Sign pollution spoils the view

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Palo Alto has a thing about signs. Not sure we need one in Stevens Canyon.

I don’t think much about signs, until I do, and then I start seeing the pollution. Do we need a city limits sign at the bottom of Stevens Canyon?

I’ve been riding in the canyon since 1979. Over the years it has gotten rockier. This is, after all, the San Andreas Fault zone. Erosion brings down rocks, and over time they accumulate.

Still, I recognized stretches of trail that hadn’t changed a bit in terms of condition. As for riders, I saw several on a Saturday morning. The guy and gal blasting up the hill must have professionals. They were moving.

When I started riding here, Jobst Brandt and friends were the only ones cycling the canyon trail. All we had were road bikes. Those days are long gone.

Along with popularity comes enforcement. Imagine my surprise when I saw a ranger with a radar gun. It wasn’t far from the end of the trail. I stopped immediately and we had a friendly conversation. I wasn’t speeding.

One important change I noticed is that the Stevens Creek crossing no longer has an easier option. It’s overgrown. Now you go down a four or five foot vertical drop to reach the creek. I’m sure some ride off it, but not me.

The single-track section toward the end has plenty of poison oak, so watch out.