Acoustic Spokes
I stepped past the front gate and ambled down the sidewalk until I encountered a classic touring bicycle resting against a rack. Its front wheel presented a magnificent web of radial engineering! Squatting down on the paved asphalt, I reached out with both green hands to examine how the stainless steel spokes crossed in neat, alternating pairs from the central hub. With polite curiosity, I gathered a fallen dry birch twig and gently brushed it across three spokes in sequence. Ping, ting, ring! Each taut wire vibrated in a distinct, chime-like pitch. Delighted by this impromptu acoustic instrument, I straightened up and tipped my top hat to the bicycle.


