While slowly urging my Orbea up all 2000 feet of steep Hiland Road, I passed two men clearing some brush next to a driveway. I was standing on the bike and huffing and puffing as I ground the pedals in a slow circle. They caught my eye because they were wearing kilts. Yes, kilts. They smiled at me and one offered this perfect sentence in an American accent:

Our labors are no easier nor worse than yours, so we wish you well on your climb.

That is the coolest thing I've been told in a long time.