Heya Folks,
This week I discovered the perils of buying a bicycle in Hanoi. I had been wondering why there were so many repair stalls at the side of the road. Then this week, after a series of bicycle misadventures, I discovered why.
I have already become proficient at reattaching my chain, having to do so in around one out of every three journeys. Twice this week my pedal has fallen off mid-cycle; luckily there have always been bicycle tecchies nearby who can reattach for 20,000 dong. On sunday my chain snapped altogether, and it took nearly half an hour for the local repair shop (read: man sitting at a streetside cafe) to dismantle the wheel and put it back together. Unfortunately in doing so, he loosened the brake cable, and I had ventured less than 50 yards before I found myself in the terrifying situation of hurtling towards a busy intersection with no way of stopping! After removing the bottom layer of my flipflops by skidding to a standstill, I walked it back to the shop for yet more repairs before cycling tentatively home.
The cherry on the bicycle cake came yesterday morning, when I got a puncture on the way to work leaving me late for class, and a further 20, 000 dong poorer. It's only slightly irritating to see vietnamese ladies cycling past on rusty rickety bikes which never seem to break down ever! I should have gone with my usual preferences of retro over brand-new and bought a second-hand bicycle which has already proved its longevity. However, it seems to be working alright for the minute, so fingers crossed!
SarahHeadsEast xx
Like this Post?
More bicycle tales, and a picture, here
1 comment:
20.000dong per week is not a cheap bike. oops. Bike techy plus the necessary five watchers and commentators dont come cheap! Best of luck this week. And I am amazed the flipflops had anything in the way of tread anyway. They dont know. Meanwhile the binwar in Ilfracombe gardens continues.....
Post a Comment