By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It will be few weeks of small groups as people take vacations and have other obligations but still there are a few of us who will show up for a ride. Because I expected a small group I posted Bautista in the hopes we could just take it easy and get a chance to see how a longer climb would work with my Beta Blockers. I headed to the bike shop to meet Earth Dog and Digger and waited till 8 am to head down Lyon to start the day. I took us to Johnston and east to Gilbert before heading south to Thornton. We were in no real hurry as we headed back to State Street and got ready to head for the golf course.

I managed to pull all the way to Thornton and Santa Fe where Digger took us to Stetson and Earth Dog led us towards the High school. Earth Dog was a bit more eager than Digger and I and soon had gapped us and pulled away by the time we got to Columbia. He slowed a bit and by the time we got through the second light and the high school we had closed on him. He pulled us to the speed bump hill and I pushed over and took my turn leading by a hundred yards or so. I continued to pull away as we rolled by Lake and was still ahead by the time we turned onto Fairview. I headed south towards Bautista by myself and made the turn at the canyon a few minutes before Digger and Earth Dog caught me. Earth Dog asked if I planned on attacking the hill and I said no I was going to cruise and keep my legs for the decent. I stayed with digger as Earth Dog slowly pulled away from us and headed for the big right hand turn. I kept Digger in sight in my mirror to the dam and then to the white picket fence. Somewhere after the fence and as I entered the first stand of trees I lost sight of Digger and I didn’t even pick him up after down shifting to a lower gear. I came out of the trees and headed for the second stand and the climb to the top of Bautista. By the time I got to the top I saw Earth Dog relaxing and we waited for Digger who was only a few minutes behind us. We took a break before heading back down at a much better pace than the ride up. Once we were up to speed Earth Dog jumped on my wheel and we pulled away from Digger.

I was pretty sure I would just wear myself out trying to drop Earth Dog on the top half of the canyon so I settled into a fast but not hectic pace down the hill. To my surprise Earth Dog took the lead at the white picket fence and pulled through the river wash and headed for the dam. Anyone that knows me knows I love the second or third slot at the bottom of the dam. I can pull out of the draft and sling shot over the dam and attack the first 100 yards heading for the bid right hand turn. As we hit the bottom of the dam I took off and managed to surprise Earth Dog and get far enough away to leave him no draft. I was 200 yards ahead at the turn and still 100 yards ahead at the left hander heading to Fairview. I stayed ahead all the way to Fairview and headed for Florida. I had enough of a lead that I got to Florida and headed towards Carl’s Junior and Coffee. I got there first and went inside as soon as Earth Dog joined me and we waited for Digger. Four minutes later Digger joined us and we had coffee and conversation till Earth Dog had to leave. Digger and I rode up to Lincoln and headed to Park together. I stayed with him till we split up at the jog to Devonshire. I rode back to Palm by myself and headed home for lunch, a hot shower and a nap. Great ride all in all.