By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Friday arrived and I was ready for it. I had a short simple ride planned with a touch of climbing and with a chance of some tailwinds on the way home. I got to the Bike Shop to meet Dragon Slayer, Digger and Earth Dog already there. As we waited we were joined by Tax Man, Barracuda and Bulldozer. At last to my surprise Huntress arrived and we were ready to hit the road and head west. I took us to Acacia and got us headed towards Kirby thinking it was a pretty good group for so soon after the time change.

I didn’t get to lead all the way to Kirby however because Digger was feeling his oats and took over the pull. He got us to the light and then turned us south towards Cypress before heading west. Digger was still leading through the housing tract and took us all the way to Johnston and the light at Sanderson where we had to wait for a green. We crossed the street and headed for Industrial before coming out onto Cawston and Digger was leading as we got to Stetson. Digger pulled us all the way to warren before Dragon Slayer, Bulldozer, Huntress, Barracuda and Earth Dog took off for California. I took over and pulled Digger and Tax Man to California and up to Stowe where we were gaining on Earth Dog. After we started west on Stowe Tax Man pulled us up to Earth Dog but we dropped Digger. Earth Dog and I pulled away to Winchester Farms for a regroup and waited for Earth Dog and Digger.

Once we were ready to go we gave Digger a head start and then Earth Dog led us in a chase south on Winchester heading for the dump road. We all turned west on the dump road and caught Digger before we got to the Wild West Arena. We rolled on as a group dropping Digger before we got to Leon. We turned south to Simpson and didn’t notice Digger had headed for the dirt at the top of Briggs. We stopped at Briggs and Simpson to regroup and wait for Digger but he never showed up. We headed to Menifee and then over to McCall never seeing Digger. We climbed the back side of hospital hill and turned on Hillpoint and once again stopped to look for Digger. Dragon Slayer, Huntress, Tax Man, Bulldozer and Earth Dog headed for Antelope while Barracuda and I looked for Digger. Barracuda and I rolled over Antelope and down to Newport to meet Earth Dog and Tax Man. Digger was already on Garbani and Huntress, Dragon Slayer and Bulldozer headed for home on Newport because of time constraints. The four of us pushed hard to get to Briggs and Garbani and then back down to Domenigoni before heading east to the saddle. We finally found Digger on the Saddle and headed together to Winchester and then over to Winchester farms for a break and hydration. When we got back on Stowe heading east we finally got our tailwind and it felt good heading to California.

Barracuda, Tax Man, Digger and I watched as Earth Dog pulled away on California and headed for Stetson. We followed and finally caught up by Warren but Digger and I fell back again before Cawston. Digger and I finally caught Barracuda and Tax Man at Sanderson waiting at the light and then followed then to Lowes and back to Acacia. Digger and I were the last to get back to the bike shop but we met up with Tax Man, Barracuda and Earth Dog before heading for home and lunch. It was not a bad doy for a ride.