By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) There is a saying that the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. Today that saying proved to be true in my case at least. I left the house this morning with the expectation of doing Three Climbs east with Bautista instead of Cranston. I got to the parking lot first and waited till 9am to gather together six other riders to start the day. Once quicksilver arrived we were ready to go and I took us out onto Gilmore and south towards Acacia.

Tax Man led us south to Acacia and I got pointed west and watched as everyone lined up behind me making the corner. Tax Man fell back and allowed me to lead Dragon Slayer and Quicksilver to the corner of Kirby and Acacia and waited for a green light. As soon as we could we headed south with Digger, Ray1, Tax Man and Rooster in tow. We made our way to Cypress and headed through the housing tract towards Johnston.

We once again turned south on Sanderson and down to Stetson before turning west towards the Airport. I pulled most of the way to the Railroad tracks before Dragon slayer took over and pulled past the Airport and headed for Warren. We had to wait for a car at the stop sign before heading towards California. Quicksilver pulled towards the front and led us around the corner. I had to hustle up to get by her before we got to Stowe.

I started us west on Stowe and about half way to Winchester when Dragon Slayer pulled by me and started to pull us to Winchester Farms. We stayed together as a group in a pace line all the way to the corner of Winchester and Stowe before regrouping and taking on fuel and hydration. Quicksilver decided to lead us south to Domenigoni so we could turn east towards our first climb of the day. She took us down to Chris’s before she gave up the lead to me and I got us to Simpson and the light before Dragon Slayer took us to Domenigoni and the turn. Tax Man pulled out front and led Dragon Slayer, Quicksilver and me towards the Dry Wash where he gave to lead to Dragon Slayer. I got back in front and decided to turn south on Warren and onto Alamar Mesa so that Digger, Ray1 and Rooster could catch up to us.

We came out behind Rooster and Digger with Ray1 trailing. Digger fell back to get Ray1 and I moved up to ride with Quicksilver, Rooster and Dragon Slayer. We made it to Searl and headed for Seven Dollar hill with Dragon Slayer well out front. Quicksilver decided not to push herself in the first climb so she told me to go chase Dragon slayer. I caught Dragon Slayer before the big left hander. Dragon Slayer and Rooster pulled onto my wheel and followed me most of the way to the sign post where the grade flattens out a bit and I gaped them. At the big Right hander Dragon Slayer pulled closed the gap and sprinted by me heading for the top of the hill. Rooster Took off after Dragon Slayer and when they sat down I managed to put just a bit of extra effort and caught them before we crested the hill.

We waited to see if Digger and Ray1 were climbing the hill and when they didn’t we headed back down and noticed Tax Man had left us. We then met up with Digger and Ray1 on Domenigoni and headed east to State Street. Dragon Slayer pulled us north to Chambers and then to the Golf Course where he stopped for a nature break. While Rooster and I waited Quicksilver, Digger and Ray1 left to get a head start on the climb to Ramona Bowl. Dragon Slayer and I ran hard trying to catch the fleeing threesome. We caught Ray1 in front of the Dwelling Place church. Quicksilver and Digger were already part way up the climb before Dragon Slayer caught them. I caught them a few moments later and struggled by Dragon Slayer to get to the end of the barriers at the top of the hill. We regrouped by the gate and Quicksilver headed down the hill and Dragon Slayer followed her. I went after them and made it to the second to last left hand turn before running over a piece of rock the cut my tire and gave me a flat. I had to boot the tire so it pretty well precluded any attempt at Bautista because I couldn’t change the downhill with cord showing. We headed to Thornton and then Crest to at least see if Tax Man was waiting at Fairview.

We made it to Lake Street before coming back out onto Stetson and heading over to Fairview. Once again we ended up having to chase Quicksilver all the way to Mayberry and half way to Florida. We all made the turn onto Florida and headed to Casino so Quicksilver could get some Endurolytes and Shot Blocks before we headed back west and the parking lot. Dragon Slayer and Quicksilver led us to Lincoln and back over Lake towards Park.

It didn’t take long before we got to Park and Dragon Slayer took us to Devonshire where Digger left us for home. Dragon Slayer, Quicksilver and I soft pedaled till Ray1 and Rooster caught us and we all caught the light at San Jacinto before moving on to Santa Fe and down to Latham before heading back to Burger King and the parked vehicles. I headed for home while Rooster and Ray1 went over to the bike shop. I got home for lunch and a shower before picking up a new front tire and a new tube. It turned out to be a shorter ride than planned but a good day none the less.