A New Set of Wheels

One thing that has become apparent during my short stay here in Beijing is that there is only so far my feet can take me.  I decided about a week ago (after 3 hours of walking to get to the subway and back and do a little shopping) that a bicycle was quickly headed to the top of my list of necessities.  But not just any bicycle would do.  My friend Laurent was looking for a beautiful fold up bike that you can take on the subway with you and even on the plane back to the states.  Those cost about 5000 RMB.  Another friend got a nice racing bike that he can take to the Olympic Stadium and ride to his hearts content.  My dream...a piece of crap bicycle with a basket, brakes that work, and a lock.  A bike that works well enough to get me to the subway station quickly...but looks rundown enough that people would not have the urge to steal it.  A bike that is cheap enough that if it gets stolen...no tears are cried.

Well, today was my lucky day.  Behold my beautiful new set of wheels

So how did I happen to get a bicycle today?  Well, I was headed to dinner when I saw Enoch coming back from class.  He mentioned his bicycle chain was broken and he was going to go get it fixed...the perfect opportunity for me to tag along and check out any bikes that the little repairman may be selling.  While Enoch was negotiating a new chain I was allowed to take the two bikes for sale out for a spin.  One did not have a basket...so it was pretty much out of the question right off the bat.  (In America I realize that baskets are almost never put on a bicycle and if they are...it almost always references a girl's bicycle or a child's bike.  However, here a basket is really essential.  When you go to the market, or to class, or even just to a friends apartment it is essential to have a place to put things that you are taking along...or have just bought.  So no basket = no sale in my book).  The other one I took out for a test drive...and I'm not sure if it was a combination of not having ridden a bike in years or perhaps the fact that the seat was way too low...but I could not ride that bike to save my life. 

However, this man was anxious for a sale so he told me to get off and he took it over and raised the seat as high as it would go.  Another test drive...and it seems like I will be able to ride it o.k. I then check out the rest of the bike.  One wheel looks pretty good...the chain looks old and rusty...but you know whatever...there's a basket...oh and wait, there is a lock that comes with the bike too.  Score.  I'm pretty sure it is a women's bicycle...but who cares.  It is exactly what I'm looking for.  It works and I would not be heartbroken if it is stolen.  (Plus...would anyone want to steal it?)  So I'm thinking about price...not sure if you are supposed to barter with this little man and his tiny little business run out of the side of a broken down van.  But I've done my research.  Enoch bought his bike here for 100 RMB plus he bought a lock for 20 RMB.  Tianwe bought her bicycle here two weeks ago for 150 RMB.  What should I pay?  I'm thinking I certainly won't pay over 150 RMB for the bicycle and lock combined.  Preferably I would like to get it down to 100-120 RMB.  So the man tells me his price.  Baa-Sure.  What?  Did I hear that right?  I ask Enoch...80 RMB for the bicycle and the lock?  I look at Enoch and say to him in English (of course)...I really never thought I'd even be able to barter it down to 80 RMB...he said he thought it was dirt cheap too.  So we decided no bartering...80 RMB seems like a good price to pay (about $12). 

It was night-time when I bought it and we hadn't eaten dinner yet so I haven't got to take it out on much of a test drive yet.  But, I have high hopes for the weekend and perhaps a bike ride to the subway station.  At any rate, I couldn't be more pleased with my purchase.  I'm excited for the opportunities it will open for me.

Zaijian,
Gary