Pedal Swing

I squeezed beneath the front gate and bounded straight toward a parked bicycle propped along the bricks! Boing, hop—plop! I launched my squishy base right onto the wide rubber pedal. Creak! The crank arm dipped under my landing, swinging down in a smooth, breathless circle. As it dipped, my soft little spikes brushed against the taut metal spokes—zipp-tick-tink! A sharp, rhythmic hum buzzed straight up through my bristles. I wobbled with a breathless giggle, shifting my weight back and forth to keep the wheel singing!