A Bicycle Like No Other

by Gaston Sanchez

On a cloudy Spring day in 2013, wandering around the cobblestone streets of Ile Saint-Louis in Paris, I stumbled upon a very eye-catching bicycle. Parked in front of a store, the bike was there almost as if it were intentionally posing for me to photograph it.

I had never seen such a strange and colorful bicycle, so originally decorated, with a distinctive personality of its own.

The shape and size of the orange panniers—with their pink straps—reminded me of my childhood years and the leather bags I used to carry when I was in kindergarten.

The frame of the bike was very interesting. Its exposed parts (the chain and seat stays) showed the pass of time with rusted areas, and what I assume was its original dark green color. Not to mention the worn saddle with scars everywhere.

The rest of the frame was wrapped around various threads of colorful yarns:

- pink in the section under the saddle,

- a fluffy green surrounding the top tube,

- a multicolor yarn around both the down and the head tubes.

The handle bar was wrapped in orange, and the headset section in aquamarine.

Hanging from its right handle, it even had a coral mesh bag containing more balls of yarn.

Likewise, it also had a headlight mounted on the front fender.

The whole thing was supported on its kickstand.

What a whimsical bicycle and—in my humble opinion—a wonderful piece of street Parisian art.