Fahrradsozialismus

Though probably a bit preachy like those “one less car” stickers, but cute nevertheless.

A physical commentary on the excess & redundancy of the technological man or just another bizarre way of propelling oneself around? Somethings are better left untread - as surprisingly stable as it appears to be.

A long time ago in a place far, far away, not so much in absolute terms, relatively speaking, I was taught to love one’s country, one’s people & the Communist Party. Looking back, as surreal as it seems today (though perhaps most people feel that way about their childhoods), there is something to be said about having had some absolute ideals to look forward to – if it could be perpetuated. People deal with disillusionment differently. In addition to the inevitable bitter cynicism, I reconciled myself by embracing further the ideals regardless of the ironic reality under which they were propagated, along with the imageries associated with it.

Indeed the notion that morality exists only because of immorality, that the seemingly dichotomous values simply could not exist without one and other can perhaps be regarded as a limitation of language, but unfortunately it also means that it is something innate in human beings. Same reason why I adore so many things anachronistic perhaps, for the harsh realities represented is dampened by the passage of time, and it is easier to have fanciful notions about, no matter how erroneous, for it is all introspective. I suppose it is like religion in a way, only without the reassuring conviction of things will certainly get better, but what good is wool-gathering if one can’t fool oneself.

But this is supposed to be about my current commuter bike. One of the first I stripped & built up again from bits & pieces. There’s nothing even remotely prestigious about its pedigree, nor is it an exemplar of Chinese workmanship (sadly an oxymoron these days). but I still love it, that’s what silly sentimentalism is all about, right?

Started off as an old roadie I scored off eBay for $10, the frame is rather small even for my Lilliputian stature, making it a perfect conversion to an upright commuter, as the stand-over height is lower.

The paint job is nothing to write home about, I simply stripped the top coat and a few minor rust spots off with a hand sander, skipping random hard-to-get spots & whenever I got bored of sanding. First a spray of undercoat white, then topped off with glossy black. Of course it doesn’t compare with sandblasting & a proper paint job, but it doesn’t seem to chip easily and much easier to recoat if it does.

The components came off a few different bikes, the only new part being the bottom bracket, as you basically don’t have to worry about sealed bottom brackets once there are mounted. The great thing about bicycles is its serviceability. Even a mechanical retard like myself could get most parts onto a bike without too many expletives simply by looking at how it is mounted on existing bikes. Along with internet guides like Sheldon Brown & Parktools, most tuning can be performed at home if you have the right tools (easily the most expensive part of putting together a bike from old bits & pieces).

Being my main utility bike, its cargo capacity is of great concern, I have experimented with many configurations, and finally settled with the current setup. I dislike most modern panniers simply because of their deliberate “outdoor” appearance – though admitted there are some nice canvas & leather ones to be had albeit at a considerable price. I also wanted something that’s permanently attached to the bike so I don’t have to lug it around. The two baskets can handle most things I carry around on a daily basis, but in the rare occasions when more space is needed, I adapted one of those pensioner’s trolley bags by removing the wheels & clamping it to the rear rack.

And the pièce de résistance, “subtle” communist propaganda reading “East wind crushes West wind” as a head-badge. Politically incorrect in so many ways but nevertheless an attractive design radiating that conviction so common in socialist contrsuctivist art.

It still lacks the traditional full chain guard for that classic look, but they are hard to come by. Perhaps it is just petty attachment to classical aesthetics, but I can’t see why utility bikes such as these are no longer readily available in Australia. The decline of the bicycle as a mode of transportation here is certainly a factor, but there still are bikes called “commuters” or “hybrids” which seem to be the closest thing most bike shops would actually stock that fills this niche market - though these usually do not come with mudguards, racks or lights as standard, and since they are such “specialised” units, the final price bracket is closer to the low-end racing bikes than the K-mart specials. It is hard to imagine these would cost more to produce & import than the cheap mountain bikes which dominate the mass market, and are infinitely more suitable for urban riding, especailly as commuters.

Captures perfectly the holier-than-thou elitist attitude too often associated with anyone who consider their intellectual, moral & spiritual superiority a scientific fact (i.e. pretty much everyone) simply due to their supposedly progressive approach to life, and particularly acute in some pseudo-retro-progressivists. Indeed I must admit that to some I myself must be gulity of it too, but at least I realise (or at least I hope I realise) the ionee of it all.

German ridefastmake 1800 speedhaste, Selflive doubleplusgood

Though without full knowledge of the affair about initial agreements & settlements from both sides it is unwise to make any comment, but it is a proud tradition to root for the underdogs regardless of legal & moral correctitude - though one could always argue about what can be construed by the term “underdog” and its specific interpretation under this particular circumstance, but such things should come from the heart, not the mind.

It is not too often (or perhaps it is not often enough) you see such defiance against the currents of globalisation where profit reigns supreme. Of course conditions of the workers in mass manufacturing plants in developing countries are bettered in absolute terms, and the economic progress & social stability implied by such inflows of foreign capital does wonders for market confidence, so that they too can one day become a developed nation, so it all seems like a win-win situation. But without even suggesting the neo-impreialist undercurrent of such mode of development & the inherent condescension of the morality behind it, the smaller manufacturers in the developed world are also direct victims. Call it petty provincialism, but keeping local things local has its quaint charms.

Civic to Conder via Weston. Good commuter route for those living in Weston to Tuggeranong. Also a good alternative route to the City going passed the scenic Molonglo River instead of via Woden.

Tour de Aldis! If you must have weird & wonderful German candies from all of the ACT Aldi stores in one day (or other equally legitimate reasons), knock yourself out.

I’ve always wanted one of these dutch workcycles, they look great, and can carry pretty much anything you throw at it. They are the perfect solution if you have small kids or have extreme cargo needs. I was delighted to see something similar today on my way home from the City, I’ve always thought these types of trikes would be quite wide, but in reality they take up little more space than a normal bike, and certainly no more room than a recumbent trike you often see in Canberra.

The Trike is an Christiania from Copenhagen, available in Australia from PS Bikes.

On a somewhat related note, saw this video on the development of bicycle infrastructure in Copenhagen over 40 years, some very heartwarming comments by the commuters, as well the cute, inescapably Scandinavian accent.

In stark contrast, another great cycling culture - the Chinese, especially in cities like Shanghai & Beijing, is slowly marginalising cyclists in favour of automobiles. Bikes are no longer allowed on many of the roads, and existing dedicated cycle lanes are either removed or narrowed in order to accommodate the exponentially increasing traffic burden. There are even some academic studies (not surprisingly funded by an auto company) suggesting that bicycles are a cause of major traffic congestion, and even recommending the reduction of bicycle use. It is true that traffic regulations are often taken as subtle suggestions by many road users, unfortunately a phenomenon witnessed in many other aspects of life as well in China, but it is ludicrous to even suggest that bicycles places a heavier burden on traffic conditions than cars. It may be a sign of progress where more and more people are able to afford private cars, but it is sad to see the loss of one of the things worth preserving.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Melba to Civic via Jamison. Obviously not the best commuting route if you live in Melba, but a great way for getting into Civic if you live on the Southern side of Lake Ginninderra. The route is quite scenic once outside of Cook, and convenient for shopping in Jamison.

Civic to Tuggeranong and Woden. The route takes you right pass Woden Plaza & Tuggeranong Hyperdome, and the cycle paths are quite good for either commuting or exercise. Lake Tuggeranong is small but quite beautiful. Taking the path along Erindale Drive instead of Lake Tuggeranong gives you some variation.