By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Friday almost snuck up on me as I got ready to get up this morning. I almost didn’t realize it was a ride day till I was sitting down for breakfast. But then I knew I had posted a short easy ride and that I was planning on riding the Peugeot in single speed mode with the group. I got to the bike shop to find Minotaur waiting and working on his bike. I was surprised to see him out on a ride after just getting back for a big week long ride with CAS. Digger got there after me and for a while I thought it would be just the three of us. Just before we got ready to leave Anaconda and Tax Man arrived and joined us as we headed out onto Lyon and headed north. For a change we took turns leading the group all the way to Esplanade and then up to Ramona Boulevard before heading east.

I was surprised at how well I was able to keep up with the Peugeot. I had moved the saddle back a bit the night before and that turned out to be a bit of a mistake but if I moved forward a bit it seems as if I could hold a pretty good cruising speed or at least one that didn’t hold up the group too much. As such I took us most of the way to State but Minotaur took over the moment I slacked off and tried to rest. Minotaur and Tax Man ended up pulling us to State Street and started us north towards the College. Tax Man took over as we drew up to the college and pulled us to the bridge and onto Soboba.

We took a regroup break once we got on Soboba before heading east towards the rollers. Once we were started I took the lead and pulled us to the first hill. What I didn’t realize was the Peugeot was geared almost perfect for the rollers and I pulled too hard over than roller and headed towards the next. Minotaur pulled up to me and let me know to back off a bit and I did. But I was still out front by the second roller and Minotaur didn’t drag Tax Man up to me till we had crested the second roller and headed for the driving range. I fell into the third slot once we were headed downhill. I was still on that third wheel as we started up the lst climb before the trees and the last hold on Soboba Once on the hill I pulled towards the front and rode with Minotaur to the top and to the last hole. We regrouped once again and then headed for the river bridge and the light on Main and Ramona. Minotaur took us east towards Cedar while Digger fell back suffering from a sugar drop. Minotaur took us to the Fire Station and we waited for Digger before giving him a head start on the trip to Florida and east again. Once we were back on our way I pulled Tax Man, Minotaur and Anaconda to Florida when Minotaur and Tax Man pulled away from Anaconda and chased Digger towards Cranston. I stayed with Anaconda till we got to Cranston and regrouped once more. We then pointed ourselves back west towards Fairview and Carl’s for coffee.

Tax Man decided he had to go home so he wasn’t planning on stopping at Carl’s. Minotaur and I were following him on the way to Fairview but we were dropping Anaconda and Digger so we let Tax Man go and fell back to pull Anaconda to Carl’s. We took a short coffee break at Carl’s and Anaconda left us as we headed up to Lincoln and west towards Park. I followed Digger and Minotaur to Columbia and Digger left. I followed Minotaur to Yale and Devonshire and he left. I then rode back to the bike shop and visited with Barracuda before heading for home and the few projects I had to do. It turned out to be a nice day to ride in one gear.