On the occasion of the New Year, members of the Hanoi Old Bicycle association gathered along Thanh Nien road, which runs by West Lake. At 8am, all members were there, looking at a white-haired old man who wore a soldier’s uniform.

Tuan, who is very famous for his collection of old bicycles, explained that that man is Mr. Ngoc, 75, the leader of the club. Mr. Ngoc presented the schedule of the trip.

At 8.10am, all members got on their bicycles to start the trip. Nearly 40 old bikes of different designs followed one another along the road. They rode through the streets and called a halt at Lenin Park.

Getting off his silver 1930 Aviac bicycle, Nhu To stated that he was a retired diplomat who had worked in France for ten years. His passion for old bicycles began in 2005 when he planned to buy a bicycle to save money and travel more conveniently.

“I bought this Nicholas Barra Aviac bicycle from a friend in Lyon at the price of 200 euros,” To revealed. “I liked it the first time I saw it.”

To used the bicycle for nearly two years in France and then brought it home when his term ended. “Since I knew about the origins of this bicycle, my passion for other old bicycles has been growing,” To admitted.

In his last two years in France, he only used the bike to go to work. Nearly two years after his retirement, To has collected nearly ten old bicycles, including two Peugeots from 1954 and an Aviac from 1950, both of which are unique in Vietnam.

To’s Nicholas Barra Aviac 1930 is among the oldest bicycles in the Hanoi old bicycle club and the most expensive. To estimated the market price to be nearly $2500.

The eldest member of this club is Mr. Nguyen Danh Dien, 86. His passion for old bicycles is still as strong as when he was young. Others can easily see his passion for bicycles in his outfit, which is for professional cyclists.

Dien sometimes suffers from severe joint pain, but he has been never absent from gatherings of the club.

“The more my legs are painful, the more I have to cycle to relieve the pain,” he acknowledged.

Dien was a senior cyclist in Indochina and was invited to join races in France in the 1940s. He rides an Aviac 1960.

A founder of the Hanoi old bicycle club, Hung, is the owner of the biggest collection of old bicycles in Hanoi, with nearly 40 bikes including famous French brands like Mercie, Peugeot, Marila, Follis, Joang Fonix, Sterling and Aviac.

After a stop at Lenin Park, the group passed through Hoa Lo, the Hanoi Opera House, Ly Thai To Flower Garden and Ngoc Son Temple. Tuan pulled out a bullhorn to give an order. All members grouped up to shoot photos and videos.

“In this club, I’m a young one, even though I’m 40,” Tuan smiled.

Tuan noted that on October 10, 2010, the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi, the group will wear old clothes and ride around the Long Bien bridge and the Old Quarter to take photos at all the relics in Hanoi.

The Hanoi old bicycle club was set up in early 2007. It currently has 43 members of all ages.
(VNN)