Location: Indonesia
Facebook Post: To my sewing friends and biking buddies who don't have the time for both...your excuses are gone.
This picture took several months to get. It piqued my curiosity but I didn’t think about picture until I nearly reached the office which was too late. I kept retracing my steps in hopes that I’d find it for the BLT photo opportunity. I've been looking for this guy for a long, long time. I kicked myself for not taking a picture. I saw this guy a few other times but didn’t think about taking a photo until he passed. I'd forgotten about it. I was walking home from work and the rest is photographic history. Sometimes, you get lucky.
1 / 27
2 / 27
Location: Indonesia
A local drink wagon. The packets are drinks; coffee, tea, fruit, cup of noodles...mix it and sell it to those who can’t take a break from their jobs.
A local drink wagon. The packets are drinks; coffee, tea, fruit, cup of noodles...mix it and sell it to those who can’t take a break from their jobs.
3 / 27
Location: Morocco (1/2)
4 / 27
Location: Morocco (2/2)
On a previous project, a term I’d never heard in the context it was used was 'sustainability'. A simple definition would be ‘at one with the environment’. In other words, living and causing no damage to the environment. How about this for an entry?
I was sitting at one of my usual lunch spots when a guy pulls up on his bicycle, walks in, and walks out of the kitchen with their knives. He sits on his bicycle and starts sharpening them...on his bicycle. Check out the photo. He made a special stand to support his weight holding the bike stationary. Sitting backwards pedaling on the bike, he sharpens the knives. The key to the works is a rubber belt wrapped around the bike tire connected to the shaft that propels the grinding wheel. Talk about being environmentally friendly. He doesn’t burn an ounce of gas going to work! He wouldn’t let us photo him while working but he would allow us to picture his bike. The added components to his workshop; the grinding table mounted to a rack on the back, tool box mounted to a front bike rack, a bigger seat, and the retractable stand that allows him to pedal while holding the bike upright.
On a previous project, a term I’d never heard in the context it was used was 'sustainability'. A simple definition would be ‘at one with the environment’. In other words, living and causing no damage to the environment. How about this for an entry?
I was sitting at one of my usual lunch spots when a guy pulls up on his bicycle, walks in, and walks out of the kitchen with their knives. He sits on his bicycle and starts sharpening them...on his bicycle. Check out the photo. He made a special stand to support his weight holding the bike stationary. Sitting backwards pedaling on the bike, he sharpens the knives. The key to the works is a rubber belt wrapped around the bike tire connected to the shaft that propels the grinding wheel. Talk about being environmentally friendly. He doesn’t burn an ounce of gas going to work! He wouldn’t let us photo him while working but he would allow us to picture his bike. The added components to his workshop; the grinding table mounted to a rack on the back, tool box mounted to a front bike rack, a bigger seat, and the retractable stand that allows him to pedal while holding the bike upright.
5 / 27
Location: Tanzania
A three-wheeled bike for the handicapped...note the hand-crank steering.
A three-wheeled bike for the handicapped...note the hand-crank steering.
6 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
7 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
The classic Chinese bike...the flying pigeon. Complete with hand brakes (tubing...not cable like most hand brakes), padlock, fenders, and one speed, it’s perfect for the pool table flats of Beijing China. Retail cost is about $40. You can add a baby seat to the frame between the handlebars and the saddle and a rack on the back (like the one shown) and a family of three has a mode of transport. I’m serious...this does happen in reality.
I’ve seen the pigeon with a frame and a 55 gallon drum attached to the frame. They haul and heat yams and sell them on the sidewalk. The parking lot attendant has a box on the side and paints his a bright yellow.
The classic Chinese bike...the flying pigeon. Complete with hand brakes (tubing...not cable like most hand brakes), padlock, fenders, and one speed, it’s perfect for the pool table flats of Beijing China. Retail cost is about $40. You can add a baby seat to the frame between the handlebars and the saddle and a rack on the back (like the one shown) and a family of three has a mode of transport. I’m serious...this does happen in reality.
I’ve seen the pigeon with a frame and a 55 gallon drum attached to the frame. They haul and heat yams and sell them on the sidewalk. The parking lot attendant has a box on the side and paints his a bright yellow.
8 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
The Chinese equivalent to the family pickup. Three wheels, single speed, and hand brake, you can fit a family of three on one of these. The boss bought one of these to tote his family of three kids on Sundays when his driver is off.
❮
❯
Here's some pictures of unusual/exotic bicycles I've seen or owned over the many years I've worked abroad. The majority have been posted around my web site over the years but I have consolidated them in these posts.
9 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
The ultimate Chinese workhorse. Equipped similarly to the previous photo, it has a heavy duty brake. Most of the time, you see these in a rusted state, flat tire(s), and chain sagging about three to four inches. It’s not uncommon to see this one hauling people, bikes, or stacked with junk bigger than the driver. Some folks even attach gasoline engines to them so they don’t have to pedal. Beijing outlawed trucks, except busses, between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00. This created the need for something to transport goods to the various businesses including ours. Frankly, in China, if you have a bike, you can get a job doing something.
The ultimate Chinese workhorse. Equipped similarly to the previous photo, it has a heavy duty brake. Most of the time, you see these in a rusted state, flat tire(s), and chain sagging about three to four inches. It’s not uncommon to see this one hauling people, bikes, or stacked with junk bigger than the driver. Some folks even attach gasoline engines to them so they don’t have to pedal. Beijing outlawed trucks, except busses, between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00. This created the need for something to transport goods to the various businesses including ours. Frankly, in China, if you have a bike, you can get a job doing something.
10 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
The next four photos are adaptations of the previous photo.
The next four photos are adaptations of the previous photo.
11 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
12 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
To me, this is the scary one. These suckers haul garbage...like restaurant waste that’s probably going to end up as animal slop. They reek to high-heaven. It would be the equivalent to riding on the back of a garbage truck. Even scarier is that I’ve seen people riding on the bed behind the garbage container...fragrant to say the least.
To me, this is the scary one. These suckers haul garbage...like restaurant waste that’s probably going to end up as animal slop. They reek to high-heaven. It would be the equivalent to riding on the back of a garbage truck. Even scarier is that I’ve seen people riding on the bed behind the garbage container...fragrant to say the least.
13 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
14 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
Believe it or not, this is a kitchen. Inside, you will find a large diameter hotplate over a charcoal. The stove cooks a pancake, egg (I get 2), pepper, pepper sauce (choice of 3-4 different sauces…I take the all)..cilantro, green onion, and a rice cake. I call it a "gut bomb"...costs about a quarter...a real gut bomb...bring your tabasco sauce.
Believe it or not, this is a kitchen. Inside, you will find a large diameter hotplate over a charcoal. The stove cooks a pancake, egg (I get 2), pepper, pepper sauce (choice of 3-4 different sauces…I take the all)..cilantro, green onion, and a rice cake. I call it a "gut bomb"...costs about a quarter...a real gut bomb...bring your tabasco sauce.
15 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
A food hauler...
A food hauler...
16 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
An upscale bicycle repair shop. The basic ones are just a stool, air pump, wrench, and rubber for patching tires used by someone who deemed that this area on the sidewalk was a perfect spot for a bicycle shop. This has an electric compressor and storage.
An upscale bicycle repair shop. The basic ones are just a stool, air pump, wrench, and rubber for patching tires used by someone who deemed that this area on the sidewalk was a perfect spot for a bicycle shop. This has an electric compressor and storage.
17 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
The classic rickshaw. Like a taxi, they are commonly found at most tourist traps. Unlike a taxi, you negotiate your fare up front as there are no standard rates. FYI, the original rickshaw with a human pulling the cart on foot was banned by the Chinese government.
The classic rickshaw. Like a taxi, they are commonly found at most tourist traps. Unlike a taxi, you negotiate your fare up front as there are no standard rates. FYI, the original rickshaw with a human pulling the cart on foot was banned by the Chinese government.
18 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
The upscale bicycle...an electric with a top speed of 12 miles per hour and a range of up to 30 miles...nope, I’m over the weight capacity of 160 pounds. Retail cost of about $300.
The upscale bicycle...an electric with a top speed of 12 miles per hour and a range of up to 30 miles...nope, I’m over the weight capacity of 160 pounds. Retail cost of about $300.
19 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
Bluelou...the uneasy rider on Kilowatts. For those wondering, I sold Kilowatts in 2007. It's hard to sell a friend but I had little time to ride when he was at home and I was working elsewhere. He went to a friend of the family.
Bluelou...the uneasy rider on Kilowatts. For those wondering, I sold Kilowatts in 2007. It's hard to sell a friend but I had little time to ride when he was at home and I was working elsewhere. He went to a friend of the family.
20 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
A classic...what dissertation about bicycles would be complete without my classic Screaming Yellow Banana? It just glistens! I still have SYB and I ride whenever I'm home.
A classic...what dissertation about bicycles would be complete without my classic Screaming Yellow Banana? It just glistens! I still have SYB and I ride whenever I'm home.
21 / 27
Location: Beijing, China
This is Big Red. I bought him in Virginia. He's been to Alaska, Alabama, Tennessee, Nebraska, Armenia, and China.
This is Big Red. I bought him in Virginia. He's been to Alaska, Alabama, Tennessee, Nebraska, Armenia, and China.
22 / 27
Location: Guangzhou, China
I bought and sold this bike in Guangzhou China. Though I didn't ride it much, it is probably one of my favorite bike styles of all time.
I bought and sold this bike in Guangzhou China. Though I didn't ride it much, it is probably one of my favorite bike styles of all time.
23 / 27
Location: Home
I bought this bike when I was in college in 1982. It's one of the original Trek bikes. Most of it is original. I still ride it. It's built for speed.
I bought this bike when I was in college in 1982. It's one of the original Trek bikes. Most of it is original. I still ride it. It's built for speed.
24 / 27
Location: Home
I bought this bike when I was in Beijing. I call it my tractor because it's so heavy. Still, it's a comfortable ride.
I bought this bike when I was in Beijing. I call it my tractor because it's so heavy. Still, it's a comfortable ride.
25 / 27
Location: Kosovo
Even heavier than the previous one...my Schwinn tank...gave it away leaving Kosovo.
26 / 27
Location: Berlin, Germany
A bicycle built for six....not far from the Brandenburg Gate
A bicycle built for six....not far from the Brandenburg Gate
27 / 27
Location: Berlin, Germany
A new version of the recumbent.
A new version of the recumbent.