Things you see while cycling

I prefer to move around on a bicycle as it gives you the liberty to stop and observe things. Like I halted at this bridge to take in the nature and the activities around it.

That is when I saw this great Egret trying his hand at fishing. He did try a couple of times and the success rate was something like one in five.

There is this big park with a water body and an excellent cycling/jogging track around it. (Volkening Lake) Suits me fine as one lap around the lake adds a km to my daily target of pedalling.

You get to see many activities over here, like this man trying his hand at fishing.

He must be good at it as I did see his catch on my third lap.

You keep meeting joggers and fast walkers who are regulars over here.

I saw these young cycle enthusiasts who were trying to help each other in fixing a stuck bike

There is some exercise equipment fixed over there and at times one gets to see it in use.

It may be someone performing solo or maybe a group of students from the school nearby.

There are some who like to paint and the pretty flowers get transferred to their canvas

The thrill of maneuvering a sailboat with a remote is something different. I stopped to capture a bunch of enthusiasts having a gala time.

Spoke to one of them and he confirmed that there are no motors on them to propel them forward. It was just wind power and how you flip the sails that gives it direction. I was really fascinated by their skill, and their dedication to meet on a daily basis to enjoy the sport.
I had enough footage to make it into a ten minute video.
If you are lucky you get to see a variety of birds, like this blue heron was flying very close for a good shot

or this black bird in the bulrushes daring me to come any more close to him (probably he has a nest somewhere close by)

While pedalling alongside the main road, I observed these postal delivery vans zipping past, the only vehicles I noticed in the US with right hand drive.

They were perhaps so designed so as to allow the driver to get in and out without the fear of the oncoming traffic (where there are no road dividers) It also gives access to the postmen to reach the roadside postbox without alighting.

All that is mentioned above is capsuled into a short video so that you can see some of the action.
Then there are things that make you think from the design point of view, like why do some benches have only one armrest ?

World Bicycle Day

June 3rd happens to be World Bicycle Day

Many all over the world can't freely participate in a rally or race due to the Covid19 restrictions that are still in place in some countries. 

The present bicycle has evolved after many trial and error methods during the course of time.

In the olden days the cycles had dynamos. The power generated by it was good enough for the head lamp to light up the road, but the flip side was that it reduced your speed due to the friction of the dynamo on the tyre.

Nowadays you get the strap on headlamp which is more powerful and can be recharged in an hour or so with a USB cable.

You can easily remove it from the handlebar by which the fear of theft can be eliminated.

On a day to day use it was more practical to transport things, like these workers transporting broom.

If you have the right cargo basket you can transport heavier and bigger items

Or a simple basket to transport bakery items.

Whoever thought of this idea of converting a clog into a carrier (pic by  Henk Overbeeke)

Many use the bicycle as a decorative piece for their shop.

Someone had some good design skills to come up with this design as a bike rack (pic by Brian Cairns) 

Or as an architectural piece to decorate their terrace.

The health benefits of cycling is something that cannot be ignored and this picture explains it well.

The best way to encourage children in cycling is to teach them at an early age.

Taking them for a joy ride is another way.

Safety should be the first priority when you try to transport more kids.

Some countries encourage cycling by providing cycles on hire from point A to point B. It is a win win situation for both the government and the citizens.

In some countries cycles are very popular but they also have the perennial problem of cycle parts getting stolen.

A couple of decades ago one needed a permit to drive a cycle on the roads which had to be renewed every year. In the late sixties that was abolished. The common sparrow taking a break.

Before you venture out make sure that all the nuts are properly tightened. Once I lost my side stand because I ignored the loose nut fastening it and the stand fell off somewhere along the way !!

Don't feel shy to show the age old hand signals. Who knows, it may save you from a broken limb. (Pic by Richard)

If you are venturing out alone, carry some ID. In case of any eventuality, they will know whom to contact.

A simple sketch for those who want to try it out.

Avoid showing antics on the road or sidewalk. It is risky for you as well as for the pedestrians.

The pom pom horn on the cycle has been replaced by the tring bell which is more effective.

Tandem cycling is another option and it is fun when there are two on a cycle. Reminds me of the song by Nat King Cole - Daisy Daisy, on a bicycle built for two.

Another picture of Tandem cycling where the photographer Mary Kay Nitchie has succesfully done a pan shot.

I have seen the bride's entry in different forms, like in a car, or a motorbike or in a buggy, but yet to see one come on a bicycle.

Or the bride and the groom taking off on a bicycle.(Pic by Sven)

If it is Christmas season then we can make it a little colourful.(Pic by Sean)

The happy happy stuffed toys and the sunlight makes this lively but the addition of the cycle gives it a sense of motion, as if to say "we are going places" (Pic by Albert)

It is nice to see a family pedaling down the road together. This was clicked in Central Park in May 2021 by Lardfr1

Romance is always in the air, be it in Black & White or in colour (Pic by Ian Spoard)

Allow your child to cavort on the cycle with his/her friends. They will have memories which will be cherished for a lifetime.(Pic by Rex Deveraturda) 

We all know how the simple cycle came to the rescue in India a few decades ago.

Finally I must say that if you have the will, then the mountain is the limit. .Photo credit Or maybe just cross the bridge and ride into the horizon (Pic by Yulia)

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