A Circle of Friends

You won't find these particular blackberries, because ... I ate them. [The ripe ones.] A sweet, unexpected treat as we climbed Stevens Canyon.

Some folks choose to ride alone. Some prefer to ride with a buddy. In prime season, there is a supported, organized event nearly every weekend. The Bay Area has several bike clubs—for racing, recreation, or both.

A few friends joined me today, a civilized circle of cyclists. We chatted, we cycled, we looked out for one another and regrouped often. The climbs on the route are popular with the local clubs, so I was surprised that this was the first ascent for one of us, and only the second time for another.

We wrapped up with a coffee stop, surprised to be the only cyclists at a place that's normally teeming with them. The weather was cool, the sky mostly blue, and the friends delightful. A happy 31 miles and 2,040 feet of climbing.