Archive for December, 2008
You can say that again
They are talking about the addiction to oil, ¿verdad?
–Erik Ryberg
24 hours to go . . .
I have about 24 hours left to get this ice-bike. I hired a welder yesterday to build me one, and a carpenter to build the platform. Total for labor and materials is less than U.S. $100.00. Whether these fellows will really be able to finish the job in time is kind of up in the [...]
Read More..>>Still hot on the trail of the fabled ice-bike, and making progress!
After a few days of the trail going cold, I ran into this fellow. He was really helpful and talkative, but unfortunately he spoke so quickly I didn’t understand much of what he said. However, he did get me pointed in the right direction.
Better still, I have successfully enlisted the aid of a local in [...]
Ever seen one of these?
It´s a front-wheel drive recumbent!
Or how about an I-beam bike frame? Seems there a lot of home-built machines here in Mexico.
-Erik Ryberg
Read More..>>Mexico City Sunday Morning Bike Rides
I just got back from the best bike ride of my life.
Every Sunday, Mexico City closes down the entirety of Avenida Reforma between the huge city park and downtown. I knew about this and headed out to ride it. I thought it astonishing that the City would close an eight-lane boulevard that crosses the city [...]
Behold . . . The Bronco
I bought a bike yesterday. It is called a “The Bronco All-Steel Bicycle.” It is several sizes too small, is geared way too high, and it has the least comfortable seat I have ever encountered. I love it. I should have bought one days ago.
Riding a bike in Mexico City is, shall we say, invigorating. [...]
For the really heavy work . . .
They use super heavy-duty cargo bikes here to transport water. I have seen as many as fifteen five-gallon jugs full of water in one of these bikes (that´s 600 lbs!). They use motorcycle wheels in the front.
These things make the cargo bikes that Lauren, Leif and I have brought to Tucson look flimsy.
–Erik Ryberg
Read More..>>Still nothing . . .
After early progress I find myself with nothing. My hunt today took me to the newspaper district, where I was told there was a fellow who could help me. But it was a no good.
However, I was happy for the chance to go through this area. It is bustling with activity and many of the [...]
Still on the hunt
As for the ice bike, I remain on the hunt. Four years ago when I first noticed them, these things were all over the market areas, but then they began to disappear and now it takes quite a bit of stalking to find one. Ice is now delivered in little three-wheeled motorized vehicles [...]
Read More..>>Bicycles in Mexico City
One of the first places I always go whenever I visit Mexico City is the Alameda, a large park full of benches, trees, and street vendors. At one end of the Alameda is the Palacio Belles Artes, a giant museum and auditorium whose architectural virtues I have yet to come to terms with, but it´s [...]
Read More..>>