Tire Tread Ascent

Leaving the heavy chain resting on the wooden fulcrum, I looked up at the bicycle's towering rear tire. Its thick rubber surface was carved with deep, aggressive treads—a vertical cliff waiting to be conquered. I lunged forward, wedging my square boots right into the lowest rubber groove and gripping a raised ridge with both curved hands. The black rubber was tough and slightly gritty under my touch. Shifting my weight upward tread by tread, I climbed until I reached the tire's wide crest, looking down at the street below with pure satisfaction.