Dan’s bicycle symbolizes his freedom at the start of the book. He opens the book with a story about a “red-letter day” (3)—or “terrific and wonderful” day (3)—when he won a “slick new racing bike” (4). He directly compares it to a “black-letter day” (6) like June 3, when the twisters came. The comparison shows that there are few things he loves and enjoys more than his bicycle. When he drives Officer Kelly’s police car, he remembers his dad saying they both “were born on wheels” (111). Until that point, however, it’s a reference to the joy he experiences riding his bike. His plans on the day of the tornadoes include “a bike hike out to Platte River” (6) with Arthur. Although the wind is too strong that day, Dan explains that normally he and Arthur “always sprint on our bikes” (14) at Fonner Park Racetrack.

Dan spends most of the day before the twisters come riding his bike with Arthur. His bike offers him mobility, as well as quality time with his best friend. He and Arthur bike to the park, around their neighborhood, and back and forth between one another’s houses. When he and Arthur run into

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