By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Sometimes you just need to make a climb to Beaumont to get a cup of coffee and today seemed like a good day to ride to Starbucks on Second Street. So I got up this morning and put on the New Club jersey and headed for the parking lot to see who was going to join me on the ride up Lambs Canyon. I was surprised to see that Digger, Dragon Slayer and Bloodhound were already there. As we stood there talking Surgeon. Minotaur and Pirate showed up. Next Bulldozer, Gambler and MacGyver rode up followed by Huff-n-puff just before Huntress. Once huntress was there we knew it must be close to 8am and time to hit the road and make our way to Lyon.

We weren’t exactly Hammering it heading north on Lyon but we weren’t loafing along either. But other than having Bloodhound taking an early lead only to be reeled in by Esplanade we seemed to be saving ourselves for the coming climb. I took a turn in the front of the group and took us to Ramona Boulevard to make the turn west.

The peace was broken up a bit as Bulldozer rolled away from us followed a few beats later by Gambler and then Bloodhound, MacGyver and Dragon Slayer. I let it overcome my better judgment and caught onto their back wheel and stayed in the lead pack all the way to Sanderson to make the turn north towards Lambs Canyon. Once we caught the light at the Expressway everyone caught up and we were all ready to start towards Gilman Springs and the first part of the climb. It started out easy enough before Bloodhound increased the pace. He was quickly pulled back by Gambler and then let go as MacGyver moved to close the gap. I followed Bulldozer past Gilman Springs and halfway up the first climb before falling back as he pulled away to close the gap on MacGyver. I had Dragon slayer with me but soon found myself between Dragon slayer and Bulldozer. I settled into a 80 rpm spin and used my gears to work through the Canyon and up to the light at First Street where I waited for Dragon Slayer and the rest of my group. Dragon Slayer rode by and made sure I was ok before continuing on in pursuit of the fleeing Gambler, Bulldozer, MacGyver and Bloodhound. As I waited Surgeon and Pirate pulled up and Huff-n-puff rode by. Huntress pulled up and we moved to the shade and waited for Digger and Minotaur. Turns out Minotaur had a flat and after fixing it Digger rode up to us and said he would wait for him while we headed for Oak Valley and over to Highland Springs. Dragon Slayer had made the circuit by the time we were ready to go and road back around with us as we made our way to Starbucks on Second Street and met the rest of the group. Digger and Minotaur were already there as well. The A Group left first taking Dragon Slayer with them as we finished our coffee or iced tea and discussed the climb so far.

After getting some rest and conversation we started to pack up and gert ready for the ride back. The new riders were slightly worried about having to do more climbing but Huntress assured them that with a few minor exceptions it was pretty much all downhill to get back home. So we headed west on Second and cut over to First to get back to Lambs Canyon.

Once back to Lambs Canyon Surgeon and Pirate made the light and the rest of us didn’t. As soon as the light changed we gave chase with Huntress starting us off and a good clip. I drafted her till the top of the rise, and then had to gap up to Surgeon and Pirate. We dropped down the hill and Pirate slowly started pulling away. As we came up to the dump I pulled around Surgeon and gave chase trying to catch Pirate’s wheel. I got a great draft and sling shot by him. It was all I could do to hold him off as we dropped down to Gilman and finished the run to the Expressway to wait for the rest of our group. When Huntress and Surgeon got there they turned on Ramona and Pirate left for home. I took Minotaur and Digger down Sanderson heading to Menlo.

As we got to Menlo Digger left us and Minotaur stayed with me till we got to Devonshire. We turned back east and Minotaur pulled till we got first to Kirby and then back to Gilmore. We pulled into the parking lot just as Huntress and Dragon Slayer were leaving so we headed for home ourselves. I had that good but tired feeling in my legs as I had lunch and headed for the shower to let the hot steam and water wash away some of the fatigue. When I sat down to download the ride I will admit a nap crossed my mind but I had things to do so I passed. But I bet I am in bed early tonight.