By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Here we were the day before Christmas and we had to decide if we were going to ride or take the day off. Well my friends we are cyclists and not riding was not an option, at least not for me. So a ride was posted and I headed out to the parking lot on my old Klein to join the party. Digger was there talking with Sasquatch and after a long hiatus Side Winder joined us. We were there for a few minutes before Minotaur and Dragon Slayer arrived. A few minutes after that Gambler pulled up with his son Maverick. I didn’t expect to see Bulldozer or RCMP but they arrived before 9am. Another surprise was Surgeon and Huntress. It was beginning to look like a pretty good sized group. Rocky was there and once Hacker pulled into the parking lot it was a pretty good sized group. Even Red Rabbit was there for the start. I took them out onto Gilmore right at 9AM.

It was almost effortless getting down to Acacia and heading west. We pulled up to the light on Kirby and had to wait to head south towards the railroad tracks. Side winder was right behind me as we finally headed south and the group strung out behind us. It was good to see this size group for a day before Christmas. I had expected more people to be out of town so 14 was a great number as we turned onto Cypress and started south west towards Johnston with me in the lead.

Absolutely everyone was in a group as we turned on Johnston and stopped at the light on Sanderson. I was still leading as we turned south and headed for Mustang. For a change we had no intention of jumping the Mustang to Domenigoni sprint and so I took us to Domenigoni and started us west. It started as an easy past of about 20 with everyone in a nice line. Then Bulldozer pulled by me and I dropped onto his back wheel. Next thing I knew we were rolling along at 24 then 25. By the time we past Warren we were doing 26 and then 27. We only slowed back to 25 as we rode over the dry wash. After the dry wash the group broke up and Gambler past us with RCMP in tow. I simply couldn’t hold the pace and fell back to 25 as Bulldozer, RCMP and Gambler pulled away. For a while Dragon Slayer, Hacker and I gave chase but by Winchester it was clear we couldn’t close. Hacker fell off and Dragon Slayer and I worked together till we joined Bulldozer and RCMP at the saddle for a regroup.

When we dropped down the backside of the saddle and headed for Lindenburger Surgeon requested we stop at a gas station so he could get a snack and electrolytes. I think everyone past me before we got to Laguna Vista and then we all stopped because Minotaur got a flat. Once back on the road I took us to Antelope and over the freeway. We stopped at the gas station on Haun and waited for Bulldozer, Gambler and Minotaur who had to reseat his tire. Digger had gone ahead and I thought he was waiting for us at the Chevron. I told Sasquatch to ride ahead and let him know we were on the way but when he got there Digger was gone. We stopped after turning onto La Ladera and discovered Digger was almost to McCall. We got back on the road and started a long chase to see if we could catch him before Winchester Farms.

We stayed together till we got to McCall and headed east. I was in the lead group all the way to Bradley and over the freeway. For the first time all day Sidewinder and Sasquatch took off on us and made the light by the Valero Station while the rest of us waited for a green. I stayed with the big dogs most of the way up Hospital Hill but decided to save my legs for the run I knew was coming when we got to Simpson. Unfortunately Sidewinder turned on Menifee and we went to Heritage coming out onto Lindenburger and Simpson before Sidewinder could make the light. We started east and Gambler took the pull and got us to Leon before RCMP and Bulldozer joined him. Sasquatch took over the chase and we rotated through a rotation till I got the lead again and tried to close. I simply didn’t have the matches to get us up to the fast three so first Dragon Slayer and then Sasquatch gave it a shot. Sasquatch flamed out coming out of the trees and I took over again but we never got closer and only caught them at the stop light. Gambler, Bulldozer and Maverick headed over to Domenigoni and the rest of us headed for Winchester farms for a quick regroup. As soon as we were all together we headed back east on Stowe towards California and it was here that Minotaur took off to create a gap. We were going to let him go but RCMP couldn’t resist and took after him followed by Sidewinder.

Once we turned on California I told the rest of the group that it was time to reel Minotaur in and we closed on him at Stetson. We then worked together as a group till Surgeon left us at Warren and we continued on to the Airport. Dragon Slayer took us past the airport road and all the way to Cawston before leading us to Sanderson. We made it to the turn lane and waited for a green. Once the light changed Hacker took us to Johnston where Rocky left us and I got us to Wentworth. Dragon Slayer past me and made a run at Lowes while I kept Sasquatch, Sidewinder and Hintress with me. At least till we got to Lowes and around to Acacia they were with me.

Hacker and Dragon Slayer made the light at Kirby and turned on Gilmore before we even left Kirby. The rest of us made the turn to the parking lot and stopped to talk for a few minutes before heading for home ourselves. I rode down to Acacia with Sasquatch and broke for home on Palm. I got home feeling like I had a good workout and was ready for Christmas Eve.