Work’n Bikes: The tower of power

This looks like a circus act. But it’s just another guy making a living on a bike in Guangzhou. Maybe two or three times a year, I’ll see one of these scrap collectors pedaling down the road hauling a couple air conditioners, a computer monitor or two, three or four processors – all precariously strapped on the back of the bike. Usually, I don’t have my camera and can’t document the amazing scene. Well, not this time. I was walking to my bus stop recently – running a bit late – when I saw this guy cruising down the busy Huan Shi Dong Road. I began sprinting up the road ahead of him to get into position to shoot. As I ran, I ripped my backpack off my shoulders, shoved my hand deep inside of it and fished out my camera. I knew I might miss my bus for this shot, but I just couldn’t pass this one up. I got into position just in time and snapped a picture. Then I spun around and tried to get a shot of him riding away. My camera is slow but I was able to capture the image. Overloaded bikes like this always remind me of what an engineering marvel the spoke-and-rim bicycle wheel is. It looks so fragile, yet it can haul a mountain of electronic waste like this. Really incredible.