By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I was thinking we would get a warmer day for a ride on Wednesday than we did on Monday, I about froze on Monday. So I posted as bit longer ride and headed for the bike shop to see who would be with me. I got there right after Digger and just before Earth Dog. Minotaur and Huntress arrived as did Bulldozer and Highlander. It was still a bit cold as we headed to Acacia and over to Kirby to get the ride on the way. I was a bit concerned because I had added my old Q factor spacers to my crank arms and it changed the leg position so it also changed the way my leg muscles felt when I pushed on the pedals. But it was smoother and I would get used to it I was sure, after all the spacers were bought when I had my fitting in the first place. So I pulled us to Cypress and over to Johnston before catching the light red on Sanderson. I stayed out front and then pulled the group to Domenigoni before turning the lead over to Highlander. Highlander pulled towards Warren before Minotaur pulled up front and pushed us a bit as we headed for the dry wash. After rolled by Warren we noticed two riders in front of us, better known as rabbits to most pace lines, and Bulldozer moved up to join Minotaur. We caught the slower of the two but he wasn’t interested in talking. The second rider was willing to talk to Huntress and he stayed with us as we crossed the dry wash and headed for Winchester. On the backside of the dry wash the pace picked up and the rider that had joined us made a run for it. Bulldozer and Minotaur wouldn’t let him escape and they stayed right on his with Huntress and Highlander in tow. I wasn’t in the mood to chase, cold makes it hard to breath for me, so I fell off a bit and waited till Huntress and Highlander dropped out of the chase group. I caught up first to Huntress and then we caught Highlander and headed for Winchester ourselves. We lost Digger and Earth Dog so we took turns pulling for the saddle. I got the last turn just before the bottom of the saddle and managed to pull a lead over the top as I joined Minotaur and Bulldozer and we dropped down to Lindenburger. I followed Minotaur to the gas station where we regrouped and waited for Digger and Earth Dog.

Bulldozer and Minotaur were planning on heading north back towards Ramona Expressway and Digger was thinking of leaving early. I promised to stay with Digger if he wanted to do the whole ride with us and he agreed and we pulled out onto Menifee and headed south. I rode up front and we headed for Holland. Highlander rode with me and we talked till we got to the climb on Revive and Earth Dog took off followed by Huntress. When Highlander got out of the saddle I thought about going with him but Digger was following slowly behind us so I down shifted and stayed just in front of him to the crest. Once we were headed for Garbani I picked up the pace and closed in on Highlander till Digger fell off again. I slowed and found Earth Dog, Huntress and Highlander waiting at the Horse gate on Scott. I then pulled to Antelope and only I made the light heading over the freeway. We regrouped on Haun and waited to make the run north back to Holland.

Earth Dog pulled hard towards Holland and I trailed most of the way. About a half of a mile from Holland I took over pulling and got us to Holland where Highlander and Digger headed for Newport and Huntress led Earth Dog and I west towards the climb to Murrieta. After we crossed Bradley Earth Dog took over and pulled hard at the hill. I stayed on his wheel till he shifted down and got out of the saddle and made a run for the top. I got up in a higher gear and almost ran myself out of breath getting to the top first. I then dropped down to Murrieta and headed north to the gas station where we were all going to regroup before heading for McCall and home. Huntress had to get back so as we headed north I told he to stay with Highlander and Earth Dog while I went back to pull Digger to McCall. That was the last we saw of the other three riders once they turned east on McCall. I pulled Digger to Hospital Hill and to the top. We dropped down the back side of the hill and then continued on to Briggs and headed to Simpson.

It wasn’t real windy but there was just enough to make getting any real speed up heading east. Still I did the best I could to get us back to Winchester before heading north towards Winchester Farms. We took a break and then headed back towards California on Stowe. I pulled us to Stetson and Digger pulled us part way to Warren. I took over again and pulled us all the way to Sanderson where we parted ways and I headed for home. I was looking forward to the hot shower and only then did I take the dog for a walk. It was a pretty good day.