By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I was not looking forward to riding today. I had a cold and it had just hit me Monday afternoon. I was taking cold medicine and was operating in a blue cloud all day Tuesday. So I had to modify my plans for a ride a bit and make it shorter and flatter just so I might be able to finish the ride. I got to the bike shop just after Earth Dog, Dragon Slayer and Digger. I tried to relax and stay calm so as to not start sneezing or worse. As we waited Centaur arrived followed by Tax Man and Highlander. We sat around till 9am and got ready to leave only to be joined by Huntress. Once she was ready we headed out to Acacia and over to Kirby to get the show on the road. I managed to stay in front to Cypress and made the ride through the housing tract. We managed to catch the light at Sanderson and I ended up following Centaur to Industrial and then to Cawston. As we turned onto Stetson I got back in front and pulled us to Warren where Highlander took over. I realized in my fog this morning I had forgotten my camera so at least I didn’t have to try and stay out front to take pictures. I was happy to follow Highlander to Stowe and head west. Slowly by surely Centaur picked up the pace and took the lead. About half way to the Metal Barn Dragon Slayer took the lead and I followed him to the front. My breathing was still good even if I could only breathe through my mouth. Just before the Barn Centaur made a dash for the front and caught onto his back wheel only to attempt a pass before the parking lot. I had enough juice to make it and got the Winchester Farms first. I thought that would be the end of my extra effort for the day. Earth Dog and Digger wanted to stop by Earth Dog’s house before getting to Menifee so they took off a bit early heading south and we let them get out of sight before heading that way ourselves. I pulled to the dump road and Dragon Slayer took over as I fell to the back as we headed to the Wild West Arena. Dragon Slayer asked if we had everyone and he was told we did. We could see we were gaining on Earth Dog and Digger and I could see someone in the distance following us. Dragon Slayer took us to Leon and then to Simpson before getting us back to Briggs and turning north to McCall. Once we turned on McCall I realized Tax Man was the one chasing and I don’t know where we lost him in the first place. I still fell back to join hom and we closed on the main group before Menifee. We turned north in Menifee and could see Digger and Earth Dog heading towards the gas station. We caught them by the railroad tracks and headed for the AM/PM for a break and regroup.

As we headed back out onto Menifee and north I was looking forward to the fast run after Mapes and down to Nuevo. After we crossed 74 I noticed we had lost Digger at the light so I stopped and waited for him. It was all right with me because I knew we had a long run into the wind on Ramona coming and this would be my last chance to rest my legs before the grade leading up to Lakeview. I finally got Digger to the regroup point on Lakeview and we followed Dragon Slayer to his street where he headed for home. I them led us to the Lakeview market and another regroup. True to form the wind was in our face as we headed east. We took a little time to rest before Earth Dog and Digger started east on Ramona. We followed a few moments later and Centaur rolled into rabbit chasing mode. It took him about a mile to catch Digger and we then went after Earth Dog. It took us another 200 yards to close on Earth Dog and he melded into the middle of the pack as we continued east. Centaur pulled hard as we headed towards Bridge street but the wind was getting stiffer every minute. Once Centaur started to tire Earth Dog headed back for the front and created a small gap. I pulled up to the front and closed on Earth Dog only to have Centaur roll by again. As the wind continued to hit us in the face Centaur slowed a bit and I moved to the front to pull. However being on the Klein and having aero bars I was lower to the wind and soon looked back to see I had gapped the group myself. I sat up at Warren and Tax Man rolled by just as Earth Dog pulled over. The group Left before Earth Dog got started again and I tried to soft pedal till he might catch me. The wind didn’t cooperate and Earth Dog wasn’t able to catch me before Cottonwood. We joined Tax Man at Cottonwood and we all waited for Digger. The group was long gone as we headed east towards Sanderson and made our way south again. We lost Digger somewhere before Menlo and Earth Dog pulled us most of the way to Devonshire. Tax Man pulled us back to Kirby and I took us back to the bike shop before heading for home. A hot shower, lunch, and a dog walk was all I could do before taking a nap. A cold kicked my bottom but at least I went for a ride.