Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 33: Cycling Road Adventures

"Cycling Road was only the beginning of the weirdness that was to come in our adventures, but regardless it was fun. It was the first time we came face to face with a Dragon type Pokémon; I still remember meeting them...and to this day the Pokémon I caught in that cave has been a trusted companion of mine, and a major part of my Sinnoh Team. I can't imagine battling using my Sinnoh Team without it, it's become so integral to my battle strategy, and it's saved my life many times in the years that we've been partners. Although it hasn't always been easy raising it—though easier than most people would find raising a Dragon Pokémon—in fact at first it was pretty tough. I don't know why but to this day it remains the only Dragon Pokémon I own that didn't find itself enamoured with me at first sight—maybe second sight ha-ha."

Sam threw back his head as he drank water from his canteen. He couldn't remember being so thirsty before in his life.

The entire group had been biking for the past three hours while the hot sun beat down on them and it was time for a break. Downhill wasn't so bad, but the constant uphill didn't help anything.

Cycling Road had been built on top of a naturally hilly land that sat at the base of the Mt. Coronet mountain chain, meaning it caught every up and down and winding turn in the hills, as if one was biking over the hills proper.

Sam leaned his bike against the rails of the raised road and sat down on top of one of the sets of steps that led down to the valley below.

Alyssandra, Jeremy and Niya joined him shortly after taking their water breaks as well. Sweat covered every inch of each of their bodies, and Jeremy and Sam had sweat through their jackets and their hair looked as if they had just come out of the shower. The girls' make up was starting to run as well.

It wasn't easy biking in the hot sun of June with pounds upon pounds of baggage on your back.

Provisions for the day as well as the tents and cooking supplies were strapped to the backs of the group and to the sides of the bikes. And on top of the shoulder bags Sam and Alyssandra insisted on carrying, it wasn't any easier.

Despite all that though, Sam never felt the heat beating down on him, if anything, it was the exhaustion that he felt.

Sam had always been well attuned to extreme heat and cold for some odd reason; but the others weren't like him, and every minute they prolonged their exposure to the sun was another minute they risked the chance of someone falling off their bikes.

Sam knew they needed a break, so he stopped his bike and pulled off to the side of the road, where a long staircase descended down into the valley. "All right," sighed Sam catching his breath, "Lunch time. Someone break out the water and some of the sandwiches—nothing too heavy, we're going to be sick otherwise."

Alyssandra groaned and threw herself onto the steps, drenching her throat with water to the point where it dribbled down her chin. "We picked the worst day to bike," she complained; sweat running down her temple as she sat up a bit.

"Are you kidding?" asked Niya, a wide smile on her face as she wiped the sweat from her brow, "This is amazing! We should have done this sooner."

Jeremy glared at Niya. "You're nuts, you know that?" he said, "I mean, I enjoy a nice bike ride as much as the next guy; but in this heat—you know how Sinnoh is in the early summer."

"It's beautiful, I think," smiled Niya as she sat down on the step next to Sam, who had thrown off his jacket and wiped his forehead with it.

"What's for lunch Lyss?" asked Sam, "Quick before these two go at it. It's best to feed them before they start to fight."