Pimp My Ride--Courtesy Beijing City Choppers

D paid 130 RMB for his newly used bike (plus another 10 RMB for a taller seat). Total Cost: $17.50. He probably could have purchased it for half the price, but he bought this baby on his own without the help of his Chinese speaking wife.

For those of you who know Derek, he likes to explore--so a bicycle was a great purchase to see the city. Like many of the Chinese bikes, there is a "seat" behind the rider for an extra person to tag along for the ride. It is not so much a "seat" as it is a platform for your school books. This is a very popular mode of transportation. We have seen old men cycling with their wives in tow, boyfriends biking their girlfriends down the street, two grown men riding to work on the same bicycle. As such, my lovely husband offered me a ride to the grocery store on the back of his bike one Sunday afternoon.

I hung on tight while Derek struggled to get the bike rolling. We went about 10 yards when he informed me that I was too heavy and that his tires were now going flat. Too heavy? Perhaps a certain someone has weak cankles. I have not asked for a ride since.

PS--They do not sell helmets out here! Derek's mom, could you please send one out when you get the chance?