By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Every so often the Sirens Song comes from the east of town and we as a group are drawn to Bautista Canyon. Today was just that sort of day. As I left the house I had no idea just how many would be joining us but I knew Digger and I would be riding Bautista. I got to the parking lot after Digger and grabbed a cup of coffee and waited for other riders to arrive. Soon Minotaur rode up followed by Ray and Bulldozer. The next thing I knew ME-109 rolled up followed by Sasquatch on a Giant Defy. The Bike was a test ride from Shooter and we were all worried that Sasquatch on a light weight bike could be quite a challenge on the climb into Bautista Canyon. It was a small group but it looked like a good one for this ride. Digger and Ray would be the B group and I had a chance to ride after the A group. I pulled out onto Latham at 9am and led the group to Lyon to start the day. We were joined by Rooster before we got to Florida and headed for Acacia. We stayed together and rolled on towards Whittier on what was turning into a great morning.

We got to Whittier and moved on to Johnston with Bulldozer and Minotaur leading the way. As we crossed Stetson and headed towards Thornton we all commented on how the road reminded us of the bad section on road on Dillon before the Double A truck stop during the TDPS. That section has been bad on Lyon for as many years as I have been riding in Hemet. We turned onto Thornton and started east with the group happily allowing me to lead them across State and to the Golf Course between Buena Vista and Santa Fe.

As we turned onto Santa Fe and again at Stetson I was still leading the pack and the group was still in visiting mode. We made our way past San Jacinto and continued on to Columbia where for a change all of us turned south to make our way to Thornton and then over to Crest. I always like this little side trip because the old neighborhood seems so peaceful and traffic is so very light.

Looking back I could see Sasquatch was playing it cool and not pushing at this pace so I figured he was saving the effort for the Canyon. I was also expecting Minotaur to move up front to pick up the pace even if it seemed a bit early to me. As we moved east on Crest we turned right on Hemet Street and then left to continue on Crest. It was not a surprise to me to see Shooter and Bulldozer pull to the front as we turned north on Lake. It also wasn’t surprising to see Minotaur and Sasquatch picking up the pace as ME-109 moved up to close on the fleeing first two.

We all closed on the leaders as we turned east on Stetson and headed for Fairview. I was sitting in fifth behind Bulldozer, Shooter, ME-109 and Minotaur as the pace kept increasing and finally Minotaur broke off and I started to close on ME-109. I backed off a bit to pull Minotaur and Sasquatch pulled away from me following the lead three just as we saw Bandit and His Father coming at us from Fairview. Bandit caught us and took off after the lead group while I tried to stay with Rooster and pull Minotaur. We were about 200 yards behind the lead group heading south on Fairview. Bandits father past me just as I noticed Sasquatch being spit out of the lead pack. Rooster and I closed on Bandits Dad but we dropped Minotaur. Bandit and Ray were behind us about as far as we were behind Sasquatch. Bandits Dad stayed with us as we turned onto Bautista Canyon and made our way to the hard right turn at the Orange Trees. Seeing that we were closing on Sasquatch Rooster pulled by me and pulled till we got to the back side of the dam. We caught Sasquatch at the top of the dam dropping Bandits dad in the process. Sasquatch fell back and let us get to the river cut before catching back up to us and making a run for the next corner. He was pushing too big of a gear so I talked him int down shifting as I rolled by so he could get his pace back. By the time we made it to the trees Sasquatch was back up with us and pushing hard to pull away from me. Rooster went with him and I settled into a easy spin keeping pace with Sasquatch and watching how he took any of the short climbs. He pulled away from me again but I kept pace again and waited for the last two climbs towards the end of Bautista. When we started the last double climb I pulled up to Sasquatch’s wheel and on the second part managed to get by and crest first giving me a break at getting up to speed before he could make another run at me. The A group was on the way down as we crested the last climb. We waited till Minotaur, Ray and Digger arrived before heading back down the hill towards Fairview. The wind was in our face so we were taking it pretty easy for the first mile or so and after the first off camber turn. The pace picked up again and we were on our way to a pace line run downhill till we saw Bulldozer on the side of the road. He had an equipment problem and was waiting for a ride back to Casino. We knew to keep an eye out for the truck coming to get him and started back down to try and catch Digger and Ray.

Minotaur took the lead after the river crossing and we set up behind him thinking about the sprint from the Dam to the Orange groves. Rooster moved into Second position and I offered a pull to Sasquatch when I planned the uphill pass at the Dam. The pass was successful and Sasquatch and I made it to the turn at the Orange grove well in front. We had a quick regroup before heading back down Fairview and to the Stetson to the water company sprint. Minotaur had the bad luck to be in the lead as we got to the bridge and Sasquatch pulled around. I caught his wheel and got to the water company first only to see Sasquatch continue on for the old Fairview spring to Mayberry. Our next stop was Carl’s and Coffee. After a few minutes of conversation and we were headed for home. Sasquatch left us as we moved up on New Chicago to Lincoln and back to Park. Minotaur left us at Yale while the three remaining riders headed back to Lyon before heading for home. I was very satisfied wit the ride today, it was fun.