BEIJING -- My bike The Gazelle is quite similar to its animal namesake. Both can go quite fast, but have severe problems coming to a quick stop.
I thought my Gazelle's problems could be fixed, so I once again returned to Bike Doctor Hu's repair shop for a tune-up. With a few twists of the wrench, Dr. Hu brought the brakes back to somewhat working condition, and moved on to more pressing topics.
"I lost your bike," he said, speaking in a slow cadence as if embarrassed at what he was admitting.
According to Dr. Hu, after I sold him the Catac last week, he left it outside his shop. The next day he returned to the shop to find the bike missing.
"So did someone steal it?" I asked.
"Maybe," Hu said, which I took to mean the Catac was stolen for a second time in less than two weeks. All this for a bike that's worth less than $10 and surrounded by thousands of other bikes that are more expensive, many without locks. How strange the world is.
I had another item of business with my favorite repairman. The Gazelle needed a bell, so that whenever someone cuts me off, I can take out my anger by making an inoffensive ringing, rather than screaming whatever Chinese profanity I learned that particular week. Dr. Hu chuckled at my request, said he could provide me with one for 4 RMB.
"I've got one for you," he said.
He made a sale.
So now, if you're ever on the Tsinghua campus and want to see my bike it's pretty easy. Just look for the one with an "I Love My Baby" bell on it.
