By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I got up and looked outside to see a sky full of clouds and the temperature was hovering around 60 degrees. I had to be a arm and leg warmer day and maybe even a mid weight base layer. Yes I know 60 degrees is not cold by most standards but it is a drastic change in our weather. So I had breakfast and dressed warm and headed for the parking lot to see who was going to join me. Digger was already getting coffee when I arrived and Dragon Slayer was just driving up. Bloodhound joined us after a long absence and Highlander followed a moment later. I was surprised to see MacGyver pull up right after Menotaur. A new rider, Art, pulled up and said he wanted to join us. Tax Man drove up and Sasquatch got there just as we were getting ready to leave. Gambler got there while Tax Man was getting ready and we all headed down Gilmore to start the day.

Bloodhound started out a bit hot but no one bothered to chase him as we all talked while heading to Acacia and then south on Kirby. We were still cruising as we turned on Cypress and headed through the housing tract towards Johnston. By then Minotaur had picked it up and was closing on Bloodhound as he got to Johnston and headed over to Sanderson where we caught the light. As the light turned Bloodhound took off again and headed for Stetson. He was long gone by the time we rounded the corner and I ended upp pulling us to first the airport and then to Warren. As we crossed Warren Minotaur picked things up and we got ready to head for California.

It was after we turned onto California that the fun began. Minotaur was out front when Sasquatch rolled by and tried to make a break away. He was successful as he turned onto Stowe and we started to reel him in. Minotaur once again took off as we caught Sasquatch but we ran him down just as Gambler and MacGyver rolled by me. I finally got on the Gambler train right behind MacGyver as we headed for Winchester Farms. I got by MacGyver but didn’t close on Gambler. Just before the parking lot on Winchester Art got by me and pulled up behind Gambler. We had to wait to regroup because the group was split up over a quarter of a mile.

Once we had all laughed about the effort on Stowe we got ready to head south on Winchester with Blood Hound, Highlander and Dragon Slayer taking us past the dump road and past Chris’s before catching the light at Simpson.

The next part of the ride was going to be long and it seemed it would be a fast move south and then east. MacGyver was leading us to Domenigoni and we waited at the light to take a run at State Street. I started us off as we made the light but soon Bloodhound had the lead followed by Gambler. I was sitting in third and I was determined not to get dropped. Looking behind me I could see Highlander, MacGyver, Dragon Slayer and Art all in line. I held on at about 23 mph as we got to the dry wash and some of the group fell back a bit. As we past Warren I was forced out of line and had to fall behind Bloodhound as we headed for Sanderson and then a regroup at Searl. I got us down to State Street and Bloodhound started us north towards Chambers. Soon we were lining up for a sprint, something we haven’t done for a while, and I was getting boxed in. I had to make a break early and rocketed out about two thirds of the way over the rise where Art and Gambler blasted by me. We then worked our way over to Stetson and started east. We decided to stay on Stetson and ride over the bump to Fairview. Both Sasquatch and Bloodhound took off on us and were long gone by the time we rolled by Lake. All we had to do next was regroup on Fairview and the game would be on with a sprint on Fairview and a hard run up to Cranston. As we waited for Digger everyone started to make plans on what they would do once the sprint started. I think some expected a slow roll Track Start and I could also see I was going to be cannon fodder once the sprint started. I rode back to Stetson to look for Digger and realized I was uphill from the group and they were not looking in my direction. So I got a running start headed for Florida while everyone was still sitting on the side of the road. I made the turn onto Florida and headed east towards Cranston. I almost made it to the trees before Art caught me followed by Gambler. MacGyver caught me thirty yards later but he had burned too many matches and I was able to recover on his wheel and pass him just before Cranston. Once we were all back together we headed for Carl’s and even that turned into a drag race. We stopped for coffee before heading back west towards Burger King.

I ended up flatting as we pulled back out onto New Chicago and many had to leave. Dragon Slayer, Highlander, Tax Man, Digger and Minotaur stayed with me and we made short work of Lincoln as we turned onto park. Digger headed for home and five of us pounded our way to Devonshire and then Santa Fe before heading for home on Latham. I left the group at Lyon and stopped to get some new cleat covers before going home myself. It turned out to be a great day for a flat ride. I got to play two days this week.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I recovered pretty well from the Saturday ride and took it easy on Monday so I got up Wednesday ready to play. I had gone to bed early and got up rested and had breakfast. After a shower and shave I was ready to get dressed and head out of my door to meet my friends at the parking lot. I got there after Dragon Slayer and before Digger. We were talking as Highlander arrived and he talked us into moving over by the windows to get some warm sun. As we stood there talking Closer arrived followed shortly by Huntress. Once again it wasn’t a big group as we were getting ready to leave. Red Rabbit rode up to see where we were going and took off to get a head start. We pulled out onto Gilmore and saw Gambler rounding the corner off of Florida just before we crossed the street. We rode down to Acacia together and over to Kirby before heading south towards Cypress.

Gambler was fully warmed up after having to make a mad dash from the east end of town when he remembered that we were not changing start times till next week. He was taking it easy on us as we moved over the railroad tracks and turned west through the houses. I pulled up next to him and Dragon Slayer as we got to Johnston and encouraged them into turned to Stetson before heading west again. I led us to Stetson and started us towards the Airport.

I held the lead till we past the airport and caught Red Rabbit before having to slow for Warren. Highlander came up and teased Gambler for going so slow and that proved to be a big mistake. We picked up speed heading for California and formed a pretty good pace line heading for Stowe. As we turned West Gambler picked up speed again and soon we were hitting 24. The group started to hand grenade about 400 yards from the metal barn while Dragon Slayer and I held onto Gambler’s back wheel for dear life. I considered turning the last 100 yards into a sprint but realized we still had more than 30 miles to go and some climbing in front of us so I just stayed into the draft till we regrouped at Winchester Farms.

Once we were all back together we headed back down Winchester towards Grand and noticed Bandit coming at us. He turned around and lead us back south and headed us west on the dump road. I was feeling frisky so I drafted them to the rise before pulling around and leading us over the top and toward Leon. The effort once again broke the group but it was fun so I took us south towards Simpson where we soft pedaled till everyone was in tow.

Dragon Slayer took over the pull and got us on Simpson heading west. He pulled us all the way to Lindenburger where we more or less regrouped at the light. As the light turned Dragon Slayer took off and gapped us. Bandit and Gambler pulled me almost up to him and I managed to close the gap and pass him as he hit a wall before the light. I ended up following Gambler and Bandit to the light on McCall. As we sat there we noticed Highlander, Huntress and Closer coming from Heritage. They made the light green and were almost to the hill before we made the turn and gave chase. Huntress and closer made it to the top just as we caught them. We dropped down Hospital hill and regrouped at the gas station on Bradley. Digger, Highlander and Huntress left first and Gambler, Bandit and I followed to Murrieta with Dragon Slayer and Closer riding drag. Huntress and Highlander rounded the corner and headed for Honneyrun. We turned onto La Ladera with Huntress taking us all the way back to Normandy.

Highlander took us to Goetz and started us towards Newport. I slipped around him at Newport and headed for the rollers on Railroad Canyon. Bandit caught me just before the top and Gambler came by me right after we crested. I ended up having to chase them all the way to Canyon Hills. I waited for the rest of the group there while Gambler and Bandit headed for Newport and home. Once we were all back together I hit the Canyon Hills rollers hard and soon pulled away from the group. Dragon slayer caught back up to me and I pulled till we got to the downhill and the last four or five rollers. I got away at the rollers and waited for them at the top of Holland hill. We then dropped down the back side and headed for Haun. I started the pull to Newport so we could make our way to Jack In the Box for coffee.

We had coffee and conversation at Jack in th Box while Red Rabbit and Digger arrived. The Rabbit left first and we followed about 10 minutes later. We took turns pulling and I kept everyone buy Dragon Slayer behind me as we crossed over the saddle and headed for Leon. I pulled up to Dragon Slayer and we took turns pulling to Winchester. After we left the light Dragon Slayer started us east and soon we zeroed in on Rabbit before heading for the dry wash where I took the lead and took us past Warren. Huntress took over and pulled almost all the way to Sanderson before giving it back to me.

I followed Closer and Highlander down to Mustang before we all caught the light at Stetson and regrouped. Dragon Slayer wanted to stop at the healthy pub so I planned on staying on Sanderson while the rest of the group headed back to Burger King. Dragon slayer and I met at the healthy pub and had a shake before heading for home ourselves. It was a great day for a ride and I feel like I had a good one.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I was feeling pretty good most of Saturday and most of Sunday. Then Sunday evening my legs started to cramp a bit. I didn’t know how I would feel Monday and I was pretty worried about riding anything but a flat ride so I was glad we were doing Nuevo Square. I got dressed and headed for the parking lot testing myself a bit to see how I would hold up to anything but a recovery ride. By the time I got to Burger King I started feeling a bit better and started looking forward to the ride. We had a small group and headed for Latham to start out trip to Ramona.

It was good to have Dragon Slayer and Magic Man with us today. They had come down from Nuevo and would be breaking off when we got back there but in the meantime they could help me pull Tax man, Highlander and Digger up to Ramona. We moved quickly past Menlo and up to Esplanade. Dragon Slayer came up to pull before we got to Ramona and got us to Ramona Boulevard.

Dragon Slayer stayed in front as we turned west on Ramona and kept the pace reasonable so the group would stay all together all the way to Sanderson and over to the Expressway where we had to wait for a green light. I started us west and pulled till we got to Warren before giving the lead to Highlander. Highlander pulled well past Bridge before turning the lead over to Digger. Once Digger gave the lead to Dragon Slayer the group split slightly and it stayed that way till we got to the Valero station at Lakeview.

Dragon Slayer and Magic Man left us and headed for home as we got ready to leave the gas station. I took us out to Lakeview and started us towards Nuevo Road. Soon we were coming up on the construction at the elementary school and the past the post office. We turned the corner and jogged over to head for Central.

I took the lead again and got us down to Menifee and started south. Highlander stayed right on my wheel to the stop sign and Tax Man caught up as we headed for the nursery and the ride there. Digger fell back a bit while the three of us rolled past the rise and headed for Mapes.

We made our way to the light at Florida and had a small regroup before continuing on towards McCall. I still had the lead as we made the light on McCall and rode our way t Simpson and the over the rise to drop down to Domenigoni and head east Highlander took the lead and pulled us all the way to the saddle and we all crested is just a few bikes apart. I got us to Leon and Highlander took us to Winchester. We continued on to the dry wash and to Warren where we found Raptor cruising east towards S anderson.

It didn’t take long before we were back on Sanderson and headed north. Once again I pulled us to Wally world and stopped at the light on Stetson. I continued pulling till we got to Lowes and around the back to Acacia to head back east and the light at Kirby. We all got back to Gilmore and then to the parking lot before heading for home and lunch. It was about a perfect recovery ride and I felt better when I got home than when I left.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) This would be our last chance to get in some team work before the Patriot Ride so we decided on a half century to Lake Perris the long way. I looked out first thing this morning while breakfast was cooking and it was gorgeous, clear and cool. I got dressed and headed for the parking lot looking forward to every mile of this ride. I got to the parking lot after Digger but before Highlander and Sasquatch. Brian joined us as did The Closer and at least for part of the ride we would have the Red Rabbit. We have had larger groups but n this case most of us would be riding together on Saturday. We hit the road right at 8am having given Red Rabbit an 8 minute head start.

It was a quick drop down to Acacia and over to Kirby before turning south and heading to Cypress. Looking behind me I could see Highlander like a shadow staying right in the draft with the rest of the group following him. With the few exceptions of some segments and sprints the view would remain pretty much the same all day. We made it to Johnston and headed south on Sanderson to roll by Stetson. As we headed towards Mustang I looked back and the view was just like it had been on Kirby. Not only that we were scooting along at 18 in the small ring to save our legs.

I was still feeling good so I pulled to Domenigoni and headed west towards Warren. Still I couldn’t see any reason to pull all day so I gave up the lead to Highlander after the rise and he pulled us to Warren and over the dry wash. He stayed out front almost all the way to Winchester before we caught the light red. We rolled on towards Leon where Closer took over and got us to the saddle. Highlander started around Closer and Brian shifted telling me he was getting ready to stand so I jumped first and managed to get away without being chased down by Sasquatch or Brian. Age and treachery will beat youth and talent as they say. Still we were all laughing as we regrouped before dropping down the backside of the saddle and heading for Menifee to go north.

Because Menifee has just opened all the way to Simpson it doesn’t plot on either Ride with GPS or Map my ride so we were off course according to the map. It didn’t matter because Rabbit was still with us at that point and he could follow us all the way to Simpson before we lost him. I once again took over pulling duty and led us all the way to the AM/PM and a water break. We didn’t stop for long before Highlander had us back on our way and headed north on Menifee. I pulled around Highlander at Florida and led us to Mapes and over the rise to the first little downhill where Closer came by.

Closer took us all the way down Menifee almost to Central where I came back and pulled us past Central all the way to Nuevo. I had to keep one eye out for Sasquatch because he has been attacking in a late sprint lately and the last time he got me on Winchester by a whole lot before we had to stop for coffee. I got us to Nuevo and headed west towards Evans. We had to regroup once but soon were on our way to Evans and north towards Ramona. The whole group stayed together with Highlander and Brian leading the way to Ramona and then to the west entrance to the park. Sasquatch and I worked on his climbing into the park and all the way to the Marina entrance. We stopped for a rest break and to look out over the lake before getting ready to head back to the east entrance.

We finally headed for the east end of the lake on the bike path with Digger taking us through the picnic area and giving up the lead to me to pull all the way around the lake and out onto Bernasconi to get back out onto Ramona and the ride home east.

We settled on a 18 MPH pace line to keep the whole group together. Sasquatch was having trouble with his speedometer so I took the lead and kept it as close to 18 mph as I could before giving it back to Sasquatch. He kept us at 18 most of the way to Bridge before Highlander got the lead and pulled us to Warren. I got us got us going after the Warren light and took us to Sanderson. Highlander wanted to come back on Lyon for a change so we cut over on Ramona Boulevard and headed for Lyon. I came off of the corner on Lyon hard and got us going strong to the stop sign where Brian took over and pulled hard towards Cottonwood and Sasquatch finished it off. It was a pretty good attempt at a segment I thought and Sasquatch did get the KOM on that Segment. I know that will simply inspire some of the rest of the group to hit it hard the next time the run Lyon but that is life. We rode back to the cars before heading home. I ended up wit 54 miles for a Wednesday ride.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) One week and counting, at least for the next Century ride in La Quinta. It seemed like a good idea to do a ride with a similar profile to first part of the Patriot Century. Goetz would be just such a ride. It had 16 miles of flat followed by a climb and another 20 miles of flat, perfect to get ready for this weekend. I was up a bit early and had a chance to finish some coffee and breakfast before heading to the parking lot to meet Digger. As I got to Burger King I was glad I had arm warmers on because as we stood there talking a fog rolled in almost blotting out the clear skies I had seen when leaving my house. As we waited only Sasquatch and Closer showed up for the ride. By 8:05 am we headed down Gilmore to Acacia and then to Kirby so we could head south to Cypress and over to Johnston to start the day.

Once we were on Sanderson we fell into a nice little pace line and I managed to pull us all the way to Domenigoni and started us west towards Warren. I stayed out front all the way to Warren and to be honest I felt a bit underpowered today. Yes I had it set on cruise control at 20mph but I wasn’t sure I could hold that all the way to Warren. I did manage to hold the pace not only to Warren but to the dry wash where I gave the lead to Sasquatch and fell in line myself. I followed till we got to the trees just past Winchester and then pulled all the way to the top of the saddle for a regroup. We took a minute to hydrate and have a snack before heading down the backside of the saddle and west towards Menifee.

One of the advantages to a small group is it is easy to keep track of everyone and keep the pace low enough so everyone can hang on. We made it to Menifee and then I pulled to Antelope and waited to get over the freeway and to the light on Haun. From there Closer led us to Bradley and most of the way to Carl’s for a nature break and a chance for some to refill their water bottles. Once that was done we headed for the light at Murrieta before rolling on towards Goetz.

As the four of us made our way to Goetz and turned north we knew there would be four different types of climbs being made. Digger and Closer were just planning on gearing down and making the climb easy. Sasquatch was going to try and match me going up the hill as far as he could. To be honest is he had a bike with more gears and STI shifters he might have past me before the last climb but he wasn’t able to downshift soon enough to stay with me at the Elks club rise and then couldn’t close again before we reached the crest and started down the back side on Goetz. Once we were all back together I took us back to Murrieta and south to work our way to McCall to head east over Hospital Hill.

We didn’t have any trouble getting to and over Hospital hill and I ended up getting us to Heritage where Closer took over and got us to Simpson. As we turned after the light on Simpson I started the lace line and pulled till we got to Leon before turning it over to Sasquatch and following him most of the way to Winchester. I pulled us most of the way to Stowe only to have Sasquatch sprint past me 40 yards for the corner and beating me to Winchester Farms. We had coffee there and Digger left first believing we would catch him before he got back to Burger King. We took a lot longer before the three of us headed down Stowe towards California. Closer and I pulled to Stetson and then we rode together to Warren before I pulled in front to take us to Sanderson.

We easily made our way east on Stetson and all the way to Sanderson to turn north towards Lowes. I took us around to Acacia and then to Kirby before heading back north on Gilmore and left Closer at Burger King while I headed over to Hemet Bike before heading for home and lunch. I think I will enjoy the Century very much.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) As we have said before Friday is unpredictable. I can call it flat Friday and the group will turn it into fast Friday. East Friday turns into racing Friday. So I had to wait till the ride started to see what today would bring. One thing I didn’t have to wait for was cooler weather. It was in the low 60s when I left the house. I got to the parking lot just as Digger arrived and just before George rode up. I went in for coffee and at first we thought it was going to be another small group. Just as we were talking about that Quicksilver, Tax Man and Closer arrived. Bulldozer, MacGyver and Gambler were about the last three to arrive. Not a bad group for a rather cool Friday. Just after 8am we headed out onto Latham and up Lyon to get the show on the road.

Digger and I turned onto Lyon just after Bulldozer past us only to watch him fade down the road by the time the rest of us got to Devonshire. His figure kept getting smaller and smaller while the rest of us moved north on Lyon only to catch the light at Esplanade and a waiting Sasquatch. Now we had two groups and I was free to monitor the B group.

We moved north on Lyon past one intersection after another till we rolled by Seventh and Cottonwood. I was prepared to pull as long as needed to keep the group together and from all of the friendly chatting coming from behind me it seems as if the pace was just enough to keep everyone happy. As we got close to Ramona Boulevard I could see Bulldozer waiting for us and he let us all by before following the group west towards Sanderson.

When we got to Sanderson it took a minute to get to the light on the Expressway but we caught it green. Well all of us got it green except George and we had to wait for him to catch the next green. I then pulled us most of the way to Warren until Gambler, Bulldozer and Sasquatch pulled around and took off for Bridge. I gave the lead to Huntress and she gave it to Quicksilver before I got it back just before we turned onto Bridge and headed for Gilman Springs.

We had three riders strung out about a quarter of a mile behind us and I finally fell back to bring Tax Man up for the regroup on Gilman. We got the corner to find everyone, even the A group, waiting for us. I then took over the pull till we crested the first rise and the A group pulled by us and headed back towards Sanderson. When we got to Sanderson Tax Man left us and I pulled Quicksilver, Huntress and George towards Soboba for another regroup.

We managed to send Digger down Soboba first and he stayed out front till the first rise where Huntress jumped out front. I decided to chase her and the two of us gapped the rest of the group and stay out there all the way to the end of the Golf course before crossing the river bridge and turning on Ramona east. The A group was waiting for us and joined us as we rode to Cedar and headed towards Fairview and Florida. Sasquatch dropped off before we got to Florida and Gambler went with Bulldozer to Bautista while the rest of us headed back west.

We got back to Lincoln and headed west to Park. MacGyver and I were out front most of the way and because we had decided to have coffee at Starbucks Digger, Closer and George stayed with us. We made the jog onto Devonshire off of Park and MacGyver took the lead as we rode to San Jacinto and then to Santa Fe before dropping down to Latham and through the light at State Street. We were all together as we crossed Palm and in a nice line as we crossed Lyon. About half way to Pep Boys I noticed Quicksilver jumping out to sprint and took off myself just beating her to the driveway. She placed a curse on my helmet mirror and laughed at the effort. Five of us had coffee at Starbucks before heading for home and starting our weekend.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) In looked my front window while drinking my first cup of coffee and fixing breakfast. It was still dark but I could tell it was overcast and cool. It was a perfect day for a longer ride and some exploring. I got dressed and added some arm warmers and headed for the parking lot. I got there about ten feet before Digger and went in to get some coffee and wait for Highlander to arrive. George got there first and Quicksilver got there last making it a small group of five to head for Murrieta.

We moved onto Gilmore and headed south towards Acacia as we normally do heading south west. Today however I felt a lot tighter than normal because of then coolness. During the fall and winter it sometimes takes me five miles before the blood seems to start flowing freely to my leg muscles. I knew I could push through it but I also knew that we could do this ride as easy as we wanted because of the group size and makeup. I led them to Acacia then Kirby before turning on Cypress and heading over to Johnston. We caught the light at Sanderson and turned south again after it changed. I got us past Wally World and well on our way to Mustang with little or no problems.

I still had enough juice to take us onto Dominigoni and started the group west but west turned out to be directly into the wind. By Warren Highlander took over and took us all the way to Winchester. I had dropped back to help George and got him back to the group just as they crossed at the light and then Quicksilver took the lead and pulled us to Leon. I got the lead back just as we started up the saddle and pulled Highlander almost all the way to the top where we decided to regroup. Quicksilver was all smiles as she got to the top but seemed to suffer a sugar drop as we stood there. Highlander told her he was willing to take her back to the car and she told the rest of us to leave. I took Digger and George down to Menifee and headed for Revive hill. Once over the hill we stayed on Menifee and headed for Keller

We rode together to Antelope and headed south towards the Hospital. For some reason traffic seemed pretty heavy as we hugged the side of the road and finally got to nthe Hospital and Baxter. We continued on to the used bus and equipment yard and moved over to Whitewood and headed for the long down hill.

I must have stepped in or on something than was making it pretty hard to unclip my right foot so I had been using the left foot to stop until we got to Los Alamos where I pulled over to make a quick inspection and try to clean the cleat. Once we were back on our way I pulled George to the summit of our little climb where we waited for Digger and I got a text saying Highlander and Quicksilver had made it safely home. Once Digger was with us we dropped down the first little hill and started through the rollers working our way to Briggs Street.

I made it to Briggs first and waited for George and we both waited for Digger before heading north on Leon. I got another Text from Quicksilver saying she was feeling fine and I would see here Friday. Digger, George and I headed for Max Gillis before getting to Winchester and heading north again. I managed to pull us almost all the way to Scott Road before I got a call from and pulled over to answer it. Digger waited for a minute or two and took off with a shout that he knew I could catch him.

I managed to catch him but it took me all the way to Garboni to do it and then I got away shortly after Holland and then the rise to drop down onto Newport/Dominigoni and then to Winchester Farms. George tagged up onto my back wheel before the light at Dominigoni and we rode together to Simpson where we waited for Digger. He blew by us when the light turned green and I had to once again chase him half way to Stowe before he followed me to Winchester Farms and Coffee. After a brief rest and coffee we got back on Stowe and headed for California Street and home.

For a change we more or less took it easy north on California and then east on Stetson heading back to Warren. I pulled us to Sanderson and started us back to Lowes before cutting over to Acacia. We all parted ways by Gilmore and I finally got home for lunch and a hot shower. It was a great day for a ride.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Finally it was beginning to feel just a bit like fall and I was looking forward to an easy Friday and a relaxing ride. I eagerly headed to the parking lot for some coffee and conversation with Digger while we waited to see who would join us. I got there just before Digger and watched as Highlander and Tax Man drove up. They were soon followed by George visiting from Germany and Jackal. It wasn’t a large group but it was just about the right size for the ride we had planned.

It was an easy ride down Gilmore to Acacia before we made the turn west to Kirby. We all caught the light at Kirby and had to wait till it turned green before heading south again. Tax Man led us to Cypress and started us west for the short ride over to Johnston.

The next part of the ride is the easiest as we get to Sanderson and wait to turn south towards Stetson. I took the lead and moved us past Wally World to head to Mustang. I had Highlander, Tax Man and Jackal right behind me while Digger and George were just a few yards back. They fell back a few more yards as we past the High School and got to Domenigoni just as the light turned green. But it only stayed green for the first four so we rode to Searl and waited for George and Digger. Once we regrouped at Searl Jackal took the lead and moved us towards State Street and south to McSweeney. Once we turned into the housing tract and made the trip back out to State I started us north back towards Domenigoni. Jackal made a break for it before we got back to the light but he didn’t get a big enough head start and I caught his wheel. I knew from there to the ride before Chambers it would be nothing but a waiting game and that was what it turned out to be. I beat him to chamber and we rode to Buena Vista together and waited for the rest of the group before heading up to Thornton.

Once we were on Stetson I started pulling again and pulled all the way to Hemet High. As we got to Speed bump Jackal took off trying to get a PR. Highlander and I followed him and pulled in behind him before Lake Street. Once again I pulled and got us to Fairview for another regroup. Once everyone was ready we headed for Florida and had t make a detour around some construction before working our way to the Fire Station for some more water.

Once we were back on our way I again pulled us north on Fairview and curved around onto Cedar and then to Ramona to head to the river bridge on Lake before crossing it to get to Soboba. We soft pedaled till we were all back in line and I got us started west on Soboba. I didn’t think I would have to pull all the way back to State Street but it looked like that was just what was going to happen.

I pulled past the driving range and over the first roller with everyone in tow. As we closed in on the second grade and second roller I knew I was not going to be able to hold the pace but no one else looked like they would jump out so I dropped a gear and kept the spin going. It didn’t do me any good however because Jackal broke out of the pack on the last rise. I should have let him get away but I didn’t. I caught him only to be buzzed bay a SUV before we got to State. Add that to doing an endo stopping in the parking lot and it was a perfect ride. We headed south on State before working our way to Ramona and back east to head for Carl’s and a coffee break. I took us all the way back to Main Street and continued on to the next light.

We made it to Carl’s with Highlander and Tax Man leading all the way to New Chicago. It felt good to sit and have coffee and tell stories while getting a little rest and listing to George talk about life in Germany and his good feeling about riding with us as his group. Once we were ready we moved back out onto New Chicago for the trip west and home. I got home feeling pretty good with only a few new scratches and a bit of torn skin on my elbow so all in all it was a good day to be riding a bike.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Once again we come to the end of the week and a Friday ride. This one was an afterthought and shorter than originally planned because I had a lunch date. So I posted a flat Friday ride and was prepared for an unevenime we were ready to leavetful easy day. I got to the parking lot just after Digger got his coffee and just before George arrived. Highlander and Sasquatch arrived about the same time as did Bloodhound. Ferret and Huntress were the last to get there just about the time we were ready to leave. As we got to the light Ferret told me Sasquatch had a flat so I went back to help he fix it. We got in a hurry and I discovered that one 16 gram CO-2 was too much air for a 27 inch tire. So Sasquatch headed to the gym for a workout and the rest of us headed to Acacia and then Kirby to get the ride started.

Bloodhound was in luck because Ferret was more than happy to chase him as he pulled away from the group. My plan was to set the pace at a 7 hour Century pace and keep it there all day. That is way too easy for Bloodhound so he was long gone by the time we turned onto Cypress and Ferret went with him. We did manage to almost catch them at the light on Sanderson but lost them again once we turned west on Stetson. We were still on Stetson and crossing Warren when they made the turn onto California and by the time we were on California they were most of the way west on their way to Winchester.

I pulled the group onto Stowe and all the way to Winchester Farms only to see Bloodhound and Ferret heading south on Winchester. I stopped everyone at Winchester Farms before pulling back out onto Winchester and heading for Domenigoni. WE had lost all sight of the two fleeing riders but we were still moving smoothly as a group to the light at Domenigoni. We finally made the turn east and once again I took the lead and pulled all the way back to Sanderson where Huntress had to leave us to go get some blood tests done. The rest of us regrouped at Searl before heading to State Street and north to Chambers. George was close behind Highlander and I and Digger was behind him. We Zig zagged over to Thornton before turning on Stetson and east.

We headed for Fairview with everyone in tow and Highlander followed me over speed bump and towards Lake with George about 50 yards behind us and Digger about 50 yards behind him. When we got to Fairview only three of us were planning on heading to Florida and then up to Cranston. We had picked up Socrates at Fairview and Stetson and when he decided to join us everyone else decided to head for Cranston so we made our way to Florida and headed east. We regrouped at Cranston before heading back west to get home in time for my lunch date. Highlander and I made it to Lincoln first and waited till George and Digger got there before heading towards Park and home.

We never pushed mush today because I had a birthday ride planned for Saturday and didn’t want to start out sore if I had another 67 miles to add. I rode with Highlander and George after the split onto Devonshire and the ride to Santa Fe and finally to Latham. I stayed with them till we got to Palm where I broke for home none the worse for wear. I took a quick Shower and took my wife to meet Huntress and her husband for lunch at Sweet Baby Jane’s. Good day if I do say so myself.