Oh, Coach Scheetz!

"Oh, the places you'll go!" The people you'll meet.

When you take the train.

You can usually spot the bicyclists on a train because, well, because they tend to have their bikes with them. I once discovered a place called Peddler's Creamery because the owner of the pedal-your-own ice cream shop, and I, were on the same train.

Sunday afternoon late, nearly evening, I was on the train again, returning from a day spent downtown. The same train (Gold Line) had been packed with Rams fans during the mornings' run into Union Station, but now there were only two - everyone else, apparently, still downtown somewhere celebrating. Those two sat across the aisle from the mrs. and I and, since she can not miss an opportunity to talk to strangers, a conversation ensued. Turns out the two were father and son, the son a freshman at Damian High School. One question led to another, and yes, he was indeed racing this season with the Damian mountain bike team. I asked if he had any opportunity to train with the Scheetz's yet; the question threw him for a few seconds, probably because I used their first names, but then the realization set in and he blurted, "Oh, Coach Scheetz!" I took that as a yes.

With less than two months to go before the season opening race, high school riders all around southern California are in the midst of preparing, with an eye toward February 23 and 24.

a Damian team rider descends through the slot canyon, 2018 Beach to Boulders