By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It seemed like a long week so far and I was glad to see it was Friday I had a good week so far but was looking for an easy ride to end it and posted a short Lake Perris ride for the occasion. I got to the bike shop and only found Digger and Earth Dog waiting. We were just talking for a long time before Tax Man and Highlander arrived. Right at 8am Barracuda decided to join us as we headed to Lyon and North. We just rolled by Devonshire when we picked up Ferret giving Barracuda someone to help set the pace for the day. For some reason Earth Dog decided to push the pace and pulled away from the rest of us after Fruitvale. He got caught at the light on Esplanade and held up till the rest of us joined him. Once the light turned green Highlander and Tax Man got out front and pulled us past Seventh Street and towards Cottonwood.

I still had hopes of this being a laid back ride as we continued past Cottonwood and made our way to Ramona Boulevard. As we headed west the pace was pretty steady and we easily made it as a group to Sanderson and the light at the expressway. When the light changed Tax Man started the pull and took us toward Warren. The group was still together at the rise just before Warren when Tax Man gave up the lead and Ferret took over. The pace was a bit quicker and soon Digger fell out of the draft. I stayed with the group till we got to Bridge and Barracuda took the lead. I stopped and waited to pull Digger while the rest chased Barracuda and Ferret all the way to Hansen and the market on the corner. Once Digger reached Bridge I took over and pulled him west all the way to Hansen where I pulled into the market parking lot and Digger headed for the rollers in front of Lake Perris. I stopped to visit with the rest of the group.

We let Digger reach the first roller before giving chase and to my surprise Highlander and Tax Man joined us heading towards Lake Perris. Ferret and Barracuda climbed the first roller and left us while I followed Earth Dog at an easy spin over the roller myself. We headed for the second roller and noticed Digger was just starting that climb as we headed for the roller ourselves. We all caught Digger as he topped the second roller and Earth Dog got a good start down the back side heading for the lake Perris road. I was gaining quickly on Earth Dog when we suddenly stopped to check for a broken spoke while I had my head down. I almost hit him passing as I headed for the back wheel of Barracuda and Ferret. Highlander and Tax Man joined us and we turned onto Lake Perris road while Barracuda left us heading west.

We waited for Digger and Earth Dog at the Lake Perris entrance and headed for the hill and the Marina. I made it clear to ferret that I was in no hurry and wanted a relaxing ride for Friday while Highlander and Tax Man headed for the front gate. Ferret caught them and started the climb before I reached the gate. Earth Dog chased them and caught Highlander while Tax Man looked like he was chasing Ferret. We all got to the marina and took our break before getting ready to head back to Hemet and the bike shop.

We got to Ramona and got ready to head east just making the light at the entrance. Digger got caught so I fell back and told the rest to head for the market and we would join them there. I led Digger over the roller and headed for Bernasconi but discovered he was only able to hold just about 16 MPH as we headed for Lakeview. We met up with Digger, Tax Man and Earth Dog before heading east again. Highlander suggested a slower pace heading for home and when I took over for my turn of the pull I kept it between 16 and 17 mph. Tax Man thought we were supposed to go faster so I bumped it up to 19 and as I expected we dropped Digger. About halfway to Bridge Digger had enough and I fell back to pull him to Warren. The other three were waiting for us and as we headed south on Warren I let the others know that 16 was going to be about as good as we could expect to keep all of us together. Tax Man and Highlander pulled us south and I followed with Digger at my side.

Once we had worked our way to Cottonwood I was informed that Earth Dog intended to make a run for home once he got to Sanderson. I indicated that was fine and I had no intention of chasing anyone home restating my hope for comfortable ride on Friday to end the week. Once we got to Sanderson Earth dog did indeed push south. While Highlander and Tax Man chased him I fell back and waited for Digger. He was pretty far behind us and even soft pedaling he wasn’t gaining on me. I was however losing ground to the other three and by the time I decided to give chase they were out of sight. I decided to cut over to Lyon and run parallel to Sanderson to see if I could catch them without anyone noticing I was gaining on them. I must have closed a lot faster than I expected even in the wind because as I got to Deveonshire Highlander and Tax Man we jsy coming around the corner. I caught them at Latham and pulled into the parking lot at the same time as they did. A short time later I headed for home and was looking forward to a hot shower and lunch. I might even take a nap seeing as I didn’t get a chance to wind down my legs before getting back to the bike shop. It was not a relaxing Friday ride.