By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Once again it was my play day, Wednesday is a day I take off my mirror and do my own ride. And today was another flat thirty-eight miles with some of the A group. At least I was pulling for the A group to show up. I would lead the B group but I would be pushing them all day. I had breakfast, got dressed and headed off to the parking lot to get ready for a Backwards Soboba ride. Digger and News Boy were already there as I pulled up. I got some coffee and we waited to see who else would arrive. Minotaur rode up just before MacGyver and Tax Man. Gambler and Bulldozer pulled up about the same time as Siren. Metric Man came down from Beaumont. The last to pull up were Bandit and Shooter who quickly got ready so we could head south on Gilmore to Acacia.

It was almost a perfect morning. It was warm and clear and as we turned on Acacia there was almost no wind. I had an easy time leading us on Acacia to Kirby and sat at the light with everyone till we turned south again and headed for the railroad tracks. It took me a while to get in front of Metric Man and his new disk equipped Trek but I did and led everyone onto Cypress and west through the housing tract towards Johnston. Once again we rolled up to a red light and I waited with Metric Man till we could turn south on Sanderson and head for Stetson.

As we rolled by Stetson and Wally World it may have been the last completely organized part of the ride. I was still out front and we moved towards Mustang but I could almost feel the tension behind me building as we rolled by the High School and caught the light on Domenigoni green. Once through it Bulldozer took off and past me followed a short time later by News Boy. The rest of the group stayed with me till we got to Searl where I can only assume Bulldozer and New Boy had turned. The A group headed for Seven Dollar hill and Metric Man got in front and pulled us to State before I took over again and headed for McSweeney. Once again I have to make and assumption because it was at State and Domenigoni I lost Tax Man so I believe he left us there. I got Siren, Metric Man and Digger through McSweeney and back out onto State where we headed north and looked to see if the A group was heading our way. Once we saw them we made a run for Chambers. Siren past me at the mobile home park and I had to chase her all the way to Thornton to make her turn towards Buena Vista and then Santa Fe where the A group caught us. Siren and I drafted them till we got to Stetson and San Jacinto where they stopped to wait for Bulldozer and Minotaur. Another two not heard from till after the end of the ride. They sent siren and I on and promised to catch us by Fairview. Siren and I pushed ourselves with the thought that they would be running up on us any moment. Still we got to Fairview first and regrouped for the ride north. Siren made a run at “not the Fairview mile” but started late so she will have to do better next time. We got water at the fire station where Digger past us with still no sign of Minotaur. We caught Digger on Ramona and headed for Lake and the over pass.

I followed Gambler to Lake and headed to Soboba with the group. I pulled around and got us to the light and started towards the golf course where I decided to wait for Siren. Shooter pulled her up to me and then he took off after MacGyver after the trees. Siren couldn’t hold my wheel so I closed on Shooter and MacGyver and tried to help them close on the lead A riders. We did close some distance but not enough to catch them so we pulled up to state a moment or two after them. We waited till Siren caught us and then the A Group decided they had to leave.

Once the A group was on its way Siren and I waited for Digger and then we rode down State to Ramona and back to Carl’s on New Chicago and Florida. We only took time to grab a cool drink before heading back to Lincoln and made the turn towards Park. Digger left us when we jogged over to Devonshire so Siren and I rode back to Santa Fe together and then down to Latham for the final turn heading to Pep Boys and Burger King. Siren loaded up her car and I rode home for lunch and a hot shower. It was a good play day.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was another Monday and another chance for a new rider to test themselves with just a little distance and a bit more pace than they have been used to. I was feeling pretty good with the exception of a lingering saddle sore from last week so I planned a rather flat ride and pulled out the Klein for a more comfortable ride and headed for the parking lot and morning coffee. Digger was there when I pulled up and we talked for a while before moving to the shade to get out of the hot sun. Tax Man was one of the first to arrive and he was followed by Highlander. Huntress and Siren drove up moments apart. Quicksilver and Rudy were the last to arrive and we admired Rudy’s new bike for a few minutes before getting out onto Gilmore and going up to Devonshire and over to Lyon to start our ride north.

It seemed like a good day for a recovery and a trial run for Rudy. We would be doing 36 miles and as far as I know that would be his longest ride to date. I had planned on riding in the back of the group today but without any of the A riders I was pretty sure the pace making would be up to me most of the day. So I took us out slow at first and worked the group up to an easy eighteen or nineteen when Siren pulled up next to me and started to chat. We crept up to about twenty as we came to Esplanade for a brief stop at the light. It changed quickly and Siren took the lead followed by Highlander. I had the rest of the group and we finally caught them just before Ramona Boulevard and the turn west. I fell back at first but pulled ahead to lead the group onto Sanderson and to the light at the Expressway.

Once we started west on the Expressway I expected someone else to take the lead but they didn’t so I pulled to Warren and had to slow a bit to pick up the part of the group we had dropped. I knew Digger was not running on all cylinders so I wasn’t surprised when he fell off. I tried to give up the lead at Bridge but nobody wanted it so I pulled again till Siren and Huntress pulled by and gave me a break. Siren had us cruising at twenty-one and I didn’t get the lead back till we were almost to Hansen. I tossed a chain at the turn and followed the group to the Valero for a quick break. Tax Man decided to get a head start and took a three or four minute lead heading south on Lakeview. I once again pulled us south and got within sight of Tax Man as he turned on Nuevo and again on Central.

We turned on Menifee and headed south. I fell back at the stop sign to pick up Huntress and Siren and left Highlander to chase Tax Man up the hill at the nursery. Quicksilver and Rudy stayed with Highlander over the rise and once Huntress and Siren were on my wheel I gave chase. I caught everyone but Tax Man but he had to run hard to stay in front of me. It felt good to run it out from Mapes to Florida and we regrouped at the AM/PM. This time Huntress and Digger left early and we chased them to McCall and over to Heritage.

Siren was working hard and remembering to spin and not mash and he pace was getting better as we moved along. She was near the front as we turned on Lindenburger and saw Digger turning east on Simpson. Siren started us east and kept us closing on the fleeing Digger and Huntress ever so slightly. I took over at Leon where we caught Digger and discovered Huntress had turned on Leon. I took us to Winchester and headed us north towards Winchester Farms. We took the time to stop for hydration and reflection before Huntress and Quicksilver started to herd us back out onto Stowe. Rudy got his first flat so we had to stop and I gave a tire changing clinic so he can do it himself next time. We then got back on the road with Tax Man, Highlander and Huntress leading the way. I had a small group with Siren, Quicksilver, Digger and Rudy and we followed the other three towards California. We made the run to Stetson and headed east again. We weren’t gaining on the fleeing threesome but we weren’t trying all that hard either.

Siren took us to Warren and I took over again and got us to Cawston and through the industrial park to Sanderson. We turned north to Lowes and Siren took us out onto Acacia. I took over once more and made it to Gilmore and got us back to Burger King for a few minutes of conversation before giving hugs and heading for home. I decided to change saddles on my Specialized and Klein to ones that were a bit less flat after lunch. I will be ready for Wednesday.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Here we were looking at Wednesday and it was a cool overcast day. It was perfect for a longer ride with a few hills and some long speed runs. I knew enough to wear arm and leg warmers and to have a good breakfast before heading over to the parking lot to see how many friends would be joining me. When I pulled up to the Burger King it was good to see Digger was back from Japan. We had coffee and talked while waiting for others to arrive. I was a bit surprised to see ME-109 ride up but not as surprised to see Minotaur. Soon Huntress pulled up right after Highlander and Siren, (Melanie) drove up about the same time. Another surprise was Papillion but he warned me he was only going to ride for an hour. It was a small group but well matched for today’s ride. At 9am we headed out onto Latham and headed for Lyon.

We had to go over to Lyon because they had Gilmore torn up and we needed to get to Johnston before we could turn west. I got us around the corner onto Lyon and up to the light on Florida. Once the light changed I rode with Siren towards Acacia where we caught the light red once again. No one seemed to be in a great hurry but we were still cruising along a little faster than 16 as we started off past acacia and headed for Wilshire. Traffic was light and soon we made it to Johnston and headed west.

I got out front and pulled us to Sanderson to wait for the light before heading through then industrial park to Cawston and out onto Stetson to head for Warren. To be honest I wasn’t feeling like I was firing on all cylinders today. More than likely it was because of the weather because I don’t do well in cool weather. I am almost like a reptile when it is cool and overcast so I was ready to turn over the lead at Warren and Minotaur was willing to take it and pull ME-109 and Siren towards California. Huntress, Highlander and Digger were on my wheel as we followed them to the corner. We got stuck behind a car on the corner of Stetson and California so I slipped into the lead and pulled us to Stowe.

Once we had turned west on Stowe ME-109 pulled by me and slowly ramped it up as we moved towards Winchester. I stayed on his wheel till we were about 400 yards from the metal barn when I noticed we had dropped everyone but Papillion. The three of us rode together with ME-109 in the lead all the way to Winchester farms for a regroup and a snack. As soon as we were ready I took us out onto Winchester and down to the dump road to head west once again. ME-109 and I took turns pulling past the Wild West Arena and onto Leon before dropping down to Simpson.

Siren lulled me into a sense of over confidence and took off on me headed to Simpson getting to the street first but slowing for the turn so once again I started us west and ME-109 pulled us first to Briggs and then Lindenburger. We cruised up to Menifee and once everyone was together headed south towards Domenigoni and past the light to Holland before turning over to Antelope and heading south once more. We stayed on Antelope till we got to Scott where Huntress, Highlander and Papillion were going to leave us. Once we had separated ME-109 pulled us to the Hospital and left on Baxter and over to Whitewood. Siren took off on us once again but got stuck at the light on Clinton Keith. ME-109 and I attacked the rise and dropped off of the hill towards Murrieta Hot Springs. We had to regroup on the corner before heading over to Winchester and north to Benton and another break at the gas station on the corner. After a short stop we headed to Max Gillis and made a run towards Scott and Winchester.

ME-109 still had some power left and pulled away from us as I tried to pull Siren up to him. If it weren’t for a few lights I would never had made it but by the time we got back to Holland we were right behind him. Siren fell back on the last rise but caught back up as we turned onto Domenigoni where ME-109 left us and we waited for Minotaur and Digger. Digger rolled by as we were parked on the side of the road and we chased him down before the dry wash. Siren and I lost Minotaur at the dry wash and headed for Warren. Siren finally settled into a good spin of 95 rpm and 23 mph that she held most of the way back to Sanderson where we waited for Digger and Minotaur. We then headed north towards Lowes but got dropped when Siren made a light that we didn’t. from that point forward we were always one light behind her so we turned on Johnston and cut over on Cypress to cut her off at Acacia and Kirby. We all once again regrouped at Burger King and visited for a little while before heading for home and lunch.

It only took me about fifteen minutes to get home and lunch and a hot shower revived me quite a bit, or at least enough so I didn’t need a nap.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was a nice morning as I looked outside today. Maybe the day was a bit overcast but not too cool and no wind to speak of. I had a simple little ride planned and a new rider joining us. So I was looking for a full on recovery ride and a chance to get back home as rested as when I left. I had breakfast and headed for the parking lot to get the ride started. I got there well before anyone else and had some coffee about the time Dragon Slayer and MacGyver arrived. Melanie pulled up filled with enthusiasm and Highlander was right behind her. Tax Man drove up about the same time as Dan and Minotaur showed up surprising me because he doesn’t normally ride on Monday. Bulldozer and Bloodhound joined us as well. Quicksilver and Rudy rolled up last and we were about ready to leave. We pulled out onto Latham and rode to Lyon before heading south to Johnston.

Once we turned onto Johnston we had to shout at Bloodhound who had been on autopilot heading for Stetson. He made it back to us and led us to Elk before the rest of the group started to close on us. We passed Palm about a block behind Bloodhound and finally got to Gilbert and turned south. Bloodhound made it to the light on Stetson first and we all waited while the group closed up to join us before Thornton and the turn east. Bloodhound stayed out front as we closed in on State Street.

We made the turn south on State and Bloodhound got held up slightly at the stop light causing Melanie to pull out and give chase. As we rolled by Chambers Dan and Tax Man we closing on her and Bloodhound. I decided to make a run at the front and Chased Bloodhound all the way to Domenigoni.

I fell back to ride with Rudy and Quicksilver and watched as the group split into three parts heading west towards Sanderson. At Sanderson Minotaur and Dragon Slayer made the light while the rest of us caught the red. When the light changed we started a slow pace line heading for the rise. Bulldozer pulled up front for a while but gave it back to Bloodhound before Warren. We made it over the dry wash where MacGyver and I formed a two man draft to pull the group towards Winchester. After the dry wash Bloodhound and I found ourselves off the front of the second group and within sight of Dragon Slayer and Minotaur. I noticed there was a third rider with them and it turned out to be Allen from Florida. He had joined then before Winchester. They had to slow at Winchester so Bloodhound and I closed quickly as they made it to the trees, I took over the pull and we had reeled them in my Leon. Bulldozer pulled us to the bottom of the saddle and Dragon Slayer dropped into his small ring and pulled out front. We raced to the top together and regrouped with everyone.

Up to this point Rudy had been doing quite well for his second ride. I can remember my second ride and I don’t believe I was over the dry wash by the time they were regrouping at the Saddle. Today our slowest rider is much faster than I was for at least the first year. He still looked pretty fresh as we got ready to drop off of the saddle and head for Laguna Vista and the ride south again. We turned back east on Newport and headed for Briggs.

Once on Briggs there was a long straight run that would go all the way to Garbani. It is deceptive because once you roll by Holland you are climbing. It is hard to tell because it gets steeper just before Garbani and your eyes naturally drift to that point. Quicksilver made the climb with the lead group while MacGyver and I rode with Rudy to Garbani where Quicksilver was waiting. We turned west towards the rollers and Menifee and soon regrouped and took a head count.

Once we got started again Melanie took the lead and made it all the way to Antelope and started north in front of us. She got up the hill and down to Holland before the rest of us but got caught at the light where Bloodhound and I flew past as the light changed. MacGyver took us to Newport and Melanie took us to Menifee before we turned north to get to Simpson and head east. We had to chase Melanie all the way to Lindenburger and I didn’t catch her till we got to Briggs. I pulled to Leon and fell to the back. I had to start working back up to the front as Bulldozer and Shooter pulled by. We had lost Dragon Slayer at Menifee and picked up Shooter at Antelope. We were almost at the last stand of trees before MacGyver and I caught Melanie again we all stopped at Winchester before heading to Winchester farms. That was all but Bulldozer, Allen and Bloodhound who had gone back to Domenigoni to head for the Marina. After some hydration and conversation we remounted and headed east on Stowe to make our run for home.

Shooter had pulled Melanie up to California and we had to chase her all the way to Stetson and Warren. Finally we had hauled her back in line after MacGyver headed for home. We then rode together to the airport where Tax Man and Highlander caught up and took us to Cawston for the left turn and jog through the industrial park to get back to Sandeson and Johnston.

We stopped for a red light and Sanderson and followed Minotaur north over the railroad tracks towards Lowes. Shooter jumped around us and I grabbed a wheel and followed him to Lowes. As we headed for the back of the store Quicksilver ramped it up and headed for Acacia getting to the street first. I chased her down at Kirby but she didn’t give up without a fight and followed me onto Gilmore and headed back to Burger King to load up the cars and visit for a few minutes to relive part of the ride. Once again I was impressed with how relaxed both Quicksliver and Rudy looked after the ride today.

We all visited for a few minutes before we were joined by Centaur and had a discussion about brackets and computer mounts. I took that time to head for home and was looking forward to lunch and a hot shower. I have to say it was just the kind of ride I was hoping for today. I am looking for many more in the future.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I started out feeling a lot better today than I did Wednesday. I was honestly surprised my legs were as strong as they felt. I had one small pain in my right quadriceps but I believed it would work itself out during the ride so I had breakfast and got dressed for a fun fill Friday ride. I got to the parking lot just before Dragon Slayer and got some coffee while we waited for the other riders. As people started pulling in I could see we were going to have a strong A group and a small B group. Bloodhound, Gambler, Bulldozer, MacGyver and Ferret pulled up with Minotaur. Highlander and Dan arrived about the same time as Brian followed by Quicksilver. Right at 9am we pulled out onto Gilmore and headed down to Acacia and over to Kirby to get started on a westerly ride.

For a change Bloodhound wasn’t flying away from us and we were following pretty close behind him as we crossed over the railroad tracks and turned right onto Cypress and head west towards Johnston. Bloodhound led us through the housing tract and onto Johnston where for a change we got the light on Sanderson Greed so he could start us south towards Stetson and Wally World. He continued to lead us south till he got caught at the light on Thornton. We were all pretty close behind at Mustang heading for Domenigoni.

As we made the turn on Domenigoni Bloodhound took a big lead that we had to slowly try and pull in. After the rise Ferret pulled to the front and pulled a few of us up to Bloodhound at Warren. I was sitting in the third slot as we headed for the dry wash and Highlander was right behind me with Quicksilver in tow. In fact at Warren just about everyone was with the lead group as we rolled down the backside of the dry wash. Ferret had us cruising at about 27 as we headed for Winchester and somewhere between the dry wash and there we lost part of the group. The four leaders were Ferret, Bloodhound, Brian and me. We were going fine as we got by Winchester and soon were run down by Bulldozer. He pulled in front and held the pace at 26 till giving the lead back to Bloodhound and then Brian . At Leon Bulldozer blew by again with Bloodhound and Ferret in tow and any cohesiveness the break had fell apart spreading us out over about an eighth of a mile. We all regrouped at the top of the saddle and waited for everyone else. Once everyone was collected we dropped down the saddle and headed for Menifee to turn towards the park and make a nature stop. Once back on the road Bloodhound left us and I started to chase him the Holland and Revival.

I closed about half of the distance to Bloodhound and looked back to see Ferret closing rapidly on me. I had enough of a lead to get to the stop sign first but I stopped to collect the stragglers and the A group did not. Once Highlander and Quicksilver were with me we chased Minotaur and Dan south towards Scott. Quicksilver pulled us up to Scott and headed us to Antelope. Highlander decided to call it a day and decided to break off once we got to Haun. Quicksilver and I caught Minotaur and she stayed with us all the way up Scott to Murrieta where we found Dan waiting. We headed north towards Holland before turning North West and working our way towards Railroad canyon. I got a pretty big jump on my group and slowed a bit at the first stop light only to have Quicksilver pull up to me and tell me to head on so she could draft me. We got to Railroad canyon to meet the A group and both Minotaur and I had flats. The group was running short on time so they left the four of us and headed for home. Don and Quicksliver started back east towards the Fire station only to have to stop again when Minotaur had a second flat. Quicksilver was running short of time so she started east just before we finished changing the tire and we chased as best as we could expecting to catch her by Murrieta. Minotaur got a third flat and we were finished as far as a chase was concerned. Once we were down to our last tube I pulled a very tired looking Minotaur back Murrieta and then to Winchester having to slow at almost any hint of a hill. Minotaur hard worked out on Thursday and was suffering for it today. I was still feeling good and set cruise control on 20 and headed for first warren and then Sanderson to make the last big turn for home.

I decided to head back to Acacia just in case Dan or Quicksilver were stuck along the way. They weren’t stuck so I headed back east on Acacia only stopping to buy some extra tubes before heading home for lunch and a hot shower. All in all it had been a good ride. I got to play on Domenigoni going out and help a friend coming home. What more can someone ask for?

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Normally I look forward to Wednesday’s ride and hope to have a large group. Today was not one of those days. I went to bed early to be sure I was rested and planned a favorite course so there was no stress there. But after breakfast when I headed towards Burger King my legs were heavy and a bit tired. No matter I pushed through it and heded over to see who was riding today. I got to the parking lot about the same time as Dragon Slayer and we talked till Highlander and Tax Man arrived. We stood around for a while talking but no one else showed up and it was just the four of us ready to head out onto Gilmore and south. The advantage to only having four riders is we could work on keeping the group together and that was just what we had planned as we turned on Acacia and then again in Kirby to start south again.

Sore legs or not I had determined that I would do a lot of pulling today and so I started us down Kirby and turned at the corner at Cypress. Highlander pulled up next to me and we chatted as we rode through the housing tract and headed for Johnston. By the time we got to Johnston Dragon Slayer had moved up to pull a bit and took us to Sanderson and straight across the street so we could weave our way to Cawston.

I got us out onto Stetson and pulled towards the Airport. We set the pace right at 18 mph and held it there like a cruise control. I gave up the lead at Warren and followed the group to California. Dragon Slayer moved to the front and pulled us south towards Stowe. He picked it up just a bit because we were not running into the wind and we turned onto Stowe at close to 19 mph. Dragon Slayer pulled hard into a slight breeze and I relieved him about 300 yards from the metal barn and into the Winchester Farms parking lot. We took a quick break and started south once more with me pulling to the dump road and starting us west.

Now the leg pain was setting in but I still had the energy to draft Dragon Slayer as we headed past the Wild West Arena and headed for Leon. After the rise in front of Leon I pulled till we got to Briggs and started us north into the teeth on the wind. Dragon Slayer took the lead back and successfully got us to Florida in front to Heritage High only to wait at the light. Dragon Slayer and I worked together to pull Highlander and Tax Man to Mapes where I took over and got us to Menifee. At that point the race was on and I started us south towards Florida and the AM/PM. Dragon Slayer got by me and I followed him into the gas station for a regroup and nature break. As we headed south from the AM/PM Dragon Slayer worked hard on recovery so he could attack McCall and get to the top as quickly as possible. He is still learning how to use his new gears and doesn’t quite have the gear selection down yet. Still each climb gets better and we hit the bottom of the hill together and he stayed with me for the first third of the hill till he missed a shift and I got away. We regrouped at the top of McCall and headed down the hill towards Bradley and the end of McCall. This time there would be no stopping as we headed for Murrieta.

Dragon Slayer found the perfect gear to climb the grade past Murrieta and beat us all to the turn and down to Cherry Hill to head back to Bradley. We were all back together and stayed that way all the way to Bradley and made the turn towards Newport. We managed to get to Newport and headed east to stop and have coffee at Jack in the Box. I for one felt I needed the rest before we headed back out onto Newport and fought the wind back to Hemet. After we had something to drink and got back outside we decided we would do our best to bring the whole group back to Sanderson together. I started us off as we rolled by Antelope and Dragon Slayer took us past Menifee and to the base of the Saddle. I took over at the top of the saddle and to Leon where Dragon Slayer came back around and too us to Winchester. I got us back to the Dry Wash and Dragon Slayer got us to Warren. I took us to the side street just below the rise that you have to climb to see the light at Sanderson. Dragon Slayer took us to Sanderson and I slipped by to get us pointed towards Stetson.

At Mustang Dragon Slayer took the lead again and got us all the way to Sanderson where we had to wait for a green light. We were once again in the teeth of a head wind and Dragon Slayer was doing yeoman work pulling us past Johnston and then Wentworth Before I could pull around and take us to Lowes. We moved around to the back of the store and then out onto Acacia and over to Kirby. I got us to Kirby and Dragon Slayer got us to Gilmore before we turned back towards Florida and the Burger King Parking lot where we could stop and load the cars for home.

We took some time to talk about the steadiness of our pace today and while we have been known to ride faster we still had one of our better average speeds for the day. I had almost forgotten about my tired legs when working with Dragon Slayer to get us back on Domenigoni to Sanderson but as we visited I knew I was overdue for a shower and lunch. So I left and rode home for that purpose. I had some errands to run or I might have added a nap to the things I needed when I got home. But as the say sometimes life gets in the way of our plans.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) After a busy weekend I was expecting an easy cruise on Monday. Some of us did a metric century on Saturday and some of us even raced at the Redlands Classic. Bloodhound got first in his class and Shooter raced in cat four/five on Sunday. It was just the kind of weekend for a recovery ride. So I had a light breakfast and headed for the parking lot to see who was riding with me. Dragon Slayer and Highlander showed up followed by Tax Man and Papillion. Shooter and Quicksilver arrived as did two new riders, Dan and Randy. Bloodhound pulled up and showed us his first place medal. We had to wait for another new rider, Melanie, before we could ride out onto Latham and head for Lyon to start the day. We made the turn onto Lyon and soon were rolling past Devonshire and Menlo moving north.

I should have expected something was different when I learned that two of the new riders were people that had been on Jax’s rides with Shooter. Melanie acted like she would have trouble averaging 16 mph but as soon as we past Seventh Street she took off chasing Bloodhound. I had to work at it to reel her in and it took a few more minutes for the rest of the group to catch us. We had pretty much closed on Bloodhound at Cottonwood and ended up following him all the way to Ramona Boulevard before turning west towards Sanderson.

Once we were headed west I knew the new riders were stronger than many of the new riders we have had in the past. It was confirmed as we sat at the light on the Expressway. When the light changed Bloodhound set the pace and soon we were in a fast pace line heading towards Warren. Bloodhound started to separate himself from the group and soon Randy and Papillion were going with him. Shooter pulled around and the three of them left us heading for bridge. Dragon slayer and I worked together to pull the rest of the pack up to the fleeing foursome but couldn’t close. Finally Randy popped off of the back of the other four and we caught him just before bridge. Once we made the turn Shooter came back and picked us up and before we got past the dairy Melanie was attacking again. After the curve on Bridge Shooter pulled in front and took Melanie, Dragon Slayer and I out from the group and up to about 27 mph. Once he pulled off I came around and got to within 50 yards of Papillion to join Bloodhound at Gilman and regroup.

We decided to stay on Gilman all the way to Soboba rather than turn on Sanderson and I relayed that information to the group before Bloodhound and Papillion took off heading east. I pulled over the rise and was relieved by Dragon Slayer at the first flat. Melanie rolled by us and took a 30 yard lead before I caught up to her and took Dragon Slayer with me. Shooter reeled us in and was right with us as we rolled on towards Sanderson. We made a quick regroup under the Sanderson overpass and then headed to Soboba. Bloodhound and Papillion got to State Street first and I think Papillion headed for home. The rest of us started east on Soboba with Bloodhound in the lead followed by Shooter and then by me. After the two rollers I pulled up and waited for Highlander and some of the other riders before finally chasing after Dragon Slayer, Melanie and Shooter all the way to the golf course hill. We then rolled on to Lake Park and Soboba for our last regroup before Carl’s. Highlander didn’t stop with us and soon several of the riders took off after him. I stayed with Dan as we turned onto Ramona and we rode together all the way to Cedar and then to Florida and west to Carl’s for a regroup before heading home.

We made our way to Lincoln and headed towards Park to get home. Highlander was well out front and Dragon Slayer and I had to work hard to pull Quicksilver up to the lead group and onto Park. We quickly made our way around Park and onto Devonshire to once again head west. The group split once again but we caught up at State Street and rode together back to the Burger King to load the cars, visit and discuss the ride. We laughed and took the time to realize what a special group we have and the friendships that have developed in such a short period of time. Shooter tried teasing me about being a hugger but he paid the price for that just before I headed for home.

I didn’t have far to go but I wanted to get home as soon as I could to fix lunch and get a few errands out of the way before I could kick back and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Wednesday was looking a lot like Monday weather wise when I got up. I knew we would be down a few riders because of vacations and training schedules but I didn”t know how many would be missing. I got dressed and headed for the parking lot after breakfast and stretching. I arrived first and waited till Minotaur and Martin arrived. We were standing around talking when Closer and Gambler rode up followed by MacGyver on a new ride. Highlander and Tax Man pulled up about the same time as Dragon Slayer and we were just about ready to hit the road. I had no idea how the ride was going to shake out but I knew I had come to play as we pulled out onto Gilmore and headed for Acacia.

I was still a bit under powered as we pulled out onto Acacia and headed for Kirby and had mentioned to Dragon Slayer that I wasn’t up to pulling much today and he would have to take the lead spot. However I did pull from acacia to Kirby and from Kirby to Cypress where I chatted a bit with Highlander about the wind patterns being very close to what Monday’s was and how tired that condition had made me. We rode together to Johnston and waited at the light on Sanderson before heading south to Stetson and beyond Wally World.

Dragon Slayer did take the lead from there and Martin joined him as we headed for Mustang and then Domenigoni and west. As I had thought I was not up to speed so I took a very short pull before dropping back to the tail end of the group. Gambler and MacGyver moved to the front to take over from Dragon Slayer and we formed a double pace line. I ended up in the third rank as we got to Warren and we stayed that way over the dry wash and headed for Winchester. The pace kicked up and Tax Man fell back a bit and Highlander went back to pull him back to the group. The lead group started to separate as Gambler took things up another notch at Leon and I found myself in the forth slot heading for the bottom of the saddle. I wasn’t sure I could hold on to the top so I got out of the saddle and sprinted to the top for the regroup basically taking advantage of Gambler’s great lead out.

As we dropped down off of the Saddle Highlander and Tax Man turned at Lindenburger while we all headed for Menifee. Minotaur had to stop and check out Iphone we say lying in the street but he found it to be broken beyond repair and followed us to Menifee when we turned north. MacGyver led us up to Simpson and down to McCall where we all more or less regrouped and headed for the AM/PM to join Highlander and Tax Man.

Dragon Slayer pulled us all the way to the AM/PM where we joined Tax Man and Highlander and took a short break. Highlander and Tax Man were planning on taking a short cut on Nuevo to Lakview while we turned on Nuevo and headed towards Evans to make our way to Ramona and head for home. We pulled out onto Menifee together and Gambler started the pull north and slowly picked us up to 20mph or so. I was hanging on pretty well as we crested the rise and headed for the Nursery where I missed a shift and dropped my chain. While I slowly back pedaled the group left me and I had to chase them as well as I could all the way to Nuevo and then to Dunlop and finally to Orange before rounding the corner onto Evans where the group was waiting for me. We decided to ride up to Rider and head east to Ramona and the first of the rollers heading to Lakeview. I crossed the rollers third after Martin and Gambler but was caught by MacGyver before I could make it to Lakeview where we regrouped and Dragon slayer went home.

Once we were ready to go I started us on the way to Hansen and after about a quarter of a mile Gambler took over and started the pull for home. We had left a bit before Minotaur was ready and I didn’t notice he hadn’t hooked up on the back of the pace line so we pulled away pretty steadily. By the time we got to Bridge we couldn’t even see Minotaur and we had not closed in on Highlander, Tax Man and Closer. MacGyver pulled us from Warren to Sanderson. Gambler stayed on Ramona as we turned south and cut over to Lyon to head for home ourselves.

MacGyver started us south and Martin helped till we got to Cottonwood. I pulled till we got to Seventh and MacGyver took over again and got us down to Devonshire where he left us to head for his house. Minotaur and I rode back to Burger King and noticed no one was still there so we headed for home ourselves and I got home by noon just about as tired as I have ever been but satisfied with the effort I had put out. It was a great day for a ride.

Manic Monday

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Back in the mid 1980s there was a group called the Bangles that had a hit song called, “Just another manic Monday”. One of the two lead singers, Susanna Hoffs, sang the chorus line that went like this. “It's just another manic Monday-I wish it was Sunday 'Cause that's my fun day-My I don't have to run day-It's just another manic Monday. If you replace run day with ride day and you have how I felt today. I wanted to sleep in and was almost willing to roll over and go back to sleep when I noticed it was colder today than Friday. Still I got up, had breakfast, got dressed with arm and leg warmers and tried to pour a hot cup of coffee. The problem was my coffee pot took that very moment to give up the ghost and I stood there for at least two minutes just staring at it. I decided to leave for the parking lot early and get coffee there. Just another manic Monday. It was cold to me as I headed down Palm, cut over to Lyon and got to Florida. I pulled up to Burger King to see Digger inside so I went in to order coffee. I was wearing one of my world Jerseys representing England and at first I thought they had looked at the Jersey and gave me tea, I could see through the coffee. But they don’t server tea so I was stuck with weak coffee and cream. Did I just hear Susanna Huffs voice in my head?. While Digger and I stood outside trying to absorb some warmth from the sun a new rider Martin arrived. We introduced ourselves and started telling stories till Highlander and Tax Man arrived. For a while that looked like all we were going to get and then Sasquatch rode up and we had at least five riders. As we headed out onto the street I noticed the wind was coming from the south west, not what I expected. I knew I would be fighting a head wind at least half of the ride. There it was again, the sound of the Bangles in the background.

I got us to Acacia and over to Kirby where we turned south and Highlander pulled up next to me to chat. As we talked and turned onto Cypress we were joined by a bit more wind. No big thing I thought because normally my legs are rested for Monday rides. It seems as if this wasn’t the case for today because I just couldn’t get my legs warmed up even as I pulled the group to Johnston and the light at Sanderson. I then took us south towards Mustang and as we passed Wally World Sasquatch indicated he was going to take a run at the segment between Mustang and Domenigoni. As he jumped at Mustang martin went with him and I kept the pace for the group and we were pretty much right behind then at the light. We had also picked up Prosecutor before we headed west. As we headed west I once again took the lead and pulled most of the way to Warren before giving up the lead. I was back in third when we crossed over the dry wash and when I looked back I could see that Digger and Tax Man had been dropped and couldn’t close before we crossed Winchester. I pulled over behind Highlander and we waited while Prosecutor took Sasquatch and Martin to the saddle. I moved to the front on the climb and the rest of us joined them a few minutes later. As we regrouped my legs were still complaining from the cold and I could just hear Susanna’s voice in my head.

We dropped off of the hill and headed for the light at Lindenburger. Truthfully I wasn’t really looking forward to making the turn on Menifee. Martin could climb like a fighter plane and Prosecutor was about as fast. Sasquatch has been pushing on every climb for weeks and we had Revival to look forward to. As we passed the park and headed for Holland Sasquatch pulled up next to me and started talking about all of the times we had raced up the hill together. I knew he was thinking about attacking as we crossed Holland and as we got close to the climb Prosecutor took off followed by Martin. I got up to chase but I was way under geared and spun out pretty quickly. But I was far enough ahead of Sasquatch that I got to the top before he could catch me. Once again we regrouped and got ready to head towards Scott. But I could still hear that song In my head as we rolled towards Garbani.

Sasquatch moved to the front pretty quickly and I moved up to draft him to Scott. He kept the pressure up on the rise and dropped everyone but me. We made it to Scott before Martin caught up to us and we were close to Antelope before the rest of the group was even close. I got up next to Sasquatch and told him to head to Haun and we would wait for everyone t catch up before heading north for the first time with the wind to our back. Once we got to Haun we pulled over and Highlander informed me he wasn’t going to turn on Holland but rather was heading for Newport and then up to Murrieta. Prosecutor decided to cut the ride short and head home on Newport himself. The route isn’t cut in stone so it was no problem for me and I got ready for the pull to Holland. For the first time today I didn’t hear the song.

We split up at Holland with Sasquatch, Martin and me heading west towards Murrieta and the Holland climb while Highlander, Tax Man and Digger headed to Newport. As my group turned west I pulled past Bradley and picked up the pace to start the climb. As I kicked it up Martin stayed right on my wheel and Sasquatch was right behind us. I jumped on it once and Martin jumped with me with Sasquatch right behind still. The second attack dropped Sasquatch. He caught back up on the downhill and pulled around heading back toward Newport. I got back in front on the last downhill and made it to the light in time to see the other three riders coming west on Newport. We all ended up stopping at the Chevron Station before getting ready to head to McCall and the last climbing challenge for the day. As we headed north there was still no song in the back of my head. But as we turned on McCall it started to come back. We made short work of Murrieta to Bradley and Sasquatch led us over the freeway and past the Valero. As we headed for the stop light it was Sasquatch, me, Highlander and Martin. It stayed that way till we past the next light at Highpoint where Sasquatch started to make a run of it. I waited till he down shifted and jumped out and left sasquatch and Highlander but couldn’t shake Martin. Martin and I made it to the false flat where Sasquatch separated himself from Highlander and chased after us. We had too much lead however and made it over the top before he did with my legs screaming. What was I hearing? “Wish it were Sunday”? We dropped off of the hill and headed to Heritage and then Simpson with as you might have guessed a swirling unpredictable wind. It sure wasn’t at our back. We had to work together to fight our way to Winchester before heading north once more with only our second wind t our back segment. I pulled most of the way back to Winchester Farms except where Sasquatch tried to sprint by me but he started too early and I had a chance to catch his wheel and get the lead back before the parking lot. No matter what the song was saying it was still my ride day and we started back out onto Stowe after Digger had left. He was well on his way to California before we got started and he made it to the corned 150 yards in front of us. Sasquatch and Martin decided to take advantage of the tail wind and try for a Segment PR heading to Stetson. We caught them and Digger at the airport but Digger turned at Cawston and we went to Sanderson. Once we were headed North we got caught at the light on Johnston just long enough for Digger to come off of Wentworth and the chase was on. Tax Man started the chase and Highlander kicked it up a notch. I sprinted to the front and caught Digger about 200 yards before Lowes and the turn around the building.

Tax Man rolled around Lowes first and out onto Acacia heading east towards Kirby. We got caught at the light on Kirby and had to stop. My legs were complaining and the Bangles were blaring in my sub conscience as we headed to Gilmore and back to Burger King. Sasquatch and Martin were planning on heading to the east end of town together and I had to stop and pay for some MTB pedals before going home for lunch and then out shopping for a new coffee pot. By 4:30 I was finally ready to settle down in my recliner and download some pictures and maybe just look up the Bangles on the web.