I like to ride my Beijing Bicycle

Back in my regular coffee shop sipping a Tsing Tao after a day of cycling. My friend lent me a bicycle so after getting up pretty late- I must still be exhausted from running around in Hong Kong I went for lunch where the round lady thought it was humorous I couldn’t speak much Mandarin. Then for my daily coffee here. I set off at 3in the afternoon. Within minutes I loved it. He roads are very wide varying between 2-4 (each direction) lanes plus separate bicycle lane. No on cycles like they are rushing to get anywhere and the cars are respectful of space while crossing junctions. Since bicycle was the main form of transport for a long time and the city has given all roads a lane for bicycles, it’s considered to be another form of transport and not an annoyance to motorized vehicles as, it seems to be in most cities. I rode pretty slow in comparison to how I rode in London and Vancouver, taking in the sights and daily life which is laid back and friendly.

I stopped to check my map and ended up ‘talking’ to 2 men playing a form of chess with stones and a chalk drawn board on a square of paving on the street.

I continued on going around Houhai and Qing hai lake at dusk and it was lovely. I loved cycling around Stanley Park and around Vancouver but this was if to compare, more interesting and lively. Tourist bars lined Houhai but further north, it became more local and around the bend, old men played chess and Ping Pong and even swam in the lake. It was SO nice.

I recently purchased a EOS 1n 35mm film camera (in HK) so it has been my main shooting format and only occasionally shooting the odd digital.

From next week I am going to do some serious tourist trekking as after that, it is a week of national holiday and many Chinese are coming into Beijing and so everything will be Choca.

I spent less than £5 today on food. Lunch was less than £1 and dinner was less than £1.50. I spent more on coffee.

People are friendly and helpful, there is a diversity in ancient and modern architecture- as well as the arts, local food is cheap and good, the city’s evolution is exciting- to add to it, cycling in the city is an absolute joy and the light is strangely warm and beautiful during the day. Sometimes love has the symptom of missing that thing even if it is already present. This is part of how i feel.

A little bit from my 4 hr ride...

Houhai Lake

Drum Tower

Just by Tian 'an 'men Square.

Photos from EOS 10D and iPhone.

- J