Hobby turns into obsession

For some, cycling is just a hobby. But for others like Bahana Patria Gupta, cycling has become an obsession.

Bahana Patria Gupta, an avid collector of old bicycles, poses with some of the bicycles from his collection. (JP/Suherdjoko)

The 28-year-old has liked old bicycles ever since studying fine art at the Jakarta Government University.

"But at that time I hadn't saved enough money to buy a bicycle. I knew there were some associations that loved old bicycles, but there was nothing I could do at that time. I could only look," Bahana told The Jakarta Post.

But after he started working for a famous media organization in Indonesia, Bahana began to channel his interests back into old bicycles.

"The first old bicycle I bought was in 2007, in Surakarta. It was a Gazelle brand series three ... I paid Rp 400,000 (US$43). At that time I felt that the price was too expensive.

"Now I've started to become an old bicycle lover," he said.

"Recently, I discovered that my old bicycle could actually fetch a price of up to Rp 2 million, because the community of old bicycle enthusiasts is booming nowadays."

Through his work as a journalist, Bahana has had many opportunities to travel to the small cities of Central Java. On one of his journeys in Surakarta, he bought two more bicycles. One was a woman's bicycle once belonging to a medicinal herb seller.

"At that time I was interested because its frame was unique. I bargained and eventually she gave in. So the price was Rp 250,000. I was really so happy," Bahana said.

"As it has become my hobby. Every time I go to visit a region I always keep my eyes open.

"One day I saw a bicycle with the front wheel smaller than the back wheel. I thought that was a modified modern bicycle, but upon closer inspection and after talking with the owner I found out that it was an old, special bicycle for a postman. In the front part there was a kind of baggage rack," he said.

Bahana was very interested in the bicycle and approached the owner to see if he could buy it.

"I bargained and I teased for a day. Finally the owner wanted to sell it. The price was Rp 2 million. It was a bit expensive, but it wasn't a problem. Postman bicycles were only made in limited numbers. They were only used by post offices in the big cities. So I didn't suffer a financial loss by buying at that price," he said.

In just one year, Bahana had purchased 14 old bicycles. Among the brands he collected were Gazelle, Flater, NSU, Fongers, BSA, and Batavus. Because he had bought so many, he had problems maintaining his collection.

"I had to lobby my friends who lived at the same boarding house and the landlord so I could keep the bicycles. Some I kept in the office parking area," said the Kompas newspaper photographer.

He later moved from Surakarta to Semarang for work and took his bicycle collection with him.

As a lover of old bicycles, Bahana has learned how to look after them and add accessories. For example, the Gazelle bicycle he bought for Rp 400,000 is now valued at Rp 1.2 million because it has been completely equipped with new parts, including a its seat, pedals and bell.

Bahana purchased his prized Simplex bicycle in Cepiring, around 40 kilometers west of Semarang, in the old Pantura Jawa market.

"When I first got the bicycle it hadn't been properly maintained. I first had to take it to the workshop so it could be fixed. I paid Rp 450,000 for it.

"I carried the bicycle on the back of my motorcycle. Imagine, I had to go at the speed of 30 kilometers an hour or even slower, because it's difficult to carry a bicycle using a motorcycle. But that is my hobby," he said.

Two of his bicycles attracted the interest of his colleagues

Bahana often lends his bicycles to colleagues in Semarang who want to join in group cycling activities.

"I let them choose (which one they want to use). All are ready to be used. I believe we should all ride bicycles so we can become healthier."

Source: Jakarta Post