By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) What a perfect day for a ride, at least from a weather standpoint. It was a clear morning with little to no wind and we had one of my favorite rides planned. Three climbs allows us to run a fast pace line, two or three sprints and two reasonable hills plus a longer grade just before we had coffee. There was some reflection however because it was 9-11 and that stirs sadness in many of us. I got up early and took a shower before breakfast. I watched some news on TV and got dresses for the ride. So far everything seemed pretty normal and so I left for Burger King and coffee. Digger was already there and after getting some coffee we walked over to the shade to wait for everyone else to arrive. We didn’t have long to wait. Dura Max and Highlander arrived along with Dragon Slayer and Bloodhound. Quicksilver and Surgeon pulled up as did Daredevil, Gambler and Bulldozer. Jay from CAS and MacGyver both pulled up about the same time. Matt pulled up with Trek in a trailer and Hawk following. We knew Matt and Trek were heading to work so we pulled out onto Gilmore and headed south picking up T-3 along the way. Like every other day in the last two weeks Bloodhound seemed to be in a hurry right from the start.

We rounded the corner and headed to the light at Kirby and caught it red about a car back from the light. I was thinking about what a good group of people I had to ride with today. It had a very strong A group and a reasonable B group that really was closer to a B+. Normally my best ride days are Mondays after two days of rest but for some reason I felt pretty good and considered trying to hang with the group if they picked it up before I ran out of steam. Anyway I had to reflect on this after we made the light and headed for Cypress.

We headed west on Cypress and more or less cruised through the sleepy housing tract heading out onto Johnston. This time Bloodhound made the turn north to Wentworth just like he knew where we were going and we all waited at the light till we could head t the airport road. At that point things were still pretty relaxed and we made it safely out onto Stetson with Bloodhound and Surgeon up front. They got us to Warren and started towards California. Before we got there the Freight train that was the A group led by Bulldozer went by and I was just able to catch Hawk’s back wheel. They cornered better than she did and I tried to go around and catch the last man on the train but didn’t have quite enough steam. Still I was in the same zip code as we pulled into the parking lot on Winchester for a regroup.

At Winchester we waited for everyone to catch up and we were now joined by Shadow and Bandit. From my perspective we weren’t far from having a A group Dream team. Jay, Daredevil, Gambler, Bandit and Bulldozer were all strong riders; Dragon Slayer, Bloodhound and MacGyver were only a step behind. Shadow isn’t a sprinter but he climbs like a Columbian. Surgeon can hang in there and Hawk is as good in a pace line as anyone else. I knew the ride on Domenigoni was going to be a sleigh ride and I only hoped I could be part of it. As we got ready to head south on Winchester I got out first and made a run for it with Surgeon. We got held up at the light and everyone managed to catch up as we waited to head east. Now the fun begins. A lone rider got through the light on Domenigoni and that was like turning a rabbit loose in front of a pack of Greyhounds. I led the chase to the flag pole and signaled to give up the lead. Bandit and several others pulled by and I got in just before they could drop me. It is impressive how much easier it is to maintain speed in a group and I stayed with them till we got to Warren. We had a bit of a shake up at the light and I had to try and close with the back of the group. Just as I caught up I looked down and saw I was just going onto zone 4 and had to back off. I still had a climb or two to come and I knew it was going to be hard to stay out of anaerobic on the first two. I rounded the turn onto Searl and headed for Seven Dollar hill and one of the easier climbs of the hill I have ever had, not once exceeding zone 2 or 2.5. We regrouped back at the bottom of the hill and some riders had to leave early.

We left to go back out onto Domenigoni and down to State Street with Bloodhound once again setting the pace. As we turned north I caught his wheel and we headed for the rise and a traditional sprint. But the sprint never really happened as first Dragon Slayer and then Surgeon rolled by. Daredevil took over before they could escape and I went with him. Try as I might I wasn’t going to get by him but in my effort I did develop tunnel vision and ended up drifting almost all the way over into the left lane. I did recover before being flattened like a grape by a car and we made our way onto Chambers and then out to Stetson. I stayed with Highlander till we got to the turn for Ramona Bowl and he went straight towards Fairview. I was one of the last ones up the bowl but once again it was one of the easier climbs since I have been on the nutrition program from my doctor and coach.

We worked our way to Crest and headed east again. I fell back and got caught up in a conversation with Quicksilver and we managed to let the rest of the group get away. But we finally caught up to them as they waited for us at Florida and Fairview and I managed to sneak away and make a run for Cranston. By the time the group realized I was running it was too late and I got to Cranston on Bloodhound’s back wheel. Highlander and Rabbit were waiting for us. Several of the group decided to continue on to Bautista so Dragon Slayer, Bloodhound and I took off and made a run at Fairview. Several of us were left to have coffee at Carl’s. After some coffee and conversation we headed down Lincoln and then Devonshire towards home.

At first I thought Highlander was going to make a run for the barn and I would have to chase him all the way. But I was in luck and he had to slow down at San Jacinto and again at State so I didn’t have to burn any more matches getting back to Palm and then back to my house with 43 miles on the computer. It was a great day to ride with great company. Just what more could I hope for?