“Bicycles and …”

Well I nearly got flattened by a bicycle today.

When I say flatten I mean flattened, crushed or squashed. It wouldn’t have been because of the speed, most bicycles only have one gear and anyways it is too hot to exert too much energy on speed. Nor would the weight of the driver have been the issue he couldn’t have weighed more than 140 pounds. What would have done the job was the 16 foot plank of lumber the young man was balancing on his head as he weaved his cycle through traffic and pedestrians down the street. I imagine he was off to some construction project bringing the much awaited 2” x 8” x 16 foot piece of wood required. I should have been more aware but luckily he swerved and was on his way without missing a beat. I know I have mentioned the plethora of bicycles in Tamale however I have neglected to add that these are not simply modes of travel but also a means of transport. I’ll try and recall everything I’ve seen atop a bicycle. First though most bikes have both a front and rear basket in order to carry goods on.

So here we go:

Bicycle + driver

Bicycle + driver + one passenger sitting side saddle on back rack

Bicycle + driver + one passenger on back rack + one passenger on seat

Bicycle + driver + 16 foot piece of wood on head

Bicycle + driver + 8 foot long bundle of wood strapped perpendicular to direction of travel on back rack

Bicycle + driver + one goat

Bicycle + driver + a chicken in the front basket

Bicycle + driver + a full cow hide draped over the back rack

Bicycle + driver + bail of thatching straw

Bicycle + driver + two younger goats in a basket on rear rack

I will add to the list as I can remember and see new combinations. Hopefully I could even capture some if this on film. We’ll see.

Take care and God Bless,
Jason