A Boy and his Bike!

Boy and Bike

The last time I had a new bike was for my 13th birthday. It was a red Raleigh 3 speed with hand brakes. It was the cat's meow and I was very proud of it and rode it until I went off to university. After that I was home sporadically and so I didn't ride it much. I suspect I felt too old to bike and was more interested in driving cars. I know my Dad used to ride it after that and I suppose it was sold or given away about the time my Mom left Otterburn.

Forty years later and I still feel too old to bike but for different reasons. Nevertheless, I have been talking about getting a bike since I have been in Beijing. The city is very flat and a bicycle is a good way to get around. This is especially true of my current location which is not in easy walking distance of anything. However, I easily can bike to school and to get groceries and other supplies. So I decided to take the plunge with the idea that I might ship it home at the end of my stay.

My friends Darryl and Reg both have bikes and I have frequently borrowed a bike to accompany them on various excursions. Saturday was to be the day of the purchase and they accompanied me to a store where they had purchased their bikes. That store was out of stock, so we went to a nearby one and I bought there. It turned out to be a gov't owned bike shop.

Reg, Chinese lady and her son and me.

At the shop, I met a very nice lady and her son and husband who spoke English and offered to translate for me. She was an English teacher so wanted the practice for herself. Her son was 12 and also spoke very good English; he understood almost everything I said - quite impressive as he was being taught at a local school. He told me he had a cousin going to U of T and his mother hoped he could go to university in Canada as well. They were very charming and it was quite jolly. They asked me all kinds of questions about my family and my home in Canada.

I also bought a rack and a lock for the bike and had them installed. Sorry Brenda - no helmets at this shop. I'll have to look around. The whole process took close to an hour and the lady stayed close the whole time, helped me to bargain etc. I offered to buy the family a cold drink or an ice cream but they wouldn't hear of it. So Darryl took our picture and I thanked them profusely and then the boy picked up his bike which was being repaired and off we all went. Just another of those memorable encounters that are so common in China. And I am now zipping my neighbourhood on a 21 speed mountain bike. There are no mountains anywhere close but at least I'll look good jumping curbs.