The COWS had been promised a spectacular ride over McKenzie Pass.

And it was.

Spectacular mountains. Spectacular views. Spectacular climbing.

The only problem became apparent at the rest stop.

One cow looked slowly from one side of the road to the other.

“Not a blade of grass for miles. What is this, the desert?”

Another had already checked the ride description on his phone.

“Forty-five miles. Three thousand feet of climbing. It says nothing about bringing your own pasture.”

Fortunately, the ride leader had planned ahead. There were bananas, energy bars, sports drinks and enough carbohydrates to keep an entire herd moving.

The cows reluctantly refueled.

One studied an energy gel suspiciously.

“My nutritionist says this has everything I need.”

He squeezed some into his mouth.

“He's wrong.”

Eventually, bottles were filled, helmets went back on, and the herd prepared for the long descent home.

Despite the climbing, the heat, and the complete absence of anything remotely resembling lunch growing beside the road, everyone agreed it had been a wonderful ride.

Because that's the thing about COWS.

Great ride. Great friends. Questionable pasture.