Proverbs 27:17

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Proverbs 27:17 Friday is not typically my most energetic day or t least it hasn’t been since last October. Today I had a stamina ride planned without too much climbing but with about 42 to 45 miles that could be put onto my legs to help me get stronger. It seemed like a great day for a ride as I left the house and headed for the bike shop. I decided to work on keeping my legs in a constant spin just on top of each gear no matter what speed we were going. It seems as if my Beta blockers don’t kick in as hard when I don’t try to push a big gear. I practiced that intention all the way to Lyon and the bike shop. I got there to meet Digger and Dragon Slayer. It was a bit slow at first but soon a few other riders stated to arrive. Cutter and Earth Dog joined us followed by Anaconda and Highlander. Barracuda arrived just before ME-109. By 9am Highlander was pushing us out of the door and I had to take us out onto Lyon and north to start the ride. We were joined at the light by Ferret. The light changed and we hustled our way north past Devonshire.

As soon as we rolled by Menlo Ferret and Dragon Slayer pulled up front and rolled us onto Esplanade. I was pretty surprised at how easy it felt to hold a good speed to Esplanade and then to Seventh. If this was any indication I was going to be in for a good day even if it was a bit of a mileage stretch for me. I fell into about the middle of the group as we moved past Cottonwood and zeroed on Ramona Boulevard. The group decided to back down just a bit and let me lead to the turn and start us out headed west towards Sanderson.

I got a chance to fall into second place as we headed for Sanderson and drafted Highlander all the way to the stop sign and to the light at the Expressway. A vehicle passed us with a bicycle but I didn’t recognize the driver. We got the green and headed west towards Warren and managed to stay in a pretty tight pace line all the way. Barracuda even mentioned that today’s ride seemed a lot more civilized than the last time we were on the Expressway. At the light we found MacGyver and he joined us heading west. As we headed for Bridge Earth Dog took off on us but Ferret went with him and the rest of us followed. I was still feeling strong at this point and dragon Slayer was doing most of the pulling. MacGyver came around me and pulled up front and held us at a really good pace all the way to Hansen and the Lakeview Market. Barracuda continued on heading west for a much longer ride all the way to Lake Matthews or Tom’s farms.

Once we were ready to get back on the way I took us to Lakeview and started us south towards Nuevo. Highlander pulled for a while but by 9th street I was pulling and by the Elementary School Dragon Slayer had the lead. Dragon Slayer pulled us all the way to Nuevo allowing me to stay in the perfect gear and more or less rest all the way to Nuevo and start the move west towards Menifee where we expected Digger to leave us. Dragon slayer gave the lead to me because it was a slight downhill and I pulled to Menifee. Just as soon as the road started to tilt up MacGyver pulled by and pulled me all the way to the stop light were we found Ferret and ME-109 waiting after making a speed run from Menifee. We pulled to a stop and waited for Cutter to join us after he dropped off Digger and had to catch up to us all by himself. We started off again and again Earth Dog was feeling his oats and pulled hard all the way to Evans. As we finally closed in on Earth Dog and made the turn onto Redlands Boulevard I was coming up on my stamina point and felt a bit like I was getting tired. I was still not having any problem with my beta blockers however and whenever Dragon Slayer or MacGyver watched me struggle a bit they would pull up and pull me till I was spinning easily again. This continued on till we cot to the Chevron Station on 4th street and took a short break for water.

Once we were back on the road again and headed south I led the way towards Case and the jog to Goetz. I lost contact with Dragon Slayer and MacGyver till we got to roan and headed east to Bradley. Dragon Slayer noticed a rider in front of us and we chased him all the way to McCall and turned east again only to discover it was MacGyver and we pulled up behind him at the freeway. We had lost three riders at the light on Bradley and Highlander had alerted us to the fact. So Dragon Slayer suggested we wait for them at the Valero Station. I pulled into the gas station behind Dragon Slayer and MacGyver had to turn back to join us. Highlander continued on while we waited and we ended up chasing him after the others caught us. We could see him as we got to Highpoint and when the light changed the chase was on. MacGyver and Dragon Slayer pulled away from me but I followed as best as I could only to see Ferret come out of nowhere and almost fly up the hill. Me-109 was far behind and they soon joined MacGyver and Dragon Slayer as the closed in on Highlander at the top of McCall. I got caught at the light on Menifee and was joined by the last half of the group. we then had to work hard to catch up to the leaders by Briggs and the turn north to the dirt patch connecting us to the dump road.

It was on the ride east on the dump road that the thought expressed in Proverbs 27:17 crossed my mind. Dragon Slayer and MacGyver started working with me figuring I might have burned too many matches. I was following Highlander, Earth Dog and Cutter as they rode by Leon and we closing in on the DVV run to the flag by the Wild West Arena. I decided to jump out and make a run at the flag after being pulled over the rise by MacGyver and Dragon Slayer. They both let me get out front for a few yards and ramp it up but when they came back by it wasn’t with the attempt to blow by me but rather to help me hold my pace. It has to be remembered that two years ago I challenged these two men every chance I got. But rather than taking advantage of my weakness they were both willing to assist in bringing me back to where I used to be. It made me feel good to call them my friends. We headed past the flag and rode to Winchester Farms for a break after losing ME-109 and Ferret. MacGyver had to leave early and we finished relaxing before heading to California to Stowe. Dragon Slayer wanted to hit the Stowe sprint so I tried a lead out to get him to Stetson. This was the sprint that pushed me a bit into the Beta Blocker zone. I got help from Cutter heading back to Cawston where we hooked up with anaconda, Earth Dog and Dragon Slayer, We all road back to Sanderson before heading to Acacia and back to the bike shop. Once everyone was settled down we headed for home. I got home feeling better than I had felt in months.