By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I don’t know about everyone else but sometimes I just don’t feel like getting up to ride. It isn’t like I am just tired but it is more of I just feel wasted. Today was just such of a day. I got up knowing it was supposed to be an easy cruise Friday and sat on the bed for quite a few minutes before getting up for breakfast and a shower. I got dressed and watched a few minutes of news before heading to the bike shop and seeing who was ready to ride. Digger and Earth Dog were there as I rode up and to tell the truth I thought they were going to be the only ones even after getting a text from Bugler saying he was going to join us. After about 10 minutes Abacus joined us as it seems he is in town for part of the fall season. At 8am we started to head for Lyon and Bugler did pull into the parking lot and Ferret joined us as well. The ranks had swelled to six and we were on our way. My hope was to still keep things to a simple cruise and get the ride over with and not wear out my legs in the process. So I pulled us to Acacia and then Kirby with cruising on my mind.

I was able to stay in front after we turned on Kirby and pulled us to Johnston and Sanderson where we made the light and headed south towards Stetson. We made that light as well and I took us towards Mustang and the Domenigoni. Once we turned west Ferret pulled by and at first I thought about just letting him go. After all Bugler and Abacus had the legs to chase Ferret and I didn’t. But my brain failed me and I grabbed a wheel and followed the two of them towards Warren. Everyone was in the pace line so there was no excuse for me to break off so I followed to warren and then over the dry wash and still we were all together. Digger was hanging on and we were doing 22 to 23 over the wash. Bugler took over at the dry wash and pulled us towards Winchester and the speed mover up to 25 and still digger was right in there hanging on. I started to think about the segment from Leon to Menifee and just maybe getting another PR if I could push just a bit more. I wasn’t sure because the Beta Blockers were working in full force in even in the draft but just maybe I could push through. Ferret was in his second pull and I was in the number two slot so I had nothing to lose so I attacked part way up the hill and took the lead. Bugler came back on me and I got up to sprint. I couldn’t hold the sprint to the top put still I could push well enough to crest under power and head for Lindenburger. I pulled into the parking lot right behind Bugler and Ferret and well in front to Abacus so I thought I just might have grabbed a PR.

When we left the gas station on Menifee I started to pull and realized I was going to pay for the push at the saddle. I knew I didn’t have far to go before I could rest so I pulled to Antelope and over the Freeway to Haun where we picked up Randy on the side of the road. Randy has started to become a regular rider even when he has to join us on the ride along the way many times. We had some congestion in common today so neither of us were on top form as we chased the group to Brean and then to Normandy before turning onto LaLadera and stopping at the park. I needed the break to get my breathing back in order and to get some liquids down before we headed back put onto LaLadera towards Honeyrun.

We made it to the corner and turned east past the Ground Owl sanctuary to make a turn north towards McCall. As we got close to Cherry Hill I fell back to ride with Digger and we followed the rest to McCall and headed east again. We caught them at the light on Murrieta and Headed for Hospital Hill. Most of the group pulled away from Digger, Randy and I as we rode by the freeway again and headed for the Valero station. I stayed with Digger and Randy till we got to Hillpointe Drive and then I pulled for the top. Randy joined me just as we started down the back side and again at Menifee where we joined the rest of the group to get ready for the ride to Winchester Farms.

I took us to Briggs as we headed east and turned us north to the dump road through the dirt. Once again we split into groups and Ferret rode with Earth Dog in the front while Bugler and Abacus rode in the second slot and I trailed with Digger and Randy. Randy in fact pulled us to and past Digger and then I got away at the DVV Arena flag sprint. Randy tried to pull Digger up to me at Winchester but couldn’t quite close before we got to the Farm and took our last break. Once I had downed a Banana and a Peach we were ready to head for home. Ferret and Bugler took off first and I got stuck in the middle between them and the rest of the group.

I was about 50 yards east of Winchester when the rest of the group pulled out of the parking lot and followed me.

I was doing pretty good as we made our way to California Street and then headed for Stetson drafting Randy. Once again he got us up to Digger and I took over and got us to Cawston. When we made it to Sanderson I decided to head for home on Johnston and Digger rode with Randy back to the bike shop. I was in serious need of a Benadryl and a shower and a big glass of juice. After I took my Benadryl and had a shower all I wanted was a nap. But once I woke up I felt much better, still tired but better.