On Thursday (12th), I finished a 6 day bike ride that covered 360 miles from Santa Cruz to Malibu.
It was a journey that broke me down physically/mentally/emotionally/spiritually. By the end of the 4th day, I was at my lowest point and ready to tell everyone to "F@*k Off" and then find a way home. That evening an experienced rider talked to me about pacing and fueling my muscles during the ride.
The next day (the 5th day of riding) he came along side me while I was struggling up the first hill of the day, put his hand on my back and pushed me up the hill as he advised me on "attacking the hill."
That encouragement began my climb out of the pit and I started to ride as an act of self expression (it also helped that I followed his advice).