Don't forget to share the road with cyclists. I recently heard from Kristina Adams, who is co-president of the HoCoCyclist Club. As you drive around our country roads on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, you may have noticed that there seem to be a lot of bikes on the road. You aren't imagining things, there are!

You see, each Wednesday and Thursday evening cyclists meet at the Glenwood Community Center at 6 p.m. to enjoy an evening ride through the country. The Wednesday evening ride tends to be the largest. About 20 to 30 people will ride from the Glenwood Community Center on that night.

On Thursdays, only about 10 people meet to ride their bicycles. There is no set bike route that is used each week; the designated ride leaders for each evening (who are volunteers) will choose a ride for the week and hand out cue sheets to anyone who has signed in.

Typically the cyclists will travel in three groups -- the A group who travels a bit faster, averaging at least 17 mph and traveling a longer route up to 30 miles. The B group will also ride the longer route, but traveling not so fast. Finally, the C group will ride a shorter route. All of these cyclists will average at least 12 mph throughout the winding roads of Western Howard County.

The weekly rides from Glenwood Community Center will continue through mid-October. After that, there will still be weekly biking trips; however they will be along the trail system in Columbia, where pathways are lighted.

In addition, to the weekly rides, the HoCoCyclists Club also lead a ride from Princeton Sports, in Columbia, on the third Saturday of each month.

From time to time, I have heard of accidents involving bicyclists and drivers on our winding western Howard County roads. The county has placed signs around our area, reminding drivers to share the road with bicycles. The cyclists ask that drivers please be patient. On our country roads, there are many blind curves and hills.

Please give cyclists a chance to ride single file and wait until you have a clear view of the road ahead before passing. Passing too close to cyclists or too far over in the opposite lane with oncoming traffic endangers you, the other car and the cyclists on the road.

There's a reason many of us moved to the country, the same reason these cyclists enjoy our country roads -- to get away from the rat race of overcrowded roads in town and to enjoy the scenery.

Next time you are stuck behind a biker, slow down, take a deep breath, and relax. Take some time to enjoy the scenery that many of us now take for granted on a day to day basis.

"Cycling is a great sport for people of all ages and abilities. There are so many positive consequences of riding a bike -- for the individual, the community, and the environment," Adams said.

The HoCoCyclists motto is "ride with your friends" and they try to make sure everyone has someone to ride with when they come out. The group is also social and always makes an effort to get together for dinner and drinks after rides at a local restaurant.

Adams encourages everyone to come on out to a HoCoCyclists ride and find out how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful area!

If you are interested in joining in this fun form of exercise, you must be a member of the HoCoCyclists Club in order to participate in the weekly rides. (This is because of the club's insurance regulations).

Dues are an affordable $10 per year and members must sign a liability waiver. To join the club, or learn more, you can go to sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoCoCylists/.

I was recently driving along Route 32 near Ten Oaks Road, when I saw a family pulled over and picking the wild raspberries that grow along the roadside. My kids all giggled -- it was something that they could see me doing, especially since they love the raspberry sauce I make to pour over ice cream or fresh pancakes; however there is a much safer way to get fresh, Howard County grown berries.

Berry-picking season has finally arrived, and Larriland Farm in Woodbine has plenty of fresh red, black and purple raspberries, along with thornless blackberries.

Visitors of all ages can pick their own berries, selections will vary based on when you visit the farm. Red raspberries will be available through late September. Thornless blackberries will be available during August.

In addition to the pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, Larriland also offers an on-site farm market. For more information about Larriland or to find out picking times, call 410-442-2605 or go to www.pickyourown.com.

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