They ride out of Riobamba.
The road is up and down.
With trees either side of it, and bushes.
And stones for details.
Like everywhere.
I reckon the Sea Salt's going feral, says Sweezus.
Because of the X? says Arthur.
The cross, says Humboldt.
Arthur deftly changes the subject.
You've never gone surfing?
Never, says Humboldt. But I have been to Salinas. It's the closest point on the mainland to the Galapagos Islands.
Have you been to Guayaquil? says Sweezus. What's to do there?
You surprise me, says Humboldt.
How come? asks Sweezus.
Most people would ask if I'd been to the Galapagos Islands, says Humboldt. And the answer is, I have. You might care to read my book Cosmos.
Yeah right, says Sweezus. Cosmos. It's online now.
Is it? asks Humboldt, surprised at his unsuspected modernity.
Gaius gets it, says Arthur.
They cycle past an iguana.
No one seems keen on the Galapagos Islands.
Guayaquil, says Humboldt. It's a long time since I've been there. It's the nation's main port. They enjoy a mild temperature due to....
A port, says Sweezus. Should be heaps of cool nightlife.
Due to the influence of the cold water current, which incidentally ...
Yes, says Arthur. Ports are notorious.
...is named after me, says Humboldt.
What is? asks Sweezus.
The current, says Arthur. I was listening.
The Humboldt Current, says Humboldt. One may ask why so many animals fetched up on the Galapagos Islands, so long ago. The Humboldt Current is part of the answer.
Woah, says Sweezus.
Silence. The road dips. They pass another iguana.
And several stones.
How are you going? asks Sweezus.
Not bad, says Humboldt. Not good either. Tell me more about Schopenhauer's bicycle.
Gaius rode it once, says Arthur. When he rode it he said Schopenhauerian things.
Such as? asks Humboldt.
At its heart the universe is not rational. says Arthur.
Who doesn't know that, says Humboldt.
The purpose of our existence is not to be happy, says Arthur.
He wants to know about the bike, not its freaking philosophy, says Sweezus. Don't you?
If you like, says Humboldt. Yes I do.
Ass Saver mudguards, Knog lights, Schwelbe tyres.
That sounds wonderful, says Humboldt.
It's not all that fast, says Sweezus.
Surely that depends on the rider, says Humboldt.
Up to a point, says Sweezus.
The road rises.
They pass another iguana.
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