snow and ice

we rode the bikes up a long steep climb
over gravel mostly but ice and snow
unmelted, deep made the going slow
we had to push the bikes up hill
when our traction was loose and unfound
the rear wheels spinning in search of solid ground
it was a tough slog but we kept moving
knowing ultimately we'd find the end
around that next impossible bend
with wet feet we ultimately remounted
and coasted into town where the hard road
in full sun, lay exposed even though it snowed
the past week, so now we're riding fast
heading back to end this sorta ride
before either one of us crashed and sorta died.