Photography | “Toys” | Vidya’s August Prompt

Hot Bike Chick

August Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Toys”

First time on an electric bike!

Whenever I’m cycling uphill on my hybrid manual bike — electric bikes whiz by me. I want to shout out to the riders, “You’re cheating — you’re not even pedaling! I’m using my legs and lungs to power up the hill, and you’re using a battery. It’s not fair.”

But then I calm down and remember— it’s okay. The electric bike riders are still outside, getting fresh air and moving their bodies. They chose to e-bike rather than drive. Maybe they have health issues, can’t bike uphill or go long distances, or simply enjoy the features the bike offers. The e-bike has given people the freedom to bike anywhere — and that’s a good thing. It’s not a war or race between e-bikes and manual road, mountain, hybrid, or commuter bikes — they each have different benefits.

My proud e-bike owner and dear friend let me try out their bike. It’s a fun toy to use, and I can see why people embrace the joy of riding one. I won’t be buying one anytime soon as I prefer manual bikes — but I do love the power of the throttle, the look, and the speed of the e-bike— wow!

And when my friend said, “Wow, Mary — you look HOT riding the e-bike!” — I couldn’t resist using that as inspiration for the title of this story.

We’re open for submissions and invite you to submit to the current August Monthly Challenge “Toys” this month, led by Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles. Can you tell a story in six words encompassing “Toys” inspired by a photo taken by yourself?

Big hugs to my amazing co-editors, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, and Sandi Parsons.

Tagging contributors and new writers added to this publication to submit to the August “Toys” prompt. The deadline to submit is NOON, Pacific Standard Time, Thursday, August 31, 2023.

A. Grace Aimée Gramblin Alexander (Alex) Allisonn Church Amanda Jean Amethyst Qu Amy Rosie Anandhi Palaniappan Anne Bonfert arun ASGARALY LOULOUA Aussie Blogging B A Little B.R. Shenoy Bearded Anon Betsy Denson BichoDoMato Bingz Huang Britta Ollrogge Brooke Kochel RNBryan Dijkhuizen C.A. Jaymes Carlos Garbiras CARMEN F MICSA, MA in English Catherine Dunn Charlene Marron Charlie Cole Ching Ching Chris Shafer Christina Christopher Robin Cindy Shore Smith Cindy S. Yantis Crystal A. Walker Daniel J Klein David Acaster Deborah Camp Dennett Denise Darby Dhallia Diana Lotti Divina Grey Dr. Gabriella Korosi Dr. Preeti Singh Dunelair Eira Braun-Labossiere 🌻 Elder TaoistElin Melaas Ellie Jacobson Emma Tiger Lee Erika Burkhalter Francine Fallara Franzi Kinzel frnkflwrs Gauri Sirur Gustavo Mendez Hollie Petit, Ph.D. Ilis Trudie Palmer Ian Hanson Indra Raj Pathak JF Danskin James Jordan Jason Edmunds Jay Krasnow Jaylee Reign Jill (Conquering Cognitions) Jillian Amatt — Artistic Voyages, JoAnn Ryan John Dean Juanita Nieuwoudt Judy Walker jules Hora Katemiya K. Barrett K. Joseph KM Bernard Kan Kante Hsieh Kaori Mitsui Karen Schwartz kasey sparksKasturi Patra Kathryn A. LeRoy Kelly Eden keith kennedy Kevin Alexander Kim Baker Kim McKinney Kim Zuch Krasi Shapkarova Kris Bedenian Kris Cochran Krystal Ksena Stone L Burton Laura Belle Laura Lind Leese Wright Linda Acaster Linda J Kohler Lisa McAully Lwazi Mahgol J Makena Darya Malini Mani Goel Maria Rattray Marie Jones Marilyn J Wolf Mary Ingram Melanie J. Mia Verita Michael Burg, MD (Satire Sommelier), Michael Shook Michelle March Michelle Noël Motaz Mohamed Nancy Blackman, MASF, NancyO nareeta martin Napoleon Nicole Anders Nicki J Nishan Fuard Olga Iudina Olive Wilson Osan Fernando Patricia Haddock Paul Gardner Pene Hodge Penny Grubb pockett dessert P. L. GoawayPulpo Viejo Que Sarah Sarah 🌴 R. du Plessis Rachella Angel Page Raine Lore Randy Runtsch Reginald Ben-Halliday Rhonda Carrier Robin James Robin Oakman Rodrigo S-C Ronald C. Flores-Gunkle Rosalind Pagan Rubaiyat Rahman Rusty Alderson Sally Prag Sandi Parsons Sanghita Pal, Sara Wade Gray Sharing Randomly Shereen Bingham Shubha Apte Stacy Johnson Stephanie Gruner Buckley Stephanie Hilborn Stephanie Tolk Stephen Reed Stuart Aken Susan Alison Susan FosterSusan Scandiffio Tabula Rasa Tara Desai PhD Tim Reed Toni GreathouseToni Hayes Tooth Truth Roopa Vikesh Trista Signe Ainsworth Uchechi Ihebom Umme Salma Valerie Delzer Vashni Stories Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles Vishal Mehta Walkey walkey Warren Turner Wendy Scott Wendy Snyder Will Hull Sandi Parsons Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles

Lynn L. Alexander, Newfound Girl, Bob Palin, Mystical Aries, Nalanda — Travel/Stories/Personal Effectiveness, Janice Gill, Marcus, Melanie LeGrande, Victoria Hydes, Charlene Ann Mildred, Jake FM, Jane Trombley, Jewel Allen, SteviLeeAlver, S.K. Shandlin, Rick Allen, Dede Pajibo, Joy Phillips, Joyce Nielsen, Mary B, Lalitha Brahma, Victoria Ponte, Jennifer Marla Pike, Derek Reinhard, Michele James Roberts, FranMorelandJohns, Aaron Paulson, Tamara Low, Brenda Mahler, Not Official Photographer, Diane Lyons, Erie Astin, Rover Dave, Ms. Mischievous 😉, Belcairn, Juanita writes Fiction, Michelle Jimerson Morris, Rhobeau, Julia A. Keirns, Walter Pop Matthews IV, Jenny Austria, Julia A. Keirns, Tim Reed, Seymour Toa, Drake Scott, K. Joseph, jules — Miz Mindful, @EyeshaBee, Stephen Nett, Stephanie Tolk

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About the writer

Mary Chang is a writer, creator, and editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication. She’s also a parent and fitness enthusiast who loves creating monthly challenges. Fueled by cartwheels, cold open water swimming, and the power of grit. Defying and embracing middle age.

Check out Mary’s new series, “The Fun & Funny Fitness Bitch!” She’s putting together her fitness adventures and experiences over the past four years into a series for 2023. Find all stories in the series to date here.