By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Another week was starting and it was going to be a hot Monday. But I had moved our easy ride to Monday mornings so I put a fairly flat one together so we could cruise if we wanted to. I was under the impression that Quicksilver would be back with us after a month off and Highlander was riding with a sore back. Tax man was still getting his cycling legs after his layoff so a flat ride seemed in order. I headed for the group meeting not knowing just how many would join us but knowing it would be fun anyway. I must have been eager because I got to the parking lot first and was already getting my coffee when Digger arrived. We were still talking when Surgeon rode up and Highlander drove into the lot. Dragon Slayer and Magic Man arrived followed by Tax Man and Quicksilver. MacGyver rounded out the group by 8am and we were ready to head south to get the show on the road.

The day started out easy enough. Warm but not too hot and even the pace was just about perfect. If it were the story of Goldie locks and the three bears it started out like the child’s porridge, not too hot, not to cold, but just right. As we moved west on acacia and then south on Kirby I was very impressed with what a nice day it was. I followed Digger and one or two other riders as we turned onto Cypress and headed for Johnston. It was good to see they finally covered the sink hole and we had a smooth ride to Johnston and Sanderson. We stacked up at the light on Sanderson and then were led by Tax Man and Digger to Stetson. Once we past that light we headed past Wally World and head for Mustang. We caught the light green and I got ready to attack the segment to Domenigoni. I was moving well till I spun out at about 26 and MacGyver got by me. I did catch him before the light only to legalize I had been in my small ring all morning.

As we headed east on Domenigoni Dragon Slayer and Magic Man set the pace and pulled away to State with MacGyver and I well back but between them and the rest of our little group. We headed south on State and entered McSweeney together only to make the loop and join Dragon Slayer and Magic Man on the corner of State and McSweeney. Once everyone had joined us we were ready to head back north and hed for the State Street Mile and the turn on Chambers. It took us a while to get everyone collected but by the time we were on Santa Fe we were together.

Looking back at the other riders it seemed as if Quicksilver was a bit off of her form and was back with Digger siding sweep. Highlander wasn’t as strong as I have seen him in the past but Tax Man was riding better than he had in weeks. MacGyver, Dragon Slayer, Magic Man Surgeon and I were the pace makers today and at the same time we were testing each other’s metal whenever we got a chance. And of course we tried to limit the times when one of our friends could catch us off guard.

We ended up spreading out about a quarter of a mile as we went over the bump past the high school heading towards Lake Street. Dragon Slayer, Magic Man and MacGyver were way out front with Surgeon not far behind, Highlander and Tax Man were with me as I got to Fairview and we waited for Quicksilver and Digger while Surgeon headed for Florida. Tax Man and Highlander headed after Surgeon with Digger and Quicksilver not far behind. Quicksilver wanted to know if I was going to hammer the Fairview Mile and I assured her I was going to save it for the firehouse segment. As we crossed the light I let most of them get a head start and I made a run at the segment. It felt pretty good and was able to ride at 80 to 85 percent all the way to Ramona and Cedar. I did manage to move into the top ten. I waited for the rest of the group to join me and we headed for the light at Main Street.

As we got to the light heading over the riverbed towards Soboba Highlander took Quicksilver and Tax Man to the left and back to Burger King. I followed MacGyver, Surgeon, Dragon Slayer and Magic Man towards the Soboba Golf Course and stopped under the trees to wait for Digger. He took off first to play the part of the rabbit followed by Surgeon while the fur remaining riders fidgeted like hunting dogs waiting to chase the fox. As soon as they started down the Hill from us and faded from view we gave chase. They only had about a quarter of a mile head start and Dragon Slayer had us up t speed pretty quickly. I was perfectly content to hold onto his wheel as we got to the driving range. I pulled around when he started to fade to take my turn at the front but MacGyver pulled by offering to pull me over the rise as we caught Digger and closed on Surgeon. Like a three stage rocket MacGyver pulled away and as I got ready to take my turn again Magic Man came by with some authority. I was getting good and wheel sucking by this time and fell into his draft envelope in a second. He pulled all the way to the last little hill and with my rested legs I took advantage of the hill and sprinted to the top so I could get to the stop sign on State first.

In reality we were more or less finished with the group ride at this point and the cool down to the coffee shop was all that was left. Once again Digger started first and the rest of us chased him all the way to Ramona where we got the light red and he got away. Surgeon headed for home leaving 4 of us to chase Digger. Once again MacGyver pulled us all the way back to Main and then Dragon Slayer Pulled to Hemet Street and MacGyver pulled again till we got back to Cedar and Dragon Slayer once again took the lead only to burn his last match and give it to me before we got back to Lincoln. Magic Man and Dragon Slayer headed back at that point while MacGyver and I rode to Carl’s for coffee with Digger before heading home ourselves. Digger left us where we cut over to Devonshire and I stayed with MacGyver to State Street before heading home myself. I have to admit I like riding my bike but I like it even better riding with friends.