In this short story a mountain biker struggles uphill. It is not just the steep climb, but his age, asthma, and monkey butt that he has to overcome to make it to the top. Along the way he briefly meets other riders who come and go seeking their own two-wheeled happiness. The reward for long climbs is sweet descents that make the pains and doubts of the uphill struggle all worth it. Monkey butt: cycling affliction where the rider's butt is raw from the rubbing between skin and saddle. It goes away as cyclist develops a callous butt.