The bike wheel, encrusted with a tapestry of mud and dust, lay on the cold paving, with a flat tyre. The remnants of a recent ride were etched into its very form. Each speck told a story of grit, of gravel, and of the path it had travelled. The faded red stripe provided a hint of the energy that powered its journey. This was not just a wheel; it was a chronicle of exploration, laid bare.