By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I didn’t start out looking forward to Monday’s ride. I started out wanting to sleep in. But I did manage to roll out of bed and get dressed so I could ride to the Bike Shop and meet my friends. I got there right after Digger and just before Earth dog. Tax Man arrived and Anaconda joined us right at 8am. I rode next to Anaconda to Acacia and over to Kirby and we caught up on what has been going on in our lives. We turned onto Kirby and made our way to Cypress and over to Johnston to stop at Sanderson. We then turned South onto Sanderson and headed for Mustang.

I didn’t take the lead till just before Domenigoni and then rejoined Anaconda as we pulled the group towards Warren. We held the lead all the way to the dry wash where Anaconda fell off a bit and I pulled most of the way to Winchester before giving the lead to Earth Dog and didn’t take it back till we got half way to Leon. At Leon Earth Dog came back around and pulled us to the bottom of the Saddle where I made a hard run to the top and headed for Lindenburger well out in front. We regrouped at the Gas Station on Menifee. Once we had rehydrated and had a quick snack we headed back out onto Menifee and headed south.

My legs were feeling pretty good and I may have attributed that to cutting back on some of the medications I am taking. But as we headed for Holland and the climb on Revive I was pretty confident I coud attack that hill as well. Anaconda and Earth Dog we leading the way when Tax Man turned around and headed for home. Earth Dog and Anaconda rolled by Holland first but I was right on their wheel. Just as we got to the kicker on Menifee I jumped on it and headed for the top and at first thought I could pull the whole hill out of the saddle. I couldn’t and I had to sit down and shift but I make it over the top first and pulled into the turn out to wait for the regroup and head south towards Scott. Once Digger joined us we moved towards Garbani and Earth Dog led the way. I came around the corner onto Scott first and pulled us to Antelope before Earth Dog pulled us over the freeway and onto Haun to once again wait for Digger before heading north. We gave Digger about a minutes head start before chasing him back towards Holland. Earth Dog jumped out front and was gaining as we got past the construction and dirt field on the right. I caught him and pulled us up to digger and Earth Dog jumped around and headed for Holland first. He slowed for us as I waited for Anaconda and Digger headed on towards Newport where we caught him at the light. We stopped at the gas station for more water before heading back out onto Newport.

I told Earth Dog that the next segment was called Golf Cart racing and that made him smile. We rode up to Bradley and turned north and Earth Dog took off on me again. I stayed with Anaconda and she managed to keep pace about 30 yards behind Earth Dog once we started the segment. I knew there would be no PRs on the segment today and wasn’t going to push it but I noticed how well my legs felt and that I had closed slightly with Earth Dog so I mashed on it a bit and caught him before the stop sign and headed for McCall while pulling away. I rounded the corner and headed for the freeway with Anaconda about 45 yards behind me. She got caught at the light on Antelope and I headed for the climb at Hospital Hill. I caught the next light but she wasn’t close enough to catch be before I started the climb. I was well into the climb and cresting the false flat before the last kick on the hill when I noticed Earth Dog gaining on me. I hit it a bit harder and crested first and dropped down the back side to wait just past Menifee for everyone to regroup. WE then followed Earth Dog to Briggs and south to Simpson before heading east. I took the lead and got us to Leon and headed north to the Dump road. Earth Dog took off on us and headed to the dump road and east towards Winchester. Anaconda and I followed well behind Earth Dog and came out onto Winchester well behind him. We regrouped at Winchester farms and took a break before heading for home on Stowe.

We made it to California together and Anaconda jumped on the California Sprint. She took us to Stetson and Earth Dog took off for the barn as we headed for Warren. Anaconda and I followed all the way to Cawston where we missed the light after Earth Dog made it and we lost him. Anaconda, Digger and I road to Sanderson and then to Lowes before heading east on Acacia and heading back to the Bike Shop. We talked for a few minutes at the shop before heading for home and a well deserved rest after a good ride.