You want to see a bit of delightful chaos?

Descend on an impoverished country that holds an exceedingly young population. Bring almost 60 nice, new bicycles. Set up a dignified ceremony involving representatives of the Afghan Cycling Federation and the “Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled.” Then try to turn over the bikes to those who are intended to receive them — a group of kids from a Kabul orphanage, and members of the Afghan National Cycling Team.

Pandemonium.

As I mentioned in my earlier dispatch, it’s one of the events that brought me to Kabul. Bicycling Magazine teamed up with Specialized (the bike company) and NATO to deliver these bikes to Afghanistan. The U.S. Air Force did the heavy lifting—literally. Two tons worth’ of bikes and assorted repair equipment. Now that they’re assembled and ready to roll, the great handover is underway.

I remember getting a new bike for Christmas as a kid. It’s a great feeling, but in a nation as rich as ours, such a thing can hardly be described as out-of-the ordinary. In the destitute place that is Kabul, handing out new bikes, no strings attached, is almost beyond comprehension– like walking up to a guy in a parking lot in our country and tossing him the keys to a Rolls-Royce.

It begins slowly enough as though no one can believe this good fortune. Suddenly it’s a free-for-all; little fingers clamping on handlebars and desperately trying not to let go. The kids are from one of the many orphanages in this country; their deceased parents, in most cases, victims of the Taliban’s vengeful rule. It’s hard to know how old the children are. Because of the harsh living conditions and poor nutrition, a 14-year-old here might appear to be ten.

I see a boy straddling one of these two-wheeled wonders and ask what he’ll do with it. “Go to school,” he declares with a grin. There simply aren’t enough schools anywhere in Afghanistan, so most kids have to walk miles to attend. A bike will make it possible for him to actually go to classes now. He’ll ride this gift from America into his future.

Is this a drop in the bucket? Yes. Five million people just in Kabul, according to the best estimates, a huge percentage of them children. Is it worth doing? The smiles of amazement on these faces tell me yes.

The cycling team is overwhelmed. They are adults, or closer to it than the orphans, but their unbridled joy is obvious. I ask why it is that the women of the team are decked out in full tracksuits on this 95-degree day. Stupid question. This is an Islamic country, after all, and they’re expected to keep their arms and legs covered at the very least. In some quarters of this city, for them to be seen riding a bicycle at all is viewed as heretical and hence, very dangerous. For them to show up, track suit or not, shows their tremendous courage. They would not be here—none of us would be here—were the Taliban still in power.

One image will remain with me for life: A man, probably 60, formally dressed in a suit and tie, could not bear to stand idly by as the children received their gifts. He hopped aboard one of the bikes and pedaled around the square, a huge smile creasing the weathered corners of his face. No doubt he has seen the worst life in Afghanistan has had to offer; forty years of war, Kabul leveled by invading armies time and time again. But on this day he is looking to his nation’s future. And on this bike, his nation’s future looks just a bit more fun.