Although there are many cars in Beijing, bicycling is still a very popular means of transportation,and there are bike lanes on most streets. Our friend Dave invited us to go with him to look at some as he was planning to buy one. So yesterday we walked to the subway, took the subway and then a bus and then walked again until we came to an area of the city where there were many bike shops. Dave’s brother John also came along so there were four of us.
Not only did the shops sell bicycles but also motor scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. After looking around for a while we all decided to purchase a bike for 150 RMB ($25 Canadian). By that time we were hungry and so went for lunch while they made adjustments to the bikes and added our baskets, very handy when going shopping. In a side street alley-way nearby we found a place that served Seichan food -spicy but good. A meal for the four of us including drinks cost 11RMB each, about $1.75.
When we got back to the shop our bikes were ready and we mounted our new purchases and headed for the hotel. It was the day of the Moon Festival and a beautiful day for a bike ride. We were a bit nervous at first because we hadn’t ridden bikes in thirty years, but you know what they say about learning to ride, once you do you never forget, and after a few minutes we were feeling quite comfortable. It took us about an hour to get back and we couldn’t understand the fact that there was so little traffic on the roads – either a lot of people had stayed at home for the holidays or they cleared the way for us. Either way it was an easy traffic-free trip and we arrived safe and sound at 2:30.
Dave thought it would be a good idea to go for dinner at a sidewalk restaurant not far from the hotel, and invited some other teachers as well. At 5:30 we all met and mounted our bikes for the ride to the restaurant, where we spent the next few hours enjoying the food, each others’ company and the new moon which we could see clearly on such a clear night in Beijing.
Bikes, bikes, and more bikes!
![017 [Desktop Resolution]](http://www.adventuresabroadblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/017-Desktop-Resolution-300x224.jpg "017 [Desktop Resolution]")
Dave trying to get a bargain.
Paul & John
Paul and John looking at bikes.
Dave, Paul & John:
On the road - Dave, John, and Paul
My new bike!
Paul displaying his bike riding skills.
Time for a break
John stopping for a break.
Bike riding is fun!
Kathy having a rest.
Burning off the calories before dinner:
The bike brigade heading out for dinner.
I greatly enjoy reading about your adventures and seeing your pictures. Bike riding! I can’t imagine being on a bike. It’s been years. Hope the seats are well padded. Will you be riding your bike to school? You asked me about retiring and yes I still plan to retire in June. One month down and 9 to go. Do you have any plans to celebrate Thanksgiving in China?
Take care,
Judy
If anyone had told me I’d be riding a bike through Beijing I would have said they were crazy, but here we are doing it!
The hotel is on the same grounds as the school so it takes me five minutes to get there.
The Moon Festival is China’s celebration of thanksgiving so we celebrated it Chinese style. But I would love to taste some turkey right about now. LOL
Always nice to hear from you!