By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Like many Wednesdays we tend to plan a longer harder ride than the rest of the week. I Have been feeling a bit down lately because I don’t feel I am improving like I should and my stamina isn’t what I want it to be. Still I try to get in a longer ride every now and then just to see if I can. So I posted a 45 mile ride and headed for the Bike Shop not knowing how many would be in town to ride with me. Digger was at the bike shop when I got there and Earth Dog was unloading his bike as I pulled up. Hermes showed up just as Minotaur had to go home and get his shoes. Bulldozer joined us even if he was a little under the weather and Huntress pulled up a bit before 9 am and we all waited for Minotaur to come back so we could leave. He showed up, we started to leave and he had to ride back and get his water bottles. We told him we would be meeting Dragon Slayer at Lakeview Market and he took off after Bulldozer heading north on Lyon. The rest of us cruised north on Lyon getting our legs warmed up and Earth Dog took the lead as we followed Bulldozer and Minotaur in the distance heading for Esplanade.

Digger was way out front after we stopped to wait for Minotaur and we didn’t close on him by Esplanade. We had to pick up the pace after Seventh Street and followed Earth Dog as he chased down Digger. We were past Cottonwood before we caught Digger and Hermes took the lead as we closed in on Ramona Boulevard. We pulled our group together and I ended up starting the pull west as we headed for Sanderson.

Hermes took over again and got us to Sanderson and we all made it to the red light at the Expressway. When we got the green I led the way west towards Warren and held my own pretty well till we got to the light. I gave things over to Huntress and she pulled till Earth dog had a turn. Hermes took over after Bridge. I was safely tucked into third place as Hermes pulled us all the way to Hansen and we met up with the rest of the group and Dragon Slayer. As we waited Digger rode by and headed for the rollers and we gave him a head start. As we got on the road Bulldozer took the lead and pulled Minotaur with him I got the rest of the group to the first roller and started up it pretty well till about half way to Bernasconi where Dragon Slayer and Hermes past me. I got to the top just in front of Earth dog and then fell back to get Huntress. I pulled her up the second roller and where we caught and passed Digger. I pulled her to the top of the roller and then we had to chase down Earth Dog before he got to the Motocross Park. Huntress pulled up to Lake Perris Street and then I pulled us to Evans where we regrouped.

Digger was struggling a bit so I said I would wait for him because Huntress had to get back. Dragon slayer offered to go with Huntress along with Bulldozer and Minotaur. Earth Dog, Hermes, Digger and I headed north on Evans planning to regroup at the Mickey Ds on Iris. We managed to regroup without getting killed by a driver making a right hook into the parking lot and after a short break headed north east towards Alesandro. The wind was sort of at our back heading towards Gilman and we sure wanted it to be at our back once we got there so we were glad it hadn’t changed when we got to the corner. However Earth Dog flatted and we stopped to atch him change it.

Once on our way Earth Dog started the pull and took us about ¾ of the way to Bridge. I took over and got us to bridge then after collecting Digger I led us towards Sanderson. Hermes caught me before the dairy and led us to Sanderson where we headed for Ramona and one more regroup and another flat for Earth Dog. Once the flat was changed we headed south and it was just our luck the wind had turned into our face. By the time we got to Esplanade my blood sugar must have dropped because I was a bit light headed so we stopped for something to eat and I got some Power-aid. We then made our way back to the bike shop and then home where I took a much needed hot shower and tried to rest my legs till I had to take the dog for a walk. Still I made the distance so it was all good.