This is the bike I bought on my 3rd day in Beijing. I have affectionately named him Johnny B. Goode. I have no idea why I named him Johnny B. Goode…it just sort of hit me at the right moment. I paid 330rmb for this trusty steed, which is about $51.
So, in China, bikes get stolen all the time. If your zi xing che (bike) doesn’t have a chain or locking mechanism, you can bet that it won’t be there the next time you want to use it. And if your bike is new or looks new…it’s a prime target.
So that is why I spray-painted the crap out of this thing with black and silver spray paint. I also added nice little accents like scratches in the paint and dirt-smeared splotches on the shiny spots.
That’s just a LITTLE different than how we treat our new purchases in America.
(FYI: my bike used to be bright blue)
Johnny and I have been through a lot. I’ve put thousands of miles under those crooked, fake-name-brand, yet steady tires. Or at least it feels like I have because I’m still out of shape.
Here’s to you, Johnny. May you never get stolen.
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