By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Today was a special ride day. The Mesa Metric has been a great ride for some and a thorn in the side for others. But today it was going to be a proving day for those of us doing the Patriot Ride in La Quinta in October. If the new riders can do Mesa they can do La Quinta. So I got up and had breakfast only to be greeted by a heavy overcast and rather cool morning. Cool enough that I thought seriously about arm warmers. But knowing how warm it can get back on Rancho California and Benton I elected to tuff it out.

It wasn’t a big group as we got ready to pull out onto Gilmore. But we did have at least two A riders with us and both Huntress and Quicksilver. So the females were well represented. Bloodhound and Daredevil would be doing much of the heavy lifting when it came to leading the group today. So we slipped out onto Gilmore and got started on a 65 mile ride.

I was a bit concerned with Bloodhound setting an early faster pace because I didn’t know how many of the B riders would be willing to burn many matches before we even got to Rancho California let alone Mesa. As for me I was feeling pretty good and the cooler weather made the prospect of the Benton climb a lot more palatable than the last three times I have done it in 100+ weather. So we gave Bloodhound his lead as he turned onto Cypress and headed for Johnston and Sanderson. We headed up to Wentworth and headed towards the airport.

It didn’t take long to make it past the airport and out onto Stetson and once again I worried about the pace. Quite often we roll by Warren only to pick up speed all the way to California and then south. When the leaders started to pull away I held my pace and tried to keep the speed about what I expect a new Century rider would be comfortable with. The plan worked and we all made it to the parking lot on Winchester at about the same time.

When we were ready to head south again on Winchester I took over pulling duty again to make sure we didn’t drop anyone before we got to the dump road. I figured at least three of our riders would leave us when we turned west but everyone was still there heading for the Wild West arena and Leon.

None of us seemed in a real hurry to run down the dump road and with the exception of Bloodhound as we rolled by the Wild West arena in a cruise. Daredevil and MacGyver started to give chase but Daredevil pulled up and then pulled me and the rest of the group to Leon where Bloodhound was waiting.

We made it to Simpson and started west. At least at that time of the morning it was still cool and with no wind to speak of we moved as a group rapidly towards Briggs. Once again I was thinking some of our group would be leaving us at Lindenburger and doing the French Valley ride rather than climbing the steep side of McCall. But as we got to Briggs everyone stayed in the group and headed for the turn towards Heritage. Picture 50

We were still moving well and we worked our way through the houses and headed for McCall. Once we were headed for the hill Daredevil and MacGyver offered to pull the whole group in a pace line over the hill at a reasonable 10 mph. Most of us made it together but we waited for those that didn’t and then continued on towards Murrieta so we could turn south towards Newport.

Once on Newport we decided to head back to Antelope and stop by Jack in the Box for quick restroom break before heading south again towards the College and then to Holland and the rise just past that street. As we crested the ride with Daredevil in the lead I knew Dura Max would be leaving us at Garboni. That still left Highlander and Digger that I thought would be leaving us to ride the French Valley ride. Daredevil took over pulling us towards Scott Road.

It is a fine line between moving a group along at a fast pace at fine line and wearing out some of the slower riders. Daredevil managed to ride that line and moved us towards the Hospital. He kept telling us that one on Whitewood all bets would be off and so we pretty much knew that long downhill would be run more or less flat out. I can’t remember taking that segment as quickly as I did drafting him all the way to Murrieta Hot Springs. Once we were headed towards Winchester Daredevil suggested we stop for water and I mentioned we were going to pull into the Am/Pm on Winchester and Nichols. It was a good thing we did because there really isn’t place to refill water bottles once we get to Rancho California. We took a short break and headed up Nichols.

We started out slowly on Nichols and made our way towards the turn at the end of the road. Well everyone but Bloodhound who was on a mission as if he were tracking and escaped convict. However we were lucky and when he missed the turn at the end of the road we were able to call him back and have him join us going over the hill and through the houses to come out on Butterfield Stage Road.

There was some construction work going on as we moved down Butterfield but finally we made it to Rancho California and picked up Shadow before heading back North east towards all of the wineries. It is a pretty ride back there and it is easy to get lost in thought and realize how lucky we are to live in this valley. We pretty much stayed together as we headed for the turn at Glen Oaks that would lead us to Mesa and the beginning of our climb back home. We stopped as soon as we turned on Mesa for some quick refueling and water before heading out to begin the climb on Mesa.

This was almost a perfect day for the ride because it was at least 20 degrees cooler than the last time we rode it. It may have seemed easier for me personally because I had 40 less pounds to carry up the hills but still Mesa was no struggle. I placed myself between Digger and Highlander so I could make sure they were doing well and fell back to talk to Digger to let him know the long climb would start after we rolled by Portola. I pulled up to Highlander and chatted for a minute before pulling over to wait for Digger at the last false flat before the little downhill leading to Sage. What impressed me was how Digger kept plugging away with a smile on his face..

Some of the group was waiting for us at Sage and some had moved on to the fire station. Highlander just kept going on Sage and Shadow and the others waved Digger and me on as we started the last climb. I soon caught Highlander and passed him to pull into the fire station for a quick regroup. Highlander and Digger continued on to the top of the hill and started down. Daredevil and MacGyver was the next start down the face of Saint John’s and I crested just in front of the rest of the group. But soon the chase was on and after the bumpy portion under the trees I got in the drops and to close with the two speedsters and the early leaders of Highlander and Digger. I caught MacGyver shortly after passing Diamond Valley Market, as much because he didn’t see me coming as any other reason, and regrouped with Daredevil on cactus valley road. After the regroup we gathered ourselves together and headed back to State and Domenigoni.

For some reason once we got close to Sanderson Highlander seemed to get revived and picked up the pace heading for home. Digger was still trailing a bit and I went back to pull him to Sanderson. We just caught the group at Stetson and followed them to Lowes and the Acacia. Everyone made it back to the parking lot at burger king safely and we loaded up what vehicles had to be loaded and headed for home. I am sure that anyone that did the ride today will have no problems with the La Quinta ride in October. I for one had a great time I hope everyone else did as well.