"Congratulations on the race, Blake," came a woman's voice over my left shoulder as I was walking back to my pickup.

I stopped and turned around to see who it was. "Thank you ...," I replied, trying to remember if we had ever met.

"Stephanie. Stephanie Breyer,"

I continued walking towards my truck. "Thanks again, Stephanie. It was my first race and I'm really happy about my finish."

Following, Stephanie replied, "You had a great cadence and your climbs were amazing, how long have you been riding?"

"Only about six months. I started last April after my most recent contract ended and had some time to take up a new hobby."

"Six months, wow! Have you been training with any cycling teams?"

"Nope, I've just been learning on my own. When I decide on doing something, I tend to obsess a bit."

Stephanie laughed at that, "Well, if you're interested, I belong to a group that is beginning our Fall
training. We really help each other keep going through the Fall and Winter months when the weather tends to be ... not ideal."

I paused a second. "Hmm... I hadn't thought of that. I've been spoiled by the great weather and long days we've been having. I appreciate the offer."

"Great. We meet at McIver park on Saturday mornings. Next Saturday we'll be starting promptly at 6:30." Stephanie stopped behind a white Lexus SUV. Well, here's my car, I'll grab my card."

Stephanie unlocked the car and leaned inside the passenger door. For the first time during the conversation I was able to get a good view of her. She was wearing the requisite cycling outfit: extremely tight blue shorts and pink cycling Jersey. She had strapped her helmet to her handlebars and had a short blonde wedge haircut that held up very well after 3 hours of being under her helmet. She definitely had a cyclists body; very shapely legs, with strong thighs and a narrow waist accentuating her perfectly curved hips.

Returning with her business card she said, "Here you go Blake. Call me if you have any questions. We start at 6:30 so be sure to get there a little early."

"Thanks Stephanie, I'll see you next Saturday."

I left her loading her bike into the back of her Lexus and walked back to my car with a little lighter step. I did wonder at how she knew my name. 'Maybe she knew the race registrar?'