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.