This "Pentagear" personal icon of mine was inspired by one of my last vacations in Portugal where my family originates from. I visited a number of historic sites and learned ropes adorning Portuguese architecture are used to symbolize the nautical history Portugal has in navigating sailing ships around the globe. On my return to the United States I used this imagery in designing the Pentagear by interlacing an endless rope across the bolt holes of a bicycle's chain ring. The incorporation of the ropes symbolizes the ties I have to my parent's history of immigrating across the Atlantic. Meanwhile the chain ring represents my own extreme usage of cycling as a means of transportation with respect for the sailing ships of the past.