Boy on a bike (in Africa)

[tempo e tempi]

Sometimes a bike is much more than something to race or get fit on. Sometimes it's just for survival. Certainly keeps in perspective our 20 speed carbon fibre frames with titanium componentry and the drugs we take to be faster than our mates.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/article;j...09231826E8977A.w5?a=661827&f=28&sub=Columnist

 

[Barrus]

For those not on a mobile ( I couldn't open the original)
A boy and his bicycle

 

[hiero2]

Wow - double top tube. Puts me in mind of the "Buffalo" brand of bicycles I used to see in Mexico, circa 1970. You can see a similar bike here
http://www.bikejuju.com/2009/bikes-of-coba/ reportedly photo'ed by none other than Sheldon Brown.

I don't think you'll see them anymore, but they were basic, sturdy, and relatively cheap (at the time).

Similar objectives in Calfee's bamboo bike project effort. He is also focused on local sustainability.

Also, Bikes not Bombs - but I think they used to have more focus on Latin America. And, they focused on recycling bikes and parts, not creating new ones.

If I recall, interesting thing about their (BnB) effort with bikes - they had lots of usuable frames, wheels, etc. - their shortages were in "consumable" parts - cables etc (probably spokes, too). And, these shortages made the whole effort pretty difficult. I'm not sure, but I think that expense may have actually made the whole effort not much different (financially) than buying new bikes from, say, Mexico.

Good on SRAM, I wish them luck.

 

[Guttercat]

Great thread. Thanks for the link. I like what they're doing there, including adding in accountability, disarming the mysogynistic influence and corruption that runs rampant, all in order to keep the program sustainable. Sustainability in any philanthropic endeavor in Africa...is... a problem.

For another "feel good" story, visit here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/cycling-in-benin/dreaming-of-the-champs-elysees

Fantastic to read their stories. They are to cycling what the Jamaicans were to Bobsledding.