By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I have mentioned before that if I am going to get a play day in while cycling it will be on a Wednesday. So we were going to do one of my favorite rides and head west on what we call Dutch treat. I knew the Bling Team would be riding today I just didn’t know who else might be there. I had breakfast, got dressed and headed for the parking lot with a lot of positive energy in my legs. Digger pulled in just before me and we talked for a few minutes before Highlander arrived. I thought it might be an easy ride until Dragon Slayer and Magic Man rode up. I then new the pace would be energetic to say the least once we got to Domenigoni. Surgeon joined us followed by Bulldozer, Erik and Sasquatch. At that point I knew a great chase would take place once we were headed west. Huntress and Quicksilver drove up as did red Rabbit. I told Rabbit where we were going and he left knowing he would need a head start to stay in front of us to the Saddle. The icing on the Cake was when MacGyver arrived. I now knew at least half of the group would have to run hard from Sanderson all the way to the saddle. By the time we were all ready it was just after 8am and we headed for Gilmore and Acacia.

For a change I was out front all the way to Kirby and stayed there as we pulled up to the light. I expected Bulldozer and MacGyver to head off down Kirby to Cypress way in front of us but they didn’t and I still was doing the pulling as we got to Cypress and started us west towards Johnston.

We made it to Johnston and Sanderson to once again catch the light red. We had just missed it so we had a long wait before we could turn and head for Stetson. This time we made it through the light while it was green. We rolled by Wally World and headed for Mustang with Bulldozer moving closer to the front and Sasquatch not far behind. I know they would let me lead to Domenigoni and maybe even the first few hundred yards but I expected Bulldozer to pass and leave me like a starship in warp drive. He did pull past me but only to take the pull from me and head us towards Warren. We had a slight rearrangement at Warren and I found myself in fifth behind Bulldozer, MacGyver, Dragon Slayer and Magic Man. The pace picked up as we headed for the dry wash and soon the lead group had changed again. Bulldozer, MacGyver, Sasquatch and Erik were in front of me with Highlander and Surgeon right behind me. Bulldozer pushed the pace up a few more notches and at Winchester the group changed again with Bulldozer, MacGyver right in front of me and Sasquatch, Erik and Surgeon right behind. Erik pulled by to take a turn pulling, a task I knew I couldn’t do at this pace, but was soon falling back as we closed on Leon. I figured I was toast for the Saddle climb with MacGyver in front and Sasquatch right behind me. But MacGyver bailed out and a rider we had passed before Leon pulled by me to get me up to Bulldozer and I got around and to the top without being passed by Sasquatch. We regrouped and waited for the stragglers.

After a record pull from Bulldozer we dropped off of the saddle and headed past Lindenburger to make our way to Menifee. Some had to stop at the park for a nature break and some continued on to wait for us on top of Revive. Once we were back on the road Highlander and Quicksilver led the way to Holland and part way to the small climb. Sasquatch pulled up next to me and picked up the pace as the road tilted up. When he stood to attack I stood with him and we pushed each other to the top with Sasquatch giving up about fifteen yards to me just before the stop sign. We regrouped at the top of Revive and split into two groups as we headed for Scott and the turn west. I had Highlander, Digger, Huntress, Sasquatch and Quicksilver with me and Bulldozer had MacGyver, Dragon Slayer, Magic Man, Erik and Surgeon with him well ahead of us. When we turned on Murrieta In waited for Digger while everyone else made a run for Holland.

Once Digger rolled by I started to chase my fleeing group. I was almost up to Highlander when he turned onto Holland and I could see sasquatch, Huntress and Quicksilver when I made the turn. I pulled up next to a rider names Angela and talked to her about joining our group and gave her the time and place of our starting point. I stayed with her all the way to Railroad Canyon and then east to Murrieta where I got her number and promised to send her our E-mail address. I then pulled Digger up to Haun where we caught Highlander, Huntress, Quicksilver and Sasquatch. We then headed for the back side of the saddle and I broke for Winchester and tried to close on Surgeon but her turned on Winchester and the rest of the group wanted to go back to Sanderson. So I waited for a regroup. Highlander pulled most of the way to the dry wash and I pulled us most of the way to Sanderson with Huntress taking us the last mile.

I took over the pull again at Mustang and got us down to Johnston where I lost about half of the group at the light. We had picked up MacGyver at Sanderson and he took Highlander, Huntress and I to Lowes and then all the way back to the parking lot where we regrouped and talked for a few minutes before heading for home and a much needed rest.