Urban Camoflage
Marty July 24th, 2009
I remember riding my bike into MIT when I was a student there. There was a locked area where you could put your bike. I always parked my bike next to the most expensive bike I could find in the area figuring that if someone was going to steal any bike, they would choose this other bike instead. It was never tested, the locked area was well secured and watched.
I’ve noticed a few high priced bikes chained in public places, bike racks, park benches, and railings, nothing too unusual about this. These aren’t the "tricked out" mountain bikes with the fancy looking rear suspensions. A lot of these bikes are inexpensive and generally low quality made to look expensive. No these are road bikes, the type used in Tour de France, what used to be called "10 speeds." The noteworthy thing is that at first glance these bikes look like old beaters. They look like someone just got a can of spray paint and applied it. Stuff is often covered in duct tape or black electrical tape. Under the covers are moderately high end bikes, one probably cost $3000. This is real urban camoflage.
I don’t know who the owners are, but I imagine these folks as a bit counter culture, rebels probably with a cause. Unlike many of today’s urban folks they aren’t into status symbols and conspicuous consumption. They understand quality, and are willing to pay for it, but don’t need to advertise it. They are clever. I imagine they are attrative, and dress smartly, but aren’t slaves to fashion. Dedicated cyclists are often peacocks, the cycling shorts and jerseys are usually skin tight and brightly colored, these folks were functional, but subdued clothing.
Yeah, this is all a fantasy, but when I see a bike like this, I have a smile. It makes me happy.