By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was supposed to be warmer today and without wind. I was thinking I might get in a nice warm ride with a little distance so I posted one. I got up and had breakfast but when I went out to put the water bottle on my bike I about froze. I put on an extra base layer and heavy socks and full fingered gloves with a jacket and face mask before heading to the bike shop to meet with the group. There were only four of us and we all agreed it was colder than expected so we agreed to shorten the ride a bit and head for Acacia and Kirby to get the ride started. I pulled to Kirby and then to Cypress waiting for us to all get together. By the time we turned west on Cypress we were casually talking and moving easily towards Johnston. We turned onto Johnston and stopped at the light on Sanderson before turning south towards Stetson. I took us past Stetson and headed for Wally World where Earth Dog took over. Highlander soon joined him and I fell to third followed by Digger. Things stayed the same as we rolled by Mustang and made our way to Domenigoni. Once we turned west Earth Dog dod a great job of pulling us towards Warren. Digger was with us when Highlander took over just past Warren and pulled us up and over the dry wash. We dropped Digger on the rise at the dry wash and I sort of thought he would catch back up on the down side but he didn’t close much. He didn’t fall back much more as we worked our way to Winchester and headed for Leon. I pulled for a while till we got past the construction and then gave t lead back to Highlander. Highlander pulled hard to Leon and through the light before I realized we had lost Earth Dog. As we approached the saddle climb I pulled up next to Highlander and asked where Earth dog went but it seems as if that threw off his pace and he fell behind me as we started the climb. I rode to the top and waited for him and we both waited for Earth Dog and Digger. We decided it was just too cold to do the whole ride to Garbani so we headed for the gas station on Menifee for a stop before turning for home. On the way to the gas station we saw Bloodhound but he left us at Menifee.

Once we were back on out way I led Digger and Earth Dog towards Simpson while Highlander took the flat route through the housing tract and met us at Lindenburg. We got back together and headed for Leon again with me pulling to Leon. I fell off and let Earth Dog take the lead only to notie Digger trailing by 100 yards. I fell bacto pick him up and pulled him to Winchester. Highlander and Earth dog continued on to Winchester and were long gone by the time we got there. I started us north towards the dump road and Digger stayed with me that far. He slowed a but after the dump road and I pulled away and made my way to Winchester Farms to meet Highlander and Earth Dog. Digger was not that far behind. We had a food break and talked about gliders, air planes, blimps and drones. But the time we were ready to go again I had finished my water bottle and snack and was ready to head for home.

I stayed with Highlander and Earth Dog on Stowe till we got to California and then made our way to Stetson. I was still with them as we made our way to Warren and Digger started to fade. We waited for digger and then headed for Cawston. I stayed with Digger till we got to Sanderson where I left him and headed for home. As the year comes to a close I was looking forwards to taking a break from cycling for a few weeks till the weather warms up and my knee stops hurting. But I will maybe have on more planned group ride before January and I will have to at least take enough pain killers to get through Friday. Even though I feel a good super hot shower will do a world of good today.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It has been wet and cold for more than two weeks and to be honest I am a bit tired of it. I know we need the rain and I know the winter is cold but it doesn’t mean I have to like the idea, not as a cyclist anyway I don’t have to like it. I put together a short ride and tried to predict the wind for Monday. I made it to the bike shop believing it would be closed till Wednesday at least and met Digger, Highlander and Earth Dog to start a ride. By 9am we were headed north on Lyon with me pulling. I could move my legs and they felt pretty good but I knew they weren’t warming up at all. I pulled steadily north to Esplanade where we only had to pause before the light turned green and we were on our way to Seventh. I stayed in front almost all the way to Ramona Boulevard. Just before the corner at Ramona we ran on to a lot of standing water and Highlander and I turned back to the stop sign and went around while Digger and Earth Dog slowly rode through the water. Highlander and I chased the fading Digger and Earth Dog to Sanderson but lost them at the light on the Expressway. By the time we were headed west Earth Dog had left Digger and we were gaining on him. We had to stop again at Warren but were gaining even more by the time we got to Bridge where Earth Dog was waiting. We slowed to pick him up and chased Digger down about halfway to the stop light and the store. WE pulled into the parking lot and were only a few yards ahead of Digger.

We had to decide if we wanted to head for Menifee or head back into the wind and go home but we decided to brave it out and head for Menifee and then on to Winchester. Highlander pulled about halfway to Nuevo and I pulled to Central and down to Menifee. Earth Dog took off on us at Menifee and we followed to the Nursery where Earth Dog was waiting. I then took over and pulled us to Watson and east towards Briggs. At Briggs we turned south towards 74 and the high school. I pulled Highlander to Briggs and we were joined at the High school by Earth Dog and Digger. I pulled again till we got to the dump road and headed east. While Highlander and I watched people shooting against the mountain on the left side of the road Earth Dog took off on us again. Highlander and I tried to keep Digger with us but by Leon it was clear he was in cruise mode. So I started to close the gap on Earth Dog and took Highlander to Winchester as smoothly as I could. We got hung up a bit at Winchester but joined Earth Dog at Winchester Farms for a break. Digger joined us a few moments later and we took about 15 minutes to talk before heading back out onto Stowe and head east.

As we headed east I started in front and got us most of the way to California and headed north. Highlander pulled us to Stetson and started us east. In looked back and saw Digger falling off so I went back to get him while Highlander and Earth Dog headed for Warren and then Sanderson. I pulled Digger to Warren then Cawston and over to Sanderson were we split and I headed onto Johnston and Digger headed north towards Lowes. I was cold and tired and my legs never warmed up so I was longing for a hot shower and lunch. By the time I got home I was cold to the bone and glad to get in out of the wind.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) Normally I am glad to see Friday arrive. Today was a nice calm day and while cool it was not as cold as Monday. I posted a short easy ride because we had some wounded riders today. Once I had breakfast I got on my way to the bike shop and to meet my friends. Today we had a small group but well matched for the ride. Centaur and Dragon Slayer could run up front with Digger and Earth Dog riding trail and I could sit in the middle. My wish was that we could cruise the ride and make it easy on Digger and Earth Dog and when we left at 9am that was how it seemed as we headed north on Lyon. Traffic seemed light on Lyon but not quite as light on the cross streets on Devonshire and Menlo. I rode next to Dragon Slayer most of the way to Esplanade where we caught the light. I ended up out front after Esplanade and pulled by Seventh and then Cottonwood. The group was tight behind me by the time we got to Cottonwood and continued north.

We slowly picked up speed as we headed for Ramona Boulevard and I took us to the turn before Dragon Slayer took over and pulled us toward State Street. At the last stop sign Centaur took over and got us to State and started us north towards the Expressway. Dragon Slayer and Centaur pulled away at the Expressway and headed towards the college and Soboba. I arrived next followed by Earth Dog and Digger. We regrouped on Soboba before heading for the rollers and the golf course. I pulled over the first roller and Dragon Slayer pulled around me followed by Centaur. I fell off and started a cruise at the second roller and followed about 200 yards behind and regrouped with them at the last hole on Soboba. Digger and Earth Dog joined us before we headed for the right turn over the river bed and back to the Expressway.

Once we were ready to turn onto the Expressway Earth Dog told us he would be heading to Carl’s without heading to Cranston. I figured Digger would go with him so that left Dragon Slayer, Centaur and me to ride to Florida and east to Cranston by ourselves. We took a short break before heading back towards Carl’s to join Digger and Earth Dog. I started east first but by the trees Centaur and Dragon Slayer caught me and headed for Fairview. I picked up the pace and joined them in a rotating pace line that took us back to the Expressway and Centaur started a sprint to the driveway. We got there and took some time to tell stories and solve the problems of the world. Once we had rested we headed back towards Lincoln on New Chicago.

By the time we got to Park Earth Dog could smell the hay back at the bike shop and he started a long run west. We all made short work of the ride back to Santa Fe and down to Latham. The turn west again didn’t slacken the pace at all and we quickly found ourselves back at the bike shop before heading for home and the beginning of a nice weekend.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) At least it was a bit warmer today and I had slept well. I put together one of Highlander’s favorite rides and headed for the bike shop expecting just three of us like Monday. I got there and Digger was there with Minotaur. Well maybe we would have four riders. Bruin arrived with a friend Paul just after I arrived and Highlander showed up last. I had adjusted my saddle down a bit hoping to ease a sore right leg so I wasn’t planning on pushing it at all today. So we waited till 9am and headed down to Acacia and headed over to Kirby with me pulling. I had no idea how much Paul rode and I wanted to keep Digger with us today so I was keeping the pace right at 16 to 18 mph on the way to Cypress and towards Johnston. We rounded the corner and stopped at the light on Sanderson. I continued on after the light changed and pulled us to Cawston before heading west towards Warren.

After we rolled by Warren Minotaur pulled by and started to kick up the pace with Highlander on his wheel. Bruin had joined me to pull to California and we were followed by Paul and Digger. We were well behind Minotaur and Highlander and turned onto Stowe thinking about giving chase. But I didn’t know how Paul would take a pace line and Digger more than likely would fall off at anything over 22 mph. I fell off after Bruin took over the pull and pulled digger to Winchester Farms for our regroup and nature stop.

Once we were ready to hit the road again I pulled south towards the Dump Road to continue west. We had changed the route a bit and decided to head to Briggs and ride up to Mapes before turning towards Menifee and north again. I continued to pull past the Wild West Arena and up the grade before looking back to see Digger off the back again. I dropped back and once again pulled him towards Briggs and the fading group led by Minotaur. As I pulled Digger onto Briggs we could see at least one rider in front of us and we managed to catch him at the light on 74. It was Paul and he had fallen off of the pace set by Bruin, Minotaur and Highlander. I then pulled the two of them north on Briggs and up to Mapes where I expected to see the others waiting for us. True to my expectations the lead group was waiting for us and we regrouped before heading west to Menifee.

Things were about to pick up a bit as we got back on our way and Digger was leading down towards Menifee till a rather large white dog started running next to him. Digger slowed down considerably and I took over heading to Menifee and then north towards Nuevo. I pulled over the rise and started down past the Nursery. On the second drop Minotaur pulled by me and we started to accelerate on the long pull to the stop sign. Highlander was the only one to stay with us and I took a second turn at the front and got us to the first stop sign. Minotaur took over again and pulled to Central where we had to accelerate again and Highlander finally had to turn lose and let us slip away. Minotaur and I stayed together to Nuevo and started east towards Lakeview. We took turns pulling to Lakeview and regrouped by the do-nut shop. We had decided to make a straight run to the market on Hansen and the Expressway. I started us north but before we had gone half of a mile Bruin took the lead and pulled us past the post office and the elementary school. By 9th street I took the lead back and pulled us to the Valero station and the regroup at the market. As we headed back east I was determined to hold the group together and was doing pretty well till Minotaur took over and Digger couldn’t keep the pace. I dropped off to get Digger and ended up collecting Paul by the time we got to Warren. We headed south to Cottonwood and I took us out to Sanderson and then south once more till we got to the Starbucks on Esplanade. We pulled out of Starbucks and headed to Esplanade and Kirby before turning south once more. Somewhere just past Seventh Street Bruin pulled over and I rode back to get him thinking he had flatted. He had just forgotten to close his seat bag and we were soon on our way again this time with Paul making a second group. We made our way to Devonshire and then to Lyon and back to the bike shop to finish the ride before heading for home. It was one of my better rides.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) It was still cool Monday morning and my legs are still sore for some reason but I managed to drag myself out of bed and head for the Bike Shop to take a short ride to Cactus Valley and east to coffee at Carl’s. I knew it would be a small group because some were gone and at least one was staying home to recover from sore knees. Still Highlander and Digger were at the shop and we headed out for the short ride right at 9am. I took us out onto Lyon and to Acacia to get things started. I got to Kirby and took us south towards Cypress. At this point I was more than willing to pull and there was little or no wind. However I was bundled much like a skier as we headed towards Johnston and the light at Sanderson. One thing I planned on working on today was a nice easy ride so I knew as long as I was leading there would be no segment PRs today. I got us out onto Sanderson and headed south again. We made it to Stetson and had a brief wait till we got another green. I pulled to the street to the south of Wally world and zeroed in on Mustang where Highlander took the lead. Highlander pulled us to Domenigoni. We made the turn east towards Searl and once again I took the lead. I stopped at the light and removed my glove liners and wind mask. Highlander then pulled us to State Street to turn south towards the curve at Cactus Valley. I took the pull at State and pulled all the way to the curve and headed east towards the golf course. Highlander took over at the golf course and pulled to Sage and started up the hill by the Baptist Church. I caught him at the crest but slowed to wait for Digger to close and then pulled to the end of the road where we would regroup and get ready to head back west towards Sage.

The ride back was somewhat easier then the ride in and Digger was the first to crest the rise on the way out. He burned out however and Highlander took over till I got the lead back and dropped down to sage and headed for State. I rounder the corned on State and headed for the ride through the housing tract at McSweeney. Highlander and I rode through the tract and we met Digger as we came back out onto State. As we headed for the light on Domenigoni I shouted to Digger that we had planned on Stopping at the Golf Course on Thornton for a nature stop before heading back out to Stetson and moving east. Digger fell off at the rise just before Chambers while Highlander and I rode over to Buena Vista and turned the corner to stop and wait for Digger at the Golf Course. We only stayed for maybe five or ten minutes before heading to Santa Fe to continue east on Stetson.

Once on Stetson we started east towards the High School with me in the lead once more. I took us by San Jacinto and then to Columbia before starting the pull to Yale and head to the speed bump. I pulled over the bump and headed for Lake Street and east. Digger fell back at Speed bump and was at least 200 yards back by the time I had pulled Highlander to Lake and headed for Fairview. We would be regrouping at Fairview and I knew we had a few minutes to rest before Digger joined us. Once Digger joined us and rested he started north towards the bridge and Mayberry. We gave him a pretty good head start and it took me well past Mayberry to catch Digger and pull him around the corner and west towards Carl’s. I pulled to Carl’s and we stopped for coffee and a chance to warm up. Once back on our way we headed to Lincoln and west to Park at a more relaxed pace than normal for one of our group rides. I took us to Park and around to the jog over to Devonshire where Digger left us. We picked it up just a bit heading west to San Jacinto and then to Santa Fe before dropping down to Latham. Once on Latham we quickly move by State and onto Lyon before heading back to the Bike Shop. We talked with the shop people for a little while before heading for home and in my case lunch.

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) To be honest I wanted to stay in bed under to covers where it was warm and toasty. I knew it was going to be cool and I thought it might be windy. With that in mind bed seemed like a much better place than out on the bike. But I had planned a ride and I got up for breakfast to I did get dressed and went to the bike shop to see who else might show up. Digger and Earth Dog seemed willing to ride and Minotaur arrived right after me. Highlander and Centaur showed up as well and seemed ready for whatever the weather tossed at us. We left right at 9am and went north on Lyon to get things on the way. Earth Dog got us started and pushed us all rather early in the ride. I noticed Minotaur warming up slowly so I went back to get him. We made our way to Esplanade and waited at the light till it turned green. Once headed for Seventh we were cruising at close to 20 when Digger started to struggle. Minotaur had told me they would be heading all the way to the expressway rather than the Boulevard so I dropped back to pull Digger and then headed for the Expressway. Digger and I made the light on Ramona and headed west into a light head wind. Digger was on my wheel and stayed there most of the way to Sanderson but before the light he fell off a bit. I noticed the rest of the group waiting at Sanderson and Ramona but I made the light and headed for Warren at a reasonable clip. As I got close to Warren the wind picked up a bit and I started to feel like the ride had become work rather than enjoyment. Minotaur had pulled Highlander and Centaur up to me and headed for Bridge. I looked back and didn’t see either Digger or Earth Dog so I took a break at Bridge and then rode to the store on Hansen where the other three were waiting. Earth Dog finally showed up but Digger had cut it short and headed for home. It was just the five of us heading to Lakeview and south from there.

We took turns pulling to Nuevo and then to Central before dropping down to Menifee and south once again, this time with a tail wind. It was still cold but we were enjoying the pace as we came to a stop sign on Menifee and San Jacinto ave. I stopped for a car turning left in front of us but on one else did so I got dropped and a very long chase started. I managed to gain on Earth Dog but I couldn’t see anyone else in front of him so I had to assume they were headed for Briggs and Florida. I saw Earth Dog turn on Mapes but he was at least 150 yards in front of me so I stayed on Menifee to keep up my speed before turning east on Watson and pushing things all the way to Briggs coming out in front of Earth Dog. As I got to Florida I could see Highlander was already on the other side of the road waiting till we crossed the light. I figured that Minotaur and centaur were in front of us so once the light changed I put my head down and made a run for the Dump road looking well in front of me for any sign of the other two. Highlander and Earth Dog had pushed it to the dump road as we turned east and I took off on another run to see if I could catch a glimpse of Minotaur in the distance. I put some distance between Highlander and Earth Dog as I crossed Leon and started down the Wild West Arena flag sprint. The wind was in our face again and it looked like Highlander was gaining on me. As we rounded the turn at the end of the sprint a rider pulled up on me and I noticed it was Minotaur. I ended up following him to Winchester and then to Winchester Farms for a break. Once we decided to start for home I turned it back into cruise mode and followed Minotaur first to California and then to Stetson as we worked our way back to Sanderson. I left Minotaur at Sanderson and headed for home. I was cold, tired and wanted a hot shower. I took the dog for a walk after lunch and settled back into my chair to rest before going to a memorial for one of the men we knew from the bike shop. All in all it was a good ride. But I have to say I didn’t have much fun today, it was a lot like work.