By Gordon
Hobbis
Jun 14 2007
“And now for something completely different.”
Those simple words should bring back memories of that English comedy troupe Monty Python. Their humourous sketches, films and quotes will live for ever in sound bites.
This week, I wanted something completely different for my article. In the middle of bike month and with the incredible cycling extravaganza that is part of Sapperton Street Festival coming up this weekend I’m feeling a little biked out, and with more than two weeks of excitement left, it is time for an intermission.
For Python fans, the term bicycle repairman should bring back memories. If not, allow me to refresh your memories with this rendition of the skit.
Bicycle Repairman was really Mr. F G Superman, a character played to perfection by Michael Palin. Mr. F G Superman looked like any other citizen of the strange streetscape that Python created where all the residents were dressed as Supermen. There were Supermen walking, shopping and waiting for buses. Mr. F G Superman had a secret identity, when trouble strikes at any time or any place he is ready to become bicycle repairman!
In the skit, Mr. F G Superman is called to action by a young Superboy who witnessed another Superman crash his bicycle. The Superboy bursts into a laundrymat and announces dramatically “Hey, there’s a bicycle broken. Up the road.”
The customers, who were relaxing reading magazines with titles like “The Adventures of an Insurance Broker” and “Income Tax Comics,” are now generally in a panic over the broken bicycle. Mr. F G Superman must now find a way to change into his Bicycle Repairman costume because this is a job for... Bicycle Repairman! The other laundrymat Supermen cry in unison “If only Bicycle Repairman were here! Mr. F G Superman quickly arranges a diversion so he can change into his overalls.
As Bike Repair Man speeds fantastically towards the broken bike he continues the transformation into character. The words Bicycle Repairman are now written on the chest of his overalls, he has a pair of little round specs and a bag of tools. In the street, the questions are asked. “Is it a stockbroker?” “Is it a Quantity Surveyor?” “Is it a Church Warden?” No! It’s Bicycle Repairman!”
On a lonely country road stands a destitute Superman, the tangled and mangled bits of his bicycle strewn about in front of him. “Bicycle Repairman! Thank goodness you’ve come” says the Superman as he points at the wrecked bicycle laying by the side of the road.
Bicycle Repairman pushes him aside and with supersonic speed begins mending the bicycle. Graphics fly onto the TV screen as work progresses. Clink! Screw! Bend! Inflate! Alter saddle! With astonishment the gathering group of passers by remark “Why! He’s mending it with his own hands!”
“Oh, Bicycle Repairman! How can I repay you?” exclaims the Superman. “It’s all in a day’s work for Bicycle Repairman” replies our intrepid superhero as he shuffles off into the sunset with spanner in hand.
A commentator concludes the skit with the words “Yes! Whenever bicycles are broken, or menaced by international Communism, Bicycle Repairman is ready!”
If the humour in this bit of English comedy escapes you, if the story seemed to start slow and then taper off, then perhaps your bicycle spirits need to be uplifted. The cure for cycle-cyanosis is a trip to Sapperton Street Festival.
Leave the gardening, skip the kids sports tournaments. Make haste and hurry with all speed to Sapperton and rekindle that fervent love affair you have with your bike. Take in the high flying BMX riding show, cheer on the old-fashioned penny farthing racers, put your kids in the bike rally (sponsored by Choices Foods at the Crest) or just mingle in the company of others that are just like you: regular Supermen and Superwomen with a hidden identity of a bicycle superhero.
Gordon Hobbis own Cap’s Bicycles in Sapperton.
Source : http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=41&cat=43&id=1005470&more=0
Hobbis
Jun 14 2007
“And now for something completely different.”
Those simple words should bring back memories of that English comedy troupe Monty Python. Their humourous sketches, films and quotes will live for ever in sound bites.
This week, I wanted something completely different for my article. In the middle of bike month and with the incredible cycling extravaganza that is part of Sapperton Street Festival coming up this weekend I’m feeling a little biked out, and with more than two weeks of excitement left, it is time for an intermission.
For Python fans, the term bicycle repairman should bring back memories. If not, allow me to refresh your memories with this rendition of the skit.
Bicycle Repairman was really Mr. F G Superman, a character played to perfection by Michael Palin. Mr. F G Superman looked like any other citizen of the strange streetscape that Python created where all the residents were dressed as Supermen. There were Supermen walking, shopping and waiting for buses. Mr. F G Superman had a secret identity, when trouble strikes at any time or any place he is ready to become bicycle repairman!
In the skit, Mr. F G Superman is called to action by a young Superboy who witnessed another Superman crash his bicycle. The Superboy bursts into a laundrymat and announces dramatically “Hey, there’s a bicycle broken. Up the road.”
The customers, who were relaxing reading magazines with titles like “The Adventures of an Insurance Broker” and “Income Tax Comics,” are now generally in a panic over the broken bicycle. Mr. F G Superman must now find a way to change into his Bicycle Repairman costume because this is a job for... Bicycle Repairman! The other laundrymat Supermen cry in unison “If only Bicycle Repairman were here! Mr. F G Superman quickly arranges a diversion so he can change into his overalls.
As Bike Repair Man speeds fantastically towards the broken bike he continues the transformation into character. The words Bicycle Repairman are now written on the chest of his overalls, he has a pair of little round specs and a bag of tools. In the street, the questions are asked. “Is it a stockbroker?” “Is it a Quantity Surveyor?” “Is it a Church Warden?” No! It’s Bicycle Repairman!”
On a lonely country road stands a destitute Superman, the tangled and mangled bits of his bicycle strewn about in front of him. “Bicycle Repairman! Thank goodness you’ve come” says the Superman as he points at the wrecked bicycle laying by the side of the road.
Bicycle Repairman pushes him aside and with supersonic speed begins mending the bicycle. Graphics fly onto the TV screen as work progresses. Clink! Screw! Bend! Inflate! Alter saddle! With astonishment the gathering group of passers by remark “Why! He’s mending it with his own hands!”
“Oh, Bicycle Repairman! How can I repay you?” exclaims the Superman. “It’s all in a day’s work for Bicycle Repairman” replies our intrepid superhero as he shuffles off into the sunset with spanner in hand.
A commentator concludes the skit with the words “Yes! Whenever bicycles are broken, or menaced by international Communism, Bicycle Repairman is ready!”
If the humour in this bit of English comedy escapes you, if the story seemed to start slow and then taper off, then perhaps your bicycle spirits need to be uplifted. The cure for cycle-cyanosis is a trip to Sapperton Street Festival.
Leave the gardening, skip the kids sports tournaments. Make haste and hurry with all speed to Sapperton and rekindle that fervent love affair you have with your bike. Take in the high flying BMX riding show, cheer on the old-fashioned penny farthing racers, put your kids in the bike rally (sponsored by Choices Foods at the Crest) or just mingle in the company of others that are just like you: regular Supermen and Superwomen with a hidden identity of a bicycle superhero.
Gordon Hobbis own Cap’s Bicycles in Sapperton.
Source : http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=41&cat=43&id=1005470&more=0
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