Migrant workers = true advriders

[Lao Jia Hou]

These diehard bikers put us to shame ...

http://www.chinasmack.com/2011/pictu...-festival.html

I had read several reports in the Chinese media about the tens of thousands of bikers out on the roads before / after CNY. Many were riding multiple 16-hour days to get home and then get back to work.

I am going to see if I can get a custom-made tank bag crafted of that plaid red / white / blue migrant-worker "carry-all." That material seems indestructible & waterproof, and it would be a fitting tribute to the real advriders!

[euphonius]

Great find and great post, Richard!

Actually, there's one image in there that is miscaptioned. It says: "A husband and wife riding a motorcycle speed by." But look carefully. Isn't there a little leg and a little gray and orange sneaker there? Yes, sure looks like junior there riding under the poncho, sandwiched between husband and wife!



As for those red-white-and-blue migrant carry-alls, they are an almost perfect fit for my Tourfella boxes, with room to spare for my riding suit stuffed around them. So while my Jialing rides the rails for several days to the desired roadhead, I use these to carry my panniers and gear onto the plane. They cost less than 10 yuan each and are ballistic.

And, yes, we are a bunch of wusses for putting our bikes on trains and flying to meet them, rather than toughing it out in the snow like these amazing riders.

thanks again!

[felix]

Brave folks these workers. They build the roads for the rich to bully them off.

That plaid material only seems indestructible because china has a endless supply of it. Those bags disintegrate if you try to put more that a pair of socks in them and are about as waterproof as water. They do look cool though.

[jape]

Thanks Richard. I took the time to read a few dozen posts about the 'migration' on that forum. Some brave folk speaking out, a couple of bastards and many more just decent folk wishing well. Makes me humbled as I flaunt my subsidised ego around the place and take the car when it gets a bit chilly. Damn, it is uncomfortable, soul-searching. I am going to try and appreciate what I have a bit more. My whole household consist these days of stuff from China, from my underwear and daily clothing to all my crockery and pots, my bed and nearly 100% of the electronic toys I possess. Getting too old for a chinese wife to appreciate me but if I was ten years younger I would maybe have one of those too.

[humanbeing]

http://video.sina.com.cn/v/b/45639454-1405053100.html
Police announcement in local dialect that most rider understand.

[td_ref]

I've got millions words to say upon seeing that pic......TIC sums up all. I'll try anything to prevent my future generations from going down that road. Life shouldn't be that hard, it's wrong.

[moilami]

Hmm, or maybe it is fun :) Little rain is nothing. Things get hard when it is below -10 C.

(Not saying it would be easy for them to earn living. Only commented about that motorcycling pic, and ignored even the possible fact they are forced to chose motorcycle instead of a car.)

[slabo]

I forgot where I saw this, but it's saved on my computer from 2 years ago.

[barnone]

Poor kid. Probably suffocated.

[Lao Jia Hou]

Amazing picture!

I looked at it a few times trying to determine if there were actually TWO kids sandwiched in there. There is only one tiny leg showing, but if you look closely, the arm & dress strap suggests that the "head of hair" is up way too high to be that child's - so maybe there is a second? Or perhaps the passenger has a very hairy chest!

Interesting that they are choosing to wear full-face safety helmets, but that is about the limit of protection.

Poor kid is right ... poor little bike, too!