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.