By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) So today was leap day 2016 and we had an easy ride planned just to get the week started. It was a little ride to Sage and up to Mento Way before heading back down to Domenigoni and the saddle. The weather was perfect and I was pretty eager for the ride. I only wanted a nice group to ride with. In got to the bike shop and met up with Dragon Slayer and Digger for coffee. Tax man and Anaconda arrived followed by Cutter and Highlander. Not a big group but a nice sized one for the ride. We headed out right at 9am and went south on Lyon. I managed to lead us south past Acacia and talked easily with Highlander as I discovered he was back on schedule for making it to our rides. The group followed me down to Johnston and then east past Palm to get ready for our turn south again towards Thornton.

After we turned south I continued to lead the group down to Stetson and caught the light red. After it changed I took us to Thornton and rode with Dragon Slayer east towards State Street for our next turn. I knew Digger would leave us about Domenigoni and I discovered that Highlander and Tax Man wanted to do Cactus Valley rather than Sage so the group would be splitting up soon. Dragon Slayer had a nature stop planned for the trees after we crossed Domenigoni so I stayed with Cutter, Highlander and Tax Man as we headed towards Cactus Valley road and Sage. Cutter and I teamed up at Sage when Highlander and Tax Man crossed the road and we turned south. Once we started up sage I dropped into the small ring and started a spin heading for Domenigoni Market. Cutter was in front of me about thirty yards as we came upon an touring rider reading for Saint John’s grade. We passed him at the Market and moved on to Mento Way to wait for Dragon Slayer and Anaconda. It took a bit longer for them to reach us because Anaconda had a flat but as soon as they did we headed back north towards Sage and Cactus Valley. The good part is the ride back to Domenigoni is almost all downhill. Dragon Slayer led us to the stop sign and west towards State Street.

Once we were all together Dragon Slayer took us to State and north back to McSweeney where we found Tax Man and Highlander waiting. They joined us as we rode to Domenigoni and headed west behind Dragon Slayer and then Cutter heading for Sanderson. As we crossed Sanderson it was time for us all to work together and head for Warren. Tax Man took over before Warren and pulled us over the dry wash and part way down the back before I got a turn. I didn’t get to pull far before Highlander took over and took is to Winchester and beyond. We rotated once or twice more before Dragon Slayer made to final pull to the saddle. I was determined to hold his wheel and I managed to stay in it all the way over the saddle and down to Lindenburger. We regrouped briefly before heading for Simpson and the turn east. Highlander and Tax Man wanted to take Briggs to the dump road so we made that turn as well and did the short crossing in the dirt before heading east once more and falling in line for the run to Leon. As we crossed Leon I got in position for the DVV flag sprint with Dragon Slayer, Tax Man and Highlander and I all in a row. As we crested I made a move and started to see how much juice I had for a sprint and moved to the front. Dragon Slayer came back by me and I grabbed another gear and held his wheel. We didn’t set any new records but I felt stronger than I have since October so it was a good feeling. We ended up waiting for Tax Man and Highlander and rode to Winchester and then Stowe for a regroup and a break. Once we had a break under our belt we got back on Stowe and headed for California to start for home.

I fell back and started having a conversation with Cutter while the rest of the group headed for Stetson and the back towards Warren. Cutter and I were in cruise mode and watched as they pulled away and faded from view at the Airport. We made our way to Cawston and found them waiting at Industrial so we all rode together back to Sanderson and then to Acacia. Once we crossed over Kirby it was a short push to the Bike shop where some of us loaded up and headed for the Healthy Pub and lunch. A cold smoothie made the ride perfect.