By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Today was going to be a short and easy ride. Some of us had things to do after lunch and we had already had two long rides earlier in the week. Cactus Valley seemed like a good choice so we posted it and started planning the ride. I got us and took my time getting ready before heading to the parking lot to get some coffee and wait for the rest of the group to arrive. Digger was already there and Bugler had arrived before me. Minotaur and Gambler rode up a minute or two apart just before Quicksilver and Anaconda. Ferret and Huntress rode up about the same time as ME-109 and we still had a few minutes before we had to leave. Right about 8am we headed out onto Gilmore and headed towards Acacia.

Like a flight of birds we rode in a flock west to Kirby and caught the light. I had already told the group I wouldn’t do much pulling unless they were ready to kick it back a bit and every0ne seemed to agree. We headed to Cypress and Digger took the lead to pull us towards Johnston. We made it to Sanderson and once again had to wait for the light. When we got started again Digger took point once more. We crossed over Stetson and the flock started to break up. Huntress got a call and the Bling Team stopped to wait with her. The A group had to ride up to let me know.

We kept going with the understanding that the B group would wait at Searl for the Bling Team while Gambler took the A up to the marina. I got a text saying Huntress had to leave and a few minutes later Quicksilver and Anaconda pulled up to Digger and I, somehow Bugler and Minotaur decided to chase Gambler, Ferret and ME-109 up the marina hill, at the light and rolled by so we could chase them towards State. Quicksilver pulled us all the way to State and started us south towards Newport. I drafted he till she gave up the lead and then I did pull till we rounded the corner onto Cactus Valley and headed east. Anaconda pulled us to Sage and I did get back in front as we rolled over the hill and past the Baptist Church. Anaconda and Quicksilver made it to the end of Cactus Valley and met Sea Lion while we waited for the rest of the group. Ferret and Gambler arrived next with ME-109 not far behind. Digger got there just before Bugler and Minotaur for a quick break.

The girls decided to leave first because Digger had to fill his tire before we were ready to go. The flock thinned a bit more because they were headed for home. The A group lead the way back west on Cactus Valley and dropped off of the hill and crossed Sage first. I chased as best as I could till I ran up against the zone my doctor wanted me to stay under while Sea Lion pulled Minotaur and Bugler up to me and we headed back to Newport and through the Housing tract. Sea Lion headed for home when we got back to State and met up with Gambler, Ferret and ME-109. Once digger joined us we were ready to go but decided to wait while Digger replaced his rear tube because the tire was low again. Once he got that fixed we headed north again and made a run towards Domenigoni.

ME-109 took us north past Domenigoni and all the way to Chambers where we turned east towards Buena Vista. I told Gambler to take his group and head to Fairview while I waited for Digger and Minotaur. By the time they got to us Diggers tire was low again and he decided to fix it and head for home.

Now the flock was down to three. We headed for Columbia and worked our way over to Lake and back south to Stetson to get to Fairview. Minotaur took us to Wilson Mesa and once again I got to the top first and took us around the houses and back to the top of the hill overlooking the long run north on Fairview. The weather was about perfect as we headed off of the hill and easily rode back towards Stetson and onto the bridge before Mayberry Minotaur needed a gold drink so we stopped at Carl’s and Gambler met us there just about the time we sat down. We spent a few minutes solving the problems of the world before heading for home and dropping Gambler off at his street on the way.

I rode with Bugler and Minotaur back to Park and over to the jog onto Devonshire and west again. We made our way to San Jacinto and caught the light red. When it changed we made our way to Santa Fe and turned west once more on Latham. I stayed with the two of them back to State and all the way to Palm where I had to leave for home and get ready for the visit to the doctor. I took a quick shower and made it to the office in plenty of time. It was a perfect day for a ride that never really got together.