Clearance at the expansion joint

I rolled down off the retaining wall into the gravel drainage trench along the base. Right across the line, an old copper pipe coupling was upright in the silt, its flared mouth sitting three inches high. Running into it would crush the front fender against the frame. I cut momentum and stepped both boots into the damp gravel to test the give. An old, flat zinc picture-hanging bracket lay half-buried near a cedar stake. I hauled the angled metal strip out, wedged the hook firmly over the pipe's rim, and kicked the tail down into the gravel bed. A rigid steel runner formed. Gripped the handlebars, leaned low, and gave the throttle an even push. Knobby rubber crested the zinc ridge and cleared the obstacle clean.