By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was Friday and it was going to be hot. It seemed like a good idea to post a short easy ride to get out and get home before we melted. I got to the Bike Shop to be joined by a small but eager group. Digger and Bruin were there along with Dragon Slayer and Bulldozer. Barracuda and Ferret rounder out the group so we tried to head north on Lyon right at 9am. Digger and Dragon Slayer made the light when the rest of us got caught by the red. Dragon Slayer waited for us at Latham and Digger took advantage of a head start to head north. Once we were all together we slowly gained on Digger as he headed for Esplanade.

Digger made Esplanade so we had to wait till it turned green and headed for Seventh as a group. Dragon Slayer was going to head for home on Ramona while we would be turning towards State on Ramona Boulevard. Just before we made our turn Bulldozer and Dragon Slayer rolled by us and headed to the Expressway. I took over and chased Digger after the right turn on Ramona. I caught him before State and we stopped at the light before heading north towards the Expressway and the college. I was feeling pretty good considering how I felt Wednesday. It seems as if the heat works well with me and my energy levels. Anyway I was doing the pulling as we headed north.

We were all together as we made it to Soboba so we didn’t stop as we headed for the rollers. First Ferret took off to make a sun at the road and Bruin followed. Barracuda started pacing me and pulled us up to Bruin after the first roller and most of the way to the second. I found a gear I liked and stayed with Barracuda almost to the top of the second roller before he pulled away. I found a pace I liked and headed for the driving range at a pretty good clip. I was about 100 yards behind Barracuda and Bruin was about 100 yards behind me. Digger was about 200yards behind Bruin. Barracuda and I waited at the last hole on Soboba for Digger and we picked up Bruin as we turned onto Lake and Main.

We turned east towards Hemet Street and headed for the turn on Cedar. I took the pull again once we made it to Cedar and pulled everyone to the Fire Station and then to Florida before heading towards Cranston. We more or less cruised up to Cranston and took a break there before Ferret left us to head for Strawberry. Digger took off first to head back towards Carl’s and we gave him a pretty good lead. I started the tree of us back west to get us to the trees where I planned to give up the lead to Barracuda. But but the time I got to the trees I was still moving well so I pilled almost to the Baptist Church where Barracuda took over. By the gas station we could see Digger up ahead and I got a second wind and took the lead back to chase him back to Fairview. We missed him at the Fairview light but managed to catch him just before the Carl’s driveway where we stopped for coffee and a break. After a quick cold drink and a snack we headed back up New Chicago to Lincoln and headed for Park.

We turned on Park and headed to the Devonshire jog where Digger left us. Barracuda, Bruin and I headed west towards San Jacinto and Barracuda left us before we got there. That left just two of us to ride back to the Bike Shop before leaving for home. It was close to 100 degrees as I rode home but I enjoyed the whole ride.