Yesterday I went out for a century ride, planning to start solo then pick up a couple high school buddies at the halfway point. Rode the first half in three hours, decent time. Met up for the second half, continuing at a "weekend family ride" pace.

Four hours later, twelve miles from the finish, one dude is completely bonked. I hang back and try to talk him through to the end. Meanwhile the third dude pushes ahead to get home and bring out the truck if necessary. Ten miles from the end it's almost dark, there's a brewpub, and I can't talk my buddy out of quitting. We get off the bikes, sit down for a beer and wait for the truck to come get us.