|   A night of bikes in NYC | Wierzyman
Apr 22, 2002 8:07 AM | | This past weekend I had to head into NYC on Saturday night with my wife to take care of a few things. As we headed through Times Square on our way uptown, I began to take notice of all the bike riders who braved the city streets at night. Very few roadies remain on the streets after dark. They seem to prefer the early morning hours for their high speed romps through traffic. There were a few casual bikers in pairs who seemed to be out way later on a ride than they had planned to be. And then there was the bulk of the bikers. The delivery guys. They move in and out of traffic as if there were cabs. They pedal at an amazingly slow, yet steady cadence. Their bikes are an amazing array of creativity, and cheap abused metal. I watched them ride their bikes and took closer looks at the ones chained to poles , scaffolding and trees with 3 pound chains which they either wore around their waist or slung over a shoulder if it wasn't wrapped around the frame over the 15 layers of electrical tape. There was barely a helmet or reflector to be seen. Yet almost every bike had one common accessory besides the boat anchor type chain-a fender. The fenders were almost always homemade. They were always on the rear, but some had fashioned front ones also. The materials ranged from cardboard and plastic bags to one of the most unique ones I saw fashioned from a spare section of metal framing stud. They were fastened with wire or the ubiquitous black electrical tape. Besides the fenders, they also had a plastic bag over the seat to keep it dry, and some form of home made rack either off the back or on the handlebars. They carried pizzas, Chinese food, groceries and all other forms of packages thrown over their back or hanging off handlebars. I was amazed that some of these bikes even functioned. Cantilever brakes, some with snapped cables dangling of to the side, totally bald knobbies worn down to the casing, 6 and 7 speed cassettes spun by chains so covered with sludge it seemed like the derailleur would never be able to move them. Perhaps that is why the bulk of them seemed to pedal in gearing that did not seem appropriate for the conditions. Yet they pedaled onward. For three hours of driving and walking around the city, I saw them everywhere. Always seated, rarely getting out of the plastic covered saddle to hammer the pedals to beat a light. Weaving in and out of traffic or congregated outside of the store from which they made their deliveries.
We had to make a stop downtown by Fulton Street, so we headed down Broadway. As we drove I began to think about the bikes and compare them to mine. Icouldn't imagine riding a rusty, fully rigid Pacific or Huffy day after day. I begin to imagine putting on my brand new X.O shifters and derailleur and racing in two weeks. I was feeling great about my bike and looked at these bikes as the POS that they were. Then we were detoured off Broadway. We had gotten to Ground Zero.
We live just outside the city, and used to be able to see the WTC from our home, but no more. For weeks after 9-11 we watched the smoke rise and could smell the fires burning. Weeks later, I watched the other plane go down in the Rockaways and land in the backyard of a home I used to live in. I had no desire to view the devastation, but as we passed makeshift memorial after memorial, we just had to stop and pay our respects. It was absolutely numbing and surreal. The scene was lit by huge floodlights, so it felt like a movie set. There was a constant buzz of activity in an out of the pit. The surrounding buildings with burnt and scarred faces were covered with scaffolding and tarps as reconstruction began. They burnt smell was still there. You looked up and there was nothing. It was just empty space, but so many people had died there so suddenly, it really chilled me to the bone. As we walked back to the car, I stopped and read notes and messages left by visitors from all over the US |
| The rest of the story... | Wierzyman
Apr 22, 2002 8:09 AM | | As we walked back to the car, I stopped and read notes and messages left by visitors from all over the US and the world to the victims and their families. It was very moving. And then I saw it. A bike. So typical of the other delivery bikes I had seen all night, but this one was different. It was adorned with dead flowers and notes in English and Spanish. Mass cards and candles were on the sidewalk around it. It was coated in dust like it hadn't been moved in months. I then read the note above it which read something like this "To all the messengers who died on Sept 11th, we will never forget you" I just about lost it. I felt like a total sh-t. Here I was looking down at all the delivery bikes in comparison to my bike, and now I just got slapped in the face with reality. I felt like chucking my bike in the trash at that moment and never riding again. I ride for fun on a $2000 bike, and guys who ride for a living are scrapping together just enough funds to keep their department store bikes going. That along with todays rainy weather has really got me in a funk. Spent about three hours last night just cleaning up my garage of old bike parts and getting the rest of my families bikes ready for the upcoming season. But every part I touched kept bringing me back to that one lonely bike, that will never be ridden again, and to the person who lost their life on 9-11. I don't know who you are, but thanks for helping me get some perspective on life again. |
| Chin up Wierzy | Echo Guy
Apr 22, 2002 8:28 AM | | It's the rider formerly known as ~RaveN~.
I think 9/11 as royally fVcked everyone, especially us New Yorkers. I feel extra bad since I have not gone in to pay my respects.
There's no shame in taking pride in what you ride. I think maybe what you missed was that a lot of the delivery folks and messengers use these rickshaws because they're CHEAP and no one will want to steal them. Granted, I am GUESSING that they won't make enough to buy a $2K ride when things like rent and food are prioritized but, then again, would YOU let your bike out of your sight for a NY minute? I know I wouldn't.
Don't feel bad. Feel proud that that you've experienced such an epiphany. Know that the symbol of that abandoned bike reminded you of the essence of biking:
Two wheels, one love.
Let me know if you want to talk or when you want to catch a ride again. BTW, poigant write-up. Makes me want to do their memories justice by riding today regardless of the crappy weather.
~Echo! (formerly ~RaveN~) |
| Thanks guy... | Wierzyman
Apr 22, 2002 8:50 AM | | Did you check with the MTBR.com police to make sure a change of alias is approved? Will probably do the roller thingy in the garage again tonight given present weather conditions. If all goes well a 7:45 AM ride at Stillwell for tomorrow. Signed up for the race at Cathedral Pines on May 5th. Will be out there this weekend, hopefully, and the weekend of the race I will be out there Sat afternoon and be camping out for the night. To ride from Queens to LI on a Sunday morning and be there in time for a 9AM race just doesn't quite work for me. Let me know if you would like to camp out the night or just ride that Saturday or whatever. Keep in touch |
| Handle Police? | Echo Guy
Apr 22, 2002 8:56 AM | | Heheh.
Nah. I tried to login using ~RaveN~ but it said it was taken. I suspect the handle was taken by... ME but I'm too much of a dumba$$ to remember my password. Besides, it's time for a change.
I was debating the race but I feel like I haven't trained sufficiently and I can't get coverage for that day.
Wanna get chow Saturday night? |
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