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Bike Rescue Mission
By admin | June 2, 2008
What do Amsterdammers do when their bakfiets falls in the canal?
For those outside the Netherlands, a bakfiets is special sort of bike with wooden box attached to the front. Used by locals for carrying shopping, taking children to school, moving house etc.
Bike Rescue 1: One Grappling Hook
The first rescue attempt took place last Sunday. Two blokes attempted to fish it out using a grappling hook. The attempt was unsuccessful and was aborted. They returned today with a group of mates, a pully (which they attached to a tree), two grappling hooks, gloves and a ladder.
Bike Rescue 2: Rescue 1st Grappling Hook
Whoops! The first grappling hook followed the bike and fell in the canal.
Luckily a second grappling hook was on hand.
Bike Rescue 3: No Luck Yet
Keep an eye on the bloke in the grey jumper - he becomes important later…
Throw, pull, nothing, try again (x50)
Bike Rescue 4: Plan B
Grey jumper leaves his mates grappling to prepare for the next stage of the mission…
Bike Rescue 5: Canalman to the Rescue!
Grey jumper pops into a phone box around the corner and transforms into CANALMAN!
A ladder is lowered and Plan B begins…
Bike Rescue 6: Into the Deep
Canalman bravely descends into the cold, murky Herengracht waters.
Onlookers offer encouragement by cheering, laughing and taking photos…
Bike Rescue 7: The Point of no Return
Now - where is that bike?
Bike Rescue 8: Found Something!
Quick - drop me a line…
Bike Rescue 9: Wrong Bike!
A bike is found but it isn’t the one they’re looking for.
It’s hoisted out anyway (as all bikes are sacred in Amsterdam) but looks like it’s been submerged since the occupation.
The search continues…
Bike Rescue 10: Found Another One
Will this be the one?
If not, how many bikes will be hoisted out before the beloved bakfiets is located?
Bike Rescue 11: It’s The One!
The correct bike is located.
Now to get it out in one piece…
Bike Rescue 12: Attach More Ropes
Carefully does it…
Bike Rescue 13: Remove Ladder
The ladder is taken out of the way and the bike is slowly hoiseted up.
(The camera chose this particular moment to run out of batteries! - Lightening-quick battery change…)
Bike Rescue 14: Heave Ho
A total of nine people battle against all odds to save the stricken bakfiets…
Bike Rescue 15: Nearly There
Will the ropes snap? Will the rescuers loose their grip on the slimey bike?
You could hear a pin drop…
Bike Rescue 16: Mission Accomplished!
The bakfiets makes it to safety.
The crowd cheer and clap.
Champagne is cracked open.
Fireworks are set off.
Amidst the jublilation, Canalman is forgotton and left stranded in the canal.
At least the bike is safe.
THE END!
Topics: Bikes |