Out of the frying pan

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 7/8/13 I wasn’t sure just how hot it would get today but there was a chance we would see the temperature hit the century mark. Still I wanted to go west and do the Railroad Canyon run with the hope of getting home before it got too hot. I put on a light colored jersey and bibs and headed for the door wondering how my body would respond to the ride today. I felt if we kept the pace steady we could be back by 11:30. I got to Burger King to see Digger and Dura Max waiting for me. Surgeon rode up just before Highlander and Tax Man drove in. Next I was surprised to see Quicksilver, she was being a nurse all weekend and I thought she would be too tired to ride. Alan rode up to join us and we were talking about not having to chase the big dogs to the lake when Torpedo showed up on a TT bike. I also mentioned that Centaur was part of the A group and was a pretty good climber when MacGyver arrived along with Hornet. We headed to Acacia and headed west towards Kirby.

We managed to catch the light green on Kirby and headed south. Whatever soreness was in my legs was beginning to loosen up and I managed to lead us to Cypress and west. The group moved through the housing tract pretty tightly and we pulled out onto Johnston in a double pace line. This time we caught the light and had to sit through a red. Once we started south on Sanderson Torpedo and Surgeon pulled out front and took us past Wally World where Torpedo started to pull away.

Once we rounded onto Domenigoni Torpedo slowed down till we were all in line and then almost like a sweep second hand on a watch he started to pick up the pace. I was in the second spot and soon was being dragged along at 24 MPH. I knew full well most of the B group wasn’t going to hold up to that speed so I pulled out of line to go back and pick up any stragglers. I finally got to back and followed the group till we picked up Quicksilver and Digger at Winchester. We regrouped a few minutes later at the saddle where we picked up Bandit.

We dropped off of the saddle and headed west again. Torpedo and Bandit once again started the pull towards Antelope and I once again started to go with them. I was surprised at how good my legs were feeling but then I was also concerned with how long my energy would last from breakfast. But up to this point I felt pretty good. As we crossed over the bridge Digger pulled up and told me the Quicksilver was suffering a bit and might be suffering from a touch of the flu. I dropped back and asked if she wanted to cut the ride short but she insisted she wasn’t ready to toss in the towel yet. We stopped at Carl’s for a regroup once again offered a shorter ride but she wanted to see if she could make it through Railroad Canyon. We left Carl’s and started towards Goetz. I pulled till we got to the first light when Alan rolled by heading for the first climb. He hit Railroad Canyon about 150 yards in front of the group and I had Highlander and Tax Man right on my wheel. I got in the drops and started a spin that allowed me to gap the group and to my amazement all of the big dogs let me go. As I hit the first climb I attacked about as hard as I have ever attacked and kept it up all through the Railroad rollers. By the time Torpedo and Bandit came after me I was on course for a PR or two in the canyon. Bandit and Torpedo caught me about 100 yards before the first stop light where we picked up Alan and headed to Mickey Ds. We got there a few minutes before the rest of the group.

As we ordered coffee or cold drinks I was informed by Digger than Quicksliver had to turn back and Dura Max had gone back with her. Torpedo and Bandit had to leave early and I can only guess that Centaur went with them. The rest of us waited till we had rested our legs and then got ready to hit Railroad canyon again from the other side.

I followed at the back of the pack till one by one everyone started up the hill. I decided to see if I had anything left. I did manage to pull the hill pretty well and waited at the top of the first climb till everyone crested and headed for the second climb. Just before we got to the last downhill we regrouped with the remaining riders and watched Surgeon and Alan ride away. We decided to hold the group together all the way home and we did pretty well as we re-crossed Murrieta and then Antelope. Picture 12

As we approached the saddle again MacGyver took over pulling duty and took us over the top and headed us to Leon. We were doing pretty well till I discovered Digger was out of water. He didn’t think he was getting dehydrated but while his heart rate wasn’t as high as mine it wasn’t coming back down after any effort so we pulled over and spent a few minutes in the shade of some trees. I decided to break off and take him to Chris’s and so the group split once more with Highlander and Tax Man following MacGyver on Domenigoni and Hornet, Digger and I taking Winchester north. A few minutes inside a air conditioned room and something cold to drink we were all feeling better and so decided to get back on Winchester and ride up to Stowe to head home.

We made our way to California and north to Stetson where Digger decided to pull and take us to Warren road. He then led us t the airport road and he broke for home. Hornet stayed with me till we got back to the driveway for the Sonic restaurant and he headed for home. I continued on alone to Sanderson and over to Johnston. I kept pouring water on my head and shoulders and some on my legs till I pulled up to my house when the temperature hit 100 degrees. Yes it was a hot ride but we have learned how to take of ourselves and take it easier when it gets that hot.