30 Days of Bike

Chronicling the life of a lonely, left behind, lil' bike. Start back at the first post to get the whole story.
Feb 19
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DAY 6 This lady couldn’t care less. Do you think she has ever wondered why that little purple bike has been locked up for so long? How about the guy that intermittently locks and unlocks his bike right next to our subject? Unlikely. In fact they will probably be oblivious to the end of an era. Once the city acts on the ominous initials, so delicately inscribed on the weathered concrete, it’s all over. Incidentally, who came along and stole the seat? Who needed that particular item, and only that item, so badly that they were willing to strip an inncoent disabled child’s bicycle. I’ve seen this sort of callous brutality before, but only with adult bikes.

DAY 6

This lady couldn’t care less. Do you think she has ever wondered why that little purple bike has been locked up for so long? How about the guy that intermittently locks and unlocks his bike right next to our subject? Unlikely. In fact they will probably be oblivious to the end of an era. Once the city acts on the ominous initials, so delicately inscribed on the weathered concrete, it’s all over.

Incidentally, who came along and stole the seat? Who needed that particular item, and only that item, so badly that they were willing to strip an inncoent disabled child’s bicycle. I’ve seen this sort of callous brutality before, but only with adult bikes.

Feb 18
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DAY 5 My neighborhood is beautiful. It’s full of sunshine, chirping birds, and trees reaching for the heavens.  When it is finally released, you know the little bike is going to miss this spot. 

DAY 5

My neighborhood is beautiful. It’s full of sunshine, chirping birds, and trees reaching for the heavens. 

When it is finally released, you know the little bike is going to miss this spot. 

Feb 17
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“ Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security
— John Allen Paulos
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DAY 4 No curbside mechanics today to sway me from my goal. Our little bike looks to have reached another day relatively unscathed. Kickstand still in effect. A troubling sign materialized today. The letters DW spray painted on the ground. As well as some spray paint near the inordinately large chain utilized to subdue and detain our subject. Is a city-worker induced release in the near future and what happens then? I fear the little purple pedaler could face euthanization. 

DAY 4

No curbside mechanics today to sway me from my goal. Our little bike looks to have reached another day relatively unscathed. Kickstand still in effect.

A troubling sign materialized today. The letters DW spray painted on the ground. As well as some spray paint near the inordinately large chain utilized to subdue and detain our subject. Is a city-worker induced release in the near future and what happens then? I fear the little purple pedaler could face euthanization. 

Feb 16
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“ Don’t lose hope. When it gets darkest the stars come out
— Unknown
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DAY 3 Solitude, our bike has the trash area all to itself this evening. As you can see, someone was kind enough to engage the kickstand. Thereby lending a small amount of self respect to a bike that is struggling for something to live for. This morning in the shower I found myself wondering if there was any chance the owner was simply on a long vacation. Would they return to liberate their velocipede and allow it to realize it’s potential? Doubtful… Also worth mentioning, the reason for the night shot. I was planning on taking my photo around two in the afternoon. However, there was a group of dudes working on a car about four feet away. Admittedly, I felt a little embarrassed about staging my little purple bike photo shoot in front of them. Forced to make a right I stopped at the coffee store and bought two things I didn’t really want. I passed the bike again this evening and was able to nail the shot.

DAY 3

Solitude, our bike has the trash area all to itself this evening. As you can see, someone was kind enough to engage the kickstand. Thereby lending a small amount of self respect to a bike that is struggling for something to live for. This morning in the shower I found myself wondering if there was any chance the owner was simply on a long vacation. Would they return to liberate their velocipede and allow it to realize it’s potential? Doubtful…

Also worth mentioning, the reason for the night shot. I was planning on taking my photo around two in the afternoon. However, there was a group of dudes working on a car about four feet away. Admittedly, I felt a little embarrassed about staging my little purple bike photo shoot in front of them. Forced to make a right I stopped at the coffee store and bought two things I didn’t really want. I passed the bike again this evening and was able to nail the shot.

Feb 15
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“ Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity
— Og Mandino
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DAY 2 No respect. This bike might as well be invisible. This was tough to see. I had to remind myself that, as a documentarian, it wasn’t my place to step in and lend a hand. Surprisingly the tires remain relatively clean and the paint color still manages to exude enthusiasm. It’s a triumph of spirit really. What happened to the seat though? Also of note, a gentleman walked out of the doorway directly behind the bike as I was taking this photo. He looked as though he had probably been toiling away in dark places with his hands for many years. He shot me a perplexed look that seemed to say, “Get a job you dandy”. It’s probably the same look my Grandpa would give me. I asked him if I could take his photo but he simply scowled and wagged his finger in my face. I turned and continued on my way to work.

DAY 2

No respect. This bike might as well be invisible. This was tough to see. I had to remind myself that, as a documentarian, it wasn’t my place to step in and lend a hand. Surprisingly the tires remain relatively clean and the paint color still manages to exude enthusiasm. It’s a triumph of spirit really. What happened to the seat though?

Also of note, a gentleman walked out of the doorway directly behind the bike as I was taking this photo. He looked as though he had probably been toiling away in dark places with his hands for many years. He shot me a perplexed look that seemed to say, “Get a job you dandy”. It’s probably the same look my Grandpa would give me. I asked him if I could take his photo but he simply scowled and wagged his finger in my face. I turned and continued on my way to work.

Feb 14
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“ Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody Can make it out here alone
— Maya Angelou
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DAY 1 Just a lonely lil’ bike. One day one of those Senior Citizen Children locked up their cute little bike and never came back for it. I know because I have walked by this bike at least twice a day for the last 7 months. I figured I might as well document it’s lonely life since no else seems to care anymore. Yesterday the bike was on it’s side, mired in the snowy dirt-slush. Today however, it’s been stood up. Appropriate, considering the holiday and the fact that this little thing doesn’t seem to get much love.

DAY 1

Just a lonely lil’ bike. One day one of those Senior Citizen Children locked up their cute little bike and never came back for it. I know because I have walked by this bike at least twice a day for the last 7 months. I figured I might as well document it’s lonely life since no else seems to care anymore.

Yesterday the bike was on it’s side, mired in the snowy dirt-slush. Today however, it’s been stood up. Appropriate, considering the holiday and the fact that this little thing doesn’t seem to get much love.

Feb 13
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FOREWORD There are some children in my neighborhood that have that senior citizen disease where they appear to be about 80 years old. Must be rough when you are in Junior High. This is where they get their hair cut.

FOREWORD

There are some children in my neighborhood that have that senior citizen disease where they appear to be about 80 years old. Must be rough when you are in Junior High. This is where they get their hair cut.