Kickstand Click

I bolted out from the house toward the street plaza to catch some midday action. Parked along the curb, a vintage steel commuter bike was leaning dangerously sideways because its spring-loaded kickstand was jammed halfway up in dried gravel. I vaulted onto the bike's pedal, dropped down right beside the bottom bracket, and inspected the pivot joint. Bracing one foot against the sturdy frame tube, I drove a clean, forceful kick against the kickstand foot with my sneaker heel. Clack! The heavy steel arm snapped straight down, locking into its notch and stabilizing the entire bicycle rock-solid against the pavement.