By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Today was Quicksilver’s birthday. It should be easy to remember because it was also Veterans Day. Picking my kit was easy as well because the Army Jersey and shorts just made sense. The only concern I had was the predictions that it would be rather cool. I don’t like wearing a jacket on a long ride unless it will be cool for the whole ride. So I risked only arm and leg warmers with my kit and headed for coffee with Digger. We were standing having coffee when Dura Max stopped by on his way to ride with T-3. As we talked Tax Man drove up followed by Dragon Slayer and Steve, well Steve came a bit later after fixing a flat tire. Barracuda and Papillon joined us just as Dura Max left. MacGyver and Quicksilver got there about the same time and just before Red Rabbit. As they all pulled over to the windows we were ready to head out to Latham and then north on Lyon. We didn’t get far before I had to stop and set the date on my camera and Rabbit kept rolling. But we caught him at Esplanade and continued north.

It didn’t take long before we were back up to speed and headed north again. We started to string out just a bit and I noticed Quicksilver and Tax Man were moving up to keep pace with me. I kept waiting for MacGyver or Barracuda to go by but they stayed with the group right up to the point where I heard quicksilver yell, “flat” and watched as Steve once again had to pull over to fix a tire.

As soon as we were back on the road I took us to Ramona and started us west towards Sanderson. At that point there was almost no wind so we were moving rather quickly to Sanderson and the Expressway. Steve decided to take the lead on the Expressway and pulled us to Warren where Dragon Slayer relieved him and picked the pace up. Once Barracuda pulled by the pace got crazy but I was enjoying it. I stayed with them till the wind got to Quicksilver and she was shelled off the back. I dropped back to get her and watched as everyone on the Barracuda train pulled away. We started to close a bit as someone got dropped in front of us. We lost them when some turned at the light and some went straight. We took a short break at Valero and then chased Digger towards the back gate, except he went to the front gate. I then chased MacGyver and Dragon slayer towards the gate on Bernasconi and finally to the ticket box just before the bike path.

In fact I spent a good portion of the day chasing MacGyver and was chased most of the day by Quicksilver and Dragon Slayer with Tax Man not that far behind.

As soon as we started down the bike path Dragon Slayer and MacGyver started to pull away. I followed Tax Man and Quicksilver over the little hill and then took the pull to give chase to the quickly fleeing duo of MacGyver and Dragon Slayer. We did reasonably well on the east end of the lake and could still see the two riders going onto the trees. But it was obvious we would catch them before they made it to the Marina where I was sure the resting Barracuda and Papillon would be waiting. But we didn’t care because it was a beautiful day and we were having fun.

After our break we got ready to head out of the front gate of the park while Digger, who came in that way, headed for the back gate with Tax Man. They got on the bike path while we worked our way to the exit road and headed for the Expressway.

As we left the park Dragon Slayer and MacGyver once again pulled away leaving Barracuda, Papillon, Quicksilver and I to roll over the two little hills and try to catch Tax Man and Digger. We got to Lakeview where Dragon Slayer headed for home and hooked up with Tax Man and MacGyver. Once we were past the stop light Barracuda offered to pull us back to Sanderson at a reasonable 18mph. We actually rode two wide almost all the way to Bridge Street where we spotted Digger and closed on him at the light on Warren where MacGyver left us. I pulled us from Warren to Sanderson and Barracuda took over again on the Boulevard and took us towards Lyon.

When we rounded the corner at Lyon Barracuda hardly slowed down and I was the only one on his wheel almost all the way to Cottonwood. I finally let Papillon by me and went back to get Quicksilver and Tax Man. Then Barracuda and Papillon pulled up a bit and let us catch up so we could ride back to Burger King together.

We finally made our way back down to Latham and turned for Burger King. We pulled in and wished Quicksilver Happy Birthday before heading for our separate homes. I got home about 15 minutes later looking forward to a hot shower and lunch. It had turned out much warmer than I planned but not some warm that I was over dressed. Still my dog needed a walk before I got my shower so I guess my cool down was a walking cool down. But as we have said before, today was one of those days that tell us why we live where we do.