Uphill

The road ahead is steep and wide, its surface wavering at distance. In the sections scraped bare, dry dirt is packed so tightly it borders stone. The remaining portions are alternatively loose and rocky. An old Subaru climbs past us releasing a dust cloud heavy enough to require pulling over. I look behind me and see no one.

The sun is the only feature in the cobalt sky overhead. None of the scrub that covers the mountainside grows tall enough to provide shade. Facing down the slope I see a khaki figure, head down, pushing a bike upwards.

I reach down towards the white squeeze bottle mounted to my right fork and drain what remains into my mouth. There is dried salt along the shoulder of my black wool shirt. Refilling the bottle I also tear open a packet of lemon flavored electrolytes. I inhale a bit of the sweet powder as it drifts into the air.

Taylor is back on the bike and moving towards me in jolting motions. His short breaths now audible from this distance. He doesn’t look up. I swing my right leg over the top bar and place my foot onto the pedal.

Eburru, Kenya - January 27, 2024