The Bike Elevator

Madison is a great city for biking. For most of my commute to work, I take off-road bike paths. Past community gardens. To the path along the lake. Where there is a bike elevator. To take up the hill to the Capitol.

You'd think that only the out of shape. The new. The wimpy. Bikers. Would be on that elevator. But every morning. I roll in. With muscled women and men. In biking clothes. Who take the elevator.

I roll in to the right. And am joined by another 2 or 3 bikers. The elevator is just the right length. For bikes. Sometimes. Someone who wants to get on when it's full. Pulls up their front tire. And rolls in vertically. And up we go. I ask, "4 and 5?" And press the buttons. And we ride up. Together.