By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Wednesday is most times my favorite ride day. I tend to push a bit more on Wednesday or even of I don’t I climb more. Today was a climb day and I wasn’t sure if I would attack Lambs Canyon or not. So I got dressed and had breakfast and headed for the parking lot. Like most days Digger was already there when I pulled up. We got coffee and stood outside waiting to see who would join us. One of the first ones was Minotaur. Gambler rode up just before Shooter drove in so it looked like we would be heavy with CAS riders. Quicksilver pulled in and parked and as she was unloading her bike MacGyver rode in. It was a small group but we didn’t care. It seems like it is a small group almost every time I post a Lambs Canyon ride. We mounted up and headed out onto Latham before turning north on Lyon. Quicksilver, Digger and I led the way to Esplanade before the rest of the group caught us.

We left the light at Esplanade and the group allowed me to lead again as we worked past Seventh Street and headed for Cottonwood. Once were rolling along Quicksilver pulled up next to me and asked that I try and stay with her on the climb in the Canyon because I had a flashing light and traffic should be able to see me better. I figured it would slow me much because she climbs a lot better than many riders anyway and I might have to chase her up the hill. I was thinking about the climb as we turned onto Ramona Boulevard and headed for Sanderson.

Once we made it to Sanderson I pointed us north and we crossed the Expressway and headed for Gilman and the beginning of the climb. Huntress and I led the way to the off ramp and then the on ramp just as Gambler and Shooter started to attack the hill. Quicksilver was a touch slow merging to the right and MacGyver pulled Minotaur past us and gapped us by about thirty yards. I slowly helped Quicksilver pick up her pace and once MacGyver pulled away from Minotaur we were able to close on him. Quicksilver had to shift gears as I passed Minotaur and I told her I would wait for her after we crested the first climb. As I waited Minotaur rolled by me again and once again pulled away on the downhill towards the Dump Road. I pulled Quicksilver to the base of the last climb and managed to catch Minotaur half way up the grade and pulled away till we got to First Street where I stopped to adjust the tension of me saddle. We then rode together to Oak Valley Parkway and headed east to Highland Springs so we could turn South and get back down to Second Street and turn into the parking lot and Join Gambler, MacGyver and Shooter. It took another five minutes for Digger to arrive and we had a hot drink and conversation before we were ready to head back on Second before cutting over to First Street so we could get back to Sanderson.

Quicksilver and Minotaur led us to the light at Sanderson and the pace started to pick up. MacGyver led us over the rise and started us down the hill. As were picked up speed Gambler and Shooter came to the outside and jumped out front forming a pace line quickly approaching thirty miles an hour with a cross wind. I jumped to the outside and tried to close on Gambler and Shooter and MacGyver made room for me. Just as I pulled back into the bike lane I ran over a small metal box and thought I had made it without a problem. There was no such luck as I flatted about one hundred yards later. I didn’t know at the time but I had three snake bites on one tube. I changed the tire as Quicksilver and Digger rolled by and picked up Gambler and Shooter at the dump road. Minotaur led us to the last little rise and Shooter took over as we crested and started down the grade towards Gilman. I was drafting in third just as a dump truck past us and jumped out to see if I could catch a draft. I did get a bit of it and managed to gap Shooter and Gambler almost all the way to Gilman where Shooter caught me and headed for the Expressway with Gambler and MacGyver in tow. Gambler left at the Expressway and we regrouped at the corner before heading onto Ramona Boulevard and east towards Lyon.

Quicksilver and Minotaur led us to Lyon and headed south. After the stop sign Shooter and MacGyver picked up the pace to check out the segment for future reference. After Cottonwood I waited for Quicksilver and Minotaur and we followed MacGyver to Esplanade where he turned for home. Quicksilver and Shooter talked all the way back down to Latham where I had to leave the group and head for home. I had been trying to track down a rattle I discovered last Monday and thought I had discovered it when I hit a rough patch if pavement and it came back. When I got home I took the seat bag off of the quick release only to discover the bracket was loose. I am hoping that was the problem but I won’t know till I can get the bike out for a test ride. Right now Thursday and Friday look like it might rain so it may be a day or two before I know if I have solved the problem.