Climbing & Coffee

A lone Ithuriel's Spear? This photo-worthy specimen popped up in my backyard.

It's often too challenging to play photographer when a group is hanging together on a ride.

What's the formula for coaxing new riders to join a club ride? A gentle pace, a modest distance, not much climbing, a later starting time, a social break?

We had all of that. Yet, besides my chief cycling buddy, the two riders who showed up were stronger than us (and, long-time members).

They rode alongside and chatted with us, loitering patiently at the top of the hill. One enjoyed a concoction that looked like a giant cup of whipped cream. Maybe there was coffee in there, somewhere.

Everyone else missed out on the 31 miles, 960 feet of climbing and the ample camaraderie that I enjoyed.

Ladies Who Hike

Every now and then, it's time for a day off. This one happened to align with a hike planned by some of my cycling friends. Monday, Monday ... sometimes it just turns out that way.

I was happy to discover how compatible we were—our pace, as well as our interests.

We explored some of the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, terrain that I have previously surveyed only from the road (on my bike). We had the place pretty much to ourselves.

Poppies!

And a mystery flower. Lindley's blazingstar, perhaps?

Scenic vistas, good conversation, and eight-ish miles with more than 1,000 feet of elevation gain—forgetting to unpause my GPS tracking after we stopped for a break, along with another apparent hiccup, conveys our approximate route. We stayed on the trails, of course.

I could get used to this.

A New Twist on an Old Fave

A succession of members have kept the tradition of this club ride alive after the closing of its namesake (Bici) bike shop, first moving the start to a nearby park and now to another neighborhood in response to heavy construction at the park. The new location is a winner! (Let's keep it!)

It's still a bit early for wildflowers, but there were some lupines in bloom near the Chesbro Reservoir.

Once upon a time, this region was known as the Valley Of Heart's Delight. Now we can only imagine acres upon acres of orchards in bloom, stretching as far as the eye could see. A few remain, their trees dusting us with white petals like spring snowflakes.

We made good time heading north on the Coyote Creek Trail before I led my chief biking buddy off the “official” route with my own wee tweak, near the end.

The faster riders had caught us this morning, of course, despite our usual head start—but later than expected. Perhaps they were tardier than usual. We enjoyed a solid 45 miles and 1,380 feet of climbing.