By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I knew we had some returning riders for Monday and I knew we needed a short warm up ride to start the week. So I put up one of our easier and shorter rides and went to be knowing it might also be faster than many expected. I got up and got dressed, in green because of Saint Patrick’s Day, and headed for Burger King. I started out early to take the long circuitous route to Burger King and managed to get there right after Digger. People started showing up before I even bought my first cup of coffee. Rocket, Highlander, Dragon Slayer, Akira and Scott pulled in the parking lot. A few minutes later Bloodhound, Daredevil and Newsboy arrived. A few minutes later Tax man pulled up along with Red Rabbit and Surgeon. Last but not least Quicksticks pulled up and we got ready to leave. A jaunt out to Latham and over to Lyon and we were on our way.

As we moved north on Lyon Newsboy was rushing to get home and get changed so he could catch us by the time we got to State Street. He might have made it if another truism hadn’t taken place. That truism is that a short ride most often starts out as a fast ride and Dragon Slayer started a pull north to the Expressway that assured we were getting a fast start. There is another truism and that is when we try to meet up on the way to a waypoint we most often miss our connection and today was no different either. I moved into the lead on the Expressway and pulled at about 20 to 22 all the way to State and then motioned for the group to stop at Starbucks and see if we could find Newsboy. That stop caused more confusion than expected when Rocket and Quicksticks decided to get a head start heading for Soboba and Highlander, Tax Man, Surgeon and Daredevil went with them. Lucky for me Bloodhound, Dragon Slayer, and Scott stayed with me and waited for Newsboy. When he said he was coming up on Starbucks we pulled out onto State but couldn’t see him. Later I discovered he was behind us and would have to chase us through Soboba. Once we started east on Soboba we started to pick up speed over the first roller. As we headed up the second roller Bloodhound and I separated from our group and made a hard run towards the Driving range and last hill before a regroup. As we got ready to leave the regroup Rocket took the lead and we strung out a bit heading for Main and Ramona. Newsboy caught up to us right after we started off again.

After making it to Ramona and heading east Daredevil fell back to ride sweep and I chased Bloodhound all the way to Cedar and headed for Fairview and Florida. We pulled over at the corner to regroup once more where Rocket and Quicksticks headed for Carl’s while Daredevil pulled us to Cranston Station and we took a few minutes to recover before heading back to Carl’s ourselves. Scott and Bloodhound were leaving us at Fairview while the rest of us were going to Carl’s. Daredevil got to Carl’s with us left but while we had coffee with Quickstcks before heading for home ourselves.

As we got ready to leave Rabbit pulled up and we visited briefly before trying to leave. Dragon Slayer had to go back and get his water bottle so we did split up a bit before we pulled out onto New Chicago and made our way up to Lincoln. Once headed west Highlander got that heading for the barn feeling and soon pulled away as we closed on Lake Street.

Before we knew it Tax man Quicksticks and I were well behind Newsboy, Highlander and Dragon Slayer. We figured the ride was over by Carl’s so we were not chasing and still we could see Newsboy breaking off before we got to San Jacinto and caught the light. We then made it to Santa Fe before dropping down to Latham and finally meeting back at the cars. Once everyone was headed for home Dragon Slayer treated me to some Starbucks before heading home ourselves.

It only took me about 10 minutes to get home for a hot shower and a small lunch before I had to take t dog for a walk. That turns out to be good for me as it seems to flush the lactic acid out of my legs and keeps me from getting sore just sitting in my easy chair. But to be honest I believe given the choice I might have rather taken a nap in my easy chair.