By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Here we were again on another fine looking Wednesday. The weather seemed to be just right and the wind was close to nonexistent. I had posted a new ride that was a bit shorter than we have been doing and headed to the bike shop looking forward to giving it a try. Once again I had brought out the old Klein just in case the wind predictions were wrong. Digger was waiting at the bike shop as was Highlander, Dragon Slayer and Earth Dog. Randy joined us with Tax Man and it was beginning to look like a good group. Once inside the shop I noticed we also had Minotaur and I was about ready to lead the group out onto Lyon. We spent a few minutes looking at Robert’s electric Masi and then Dragon Slayer took us out onto Lyon and down to Acacia to get the ride on the way. We were led to Kirby before turning south and heading towards Cypress.

I took over the pull to Cypress and headed west. I was joined by Highlander and Dragon slayer as we headed for Johnston to get to Sanderson. It looked like we were going to get a green light with a left turn arrow but it changed just before we got to Sanderson. Earth Dog, Tax Man and Highlander decided to play chicken with a kid in a compact coming from the other side of the street while the rest of us had to let him drive by and then chase them to Stetson. The caught Stetson red and we joined them heading past Wally World and on towards Mustang. Tax Man took us to Mustang and then to Domenigoni before we turned east and headed for Searl. Dragon Slayer, Minotaur and Earth Dog formed a lead group while Tax Man, Highlander, Digger, Randy and I followed them to Searl. They pulled away on the little rise at Searl and we lost Digger at the light. I could see the other three were waiting for us at State Street so we cruised to the light and joined them after the turn. Once we were rolling along north on State Dragon Started a pull that had us up to just over 20 with Highlander, Minotaur and I drafting. I stayed on Minotaur’s wheel as he decided to go around and head for the rise. He was accelerating pretty hard and as we pulled by Dragon Slayer and Dragon Slayer jumped on my wheel as we increased speed. I came out to attack on the rise but I didn’t clear Minotaur enough to pull in front so he moved back on my right. I moved left to give him room and dragon Slayer almost pulled a Mark Cavendish on me as we touched when he past. We crested the rise in order and headed for Chambers to turn east. We let everyone catch up at Buena Vista and rode to Thornton and headed for Santa Fe.

All we had to do now was get onto Stetson and head east. We managed to stay together till we got to Girard and then we started to break up a bit. Highlander rolled through the light at the High school and we had to wait for the rather long light while he got away. We had to chase him all the way to the speed bump at the curve and caught him just as he crested and headed for lake. Minotaur pulled to Lake and I pulled to Fairview wondering just where my energy was coming from. I got us to the turn and waited for Randy and Digger to join us. Once we were all together and ready Earth Dog started us heading north towards Florida with Minotaur, Drago0n Slayer and I in tow. We headed for the bridge and then towards Mayberry and the stop sign. Dragon Slayer pulled by at the stop sign and we all made it to Florida more or less together. I took over the pull and headed for the Fire Station and our next regroup. Once we got there Digger and Randy were right behind us. We needed the break at this point.

As we left the Fire Station and headed for the Expressway I was still firing on all cylinders and led till Minotaur took over and got us to Ramona and the turn towards Lake drive. This time we were all together all the way to Hemet where we lost Digger and headed for Lake Drive. We made the turn and headed for Soboba and I stayed with Randy till we got to the light and waited for Digger. Once he joined us we let him take off first and become the rabbit as we chased west on Soboba towards State Street. We managed to give him a good head start that required some team work to let us close on him. Minotaur pulled till the driving range and I took a turn for the next half mile or so. Earth Dog took a long pull till the next rise and Minotaur got out front again. I drafted him with Dragon Slayer on my wheel and Tax Man chasing hard. At the last hill I pulled around and attacked the climb and Dragon slayer pulled by at the top of the rise. I still had enough juice to pull onto his wheel. I took another short pull before Minotaur finally got back to us and rolled by. Dragon Slayer took over again and the three of us finished one, two, three on State and Soboba. We waited till everyone joined us and Tax Man preformed some minor adjustments to his saddle before heading onto Gilman and towards Sanderson.

I pulled till we got to Massacre Canyon and gave up the lead just as the Beta Blockers decided to kick in. Tax Man took over and pulled the rest of the group, sans Digger and Randy, to Sanderson and south. I waited at the ramp on Sanderson till Digger and Randy got there and we followed the group to the Expressway and a regroup. Once we were back on our way Earth Dog took off heading for Esplanade and Minotaur pulled us up to him. But just as we were on his wheel Minotaur had a flat and we stopped while he fixed it. By the time we were back on the road Earth Dog and Digger were long gone. At Cottonwood Dragon Slayer led Highlander and Tax man through a very pink light and the rest of us stopped. Highlander and Tax Man continued on while dragon Slayer waited and we joined him at Seventh and headed for Esplanade. We watched as Highlander and Tax Man rolled on by but we stopped for coffee and debate anyway. Once we finished our coffee we rode back to the bike shop and talked with Highlander and Tax Man before heading for home or lunch depending on the group or person. I got home and had a protein drink before a hot shower and down loading the pictures for today’s ride.