By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I never know what to expect on Fridays. I tend to like the idea of a relaxed paced ride and maybe just a little extra distance. But some days it seems as if Fridays are a mixture of Hammerfest and social gatherings. All I was sure about today was that it was colder than Wednesday and it wasn’t raining. All I needed to know now was who would be joining me on the ride to Elsinore. I put on base layers and a wool jersey and headed for coffee with digger. I wasn’t there long before Dura Max stopped by to show us some pictures of his bike accident. The Trek US postal race replica was toast and Dura Max was still hurting. Highlander had arrived and both he and Digger were talking to him as a walked out with my coffee. A new rider from out of town showed up, Ken, as did Gambler and Bulldozer. Barracuda and Huntress arrived with Dragon Slayer and MacGyver and we were about ready to go. We pulled out of the parking lot and headed south on Gilmore to start our day.

It didn’t take long before we were on Acacia and then waiting at the light on Kirby. Once that light changed we headed south towards the railroad tracks and Cypress. Somehow we had lost three of the big dogs so we pulled over to wait for them on Cypress before heading off again towards Johnston and Sanderson. As soon as that light changed I took us south on Sanderson and through the light at Stetson. As soon as everyone made the light we worked our way past Wally World and then Mustang to get to Domenigoni and west.

I led us around the corner onto Domenigoni and most of the way to Warren. We were still moving rather quickly as we crossed over the dry wash when I dropped back to ride sweep because it looked like Ken was going to take that position. The rest of the group hurried on behind the quickly receding Bulldozer. Once I fell back to sweep Ken moved up to join the majority of the group and they all made it through the light on Winchester where I got stuck at a red. Still a few moments later we regrouped at the saddle and picked up Bandit adding to our number.

We next had to drop off of the saddle and head for Menifee so we could ride around the construction work between Menifee and Antelope. As we turned over to Antelope and made it to the corner at Newport I found myself right behind the big dogs and got ready to head west towards the freeway and then Haun. Gambler and Bulldozer got away from us but soon Bandit rolled by me and I drafted him all the way till me connected with Gambler and Bulldozer at Bradley. We were joined by Barracuda, MacGyver and Dragon Slayer before the light changed and Bulldozer led us out all the way to Carl’s for a quick stop before returning to Newport and heading west again. I made it through the light at Murrieta first but Bandit closed the gap to me before I got to Goetz and started through Railroad Canyon.

I was also passed by Gambler on the first climb through Railroad Canyon and I ended up chasing them to the top of the hill and headed for the next rise. After the first downhill I closed a bit and before the next roller I closed before they caught the light at the last climb. I pushed myself and managed to get on Gamblers back wheel as we started the downhill to The bottom by Mickey Ds. I even managed to sneak by Bandit briefly before we got down to the last light before going under the freeway. But by then I was pretty much out of matches and ready for a cup of coffee and a chance to catch my breath. We spent about fifteen minutes on conversation and coffee before getting ready to climb back out of Railroad Canyon and head for home.

Once again I started out chasing the big dogs and did reasonable well about halfway up the first climb. But by then those burnt matches came back to haunt me and I had to down shift and save my legs to make the top. I lucked out and the lead group caught the light before the last climb. I blew by them as the light turned green. That only caused Bulldozer to light the after burner and blast by me as I started up the hill to the Real estate office where I was going to wait for the rest of the B group. The big dogs faded into the distance as they most often do on the way home from Elsinore. Bulldozer, Barracuda, Gambler, Bandit, MacGyver and Ken were long gone by the time Huntress, Dragon Slayer, Highlander and Digger pulled up to me. Before we got to Murrieta Ken returned to join us as we headed back to Antelope and worked our way over to Menifee and finally to Lindenburger. Dragon slayer and Highlander took us to Simpson and I took over and took us to Leon. We took turns all the way to Winchester and finally north to Stowe for another regroup before moving on to California.

We joked a bit when Highlander asked if we were going to hold the pace down on the way back to Burger king. We knew the best part of his ride was the last ten miles back to the car. Still we all rode together back to California and then to Stetson where I once again pulled us to the Airport and back to Sanderson. I was the only one to make it through the light and headed to Lowes to wait for the rest of the group to make the turn.

It was a quick trip around the back of Lowes and out onto Acacia. Dragon Slayer, Huntress, and Highlander made it onto Acacia first and were also the first to get to the light at Kirby. Once again my timing was better and I got by Highlander as soon as he cleared the intersection and made it to Gilmore first. Dragon Slayer sprinted to Florida but caught the light anyway. Highlander, Huntress and Ken headed for their cars and Dragon slayer and I headed for Starbucks to visit for a few minutes before I headed home for a shower and a late lunch. Yes it was cold but it was a great ride and a beautiful day.