of those who are trying the hill , and the rest are going around . I figure enough time has passed for the traffic to get through , so I ride up the steep track again and psyche myself up as I approach the tricky corner right before the hill .
I carry some decent speed this time , but the corner throws me into the tree branches , immediately putting me off balance , and we go down again . At least I am alone in my struggle , and no one is watching my saga play out . I lift the bike and the profuse sweating begins again . It never really stopped on my break , but only slowed , and now it ’ s back to full flow . The sun is in my eyes , and there is no escaping its energy zapping power . Under it , my brain feels like it ’ s boiling in a bag and my remaining energy rapidly drains away with my sweat .
I set myself 30 minutes , and after several more drops , and no real ground gained , the time is quickly gone . As I go to lift the bike once again , I resign that I can ’ t lift it again , and simply sit on her . If nothing else , she makes a comfortable bench . I start to imagine taking the wheels off and dragging her limp body up the hill , then reassembling her at the top . Perhaps that could do it . I must not deviate from the track and desperately want to be amongst the top riders who have made it up this hill today . I can do it . I will do it .
I lift her once again , and simply charge at the hill faster than ever before , but it ’ s over in a second and we are down once again . The bruises on us both beginning to show . My
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