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.