Hippypotami

Dammitall, I wasn't planning on adding anything to this blag until I left on my trip, but inasmuch as it pertains to the wonderful world of bicycle-powered absurdities, I feel I have a duty to keep my audience informed of all such happenings and encounters and oddities. Friends, I want you to meet Mary Jane the Hippypotamus:

I encountered her at the Oregon Country Fair this year, and (no offense, Colin, seriously) she leaves the Minstrel Cycle in the dust (see previous post). Mary Jane is powered by four recumbent cycles buried deep within her bowels, with one person steering via a steering wheel, while another controls the movement of the eyes, eyelids and mouth. Every inch of her is fully customized, and her body is made of hammered aluminum. She is lightweight and quite easy to move with four people, and as if this weren't enough, get this: like all self-respecting hippopotami, she is semi-aquatic.

I'm hoping to get on the road by this Saturday at the latest; just a few loose ends to tie up in preparation for my trip (e.g., I accidentally set my shoes on fire at the Fair, and I think I'll be needing a new pair to last through the summer). Soon!