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 papers are delivered in bulk to their destinations by bicycle. I was never quick enough to get a photo of one of these bikes loaded up (my digital camera refuses to take a picture on command) but it is astonishing how high they can load the things. The district contains the offices of all the major newspapers and has enormous old printing presses sitting outside their doors. Everywhere run ink-stained people. The industry seems to be doing pretty well here in Mexico.
Those packets of newspapers in the photo above will be loaded on that bike (one at a time) and transported somewhere in the city.
As for my search for the ice bike, I’ve struck out with the bike shops and have commenced asking random strangers if they know where I can get one of these ice bikes. (If this narrative confuses you, start with the postings below.) I’ve been carrying around a picture and showing it to people. Most look at me like I am out of my mind, a few react with scorn. The remainder regard me with immense pity.
I find it impossible to believe there is not a street market somewhere in town that has used bike parts, but when I ask, no one can think of one. Could it be I will return empty-handed?
By the way, some of the prices for bike parts here make BICAS look expensive. Single-speed freewheels cost about a buck twenty-five. Seats are three bucks. Aluminum mustache bars are four bucks.
How anyone can make a freewheel for $1.25 is beyond me.
–Erik Ryberg
January 7th, 2009 at 2:38 am
I really like those gum-colored tires, rod brakes, and the radial front wheel on that bike in the picture. Pretty cool features for being such a seemingly common bicycle.