By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I was concerned about the predicted wind for Wednesday and it was hard to plot a ride where we got at least some wind at our back. But I did my best and headed for the Bike Shop to see who would be riding today. I was not the first rider there because Klink was waiting as I rode up. Minotaur was waiting inside and Highlander was just pulling into the parking lot. Cutter, Earth Dog and Merle joined us as I had a cup of coffee and a new rider, Ron walked in. Anaconda arrived followed by Huntress and Dragon Slayer. Once we were all set we headed out onto Lyon and over to Acacia to get the show on the road. Picture 21

I was not as fresh, or my legs were not as fresh, as I was on Monday but it felt good to lead the group onto Acacia and headed towards Kirby. I did get us to the light on Kirby and started south before Merle and Highlander took over and moved us over the railroad tracks and west on Cypress towards Johnston. Everyone was still in a talkative mood as we moved past the houses to Johnston and we were led around the corner to the light on Sanderson. Once we started south again I took over and got us headed towards Mustang.

As we closed in on Mustang it looked to me like we were going to get the light green and I started to pick up the pace a bit. I was in full spin when Dragon Slayer and Minotaur almost flew past me. It was there I noticed I never got out of my small ring. It made it easier to spin but not so good at keeping up with the fast moving twosome in front of me. We caught the light on Domenigoni before heading east towards Searl. I closed in on the back wheel of Huntress only to realize we had two different groups today. We had a Strong B group and a cruising B group. Once Highlander caught up with the lead group I fell back to pick up the back three or four riders. We created a 200 yard gap as the leaders rounded onto State and headed for McSweeney as the rest of us followed. At least they waited for us as we came through the housing track and started north on State towards Domenigoni.

I should have known something was up when Dragon Slayer and Huntress let me get lead after Domenigoni. I was hammering it but as we got to the slight rise heading to Chambers Dragon Slayer pulled up next to me and started talking. To our surprise Highlander attacked on the hill and that drew Dragon slayer and Huntress into full pursuit. They caught him before the speed detection sign and we rode together to Chambers and followed the two of them to Buena Vista and then Thornton and finally Santa Fe heading north. Once we were back out onto Stetson and headed east it was determined that we would head straight to Fairview without taking Columbia and Crest to Lake. I moved forwards to let Dragon Slayer know that I expected the back four to drop back after the high school and Speed Bump. He was going to lead the faster group to Fairview where we would regroup. Huntress left us at the stop sign on Soboba street and I led the last four to Fairview and the regroup. We then headed north to Florida where Ron headed for home and the rest of us headed to the Fire Station and a nature break. We got back on our way and headed as two groups to the next regroup at the light on Soboba and Lake Park Drive.

Once we were headed North West on Soboba Minotaur started a pull towards State. Dragon Slayer fell in on his wheel and Earth Dog fell in line next. I was in the fourth spot as we made the rise at the driving range with the rest of the group behind me. We everyone else fell off behind me I stuck to Earth Dogs wheel until Minotaur and Dragon Slayer started to gap us. I was too late coming around Earth Dog and couldn’t close on Dragon slayer so I ended up running to the end of Soboba stuck two hundred yards behind Dragon slayer and one hundred yards in front of Earth Dog. We regrouped at State and decided to ride down to Esplanade before heading east to get back to Carl’s Junior because Ramona is covered with goat head thorns between state and Main.

Once we were back on Ramona Minotaur flatted and then demonstrated one of the slowest tire changes in group history. He had decided to make a fast run on the MUP trail next to Esplanade as we stayed on the road and must have received a pinch flat. It might not have helped that all of us were giving him a bad time as he worked on the tire but it was fun watching him anyway.

The ride to Carl’s from there was uneventful and we stopped for coffee before several of the group decided to ride up to Strawberry Creek while three of us headed for home. After coffee and conversation Dragon Slayer, Anaconda, Merle, Earth Dog, Cutter and Minotaur headed east towards Strawberry and Klink, Highlander and I headed back to Lyon and home. I was in serious need of lunch and a hot shower so I was glad to get home.