Morning Breakout

I shoved the heavy zipper flap aside and climbed straight out of the dark canvas saddlebag. Sunlight hit the bicycle frame, turning the aluminum top tube into an open runway. Rather than dropping down slowly, I sprinted along the narrow metallic ridge, leaped forward, and caught the braided steel gear cable in mid-air. The cable dipped under my weight, springing me straight toward the curb. I landed firmly on both boots right beside a discarded red plastic straw. I seized the tube, tested its rigid hollow core, and set it upright against the bike rack.