Our Lady of the Bicycle

Forever she bicycles, in the void without end. She pedals ever, clinging to her bicycle with long red hair streaming behind her, clad only in bravery and hope. But this is not where our tale begins.

Long ago, in the city of Avignon, the lady Amélie served in the household of the Pope - for in those times, the Popes lived not in Rome, but in Avignon. These were not Avignon's finest days, though, as the city grew corrupt under the weight of the wealth and power of the papal court. Amélie was a pure girl, untouched by the vice of Avignon. And she was revolted when an emissary of the Pope himself, touched by her beauty, demanded an assignation with her.

Amélie knew that in Avignon, there was nowhere that she could escape the Pope's demand. So she fled the city - first on foot, and then, fearing pursuit, on a bicycle given by a local shopkeeper entranced by her beauty.

Amélie fled Avignon, but she found that was not enough. Everywhere she bicycled, she was pursued by the crass and the venal, wishing Amélie to do rather improper things. And in the end, rather than sacrifice her innocence, Amélie bicycled straight off the world itself.

Now Amélie bicycles forever - in the void beyond the world, a place where time holds little meaning, she bicycles, waiting for a time when the world is pure enough to accept her. And in the meantime, we remember her - Our Lady of the Bicycle, the intercessor for any bicyclist of pure heart and good will. Forever clinging to her bicycle, in the endless screaming void.