By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was strange being off of the bike for four days but with all the things around Christmas I simply haven’t had time to get out. Add to that I had my son and daughter in law coming to the house today so I had to pop in a short ride for today. At least my legs were rested and it felt good to be back on the bike. I got to Burger King and Digger was the only one there. It took a while before Highlander arrived followed by Bloodhound and then Mantis with one of his friends Joe. Newsboy rode up as Ranger was unloading his car and just before Quicksilver drove up. Just before we started to leave Red Rabbit arrived to show off his Christmas Jersey, he now has one of the new jerseys we are getting for the Palm Springs ride. Ranger was wearing the new kit he had ordered as well. Bloodhound and Newsboy decided to ride Dutch treat and headed in the other direction as we made our way to Latham and then north on Lyon.

Red Rabbit had agreed to meet us at Carl’s so I knew he wouldn’t stay with us all the way to Soboba but he did hang in there till we got to Esplanade, but after that he fell off as the rest of the group closed in on Ranger and Quicksilver as they moved us to Cottonwood and beyond. I took over about two blocks before Ramona Boulevard and started us east.

I felt pretty good pulling east and soon we were moving along in a long smooth pace line. There really wasn’t that much traffic and we were moving rather quickly so I wasn’t all that surprised as we rolled by the houses and to the stop sign on Young Street. Not much traffic and the car at the stop sign waved us through. It was maybe less than a minute later when we pulled into the turn lane to head north towards the Expressway. Highlander had to stop for a call so we pulled over at Starbucks. Once everything was taken care of we were back on state heading towards the college.

I took over the pull again and soon had us passing the college and headed for the bridge just before Soboba. About then a friend both Quicksilver and I knew rode by on his Motorcycle and waved on his way to Joshua Tree Monument while we were getting close to Soboba. I stopped everyone on Soboba and told them were the regroup point was and started an easy pull towards the rollers on Soboba. I thought we were doing pretty good as we closed in on the first roller until Mantic flew by me and yelled back at me to try and hold on. So hold on I did and followed him like a heat seeking missile and refused to turn loose. Once over the last roller I had to come around and take my turn on the front. I figured I was toast because Mantic is younger and stronger than me and if I had to pull all the way to the last rise he could sprint around me and drop me like a bad habit. To my surprise Mantis passed me about 200 yards before the driving range putting me back in the draft as we started the slight climb at the driving range. I decided to take a chance and jump first about 25 yards before the top of the rise and got a gap heading to the last little hill before the regroup. I held on till we had to stop at the trees and wait for the rest of the group. Once all back together we headed for Ramona and Main before heading east towards Cedar. Joe headed for home and I fell to the back to catch my breath. Hioghlander and Quicksilver got us to Cedar and most of the way to Fairview before Ranger pulled ahead. Somewhere just before the Fire Station Highlander and Quicksilver seemed to run out of gas and I caught a draft off of a toy hauler to catch up to Ranger. We turned east on Florida with Digger and Albert while Highlander and Quicksilver headed for Carl’s. Mantis joined us and we headed for Cranston and another regroup.

Once back on the road Ranger took us to the trees and most of the way to the Baptist Church and then to Fairview. Albert headed for home on Fairview and I took over to pull us back to Ramona and then Carl’s for coffee and conversation. Quicksilver, Highlander and Rabbit were already there and we joined them. Rabbit left first and then Ranger said he had to leave so he took Quicksilver, Digger and Highlander with him. I stayed with Albert and Mantis till they were ready and rode home with them. Albert headed for home as soon as we got to Lincoln and Mantis left me at San Jacinto. I managed to get home just after my son and his wife arrived and just had time to get in a quick shower before going out to lunch. I was a great day all in all and a day people learned the lesson of what you can and can’t eat before a ride.