By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Time is ticking down to the Patriot ride and we have backed off for the next two rides just to make sure we aren’t overly tired. So it is pretty simple to put together two simple rides and more or less take it easy. What isn’t so easy is to hold yourself back when someone takes off on a ride you have planned on cruising. I was going to learn a lesson that assured me I am not riding the Friday before the Century. I headed out to Burger King and had coffee with Digger as usual. Dura Max stopped by on his way to ride with T-3 and we talked while MacGyver, Highlander, Tax Man and Quicksilver arrived. It wasn’t a big group but it should be easy to keep together over the whole ride. We pulled out onto Latham and moved over to Lyon to start north towards Ramona and the ride west. We only had two stops planned before we stopped for coffee and we planned to hold the pace to just enough for the slowest rider to have to work to stay up and not too slow so the faster riders would get bored. I knew I wouldn’t get any pictures on Ramona so I got one before we turned off of Lyon and onto Ramona.

I was a bit surprised to see Tax Man take the lead once we got to the Expressway and pulled us almost to Warren. I took us to the driveway where the dogs normally come out and chase us; they didn’t come out to play today. Shortly after passing that dairy MacGyver pulled up front and set the pace for the rest of us as we crossed Bridge. We were moving a bit faster than I plan on setting the pace for the new riders when we do the century but as long as everyone was in the pace line I was happy. MacGyver was pulling like a machine and mile after mile we stayed on pace as we got close to Lakeview. We got a break in traffic just as we came to the light and popped over to the frontage road to make a stop at the Valero Station.

Tax Man and Highlander pulled us most of the way to Nuevo after we left the gas station. As we turned onto Nuevo Highlander pulled away and headed for Central and then down to Menifee. We all rounded the corner onto Menifee and then through the stop sign and towards the Nursery. Once again MacGyver tool the lead and pulled us to Mapes. Only Digger had a little trouble with the pace up to the nursery and by Mapes I pulled around and made a run for Florida. We had a slight headwind so I didn’t expect any great top speed but I did lead us to the light at Florida and a quick stop before heading south again. Once back on Menifee we only had to make it to Simpson before could turn east. After we rolled by McCall MacGyver jumped the segment heading for Simpson. I planned on watching him go and stayed with the group. Comfortable as the pace was Quicksilver couldn’t resist pulling away on the hill. Highlander tried to tell me she had too big of a lead but I wouldn’t listen and I took off after her and chased her all the way to Simpson. Once heading east it took us a moment to regroup before we headed for Leon. Quicksilver and Highlander left us and it took almost all the way to Leon before the rest of us could catch them. Next we headed for the DVV sprint and Quicksilver managed to turn in a very respectable time before we had to continue on to Winchester before stopping at the Winchester Market for coffee. We met Dura Max and T-3 at the market and then headed for home once the coffee had done its job. Quicksilver and I had to chase Highlander and Tax man all the way to California and then Digger took over and pulled us around the corner and halfway to Warren again. I got back up front and took us to the airport road where I left for home. I got home about 10 minutes later. I took a shower, had lunch and took the dog for a walk. My legs felt fine but if I were to ride Friday I know taking it easy would be hard to do. So After my shower I sat back and watched some TV and had lunch and started think of an easy ride for Wednesday.