By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) The only thing that is normal about Friday rides is they are unpredictable. Much of the ride depends on who shows up and how they feel. I planned an easy 38 mile ride west as a send off for Highlander’s trip and Huntress’s last ride for 4 to 8 weeks. I got dressed and headed out to the parking not knowing what to expect. Digger was already there and we watched everyone else arrive as we had coffee. By 9am we had 13 riders ready to head south and work our way to Domenigoni. Two of those 13 were our visitors from South Carolina, Kevin and Teresa. The A group showed up with Gambler, Bulldozer and MacGyver. The young Bulls were there with Sasquatch and Sidewinder. Huntress and Minotaur were there along with ME-109 and Highlander.

We quickly got to Acacia and made the turn towards Kirby where we managed to make the light as it was green and headed for the railroad tracks. At this point we had kept the pace easy and I had high hopes we could stay together as a group and turn the ride into a recovery ride. I had spent the day before working on a clogged drain and the strange positions you have to get in to work under the sink left me stiff and sore. We got through the housing tract on Cypress and made our way to Sanderson and south again to get to Domenigoni.

As we moved towards Mustang I noticed a rider looking back at us and soft pedaling so we could catch up, It turned out to be Doug and he fell into line as we rounded the corner on Domenigoni and headed west. I pulled for a short while before giving the lead to Highlander. He pulled most of the way to Warren before letting Huntress take over. Shortly after the light on Warren MacGyver got out front and pulled us all the way to Winchester. I thought he would give it up when the light changed but he pulled us all the way to the Saddle. Doug went onto the sprint first and I chased only to get caught by ME-109 and just holding off Sidewinder. We stopped on top and regrouped only to discover I had lost Kevin and Teresa. That was my first loss of a rider in a very long time and it bothered me I hadn’t noticed them falling off of the back.

When my missing riders failed to show up I decided to take us off of the Saddle and headed for Lindenburger. Highlander dropped off the hill and took the lead to pull us the Menifee and make the next turn south. As soon as we made the turn onto Menifee MacGyver and Gambler picked up the pace with Minotaur and me drafting them. I had Sidewinder and Doug next to me followed by ME-109. We separated from the main group as we got close to Holland. Gambler stopped us because of a car heading east At the stop sign and Minotaur cruised behind it to keep from stopping. Once we started rolling after Minotaur I fell in behind Doug and we started for Revival. Just as we got ready for the sprint up the hill ME-109 came flying by on his fixed gear and to be honest it took the wind out of my sails. I decided to try and pace Doug and Sidewinder took off after ME-109. He past Doug but ME-109 crested first. We did a quick regroup before heading south again towards Scott.

We were pretty much together heading to Scott but started to string out before the corner. Gambler and Bulldozer took the A group and young bulls with them and headed for Haun. We followed with the B group about 100 yards back and finally made the turn onto Haun. We took turns pulling north on Haun with Huntress getting us to Holland and I took us to Newport and the gas station for a regroup with the A group. We were not only united with the A group we found our lost riders waiting for us as well. The A group decided to leave first, well first if you consider Digger didn’t stop.

Kevin and Teresa left second and I took the B group after them as soon as Huntress got off of the phone. We got up to Bradley and had to stop again while Highlander continued on trying to close with Kevin and Teresa. Huntress, Sasquatch and I made our way to McCall and headed for the Hospital Hill. We could just see Teresa as we past Hillpoint and once again regrouped on top to find Highlander and Kevin talking with Racer X. We only had one or two rides with Racer X and it was good to see him back on the road. We made introductions before dropping off of the hill and rolled over Menifee heading for Heritage.

We worked our way through the houses on Heritage and soon were moving east on Simpson. When we got to Briggs it was clear Teresa wasn’t going to be able to hold the pace so I dropped back to ride with Kevin and her till we got to Winchester where we found Huntress waiting for us. After making the light we headed north and I pulled all the way to Stowe and Winchester Farms where I found several of the group waiting for us. Sidewinder once again took off first and the rest of us followed a few minutes later. I was planning on keeping the pace down heading to California.

My plan fell apart well before we got to Stowe when Minotaur took off on us. Sasquatch decided to go after him and Racer X went with him. Then Highlander took off as well leaving Digger, Huntress, Kevin, Teresa and I to follow at our own pace to California. I took us most of the way to Stetson when Huntress pulled by us and I followed her to Stetson before turning towards Warren. Digger stayed with us as I took over again at Warren and Kevin fell back with Teresa. We then made our way to Sanderson and turned for Lowes. Once around the corner onto Acacia I took us to Gilmore and back to Burger King. We talked for a few minutes with Highlander, Sidewinder, Sasquatch and Minotaur. I rode with Huntress to the car wash on State before heading for home and a hot shower. It was a typical Friday, unpredictable.