Bikes

Finally... after weeks, well two weeks, I have found a bike. I bought it last Wednesday. Essentially, it came down to word of mouth. My friend Lukas got this number from a girl he knows, she said call this guy 'Jos' the bike guy, he'll hook you up with a bike for 25 euro, and the lock is 12.50 euro. This sounded too good to be true. But, sure enough Lukas shows up with his new bike, a nice looking bike I might add too. He said it was legit. So, I am on the phone with this guy for 3 days trying to get a bike. Finally.... I call him in the morning Wed, and he says call me at 5pm tonight. I called him at 5pm and he had one bike... this was good for me, however, my roommate needed one too. I should mention, I just awoke from a mid-day nap, resulting in the residual rosy cheeks and slight disorientation. However, I managed to get up and find the place from the hand drawn map within the hour.

Jos is quite the character, he is an older Dutch man with an earring and a tattoo that makes me think he was once in the Dutch Mafia. Or, something along those lines, it was a branding of a sort, or his wife's name. Personally, my over-active imagination sides more with the former. Despite, this he is actually quite a nice fellow. He shows me my bike, and tells me he can fix it up no problem, and if there are any problems come back. The bike is 25 euro which is a steal(not literally), because all the other students have been paying 50 and up for their bikes. Also, the lock which is quality and sold in the stores for 25 euro is only 12.50. Bargain, cha-ching. Turns out that he has some bikes stowed away, and a little touch up means that Ania is able to get a bike too. Both of our bikes are too big for us. Fully extended, I am on my tip toes when the bike is stationary. The bike is fully loaded-it has a bell, a light and 1 1/2 working brakes-I am not about to be picky after searching for so long. After about 45 minutes there, Ania and I pay Jos and we are on our way with our new bikes. It's a good thing I practiced so much on the seawall riding my bike and such.

Holland is built around the bike. The bike takes precedence on the road, they have their own lanes and lights, and generally bikers will run pedestrains down, or make you feel incredibly guilty for being on 'their' path. Rightfully so, I suppose. Everyone rides bikes here, actually the second day at my place, I saw an elderly man get hit by a car on his bike (he seemed ok, anambulance came for him), that made me want to google the accident rate of bikes and cars in Holland. Parents ride with a kids on the front and back, or in little carriage contraptions at the front of the bike. Today, I saw a mother with a newborn strapped to her front riding, ONE HANDED. No one wears helmets, unless they are into 'cycling'.

Biking in Holland is a must though, it makes you feel more integrated in the culture. I think I am doing well. I use my bell frequently now, and I am fiercely protective of my bike. In Holland, people pay more for their lock than the bike. The rate of bike theft is very high. Loads of 'junkies' sell bikes really cheap, but recently police have gone under cover dressed as 'junkies' and arrested unsuspecting patrons (usually exhcange students) for purchasing illegal bikes. I do think that Jos is legit, I think junkies sell him the bikes, or even the police.

So far, biking has been great, getting around by bike takes single minutes versus walking which can take you into the double digits. I am going to buy a little baggage attachment for my bike so I put my groceries, and what-not in it while I am riding around. Also, that little rack at the back of the bike duals as a second seat for a passanger. I haven't riden on it yet.... but I have every intention of hitching a ride soon enough.

For now, that is my intro to biking culture and my experience with bikes in Holland. Gotta love it.