Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Next Best Thing to a Vespa


(Photo from the Daily What)

Apparently this really works. I'm not sure I'd ride it through New York City, but I'd admire anyone with the courage to give it a shot. Then again, who knows if it's meant to stay on the streets?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ms. Miller,
My friend, sister, and I are huge fans of Kiki Strike. (Even my dad loves the books.) We were Kiki, Betty & Oona for Halloween a few years ago. And I CAN'T WAIT for Darkness Dwellers!!!
I was looking through the Ananka's Diary archives and I'm wondering if you could please do another contest soon? Also, will the Kiki Strike t-shirts ever be available again?
Thank you! I've loved reading & writing forever and your writing style is a great inspiration for budding writers (or Irregulars) everywhere.

Ari the Awesome said...

Very interesting

Mickey Smith Award said...

That is so cool! It looks tricky to ride, though.

(This is Nellie, by the way, Ms. Miller. :])

Anonymous said...

that made me smile as soon as i saw the picture. it just made my day.

Anonymous said...

I think I'll stick to motorcycles ;)

Toodles*** said...

Wow. That. Is. AWESOME! I really really really really want that bike. I'm going to check E-Bay now. Thanks Kirsten!

Anonymous said...

what's the exact web address for this new blog? i can only get to it by going to ananka's diary first...?

Rachel said...

This picture made my day! I would rather stick to a bike but I would love to see someone ride it! I think I would just crack up laughing! Someone should try to make it fly! Now that would be hilarious! I WOULD LOVE ANOTHER CONTEST! Such a great idea anonymous person! WOW I can't wait for the next post! How do you find your blog posts, Kristen? I am very very curious! You always have something special for your blog and I always have something to share with my friends!

Rachel said...

Kristen,
I really think it would be a great idea to maybe add a section to your blog where maybe people can tell stories. Maybe like something that happened to them like in the book Kiki Strike or Eternal One's. If not that idea then just another section where they can talk about themselves or do something. Something other than Who was I

Kirsten Miller said...

Anonymous: I will think about another contest! As for Kiki t-shirts, maybe when the third book comes out. And I'm thrilled to hear that I managed to provide a little inspiration!

Nellie (and Everyone): Hi! I've known you for so long now, that I think you can call me Kirsten. Ha. ;)

Rachel: Great ideas! As for the blog inspiration, I surf the Internet when I should be writing books!

Elizabeth said...

Oooh! I would love to ride that bike/broom. Haha, the only problem would be the people staring at you, that's something I'm not comfortable with. But cool anyway! xD

Some Lost Melody said...

OMG THAT'S THE MOST AMAZING THING EVERRRR <3333

Anonymous said...

Hiya!

People have been doing weird things to bikes since almost before bikes were invented. The broom/steering linkage has precents -- back in Victorian and Edwardian times tandems for couples were built with steering from the rear seat, so the guy could maintain control of the bike while being able to keep an eye on the gal.

Just today I tried out my buddy's just-purchased used folding bike -- the steering had a lot of flex. Then we put the BIG guy on the bike -- and we could see the steering column flex. I can't imagine how much flex a broom would have.

The rest of the San Diego wacky cycling community played with funny bikes at a festival back in October of 2010, while I was detailed off to tending the karaoke booth. And I don't like karaoke....

Still, what is the point of riding a broom, or a bike, if you don't have a basket, panniers, seatbag, SOMETHING in which to carry your lunch, or the shopping, or library books?

Robert in San Diego

Anonymous said...

Oh, yeah -- one of the early airship innovators used to use his own personal rigid airship to commute to his day job.

Who needs air traffic control when you're the only one flying to work?

Robert in San Diego

Anonymous said...

Dear Kirsten:

And the next time you complain about heavy snowfall, I can suggest this lovely, stable, snow-worthy recumbent!

Human-Powered Snow Vehicle.

Robert in San Diego