“I have no intention of spending time in the infirmary,” she snapped at Erik. “And I have every intention of winning this race.” “We’ll see,” Erik replied. He turned and walked over to his bike. “Let’s go, everybody,” he yelled at the rest of the group. “He—he’s insufferable!” George sputtered, swinging up onto her bike. Nancy watched as George pedaled furiously to catch up with Erik. Then she turned to Ned, who had walked up beside her and overheard Erik’s remark. “I’m worried about George,” Nancy said. “That thing Erik said sounded like a threat to me. You don’t think he’d do anything to hurt her, do you?” Ned shook his head. “Erik is famous for his bad attitude,” he said. “It’s just something you learn to ignore if you’re around him much. And what could he do to hurt her? He can’t lie about who wins with five witnesses riding along behind.” “I guess you’re right,” Nancy said, but she wasn’t convinced. Erik and George had ridden about a quarter mile ahead of the other cyclists on the first segment of the route, and they were pulling ahead again.
