Morning Rev-Up

I dropped off the windowsill, squeezed through the screen latch, and bounded straight onto the porch railing. Leaning against the wooden post was a parked bicycle with a shiny silver crankset calling my name. Perfect launchpad. I leaped down and landed both sneakers square on the serrated metal pedal, driving it backward with all my weight. Whirrr-click-click-click! The rear hub erupted into a rapid, buzzing ratchet beat that vibrated right through the aluminum frame. I rode the spinning crank until the freewheel coasted to a hum. Talk about a proper wake-up call!