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)

Photo credit Photo credit 2 Photo credit 3

Joyce Wordsworth

In this age of texting and abbreviations that are used in the name of “communication” it is a pleasant and welcome change to hear someone speaking English, the way it is meant to be spoken. I had the privilege of meeting such a person who knows the value of the language and she is 90 years old.

Yesterday was her birthday and I was very much there to witness the sparkle in her eyes while she cut the birthday cake. I am talking about Joyce Wordsworth.

Long distance wishes

As the party progressed she saw me busy with my camera, she beckoned me and asked “so how many photos have you clicked so far? A hundred?”  

I told her “It could be a few hundreds, but more than that I have to make a confession”  Her eyes widened and she brought her ear closer to me urging me to go on. (I felt as if I was kneeling at the confessional)

I told her that I took the liberty of clicking some photographs of her house while she was busy with her guests outside in the lawns.

“Really?”

Now I was not sure if that meant “Why?”  or “ without asking me?”

So I quickly added “you see I write blogs and I feel I should write a post on you. I would like some photographs to accompany my post”

She gave me an approving nod with a smile. I told her that once it is done I would bring my lap top and show her the post.

“Yes please do that, and also tell your wife to get me that freshly baked bread that she promised me long back”

Now it was my turn to raise the eyebrows. Such sharp memory!

with her nieces and nephew

So now I have to make sure both are delivered on time. Here is a person who will not forget anything and here I am who does not remember what I did yesterday morning!!

"where is the bread?"

She was a teacher in some of the prestigious schools in Pune. Her ex-students approached her and requested her (on bended knees) to accompany them for a party in advance for her 90th Birthday. She willingly accepted and joined them. She still takes  Spoken English classes.

with her brothers

Walking around her small cottage was an experience for me. I did hear many stories about how she refuses to dispose the old things in her cottage. I think each and every article in the house must be memories for her. 

Those key chains, those photographs, there must be stories attached to every item. I have made a mental note to come later and sit with her and talk to her. I am sure there will be many stories that she could unravel for me, both about herself and about Poona.

The party in progress

And now a picture of her from 1962 when she was teaching in one of the prominent schools in Pune (then known as Poona )
I think its easy to spot Joyce.

After all it is not every day that one meets someone who was born just after the aftermath of World War One.

The whole Wordsworth clan

Happy Birthday Joyce :-) There are not many like you . . . .

PS:
Joyce Wordsworth expired on 23rd Nov 2013 at the age of 91.