Grip on the Throttle

Fingers tightened on the handlebars. Joint tension responsive. I shifted my weight forward to test the balance of the chassis. The bike held firm. Directly ahead lay rugged terrain: deep carpet fibers and a scattered pile of miniature hardware. A deliberate push with one boot. The front tire rolled an inch through the rough weave, gently nudging a stray rifle at the perimeter. Mechanical check complete. Control is operational.