Spinning the Wheel

I slipped past the courtyard gate and marched straight out onto the morning sidewalk. Right by the curb, someone parked a heavy green city bicycle. The rear tire spokes looked like an upright obstacle course begging for a test. I hoisted myself onto the metal pedal, braced my boots against the grooved pedal teeth, and kicked with all my weight. The pedal swung down, turning the chain, and the rear wheel whirred into a blur of silver spokes! A brisk gust of wind kicked up right off the spinning rubber, ruffling my cape. Just when the spin started slowing, I jabbed the rubber tread with my staff to see how much resistance it had. It stopped with a satisfying squeak. sidewalk summit claimed!