The Bongo Bike

[bongosnotbombs]

Yes, I know it's a conga, but Bongo Bike sounds better than Conga Cycle (Percussion Pedaler? Rumba Rider?)
and no, I would never actually transport the conga like this without a case.
It just makes a better photo this way

I did create this bike for this purpose, using it to transport
myself and my instruments (congas and bongos, etc) to rumbas and gigs all over SF.

It's especially useful when one wants to drink rum at the rumba, which always seems to make
getting home more of an adventure.

[Tonio]

Look out the mad bongo biker rider is coming !!! LOL

Nice

T

[Tonio]

oh, how about :

COMING TO YOUR TOWN : THE BONGO BIKE RIDER.


T

[congamyk]

The colour of the bicycle is exquisite and the exclusivity and arrogance of front tire enthralls me.
The spring-loaded seat must offer many surprises and the mustard yellow finish beckons childhood memories of a cheap bologna sandwich lunch.

I am deeply troubled while imagining that beautiful drum acquiring multiple nicks and scratches and possibly a crack while the driver negotiates the harrowing and turbulent streets of San Francisco.


The basket is disturbing, a wire death-chamber that destroys everything in it's path.
It is more peaceful for me to ponder a single flower dying in the snow than think about that basket.

[pavloconga]

Cool stuff!
It reminds me of mi maestro and his bike in Havana.
Sometimes we would have to find another place to have a lesson, so he would carry 2 congas on his bike - he'd hook each of them vertically onto a rack behind the seat, one on each side of the back wheel (with the base of the congas maybe 6" from the road). In this way they'd be transported sometimes several miles (usually through heavy traffic) to someone's house for a lesson and a rumba. I don't have a photo of him carrying the congas but here's one with him on his bike:
pavlo

[bongosnotbombs]

Cool stuff!
Sometimes we would have to find another place to have a lesson, so he would carry 2 congas on his bike - he'd hook each of them vertically onto a rack behind the seat, one on each side of the back wheel (with the base of the congas maybe 6" from the road).
pavlo

Now you're giving me some good ideas, I bet I could carry a whole rumba on my bike the, quinto in front
with shekere, claves and everything else, and segundo and salidor on the back.

[bongosnotbombs]

The colour of the bicycle is exquisite and the exclusivity and arrogance of front tire enthralls me.
The spring-loaded seat must offer many surprises and the mustard yellow finish beckons childhood memories of a cheap bologna sandwich lunch.

I am deeply troubled while imagining that beautiful drum acquiring multiple nicks and scratches and possibly a crack while the driver negotiates the harrowing and turbulent streets of San Francisco.


The basket is disturbing, a wire death-chamber that destroys everything in it's path.
It is more peaceful for me to ponder a single flower dying in the snow than think about that basket.

Bravo!

[Mike]

Hey Geordie, I like your idea of healthy conga transportation
Here is my mobile bongo´n´barbecue unit.

Thanks to a marvellous Dutch bike and Danish trailer technology,
this is my way to bring or take with me either
- a requinto, slim quinto or a bag full of bongó + smaller percussion
- a cajon
- food & drink or a whole barbecue set including charcoal etc.
- a bucket of paint
etc..

Very handy, especially in the summer season.
There is not that much need to worry about scratches, as the trailer is made of plastic.
Only the wire can cause trouble, but if I took out a GB beauty I would use a bag of course.
Anyway, the Streets of Francisco might be more dangerous than the plain cycle lanes here...

[bongosnotbombs]

Those Dutch bikes are very cool.
Of course I always use bags for my drums, wherever they go.
I even store them in bags.
I just put the drum like that for photographic reasons.

[Mike]

Of course I always use bags for my drums, wherever they go.
I even store them in bags.
I just put the drum like that for photographic reasons.

I know you do, I just wanted to put emphasis on the fact that
I tend to use old beaters outside rather than my better congas.
BTW those Dutch bikes are extremely popular here, also among kids
- no wonder with the (former) Dutch border being no 30 miles away.

[bongosnotbombs]

I know you do, I just wanted to put emphasis on the fact that
I tend to use old beaters outside rather than my better congas.

Well you see this oak GB is one of my beater congas. It's going to be travelling to a rumba
today along with my Valje and Isla, but they are going by car, at least until I can get some
of those Cuban style racks pavloconga was talking about.

The imported Dutch bikes are very exclusive here, being very expensive and only sold at a few shops,
I would really love to have them. Old bicycles are my next passion after drums.

[Mike]

The imported Dutch bikes are very exclusive here, being very expensive and only sold at a few shops

Just too bad, but understandable with customs and all. It might be some comfort that they are quite pricey here too, between 300 and 600 Euros!

Old bicycles are my next passion after drums.

You are a soulmate! I have been tinkering with some old pre-WWII, but mainly Dutch and German 1950/60s bikes ever since I was a teenager. Those bikes are really incredible, heavy and solid, but also with a very aesthetic construction IMO. A bit like good congas - timeless gems

[congamyk]

Hey Geordie, I like your idea of healthy conga transportation
Here is my mobile bongo´n´barbecue unit.

Mike´s bike & more.JPG

Thanks to a marvellous Dutch bike and Danish trailer technology,
this is my way to bring or take with me either
- a requinto, slim quinto or a bag full of bongó + smaller percussion
- a cajon
- food & drink or a whole barbecue set including charcoal etc.
- a bucket of paint
etc..

Insane fun no doubt, but where do you put the meats?

[Mike]

Insane fun no doubt, but where do you put the meats?

In a cooler backpack - or still running in front of me, the mad percussion cruiser

[OLSONGO]

TAXI !!! TAXI !!!!

Paz Olsongo