a bike... at last

i love riding a bike. a good bike that is. one with gears and brakes that work.
i wasn't very impressed with the one speed chinese bikes in the supermarkets and the "mountain" bikes had their pedals put on backwards and non-functioning brakes, while still new in the store!

so, as i was walking into a nairobi shopping mall, and i saw a group of guys leaning on specialized bikes, outfitted with helmets and all, i just had to ask where they got their bikes. they looked at me suspiciously but finally gave me the number of their "manager." i found out later that they initially thought i wanted to accuse them of stealing bikes!

i got in touch with "the manager" who happens to be one of the few professional cyclists in kenya (david kinja) and we met at his "shop/house." i was practically drooling on the array of bikes, all used bikes non longer considered worthy by their owners from north america and europe. i chose a blue and white GT frame and he set about overhauling it for me. i certainly paid more than i would have in canada, but hey, the thing took a 10,000km boat trip to get here!

in january i was able to load it on a plane and bring it back to eldoret with me. it feels so good to ride a bike around the village, flying by the men as they are pushing their one speed bikes up the hills. but i do smile and wave:-)

i look forward venturing out more! i don't dare leave it anywhere though as it kind of stands out and kids like to play with it during church... but my kenyan father (Baba) was very impressed with it and was so surprised that he could lift it up with only one hand!!

my Baba (kenyan father) takes it for a test spin. i am
pretty sure he wanted to keep it.

my village vehicle. hopefully it copes well in the rainy season!