Requiem for a Bike

She was a good bike...loyal and faithful to her owner. I'm sure she was loyal and faithful to various other, more responsible owners before her.

Her active days came to an abrupt end when a wreckless rider thought she was coherent and dexterous enough to pop a wheelie at night after a few cocktails. I'm sure Red (aforementioned bike) wanted to pop that wheelie. She did everything she could to try to get up onto that curb. If she could have flown, she would have. If determination was enough, Red would still be with us. But physical laws of this universe prevented it.

As momentum rised and caution declined, the moment approached. And what, in the imagination of the rider, was supposed to be a beautiful and agile manipulation of human, machine and nature, turned into an abject display of negligence, which in turn resulted in the ultimate demise of said, bike.

Red halted at the curb and owner flew forward. After peeling herself up out of a most contorted position (after what I think was a momentary loss of consciousness), owner regained mind function and ran to Red. She looked to be in tact, albeit a little beaten up, and owner rejoiced for her bike's (and her own body's) apparent durability. But aaah, her relief was premature and neither body, nor bike would prove consistent with owner's delusions of adequacy.

Once owner started walking her bike, she noticed the flat tire (with rubber dangling and falling off the tire) and bent wheel and axle glaring her in the face. It took a minute to sink in, but owner began to realize what she had done. Red's wheels were still reluctantly turning, but the damage was too great, the knife had cut too deep. Thus, owner made the diffiult decision to let Red go and there she sits, locked up to a lamp post, looking out over the National Mall.

As I said, she was a good bike; loyal and faithful to me. She transported me to and from my job for over four months and I am greatful to her. She came from Rockville, Maryland and before that I'm not sure where she was. She had one squeaky break that made me so agitated, but now I see that maybe it was just her way of demanding attention, as we all have a tendency to do from time to time.

But as for Red, I want you to know that I'm sorry for putting you out of commission. And from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your service to me. You were a beautiful mystery and you will not be forgotten.