By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Short ride report The day started out about as nice as we could expect. I wasn’t too hot and we had about 10 riders ready to head out by 8am. But a sign that things were going to go south reared its ugly head when Brian had a flat before we even started. He didn’t have a spare tube so I gave him my extra one and filled it with one of my CO-2s. They he decided not to ride with us because of time. Still we headed out to Latham and then headed north on Lyon looking forwards to a short and fast run.

Slowly but surely the pace picked up as we moved north and like most days Bloodhound took off without the rest of us. We kept him in sight but watched him pull away as he rounded onto Ramona Boulevard. By the time we got to Ramona he was halfway to Sanderson and the rest of the group had formed up for the turn on Sanderson and the turn on the Expressway.

As we finally got to Sanderson we could see Bloodhound had made the light and while we waited at the light he finally stopped to wait for us to head west. Once we got started Surgeon closed on Bloodhound and my first instinct was to let him go. However Gambler pulled around me and pulled us up to Bloodhound and Surgeon. Once Bloodhound fell off Surgeon quickly gave the lead to Gambler and he pulled us west past the first dairy. We had a nice smooth cruise going when Bloodhound came back around to the front and tried to kick the pace up again. Picking up the pace turned out to be a bad move because he led us into the mother of all nail drops. Seven out of ten riders got flats. In my case I got two flats. In fact I had planned on heading home and called for a ride when Highlander decided to give me an extra tube. The rest of the group, assuming I was heading home, continued on after fixing their flats. A few minutes later Huntress, Highlander and I followed the route to Bridge and finally to Gilmore. We stayed on Gilmore all the way to Soboba and then headed for Ramona and east.

We rode to Lincoln and dropped off Huntress as Highlander and I headed back towards Burger King. I stopped for some cold tea at the Down-town deli before heading home myself. I spent the first two hours after I got home checking tires, replacing tubes and CO-2s to get ready for the next ride. The ride started off on a positive note but it fell off pretty quickly once the Nail Grinch and his plan struck. In fact Dragon Slayer got nails in his truck tires before he got home.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Wednesday is supposed to be my play day and the ride we had planned was just the kind of ride that would make that possible. Juniper Flats was and is an old nemesis of mine. It has challenged me from the very first time I rode it about five or six years ago. Strava has simply shown to me my progress or lack thereof over the last two or three years. Today I was ready to take a shot at improving my climb on that little hill even if it finished me off for the other climbs on the ride. I got to the parking lot to find Digger waiting and watched the rest of the group tickle in. We had a pretty good group by 8 am with a good sized A group and a reasonable B group. I expected Gambler and Bulldozer to lead the As and I would stay with the Bs because we had a new rider and Highlander had just returned from more than a week off.

Surgeon followed me out onto Latham and a moment or two later the rest of the group came out from around Pep Boys and followed us. By the time we were heading north on Lyon Bloodhound tried to push the pace and took off in front of us. Surgeon followed him but I was satisfied to just keep the pace steady and keep the group together. A few minutes later we caught the breakaway guys at Esplanade only to lose them again as Bloodhound continued his pushing the early pace. Eventually I knew some would give chase but the ride to Juniper simply didn’t interest me as much as the coming climb so I was willing to hold back and save my energy.

Soon Bulldozer took off after Bloodhound and Surgeon and they formed a lead group. Not long after we crossed Seventh street Gambler, Dragon Slayer, and Highlander started to chase the fleeing trio leaving just three to ride with me. I pulled Huntress, Alan, and digger till we got to Ramona and then again till we got to Sanderson and the expressway. I took the pull past Warren and halfway to Bridge before we started to rotate the pace line, after picking up Highlander along the way. We stayed together till we got to Hansen and joined up with Minotaur, Bandit, Gambler, Dragon Slayer, Bloodhound and Surgeon. Alan and Highlander decided to turn back before heading for Juniper Flats so I was free to follow Bloodhound as he pushed his way down to Contour for the run at Juniper Flats road. I stayed with Bloodhound over the first climb before settling into a constant push of about 80 percent as I attacked the hill. Soon I was pushing closer to 90 percent because of the heat and Gambler, Bandit and Bulldozer closed the quarter of a mile lead I had had and passed me before catching Bloodhound and passing him. I still got a P.R. on the hill and got ready for a regroup and drop down to Florida.

The A group was long gone by the time all of the Bs got on top of Juniper We dropped off the back side of Juniper with the addition of Surgeon and Dragon Slayer. We got down to Florida and headed back to Briggs to made a slight loop out of Briggs to Watson to Menifee and back to the AM/PM on Florida for one last regroup before heading south towards McCall. Surgeon left us at McCall and I followed the As when they headed for the back side of Hospital Hill. I jumped at this hill even harder than I did Juniper and got another P.R. What I didn’t know was I was overheating my engine and would have to pay for these attacks before I got home.

The A group decided not to stop at Jack in the Box and so they left while I waited for the Bs to regroup. By the time we were all collected we decided not to stop as well and planned on heading for home on Domenigoni. We worked together to help Minotaur pump up his average speed and too turns pulling over the saddle and all the way to Winchester. We were cruising along at close to 23 with little effort till the wind shifted into our face. At that point I started to pay for my aggressive climbing earlier in the ride. By the time we got to Warren my heart rate was climbing and I was concerned about my hydration. But before it could get into the red zone we pulled over into the shade and waited for my HR to drop. In managed to pour some cold water over my head and legs before we got back on the road and headed for Sanderson and hope. The Group dropped me off at Kirby and Johnson and I got home feeling a bit tired and ready for a cool shower and plenty of liquid and maybe even a nap.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Monday is supposed to be a restful start of the week for a bike club. It doesn’t always turn out that way but I had great hopes for today being a casual west ride. I eagerly left for the parking lot just to see my friends and get ready for the ride. I got there first and headed in for some coffee and waited for Digger to arrive. By 8 am we had a small group with the addition of the Bling Team, Bloodhound and Bulldozer. So seven of us left the parking lot and headed south. We quickly moved to Acacia and then Kirby before turning south again and watched Bloodhound jump on Bulldozer’s back wheel as they pulled away. Jackal decided to chase them and that was about the last time we saw the three of them. The four of us worked together to make it out to Sanderson and head to Stetson and the ride to Domenigoni.

Once we did make it to Domenigoni we formed a simple pace line that allowed me to pull to Warren before letting the Bling Team take over and point us towards Winchester. It was great to see everyone staying together and even having Digger pull almost all the way to Leon. I took over again after Quicksilver gave up the lead and headed for the Saddle with the group right behind me like gum on a shoe. We decided not to regroup at the top so I pushed the pace a bit up the grade with Huntress staying with me. As we crossed over the top of the saddle I looked behind me to I view of a very determined Bling Team member doing all she could to be sure I didn’t get away from her.

We dropped off of the saddle and headed for Lindenburger spread out over about a quarter of a mile and headed for Laguna Vista and then to Menifee. We managed to catch the light at Menifee and had to wait for it to turn green. By the time we were moving towards the park for a short break everyone was back in the pack and working together. Once we were back on the road and headed towards Holland, the “Bling” Team, started swarming me. One or the other of them would pull by and the other would try to pull away. They did this half way up the Revive hill before Quicksilver made an all out attack. She ended up short by about 20 yards as we all pulled up to join Digger waiting for us at the top. We then continued on towards Garboni and the rest of our ride.

Once we lined up again I pulled the group to Scott and made the turn west. We were spread out a bit till we got to Antelope and headed over the freeway. I took us to Haun and turned back North only to have Huntress blast by me and kick us up to 27mph heading for Holland again. I wasn’t sure I would be able to hold on to her wheel but I did and we all turned onto Holland to head for Murrieta. This time Huntress chased me to the top of the hill on Holland and then led me back to Murrieta and Newport. We didn’t stop at Newport and headed north on Murrieta and made our way to McCall only to turn east towards Hospital Hill. As we headed back to Antelope there was a lot of emergency vehicle activity but we finally got to the light at Hillpointe where we had a chance to catch the light green. This time Quicksilver chased me up the hill and over the top to drop down to Menifee and a regroup. We turned onto Heritage and headed for Lindenburger and Simpson.

We made our way to Leon and cut over to Grand before turning towards Winchester and our coffee break. We got to Winchester with a light wind starting to come at us from the south. Once on Winchester I pulled us to Winchester Farms for a quick break and then us back on the road at Stowe. We picked up MacGyver who had been chasing us all day. He only stayed with us till we got back to Warren and he headed for home. I took the Bling Team to Sanderson while Digger took the short cut past the Airport and he beat us back to Burger King. It was a great day for a ride even if we didn’t see three of the rides most of the day.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) We missed a day this week because of rain. Because of an extra day off I expected that the riders would be eager to just get in an easy 38 miles with an average cruising speed. Little did I realize how wrong I was. I got to the parking lot just a bit early and had plenty of time to visit with Digger before Dragon Slayer rode up. Surgeon was soon to follow as was Gambler and Bulldozer and Jackal. Minotaur pulled in about the same time as Socrates and Newsboy. The last to pull in was Barracuda on a classic steel bike with of all things fenders. It was going to be a flat ride but I could tell Barracuda wouldn’t be hammering today. None the less we headed out of the parking lot and south down Gilmore to start the ride.

I was about the thank my lucky stars that Bloodhound wasn’t with us as we cruised to Kirby and got ready to head south in Kirby when Bulldozer rolled by me picking up speed. I had made the mistake of not responding to such a break last Friday and I never saw the A group again before the ride was over. Today I latched on till we got to Cypress and headed west before I realized we were dropping the rest of the group. I pulled up and Newsboy took up the chase followed by Gambler. Gambler and Bulldozer made the light at Johnston and Sanderson and I thought that was the end of it but we got a quick green and caught them at the light on Stetson. I was able to get out front and get a shot of the group before we made it to Mustang.

As we pulled up to the light on Domenigoni it was decided that some of the A group would do Seven Dollar hill while I took the B group to McSweeney. As we turned east the pace quickened and sure enough the A group pulled off at Searl and I took the rest of us around the corner on State. Well to be honest I thought I had the rest of the group but I found Surgeon and Barracuda waiting for us on the corner of State and Domenigoni. Once the A group came down from Seven dollar hill they joined us on State and I led us to Chambers to start our move east to Fairview. Once on Thornton I got my last shot before the pace strung us out into a long line with me halfway back from the front.

We managed to make the turn onto Crest and I could see Dragon Slayer was paying for the Seven Dollar climb so I went back and pulled him to Lake and Stetson. Gambler, Bulldozer and Newsboy were in front of us and several of the others went straight down Stetson so we found them waiting on Fairview. Barracuda went home early as did Surgeon so the diminished group collected on Fairview and then made a run to Florida and over the road till Fairview turned into Cedar. Bulldozer pulled us to Ramona and the group was split in three with Gambler, Bulldozer, Newsboy, Minotaur and me in the front and Jackal, Dragon Slayer, Socrates, and Digger trailing. I stayed with the lead three after Minotaur fell off but let them go once we got to Soboba. I collected the rest of the B group and started a pace line west on Soboba. By the time we got to State several of the Bs were tired and we found the As waiting for us after the turn on State. Dragon Slayer decided to head for home on Ramona Expressway and Gambler took everyone by Socrates with him east on the expressway. In took Socrates with me to Ramona Boulevard and east to work our way to the San Jacinto to the coffee shop on Harvard. We picked up Newsboy and Minotaur on the corner of Ramona and San Jacinto and rode with them to the coffee shop. We were finally joined by Jackal and Digger as we had coffee or iced tea and chatted till time to go home and start our peaceful weekend.

Monday, Monday

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Monday is supposed to be our warm up start out ride each week and most times it is. When Jackal shows up the Monday rides are almost as unpredictable as Friday and as I sat at the parking lot with Digger Jackal rolled in. I knew I had better check my tire pressure and look for breaks even in the early parts of the ride. Brian and Bloodhound were next to arrive but we discovered they would be heading for Idyllwild with Bill cutting down on the local group. Dragon Slayer was unloading his truck when Newsboy rode up and decided to join the Bill crew. Once Surgeon arrived we were ready to leave and the two groups went their separate way.

Dragon Slayer, Surgeon, Digger, Jackal and I headed down Gilmore to Acacia before turning west and making it to the light on Kirby before turning south. I have to admit not chasing Bloodhound on the first part of the ride is rather refreshing. I am sure that while Bill, Brian, Bloodhound and Newsboy headed east towards Val Vista they were being pressed by Bloodhound to pick up the pace. I wouldn’t have gone over the hill through Idyllwild today because of the heat but I am not a young man with more energy and power than I now have. By the time my mind had thought of this we were down Cypress and onto Johnson heading over to Sanderson before getting back up to Wentworth. Our next move was to the Airport road and getting ready to come back out onto Stetson.

As we rode past Hanger 1 and out onto Stetson Dragon Slayer was in the lead and pulled us all the way to Warren and then stayed out front all the way to California. I thought he would give up the lead on California but it looked like he was perfectly happy to pull us all the way to Winchester. In fact Dragon Slayer took us up to and on to Stowe and started us west at about 20 or 22 MPH. That intent was smashed when Jackal pulled by and rather than simply taking the lead pumped it up to about 24 and broke up the group. Dragon Slayer sat on Jackals back wheel and I drafted Dragon Slayer as Surgeon and Digger fell off of the back. Jackal tried to ride us off of his wheel but that didn’t work and we ended up passing him and getting to Winchester Farms first. We only took a short break before I took us out onto Winchester and headed south past Grand and then Chris’s.

The ride today is a flat simple ride that takes us down Winchester and then east on Domenigoni. We had agreed to try and keep the group together and run east at about 20 to 22 mph. I started us out that way and when Dragon Slayer took over for me he kept us at about that pace at least till Jackal took the lead and moved it back up a bit. I got back in front after Warren and got us to Sanderson before Jackal hit it again and spit Digger and Surgeon off the back of the group. Once again I got back in front and Dragon Slayer finally pulled around and took us to Searl. Once we regrouped we quickly made our way to State Street and had to chase Jackal all the way to Chambers before working our way back out onto Stetson east.

We decided to stay on Stetson and head to Fairview by passing the High School. Dragon Slayer made it through the light at the High School while the rest of us caught it red. By the time we were rolling again he was long gone. The rest of us set our own pace and headed for speed bump before passing Lake about 50 to 100 yards apart. Surgeon and Dragon Slayer didn’t stop at Fairview and Stetson but Jackal, digger and I did before racing north to Florida to pick them up at the store on the corner. We then headed east towards Cranston Station and once again Jackal decided to set the pace. Now however the sun was beating down on us and it felt hot. Jackal ran out of steam before we got to Cranston and was third into the parking lot.

When Jackal pulled into Cranston we could tell he was hot and tired. He finished off some water and refilled his bottle but was still complaining about being hot. Dragon Slayer suggested that he cool off in the water channel that ran by the station and after a few minutes of thinking he opted to cool himself off in the water.

I was sure he was cooled off and that the ride back west would cool him off even more as the air passed through his jersey and shorts. It seemed to have worked because he seemed refreshed as we moved back down to New Chicago and over to Lincoln to head back west. We got to Park and around to Devonshire before making our way to Latham. We had decided to try the new coffee shop on Harvard because it might be a better place to start our rides. The owner seems very bicycle supportive and it was on our way home. The coffee and iced tea were good and we visited for a few minutes before heading back to the cars and home. Still I can hardly wait to hear about the adventures of the kids and Bill. It must have been cooking by the time they got back to Lambs Canyon.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Wednesdays are always longer or have more climbing than the other rides during the week so this week would continue the tradition. We would be doing the Goetz, Perris, Nuevo Winchester ride and I for one love that ride. I headed out to the parking lot with a new set of tires on the bike and a spare tire and tube for one of the new riders that had flatted on the way in. By 8am we had a group together and were almost ready to head out when we noticed Newsboy had a bad bulge in his tire and to use the spare I brought. A few minutes later we were headed down Gilmore to Acacia and then Kirby.

Digger was staying up very well with the main group while Bulldozer had pulled away with two on the young Turks following him. As we got to the corner the third young Turk, Newsboy, pulled up nextto me eager to give chase. I persuaded him to stay with us and save his energy for the climb on Goetz. But you could tell he was straining at the leash to give chase. We did catch the light on Sanderson red and had to wait for a while before heading to Stetson and Wally World.

As we made our way to Domenigoni I could see there was no need to chase Bulldozer and his group so we simply settled into a steady pace line west towards Warren Road. It was one of the most co-operative lines we had had in a long time as Dragon Slayer, Newsboy and Pirate all took turns after I gave up the lead and not only got us to Warren but all the way to Winchester in one piece. That of course just set things up for the Saddle sprint. Pirate was the sacrificial lamb going into the climb with Newsboy sitting in third, I had forth and dragon Slayer was in fifth. The Bling team were behind up but didn’t look like they were going to sprint. As soon as Surgeon started to go around Newsboy hit the sprint. I followed a few strokes later and Dragon Slayer came after me. I caught Surgeon when he spun out and Dragon Slayer caught me just before the fence line. We found the Bulldozer group waiting to regroup at the top.

As we headed down the back side of the saddle and made our way to Lindenburger Bloodhound took off of the front again but this time he was chased by Brian and finally Bulldozer. The rest of us followed a stop light back and made for a regroup and nather stop at Carl’s on Murrieta. The group decided to break up before Goetz with Highlander taking the Bling team home on La Ladera. Surgeon had left us well before Carl’s.

Once again Bloodhound took off and Bulldozer headed for home as we got close to Goetz. This time Newsboy and Brian chased Bloodhound while Bill, Dragon Slayer and I followed to Normandy. The two chaser caught Bloodhound on the first climb and Bill and I pulled away from Dragon Slayer. Pirate caught Bill and I before the second climb but Bill picked it up a bit and I fell off a bit till just before the Moose Lodge. Pirate dropped a gear so I went around him and over the top of Goetz about 100 yards behind Bill. We regrouped just past Ethanack before heading towards the City of Parris. We ended up taking Goetz to the jog over to Redlands before heading north to Nuevo and the turn back east.

Things fell apart a bit as we moved east as Dragon Slayer took part of the group past Evans and I fell back to pick up Digger and Minotaur. We met Dragon Slayer at Menifee and said our good byes as we turned south to head back to Florida. The rest of the group was long gone by the time we got to Central. We didn’t see them by the time we got to Mapes so we turned over to Briggs and headed for the dump road. We never saw Newsboy, Bill, Brian or Bloodhound again and finally found Pirate waiting at Winchester farms. We had a quick cold drink before heading back east on Stowe. We stayed together all the way to Stetson and parted from Digger at the airport road while we stayed on the smoother Stetson all the way to Sanderson before heading back to Lowes and around to Acacia.

We made our way to Gilmore and headed back to Florida where Pirate and I headed east towards Lyon and I stopped at the bike shop to check on Digger and had a cold drink before heading for home and a hot shower before lunch. No records today but it felt like a solid ride.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was another great day for a ride and another Monday to get off to a good start on. I looked outside to pale blue skies and just a dusting of gossamer clouds high in the air and got ready to head for the parking lot and a short ride west. I headed out after breakfast and got ready to hook up with the club for what I wanted to be a easy and quick ride. Digger was one of the first there along with Brian. Bloodhound and Dragon Slayer were there with Tax Man, Surgeon and Highlander. To my surprise Centaur and Huntress pulled up with Jackal filling out the group. Not a big group but one that should enjoy the ride today. We headed south on Gilmore to Acacia watching Bloodhound sprinting away as normal. He turned on Kirby at least a half of a block in front of us.

As we crossed the railroad tracks and got ready to turn on Cypress we noticed Bloodhound was out of sight. I told Brian that I expected we would see him waiting for us at Johnston but we didn’t. we made the turn and caught the light at Sanderson before turning south again and crossing Stetson. We could just barely see Bloodhound up the road as we made our way over Stetson and towards Mustang.

As we rolled by Mustang the group started to line up for the ride west on Domenigoni and the chase of Bloodhound. Dragon Slayer started us out and kept us rolling at about 21 to 23 before giving the lead to me and I tried to maintain the pace. We pulled up on Bloodhound before we got to Winchester and headed for the saddle as a group. By the time we rolled by Winchester Surgeon had the lead but when he gave it up he only moved back three riders before getting back in line. As the group lined up for the Saddle sprint I decided to see if I could break up the rhythm and talked Brian into starting the sprint early. He did pretty well till Jackal ran him down and Dragon Slayer chased them both. I pretended to start after them and the rest of the group picked it up to spin to the top of the saddle for a regroup. My plan was to get them to burn some matches before we got to Revive after Holland.

Bloodhound and Brian had separated from the group by about 100 yards. It was here that riding with Dragon Slayer started to help a great deal. He pulled me up to Surgeon and Centaur and got us past Holland and within striking distance of Bloodhound and Brian. As I closed on the two Brian kicked it up a gear and pulled away. I ran down Bloodhound and chased Brain to the top of the hill. I didn’t catch him and I stopped to regroup at the turn out while Bloodhound continued on to Chase Brian to Scott. We followed a few moments later even if Highlander and Tax Man had turned on Holland to head to Antelope. Dragon Slayer and I started a pace-line after Garboni while still on Menifee. Jackal tried to break away from us and made a fine pass. Not fine enough when being chased by two riders working together and so he was caught at the ride before Scott. We moved west to Haun and after a short regroup headed north towards Newport. We took turns pulling and soon were back to Holland and finally to Newport and the Gas station on the corner.

After a short break at the gas station we were ready to go again. Bloodhound and Brian never stopped and Highlander and Tax Man had gone home so we were on our own heading west to Bradley to make a run for McCall. I had mentioned to Jackal where the segment called Golf Cart racing was but he lacked the matches to attack it today.

We only got about half way north on Golf Cart racing before Huntress and Dragon Slayer took off and left us. None of us thought to chase them and they reached McCall well before the rest of us. We caught every light red on McCall and simply couldn’t close on the fleeing twosome as they made it over McCall and down past Menifee to regroup. We then made our way to Heritage and started towards Lindenburger and Simpson.

We had a great run going on Simpson when Centaur had a blowout. Huntress had to make it home so we had Surgeon and Digger go with her while some of us stayed to assist in the changing of Centaur’s tire. We then went to Winchester and up to Stowe for a quick break before heading back to the parking lot.

We headed east on Stowe and then turned north on California before having Jackal pull us to Stetson. He started the pull towards Warren and Dragon Slayer took over and took us to Sanderson before heading north towards Lowes and around it to Acacia and back to Kirby. There were only four of us as we got to Gilmore and got back to the parking lot. Jackal left first while Centaur, Dragon Slayer and I had coffee at Starbucks before heading home ourselves. It was a great day and we had a great time.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) As always it seems as if Friday riders are a total surprise as to how good or bad they turn out, today just happened to be one of the good days. I put on a new pair of cycling shorts and an old jersey and headed for the parking lot to see who would show up. Digger was waiting for me when I pulled up and Dragon Slayer wasn’t far behind. Highlander and Bloodhound arrived as did Surgeon. Brain and Bill were both there as was Minotaur, Highlander and Centaur. We sat around talking waiting to see if the bling team was riding and Barracuda and Pirate arrived along with MacGyver and Jackal. That was the magic number and we were ready to head south on Gilmore. We turned onto Acacia and again on Kirby to head south.

Bloodhound was feeling frisky again today but everyone else was taking their time warming up as we made our way to Cypress and west. Just like in the past when we would do a west ride Bloodhound had t come back for us before we got to Johnston and then he was pulling out front again to make the turn to Sanderson and North to Wentworth. Traffic was a bit lighter than it had been Monday so we easily made it into the turn lane and headed west on Wentworth to Cawston to cut over to the airport road.

As Bloodhound took us out onto Stetson things started to ramp up a bit but for the most part no one was letting him go. I got on his back wheel and Highlander was on mine with several riders stacked up behind us. We slowed for traffic at Warren and took off again to make the run at California. MacGyver and Dragon Slayer pulled up behind me and we all stayed close on Bloodhound as we turned south on California and lined up on Stowe to get ready for the speed run to Winchester.

Bloodhound started us out and crept up to about 22 before giving the lead to me. I only pulled for a few yards before MacGyver and Dragon Slayer started a rotating pace line. We only made it through two rotations before Jackal and several others joined the line. However I ended up getting boxed in as the lead 4 pulled away and finally Surgeon slotted in at number five. I had to close the gap and didn’t get to the leaders till the barn so I simply went on by to the Winchester parking lot for a regroup. We started out again and moved to Winchester and south with Bloodhound in the lead again. He pulled steadily south all the way to the Railroad tracks with the whole group staying in line.

It only took us a few minutes to get to Domenigoni and wait for the light. Once it turned green Surgeon started the pull east and stayed out front almost to the flag pole before MacGyver took over and slowly ramped it up. It wasn’t long before the group started to get ragged so Barracuda slipped up to the front and had MacGyver throttle it back. As we headed past Warren and closed on Sanderson I took the opportunity to pull to the front myself and grab a quick picture before falling away and yelling that we should regroup at Searl.

No one heard me I guess because I was the only one who stopped and waited for the stragglers so we could ride together to State Street where the rest of the group were waiting.

A few of the riders decided to by-pass Gibble and either waited at state of rode off to Mcsweeney to rejoin us when we got back. Bloodhound never stopped in the first place and I was well out front as we headed for Gibble and the three climbs. I was talking with Brian as MacGyver rode by heading for a PR on the climb and I told Brian I was going to just climb steady so he should go with MacGyver if her needed a workout. By the second climb I could see Jackal trying to close on me and by the last climb MacGyver was headed back down. I got to the top to find Bloodhound and Dragon Slayer waiting and we all waited till some of the other riders got to the top before heading back down to State to start north and finish the ride to Carl’s.

Bloodhound and Brian were long gone before we got to Stetson and headed east. I took us around the corner and headed for Columbia. Because they had been working on Crest I kept us on Thornton till we got to Lake and cut over to Stetson. MacGyver pulled us to Fairview and then north to Florida. Bill dropped off to get in some extra miles and Bloodhound never stopped so there were only 12 of us at Carl’s for coffee and conversation. MacGyver needed it to be a short break so we were back on Lincoln and headed west in only a few minutes.

We more or less cruised back to Park where Surgeon left us and then to the jog at Devonshire where Digger left us. We then started down the grade on Devonshire and rolled by Yale with Highlander in the lead. I wondered if he had a case of smelling the barn so I stayed with him as close as I could so we wouldn’t get separated by a light. Everyone else closed up as well and we all turned onto Santa Fe together and headed west on Latham to get back to Burger King.

As we crossed State Street I was in full cruise mode and noticed Bill was closing on us. I started to soft pedal just before Lyon only to watch Minotaur and Jackal jump off into a sprint. I waited till Bill joined us and rode into the parking lot to visit with the other riders before heading for home and a hot shower. I felt better than I had all week but was looking for a restful weekend and maybe a short ride Saturday. Still like I said earlier it was a great day for a ride.

The Bling Team strikes again

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I almost always look forward to the Wednesday rides and this was no different. I was going to be a bit longer than Monday and it was a bit cooler as well. The only big difference was I had done a Metric century with Dragon Slayer and MacGyver on Tuesday and my legs were telling me I should have stayed in bed. None the less I got dressed and headed for the parking lot to grab a quick cup of coffee and see who would be doing a half century with me today. I was pleased to see Digger and Highlander by the time I came back out with my coffee. Minotaur pulled into the parking lot next followed by Brian and Bloodhound. Dragon Slayer and MacGyver arrived about the same time and Huntress pulled in just before Quicksilver. Ten people headed down Gilmore and headed for Acacia.

Bloodhound was once again like a young pup and pulled away from us at the start. I didn’t let it bother me because I had intended to keep the group together as much as possible for the whole ride. I also knew that sooner or later Brian would go chase Bloodhound and I would end up rotating the lead with MacGyver and Dragon Slayer in a repeat of Tuesday’s ride on Domenigoni. We made the light well after Bloodhound and followed his trail to Cypress and west to Johnston.

Bloodhound came back to get us but soon was off trying to pick up the pace again even if we were not taking the bait. So he rounded the corner on Johnston and headed for the light on Sanderson well in front of the rest of us. We had to sit through the light but were finally we were headed south to Stetson and past Wally World to make our way to Domenigoni.

By the time we got to Mustang Brian finally took off after Bloodhound and as I expected I was destined to pull the group west towards Warren. However, as soon as I was ready to give up the lead Dragon Slayer and MacGyver were ready to take over. We chased Bloodhound and Brian to Warren where they stopped for some reason. Some of the group stopped to see what their problem was and the Bling team, Highlander, Dragon Slayer and I made a run for it heading for Winchester thinking that they would chase us down before the saddle. MacGyver did catch us but we caught the light red and the rest of the group pulled up on us before it turned green. As we headed west past Winchester the lead changed a few times till Bloodhound was once again in the front. It was here that I started to plan my assault on the Saddle. I knew MacGyver was behind me as was Dragon Slayer but they were not as disturbing as the fact that the Bling Team had zeroed in on my wheel like two fighter planes lining up on a fleeing enemy and getting ready to lock on guns. I thought I had the sprint to pull around Bloodhound and maybe outrun Brain but I knew MacGyver would be on me like ugly on an Ape and Dragon Slayer would attack the first sign of weakness. At the bottom of the saddle I jumped out and made a run for it. Quicksilver came after me as did MacGyver and Dragon Slayer. I couldn’t hold off MacGyver but I did finish before Dragon slayer and Quicksilver. At the top when we regrouped we picked up a new rider, Alex before heading down the back side and going to Menifee.

I understand that some sharks will follow their prey for miles looking for the right time to attack and today it seemed like every time I looked behind me one of the Bling team was on my wheel. This uneasy feeling stuck with me most of the morning and it was in full force as we rolled by Lindenburger and then Laguna to get to the light on Menifee and head south. As we headed south on Menifee I was suspicious of every move the Bling team made. Once we past Holland Minotaur made a slight run at the hill and soon I stood to pull around him. Quicksilver made a jump but I was expecting it and pulled away before she could get a head of steam. We crested the hill and chased Digger to Garboni to make a speed run to Scott. Once there we turned east and headed towards Winchester.

As we moved towards Winchester I discovered how strong Alex was and he pulled me up to Bloodhound and towards the hill dropping down to Leon. There was a detour sign because they had been working on Scott between Leon and Winchester so we took Leon south to Max Gillis. Somehow we lost Digger and Minotaur when they missed the turn. But they made it to Los Alamos anyway. I had MacGyver take the group to Benton and Winchester to refill their water bottles before we headed back to Max Gillis and the run to Los Alamos ourselves. As we headed for the light I got that uneasy feeling looking back at the Bling team and their wolf like smile as they followed me.

MacGyver didn’t make the turn with us because he had to head for home. Once we got to Los Alamos Bloodhound and Brian kicked it up and Dragon Slayer and I started to give chase. Quicksilver asked me if I would stay with her because of the traffic on the narrow road so I did. Little did I know it was a plot that would come back to bite me later. Still we all made it through Los Altos and out to Whitewood where we picked up Digger and Minotaur. Bloodhound and Brian were long gone and we let Digger start up the hill first while Huntress and Quicksilver chased, caught and passed him. They had gapped me by about 40 yards and I decided to close with them leaving Dragon Slayer with Minotaur, Alex, and Digger. I caught the Bling team and drafted them till Quicksilver took over and I then pulled by her and headed for the top of the hill. This time Quicksilver wasn’t giving up my back wheel for anything and it was all Dragon Slayer could do to catch Huntress. We waited for the group after the stop light but Dragon Slayer and Minotaur continued on to the Hospital where we would regroup with Bloodhound and Brian. After a short break we got ready to head north on Antelope just as a lone female cyclist went by. Bloodhound and Brian decided to chase he on Antelope and completely Missed the turn on Keller.

It didn’t take us long to get back to Menifee and head north to Scott where we caught the light and ended up waiting long enough so we were all together. We made short work of the ride back to Garboni and then Holland before catching the light at Domenigoni. We continued on to Simpson where Alex left us and headed east on Simpson. At this point I should have heard the theme from Jaws as we moved by Leon and headed into the trees. I pulled by Quicksilver to pull into a light in your face breeze. My goal was to stay far enough ahead on Minotaur so he wouldn’t attack for a sprint to Winchester and was doing pretty good till I heard the “Woosh Woosh Woosh” of an attacking, sprinting Quicksilver. She did such a good job that all I could do was ramp up my spin and try and close on her. I only managed to get t her back wheel before we entered the turn lane and had to stop for the light. Yes the Bling team has struck again and I was their victim. Like an Antelope running from two Lionesses sooner or later my number would be up and I would be fresh kill. We made a quick stop at Winchester farms before heading for home on Stowe. We made it to California and then Stetson before passing the airport and working our way to Sanderson and finally to Acacia. We got back to the parking lot with my legs finally stopped screaming at me. I got home to take a hot and then cold shower and have lunch. Today I may have to lick my wounds but there will be another day and the Bling team will pay, oh yes, they will pay.