By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Another week was about to start and I was hoping for the best. I knew it would be cool but at least it wasn’t supposed to be cold. It was also supposed to clear up by the time we were to start the ride so I got dressed and took a look outside. The street was relatively dry but there was fog drifting a few feet off of the ground. So I went back inside and put on a jacket before heading to the parking lot to get some coffee. Digger was waiting as I rode up and we got coffee just as Highlander arrived. Highlander didn’t like the look of the pavement one little and I was at all sure he was going to ride. I knew it was a hard choice for him because today’s ride was one of his favorites. As we stood there talking Quicksilver pulled up and we all walked over to greet her and help change a tire. While that was taking place Sidewinder arrived and started to unload his bike. I thought we had seen about all of the riders for today when two people visiting the area pulled up and joined us. Both Kevin and Teresa had found us on the net and decided we had a group much like theirs in their state. We got ready and left the parking lot and pulled out onto Latham to start our ride.

We made it to the corner on Lyon and headed north. Once we were around the corner we headed past Devonshire and then Menlo. As we moved on we saw a rider sitting by the side of the road and realized it was Sasquatch waiting for us. Now I had two young bulls that were going to want to run at some point. I realized pretty early that I wouldn’t be getting any help with the group once we got to the Expressway.

The only question I had as I pulled us toward Esplanade was when the young bulls would take off and how far behind would the rest of the group be. But it doesn’t do much good to worry about things before they happen so I simply settled into a easy cruise and pulled us past Seventh and then Cottonwood. Sidewinder pulled up next to me to get instructions for where we were going after we got on the Expressway and then I pulled them around the corner onto Ramona and towards Sanderson.

The fog was pretty thick as we got closer to Sanderson and even thicker when we got to the Expressway. As we sat at the light on Sanderson it was hard to see much past the intersection. Once the light changed Sidewinder took off on a run by himself. I pulled everyone to Warren and shortly after that Sasquatch took off after Sidewinder. I was hard to keep for chasing them myself but I didn’t want to lose Quicksilver, Highlander, Kevin, Teresa and Digger. I did have to pull over at Bridge because Quicksilver’s glasses were fogging up. I them pulled them to the Valero on Lakeview and we regrouped with Sidewinder and Sasquatch. Once we got back on the road I pulled everyone south on Lakeview towards Nuevo. We had pulled away from three of the riders and looking back made me think of a Science Fiction Movie where the pirates came out of the fog to attack the fort.

We turned onto Central and headed down to Menifee to once more turn south. At first Sidewinder and Sasquatch started the pull but by the stop sign I was out front again and Highlander was on my wheel. I pulled to the nursery and over the rise before turning it over to Highlander on the down slope. Sasquatch made a hole for me so I ended up in the second slot with Sasquatch and Sidewinder right behind me. I took things back from Highlander at Mapes and started a hard run towards Florida and the AM/PM. I did manage to stay in front all the way to the stop light and we stopped at the AM/PM. We changed the route a bit so we could take the new riders to Winchester Farms for coffee so we cut over to Heritage and made our way to Simpson. Once headed east Quicksilver started the pull and I missed the signal so Highlander had to take it from her. As we past Leon Sasquatch rolled by followed by Sidewinder. I caught a back wheel and stayed with them through the trees as Sasquatch ramped it up. By the time he was running low on matches I had recovered and was ready to take my turn and I pulled by Sasquatch and got ready to take my turn in the lead. Sidewinder decided to attack as I pulled to my right but I was still building speed and held him off as we hit a slight head wind. We finally pulled onto Winchester and regrouped. I waited for the last rider and then joined everyone at Winchester Farms. Highlander, Quicksilver, Kevin and Teresa left first and a few minutes later Sidewinder gave chase. I cruised east on Stowe with Digger and Sasquatch. We stayed together all the way to Sanderson and then north to Lowes.

It didn’t take long before we were pulling back into the parking lot to find the rest of the group still loading their cars. We talked to them for a while before Digger left for home and they drove off. Sasquatch and I rode east and I stayed with him till we got to Lake Street before heading for home myself. It felt good to out on the bike today. At least it felt good once the fog burned off.