Night Shift at the Spokes

Slipping out from the hosta canopy, I darted across the paved walkway over to a parked commuter bicycle. Night was setting in, and those giant metal wheel spokes looked like an obstacle course waiting to happen! I scrambled up the rubber tire tread and slipped through the metal frame into a low squat on the chainstay. Right near the greasy rear derailleur, a dangling black rubber valve cap was rolling along the rim, on the verge of falling between the sidewalk paving slats. Bracing one foot against the metal pedal crank, I leaned down, caught the threaded cap in my palm, and twisted it tight onto the valve stem with a neat flick. Perimeter roadworthy!