missed the light at Main and Ramona but as soon as they joined us we headed for Cedar to make the turn towards Fairview. Dura Max and I once again pulled Rabbit to Fairview were we found the rest of the group waiting for us. Not only that but we picked up MacGyver, Dragon Slayer, Daredevil, Gambler and Bulldozer. Picture 18

Rabbit went ahead and we had to chase him to the trees before Gambler led a break up the hill and I tried to follow to Cranston Station. Well before the driveway I started to get deep into zone four and pulled back only to watch several riders pull into the parking lot in front of me. The ride back to Carl’s was just about as hard as the one up to Cranston. I got us back through the trees before Gambler came by and I joined the line of riders behind him. Bulldozer pulled around and once again I gave chase as we rolled by the Baptist Church. Things were going along great till Bloodhound started a sprint to pass Bulldozer and then the whole line fell apart. We continued on to Carl’s where the original group stopped for coffee and the big dogs that had met on the east end left for home. After something to drink and some conversation we headed for home ourselves up New Chicago and then west on Lincoln.

Surgeon and Dura Max left us at Park and the rest of us continued on to Devonshire without them. Bloodhound left us at Columbia. We headed west on Devonshire and soon crossed San Jacinto and made it to Santa Fe before dropping down to Latham. Digger and I broke off at Palm and I got home before 11am. A quick shower and I had time to watch some TV before lunch. Not a bad day all in all and I still have some energy left by lunch time.