My old bike had been sitting in a dusty garage for a few years. The tyres were flat, the chain was dry, and there were some cobwebs clinging around the gears. I washed it and gave it a good service, thinking, "Oh, I remember this scratch. I also got some scratches and bruises from that fall. Mine have healed, but you still have them? I’m sorry about that. You'll be my trusty bike for trips to nearby shops. I'll promise to ride carefully". With the dust was rinsed away and the chain gleaming, it looked ready for the road again.
私の古い自転車は、数年間、埃っぽいガレージで眠っていました。タイヤはペチャンコで、チェーンは乾き、ギアには蜘蛛の巣が張り付いていました。そういえばこんな傷があったな、と思いながら、洗車してしっかり整備しました。「私も、あのときの落車でキズやアザができたんだけど、私のは治ったよ。君のは治らないね。ごめんね。これから、近くのお店に行くときは、私の頼もしい相棒になってね。気をつけて乗るからね。」
埃は洗い流され、チェーンはピカピカに輝き、また走り出す準備が整ったみたいです。
You could write "When the dust was rinsed away and the chain was gleaming...", or "With the dust rinsed away and the chain gleaming..."
Thanks, @Martyn . Do I need to specify "nearby shops" with "the" in this context?
It's fine to use "the nearby shops" or "nearby shops". There's a slightly different nuance which I can explain tomorrow.
Thank you :)
Good job! Very enjoyable to read.
@Sunflower1234 I usually use British English spelling. I learnt American English at school, so I can use either style :) Thanks for your input!
Cool!