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October 8, 2009

Closing Bell: a Bike, a Voyage

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If you've passed Traif Bike Gesheft in South Williamsburg recently, you've probably seen Hayden Cummings on the curb, tinkering with some sort of bicycle contraption. He's building an engine and trailer for an around-the-country bicycle journey, during which he will perform as a one-man band (the trailer will have a drum mounted in the side and Cummings has made a guitar out of a camping stove—a functioning camping stove, that is—and he'll also have his saxophone and flute tucked in the trailer) and generally travel the country without spending money. He is homeless, dumpster dives for food, volunteers at community centers in whichever city he is inhabiting, and has salvaged all the parts for his contraption. The engine will run on salvaged biodiesel, waste vegetable oil, and solar energy. Cummings has also set up the battery and engine so that he can pedal-charge the battery by placing the back wheel on a stand and pedaling. When we stopped to talk to him, he gave us more details than we can reproduce here, but if you stop by the bike shop, you can always ask him yourself—if you stop by soon, since he's planning on departing shortly.




Posted by jscheff at 4:00 PM | Comments (17)
Categories: Closing Bell

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Comments


The very essence of hipster.

Posted by: East New York at October 8, 2009 4:06 PM

let's see if he makes it to NJ

Posted by: ftgreenepark at October 8, 2009 4:09 PM

this guy isn't typical anything.

Posted by: cottontop at October 8, 2009 4:15 PM

A Cry For Attention

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 8, 2009 4:19 PM

don't say the h word. it's what lame people from Long Island say about anybody and everybody who is noticeably cooler than them...and therefore makes them uncomfortable.

Posted by: ftgreenepark at October 8, 2009 4:37 PM

good for him, doing something he will enjoy and experience and see so much.

Posted by: Petebklyn at October 8, 2009 4:42 PM

heheheh the name "hayden cummings" is NOT the kind of name that pops up with i think homeless person hahaha. sounds like he's having fun tho.

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at October 8, 2009 4:43 PM


Who made you cruise director, ftgreenepark? First of all, I'm from Brooklyn, not Long Island (although Brooklyn is actually ON Long Island) and I use "hipster" whenever I believe it applies. So your premise is a bit flawed.

Secondly, I definitely do not think this guy is "cool" and CERTAINLY not "cooler than" me. I'm calling him the "essence of hipster" and I don't care what you or anyone thinks about it!

Posted by: East New York at October 8, 2009 4:48 PM

ENY, it's mean to make fun of the Fauxmless!


*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at October 8, 2009 4:51 PM

^--- I agree with East New York. I'm from Williamsburg, you know the place. Except 30 years ago. And I don't think hipsters are cool. Where are YOU from?

Posted by: BrooklynZoo at October 8, 2009 4:52 PM


I don't know if he's "really" homeless or not, Rob. But, he's building a bike from salvaged parts, plans to power the bike with "salvaged biodiesel, waste vegetable oil, and solar energy," he currently resides in Williamsburg, and he somehow got himself and his plight features on a Brooklyn real estate blog. If he isn't a hipster, there's no such thing.

Posted by: East New York at October 8, 2009 4:57 PM

in my contact with hipsters the link that holds them together is a combination of age (young 20's) and intense following of the indie music scene. throw in some of kind of job that doesn't require a suit.

recently met the owner of an incredibly successful restaurant here, and he told me that all of the 20 somethings that work for him in Wburg are the hardest working people he's ever worked with in any restaurant, and this guy has a solid 20 years under his belt. was nice to hear. the hipsters are fine, really. just young.

this guy is a bit too old and if anything, more hippie than hipster!

sounds like a character. good for him.

Posted by: wine lover at October 8, 2009 6:22 PM

i read this piece and thought- that's awesome- what an exciting journey- what a lucky guy -

maybe i'll just have to accept the fact that i'm a lousy low life hipster.

feel free to hate me as well if it makes you feel better.

Posted by: filmmer at October 8, 2009 11:27 PM

Good for this guy. He's creative, and putting in a lot of energy and resourcefulness to carve out an adventure. The hate here says more about the haters.

Posted by: BSD at October 9, 2009 8:46 AM

im sure that bike cures cancer as well. do people read what they write? "salvaged biodiesel"- is that picked up off the ground?

Posted by: jp2 at October 9, 2009 9:14 AM

i find this to be quite inspiring - the concept and the person. thanks for the interesting story.

Posted by: emilyahn at October 9, 2009 12:03 PM

ENY you're wrong wrong wrong. this guy is a very rare guy-- willing to sacrifice all creature comforts for an extended period of time, willing to try a lifestyle that involves zero consumption or waste, able to do it with creative innovation that sets a great example for the world, by way of sustainability. I couldn't do this, and i doubt most of the 20-something fashionable indie-music loving Billyburg residents could either, funds or not, hard-working or not, harmless or not.

Posted by: blowfish at October 9, 2009 4:57 PM

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