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.