Two cyclists decide to take a road trip together. They think they've got the right gear, a fairly good idea of their direction, if not their destination, and though they've not cycled together a lot before, have enough experience to consider undertaking the journey.
They start off and the road is easy. The scenery is great, people smile and wave along the way. They feel fit, energised, hydrated. They chat a bit, enjoy each others company, travel side by side.
A bit further on, they come across some roadworks. It's tricky, and they discover that they need to carefully negotiate the bumps in the road. The road gets steep, and narrow in places too, and they find that travelling side by side is not always ideal. They keep banging into each other.
At times, one surges ahead, full of energy, the other lagging behind, not as confident but trying to keep up. At times they become disheartened, with the journey, with each other.
Occasionally, they come to a fork in the road. One wants to go in one direction, one in the other. Theres disagreement. Negotiation. One compromises. They go a little further.
Finally the road starts to get a little easier. The difficult bits become a little easier to manage, partly because the destination'seems closer, partly because they've covered that kind of ground before.
They realise sometimes it is better to follow each other, sometimes good to travel exactly side by side.
Sometimes its hot sweaty work and they want to stop. Sometimes they slow down, take breaks together and just breathe in the air around them. Sometimes they want to give up, but then appreciate that their journey is going to take perseverence and stamina. That despite the unexpected lumps and bumps, it is still a wonderful experience.
They encourage each other in the tough bits, cheer each other on in the smooth. Áfter a while they find a steady rhythm, start to be able to coast at times and enjoy the scenery again. Now they know better how to manage the bumpy bits. They make allowances when one, or both get tired, or slip in loose gravel.
People see them pass, can see how hard it's been, cheer them on. Offer encouragement, but ultimately leave them to their journey.
It is their journey, rough and smooth.
What counted was they did it, and no matter how hard it got, planned to reach the finish line. Together.
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