Riding a Bike

initially, it was Connie Carpenter;
after a seventy-two year
american cycling
gold medal
drought
she throws her bike across the line
photo-finish first-place

I liked bikes before -but
that day, I fell in love
it wasn't just the olympic excitement;
soon I also discovered
speed
thrill
accomplishment
bragging rights
and the freedom of
unencumbered mobility and
self-sufficiency

there are things we never forget
like how to ride a bike
but the how is so much more
than simple mechanics and kinesthetics

and even the how
doesn't approach
the why