By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Here we were at another Wednesday and another hot day. If it had a redeeming factor it was there seemed to be very little wind and we should have a two hour window to ride before it got too hot. So I posted a short ride and headed for the bike shop. Digger was there when I arrived and after a few minutes Earth Dog showed up. For the longest time it was just the three of us till Highlander showed up. We left the bike shop right at 8am. We picked up two more riders out on Lyon as we headed north. Socrates and his friend Gary rode with us as I pulled us north towards Esplanade and the first stop light. I was still out front as we past Seventh Street and headed for Cottonwood.

I didn’t have any reason to pull so I fell into line as we headed towards Ramona Boulevard and got ready to head west for the first time today. Earth Dog started to do some of the pulling and led the way past the little dairy and towards the new houses about halfway to Sanderson. It was still cool enough and everyone was still fresh enough that we were w well organized group as we went by the little park and I slipped out front for a quick picture.

Earth Dog got back in front and pulled us to Sanderson and around the corner to the Expressway and to the light that was red. Earth Dog started us west on the Expressway and took us almost to Warren before Socrates took over and headed for Bridge. I was drafting Socrates as Earth Dog went back to pull Digger. Socrates got caught on the wrong side of the rumble strip and had to fall in behind me at the driveway to the first dairy and I pulled again feeling good. I pushed us a little bit and managed a nice little average all the way to Bridge with Highlander and Gary in tow. We pulled around the corner on Bridge and waited for the rest to join us. We also got a chance to tease Digger for not noticing that Earth Dog had waited for him and rode right by him heading to Bridge. After a few good laughs we got back on the bikes and headed for Bridge and Gilman Springs.

As we moved north Gary took off and pulled hard for the dip and right hand turn that moved us onto the north east section of Bridge. I was on his wheel and found drafting pretty easy as we formed a nice little pace line with Highlander and Earth Dog. Socrates had fallen off at the turn and Digger was trailing him. We picked up the pace a bit and headed for the slight climb just before Gilman. As soon as Gary down shifted I pulled around and headed for the stop sign. I just caught sight of Earth Dog attacking me in time to fend him off and get to the sign first. As far as I was concerned it was one for me and none for my beta blockers. We regrouped and got ready to head east on Gilman once digger was ready. Gary and Socrates set the pace and pulled hard for the last dairy and Sanderson. It had just started to get hot and the pace might have been right at Highlander’s edge so he opted to head for home on Sanderson and left us to regroup under the overpass before continuing on Gilman towards State and Soboba. I started the pull towards Golden productions and had everyone in tow as we got close to the front gate. I hit the little hill first and managed to hold off the other to the top before backing off to collect Socrates and Digger and join Earth Dog and Gary at State and Soboba. Earth Dog, Gary and Socrates took off after Digger who had a head start to the first roller. I followed then knowing Highlander had already gone home. I caught Socrates on the second roller and followed him to the driving range and over the last little hill and a regroup at the trees in front of the golf course.

I took the lead as we left the regroup spot and pulled to the stop light and headed towards Ramona. I got to the stoplight first and took us east towards Hemet Street. Once we rolled by Esplanade Earth Dog took off with Socrates and Gary in tow and I stayed back with Digger. I ended up have to chase Socrates when it looked like he was heading for Florida but we all ended up at Carl’s for coffee and conversation. Once we got ready to leave Socrates and Gary said they were planning on riding to mountain Center while Digger, Earth Dog and I headed for home on Lincoln. We ended up riding all the way to Digger’s street on Menlo before Earth Dog and I headed back to the bike shop and finally headed for home. I for one was in need for more water and lunch.