By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I was looking to today’s ride and plotted one of our nicer looking rides with a climb profile a lot like a small version of the Patriot Ride on the 26th. It should be noted I didn’t advertise today’s ride as an easy ride because that only incites some riders to push harder. I have tried to make riders like Dutch Treat a Century pace only to have most of the group leave me riding sweep by the time we get to Domenigoni. So I had breakfast, Put on my kit, checked my tires and turned on the Garmin as I headed to Burger King. Digger and I had coffee while waiting for the others to arrive. By 8:30 we had a good A group with MacGyver, Gambler, Bulldozer, Bloodhound and Shadow (Who has convinced me he has a cultural problem with the name Shadow so I have changed it to Papillon.) The B group would consist of Highlander, Digger, Huntress, Quicksilver and me. Dura Max and Von Richtofen but they left to ride with T-3. A few minutes later we hit the road on Gilmore and made our way to Kirby and south.

I didn’t think the pace was all that fast as we made our way towards the railroad tracks and up to Cypress. Somehow I made it to the corner of Cypress first and as I headed west I expected to be swallowed up by the group behind me. It didn’t happen however and I made it almost to Johnston before they rolled up on me.

As I was absorbed by the group I more or less fell in with Bloodhound and rounded onto Johnston and stopped at the light on Sanderson where we all had to sprint for a green before turning south on Sanderson. It looked like everyone had made it so we headed for Stetson to see if we could make that light before it turned red. Soon we were passing Wally World and making our way towards Domenigoni.

Bloodhound took the lead as we rounded the corner onto Domanigoni and west. He slowly picked up speed till we were moving along about 22 or 23 MPH. When Bloodhound gave up the lead I took over but didn’t get far before MacGyver came up and took over for me. The rest of the A group caught us by the time we got to Winchester where Gambler and Bulldozer pulled us side by side about halfway to Leon. Gambler started to pull away and Bloodhound went with him followed by Bloodhound, Papillon and me. Gambler pulled hard almost all the way to the saddle when Bloodhound took over followed by Papillon. When Bloodhound mis-shifted I got past him but not in time to catch Papillon dancing on his pedals. Still I chased him to the top of the Saddle where we waited to regroup.

Once we were ready to drop off of the Saddle I followed everyone down to Menifee and we got ready to head south once again. Just as soon as we made the turn Highlander and Quicksilver started trying to psyche me out about the climb up the hill on the other side of Holland. However this is not the first time we have played this game. Highlander will try and bate me and as I watch for him to make a move the lets Quicksilver or Huntress roll by him on his right and see if I have enough steam to catch them. Today was not going to be one of those days. But instead of Highlander plotting my demise Quicksilver started making false sprints as she passed Holland and closing on Bloodhound. I dropped into the small ring and jumped the hill way too soon. In fact part way up the hill I just spun out. Did I mention I went way too soon? None the less only Bloodhound caught me and we regrouped once more at the flat on top of the hill. It was time to remove arm warmers while we all got back together and got ready to head for Scott. This time I waited till Highlander took the lead and Bloodhound was following before I started to pick up speed. Bloodhound pulled around Highlander and I had Quicksilver on my wheel till we hit the little rise about a quarter of a mile from Scott. I jumped around Bloodhound on the rise and we pulled away and made the turn onto Scott and west.

Now we had to start thinking about the long grade up Scott to Murrieta. Normally I just set a pace and stick with it but shortly after we got by Haun Bulldozer, Bloodhound and Papillon rolled by and for reasons only known to my unconscious mind I went with them. That was not going to be my last example of foolishness as we got closer and closer to Murrieta. Bulldozer got up on the pedals and started to pull away from Bloodhound. Papillon went with him and I got up to give chase. Well I didn’t catch him and soon was very short on matches as we topped the last rise and fell off the back before we turned north on Murrieta. I had to watch as Bulldozer, Bloodhound, Papillon and MacGyver got away and headed north. I did get to Holland shortly after they did but I waited till the group caught up before following Quicksilver, Huntress, Papillon and Digger up the rollers towards Railroad canyon. As we got close to the homes about halfway up the hill I pulled forward and got a shot of half of our “Girl Power” team talking, ( Translate that to plotting) as we got to the shade of the young trees.

We pulled up to the A group at the corner leading to Railroad Canyon and then headed east to find Highlander who was supposed to be waiting at the real-estate parking lot just before the exit from the canyon. We would have to make a stop at Murrieta because Quicksilver was out of water but in effect we were on our way home. The As took us east on Newport till we got t Antelope and then we had to go a jog over to the college to get back to Menifee and get around the construction on Newport. We then headed east to Lindenburger where we split into two groups with the Bs heading towards Simpson and the As heading for Sanderson on Domenigoni. I pulled us to Simpson and started us east towards Leon. By Bridge I gave up the lead and we took turns pulling to Leon. Huntress had the lead about halfway through the first stand of trees and I came up to relieve her after we came out and were headed for the last stand of trees. As I pulled towards Winchester I got this feeling that I may be setting myself up for a sprint attack by Huntress and Quicksilver when we got to the last stand of trees but I must have looked fresh enough that they waited and followed me to Winchester and then North to Winchester Market and Coffee. T-3, Von Richthofen and Dura Max were there just as we pulled up and they left just before we did, but after a short break we were back out onto Stowe and headed east ourselves.

I still had some fuel in the tank as we got to California and headed for Stetson. Highlander and Quicksilver stayed on my wheel and followed me part way down Stetson. However when I sat up to let them pass they stayed behind me and followed me to Warren. I decided to go back with them to Burger King to follow the course map on the Garmin to the end before heading home. We made it past the Airport and then to Wentworth riding towards the light at Sanderson.

Once we got back to the parking lot we spent a few minutes talking before I headed for home and a hot shower and lunch. I was just short of 50 miles on the computer and my map on the Garmin was cleared and easy to ride for the whole ride. Yes it was a good day to be on my bike with friends.