Angry Bird

It was a breezy day, but the ride was not a breeze. For such a short route, our leader packed in the climbs (2,255 feet uphill over 25.6 miles).

Grinding up the steep grade on Harwood Road, I talked myself out of pausing for a break. I made it. I knew I could make it.

The switchback on Sheldon Lane? Well, not so much. Prudence prevailed. The first visit is always the hardest, especially when you cannot see what lies around each bend. Next time, I will know.

Along the way, some small rocks suddenly cascaded down the slope next to me. Unstable hillside, pedal faster? Wild creature, pedal even faster? The joke was on me—nothing more than a mischievous scrub jay. In life as in art, the angry bird gets the last laugh.