I was just going through this lovely blog I recently started following called girls and bicycles, and came across this post.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Innovative uses of a bicycle - I (Sharpening knifes)
Mr. Kishan Yadav- the 'Dhaar Wala' (knife sharpener) came to our doorstep today morning. I had two knifes which needed sharpening so I went out to get it done.
As I shot this video, I noticed how a buffing wheel has been attached in the top tube of his simple bicycle. It is connected to a circular strip on the back wheel. He pedals his bike while on the stand and then sharpens the knife on the buffing wheel which moves quite fast.
The speed can be controlled manually by pedaling faster or slower. The technique requires a lot of practice. One must learn it the hard way. But what is life without a little hardship.
It's an old method of sharpening blades in the Indian Subcontinent, Africa and even South America, apparently. The sound of the blade being sharpened is calming at times, and can be totally maddening the other times.
But the careful concentration and calm with which Kishan Yadav goes about his business was worth seeing. Looking at knifes being sharpened was never such a therapeutic experience before...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
New beginnings
A little over a month after I bought the bergamont, the presta valve on the front tyre broke because my local bike shop guys couldn't figure out how to fill air through it. As fate would have it, I suddenly got busy with work which is finally coming my way. The combined effect of which was my bike lying idle in my stilt parking.
This went on for three weeks till Wednesday, when I decided to get it fixed once and for all.
I got the bike back last evening and planned to ride with two of my friends to Koregaon park.
It also gave me the perfect opportunity to click photos with funky effects through my new tough and water resistant phone!
We had a leisurely ride in overcast conditions and it didn't rain till we reached Koregaon Park.
After a brief water and group photo break, we rode towards Vohuman cafe for breakfast. The one time I went there, the walls were covered with baby posters. Quite creepy! This time, the walls were bare and freshly painted with beige and brown oil paint. It somehow made that place brighter than before.
Our cycles parked and chained to each other, we sat in and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of bun omelette, bun butter jam and tea as it drizzled outside. Discussing architecture for a good 20 minutes before the non architect intervened and the topic of conversation shifted to more generic themes.
After the breakfast, we decided to ride back on the river side road, which was once the subject of great controversy. But thats a thing of the past. It started drizzling, and the traffic had also increased substantially. We stopped to click photos of the Mutha river while crossing over to the other side. I saw horses grazing on the greens by the river and I had to stop to take pictures of those tall and bony white horses.
As we rode home, it drizzled a bit more, but not enough to drench us. Reached home happy to have my bergamont get back in action! Looking forward to cycling more this monsoon!
Monday, March 28, 2011
As I change the photo...
I feel thrilled! To have such a beautiful new bike - A dark grey-white Bergamont Fluxus.
On Saturday the 26th March 2011, after months of contemplating, I finally got myself the new bike!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Nothing lasts for ever but love
Two beautiful years and my sweetie still looks fresh to go. She came into my life on the 21st of march 2009. We fell in love and rode far and long. Now its time to move on...
As I set about selecting a new bike, I remember all those lovely times with my silver Lumala platina. The uphill struggle, the blissful downhill rides. The stress busting after work pedaling. Offroading on hills... the long Pune - Mangao ride and the ST bus ride back to Pune that my Lumala took better than I could. The solitary rides. Acting out videos, swaying to the music playing out loud in my headphones. The crazy 'look ma no hands' handlebar shots.
Its a special bike and shall remain so always.
What would I do with it? One year ago, a 13 year old cousin of mine asked me when I would buy a car so that he could have my bicycle. I told him that I couldn't afford a car just yet, but he could have the Lumala when I bought a new bicycle. I'm going to keep my word. and this way, I'll get to see the Lumala every now and then.
Its true when they say that nothing lasts forever... but true love.
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