By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Mondays are the days we get our weeks riding on track. I will admit to being tentative about riding today because I knew my doctor wanted me to cut my efforts back till I can see a specialist in two weeks. What I had to question was my ability to hold myself in check for a whole ride and not test my limits just because. I had breakfast, got dressed and headed to Burger King to see who would be joining me. I pulled up to find Digger waiting and we waited till Bugler, Earth Dog, Highlander and Tax Man arrived and got ready for our ride. I took us out onto Latham at a slow cruise with no intention of pulling at all today. We turned on Lyon and headed north with me trailing close to the back of the group. With Digger and Earth dog leading the group I had to wait till we had to slow for a stop sign to catch up and get a picture of the group.

The great part about this group is that even with the Bs there is always someone willing to step up and lead or do their part in setting the pace for the rest of us. The As are the same way and it makes me feel good knowing the health of the group isn’t resting on my shoulders. Today the outstanding rider was Tax Man with some help from Bugler. Almost from the start Tax Man was near the front and keeping us together. In the early stages Digger was holding his own as well and in fact it took all three of them to pull me up to Earth Dog after he past Cottonwood. I didn’t have much to do as I followed the whole group to Ramona Boulevard and west towards Sanderson.

After we were headed west Digger pulled up to make sure I wasn’t going to pull and took the lead. I fell in on his wheel and followed him till we turned towards the Expressway and caught the light at the same time and Digger. As we sat there I knew I wasn’t going to put myself out front when we turned west. When the light changed Digger, Highlander and Highlander were in front with the rest of us following on their wheel. Bugler pulled around and took us to Warren at about 21 mph. He was still leading at the rumble strips and we followed as a group all the way to Bridge and turned right to head for Gilman.

To my surprise my heart rate was almost at idle and I was enjoying the group draft. As we rode by the cattle and sheep I marveled at what a great morning this was turning out to be. We weren’t traveling fast but we weren’t loafing either and once again Earth Dog took off and gapped the rest of us. As he went through the dip and headed around the curve Highlander slowly pulled us up to him and then around him to the final grade up to Gilman. We regrouped and gat a quick drink before heading east back towards Sanderson. I pulled at first but Earth Dog took over at the top of the grade and pulled us most of the way to the first dairy. As we crested the last little Hill I coasted past the leaders only to be passed by Tax Man who led us under the over pass and east on Gilman. He pulled us most of the way to Golden Productions and the little hill where Bugler jumped the hill and I followed him to the top. As we headed east towards Soboba first Tax Man and then Bugler past me. Next Highlander rolled by us all and pulled us to Soboba for a short regroup.

Once we were back on our way Highlander and Tax Man set the pace to the first roller and Bugler took over on the climb. We followed him to the second roller and when he stood the make it over the top I went with him and crested just about the same time as he did. We were riding together when Tax Man flew by followed by Highlander and Earth Dog. I told Bugler to go play and he caught up to them and followed then as they chased Tax Man through the rollers and up the last hill by the golf course. Tax Man made it to Ramona and east to the Indian Clinic where Digger and I finally found them waiting. Highlander and Tax Man planned on leaving us at Hemet street while the rest of us were supposed to head to Cedar and then work our way to Cranston.

Once again Earth Pulled away and made the turn onto Cedar first while the three of us followed him towards Fairview. As we got to Fairview we saw Earth Dog head west and we figured he was headed for home. Digger took us to Cranston where we took a very short break before heading back to Carl’s for our break. After a brief rest at Carl’s we headed back out onto New Chicago and west on Lincoln. Bugler was working with the handicap of a broken spoke so we kept the pace down and we headed for Park. We lost Digger when we took the jog onto Devonshire.

Bugler and I talked about getting ready for the Saturday CAS ride. I will not be released for any long climbs before September the third as it was going to be up to Bugler to test himself to see if he could make the ride. I told him if he makes it the TDPS ride in January will be a piece of cake. We finally made it back to the parking lot before heading over to the bike shop to get the broken spoke replaced. I then rode home to have lunch and a hot shower. It turned out to be a rather pain free ride and a rather nice day.