How to buy a bike in Beijing - step 1

Well - i decided that it was time to start biking to work. However, I needed a bike. Not my Serotta. Not a mountain bike. I needed a real chinese bike - heavy, tough, and cheap.

I thought about getting a used Pigeon or other communist era bike but decided to go with a basic new Giant. Giant and Trek are the big brands here but Giant seems to be a bit more utilitarian.

Super proud of myself, I downloaded the name and phone of the store in Chinese to my ipad (my drive does not speak english). I had never been there but friends told me it was only 5 min away. Lucas and I hopped into the Minivan with our driver - Mr Duan.

To my surprise -we drove for like 45 minutes. Guess I got the wrong store. Mr Duan had to hop out and ask directions 3 or 4 times as well. We were in a VERY Chinese city outside of Shunyi where we live. Not another westerner in sight.

Finally - we got to the Giant store. Luckily, next door there were a bunch of cannons parked including shells. Lucas was certainly excited.

I found a nice cheap bike for $120 inside. However, when I asked them to come down in price (everything must be negotiated in China) they wouldn't drop a dime. I think this offended Mr Duan. He got on the phone and told me "better price - my friend --go". I figured what the hell and we got back in the car.

How to buy a bike in Beijing - step 2

After leaving the Giant store, we got back in the car and drive back to Shunyi. Lucas and I passed the time by checking out weird vehicles - like this one piled high with bottles for recycling. (the best was the day before when we saw someone walking his goat behind a motorized cart)

How to buy a bike in Beijing - step 3

So - after we drove back to our area, our driver brought us to a back alley in one of the rural "villages" of Beijing. These are the areas that nobody goes that is not local.

We pulled up to a sliding metal door, Mr. Duan honked the horn, and we drove into a dusty courtyard, driving around various small dogs rolling in the dust and barking at our tires.

Mr. Duan's friend came out and said hi (I guess - all was in Chinese). He then called someone, yelled into the phone, and the bike box behind Lucas came down the conveyor. They guys (all in offical Giant shirts) assembled the bike and let me test ride it around the dogs in the courtyard. $90 changed hands and the bike was mine - saved a whopping $30 vs the $120 retail price.

I must say, the savings wasn't huge in $$ terms but was a great experience. Also - I plan to get a nice mountain bike while here - definitely will go the wholesale route and have Mr. Duan hook me up.

How to buy a bike in Beijing - step 4

Step 4 - I became the proud owner of a 1000 lb Beijing bike. I still need to get a basket but as of next week, i am cruising to work in style.

I've been at the beach for a nice vacation before we all move back to Beijing. It has been great to see everyone - 7 weeks is way too long to be apart.

The days have been full of sun and surf. The ocean is flat as a pancake today though so it will be a recovery day.

Everything appears to be set for our trip back on the 9th. Now - off to the beach to work on my tan ....

The 798 District

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Originally uploaded by cincimakers

The last few days have been frankly tough. I've been living in a hotel for over a month and bottom line am a bit worn out and miss the family. I head back to the States on Monday tho so things will be looking up.

Today, I debated whether to just hang in my hotel room or venture out. I decided to head out and boy am I glad that I did!

I went to the 798 District - an area devoted to contemporary art galleries, art shops, and cafes. I have been to art districts before but nothing like this. Imagine 10-20 city blocks filled will alleyways and every alleyway filled with (mostly) free galleries. On top of that, put many working artists shops, nice cafes, and a kick ass vegetarian lunch for under $3.

In the 60's - this was the Bauhaus of Beijing. It has lost its anti-establishment vibe and is not bohemian like it used to be but is pretty darn amazing in my book. Supposedly the "real" artist area has moved out of the city - shall visit that someday as well. However, as an art tourist, I think this was perfect.

This is the kind of place you could spend days and days and still not see it all. Definitely will be heading back for multiple visits.

A few things I saw are at the link below. Most are statues as many galleries did not allow photos. Much much much more to see than I captured here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30443412@N08/sets/72157624395180219/

North Face Store - Beijing

North Face Store - Beijing
Originally uploaded by cincimakers

Didn't have time today but I am SO doing this - the North Face store in Beijing has an indoor ice climbing wall!