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.