"The Bicycle Wanderer" and the bicycle named "Independence"

Amidst the noisy honking of cars, there is a "wanderer" who tirelessly journeys back in time to rediscover old bicycles. He is Le Dinh Chau, who possesses a "treasure trove" of dozens of vintage bicycles. In the hustle and bustle of the city, these relics are not just means of transportation, but also vivid witnesses to a proud era of the nation.

Mr. Le Dinh Chau next to his Independence bicycle, manufactured in 1959.

Mr. Le Dinh Chau (born in 1964, residing in Ham Rong Ward) developed a passion for cycling in 1982, a time when bicycles were a valuable asset for many families. Back then, young Chau frequently borrowed his older brothers' bikes to ride, meticulously cleaning and maintaining every small detail to please his relatives. This attention to mechanical details became ingrained in his blood, turning into a burning desire, until in 1987, he officially owned his first bicycle. Recounting this significant milestone, Mr. Chau always expresses special gratitude to his wife. That bicycle was purchased with all the money they received as wedding gifts – their entire savings at the time. His wife's support and understanding from those early, difficult days were the strongest foundation, allowing his free-spirited soul to soar with the wheels of his bicycle for decades. The major turning point came in 2000 when he decided to pursue a professional career in repairing and collecting classic cars, transforming his personal passion into a steadfast journey of preserving heritage.

Among his collection of dozens of bicycles, the one Mr. Chau is most proud of and cherishes the most is the 1959 Doc Lap (Independence) brand bicycle. This is the first version of the Thong Nhat (Unity) bicycle line, born in the context of North Vietnam having just achieved peace and beginning to build the first foundations of self-reliant industry. The name Doc Lap is not just a brand but also carries the aspiration for peace and national pride of a historical era. The bicycle boasts a durable steel frame, a dynamo-powered lighting system, and distinctive pedals manufactured in Russia. What impresses bicycle collectors even more is that Mr. Chau still possesses the original registration certificate from 1967 with license plate number 133. According to Mr. Chau, in Thanh Hoa province , there are currently only two original Doc Lap bicycles left, and although someone offered to buy them for 50 million VND, he resolutely refused to sell them because he considers them a spiritual asset, marking a part of the memory of a difficult but heroic period in the country's history. Besides this domestic treasure, he also proudly owns a 1926 Onoto, a testament to the enduring French mechanical engineering of the early 20th century.

Not keeping his passion for vintage bicycles to himself, Mr. Chau also shares his love for vintage bicycles with members of the Thanh Hoa Vintage Bicycle Club, a group of like-minded individuals who share a passion for preserving cultural heritage. On national anniversaries such as April 30th and September 2nd, the club's leadership always organizes vintage bicycle parades by cycling together through the main streets of Hac Thanh ward, such as Le Loi Boulevard or Le Hoan Street, creating a nostalgic image in the heart of the modern city. For people like Mr. Chau, cycling is not just exercise but also an opportunity to share their love for old values ​​and promote the beauty of their homeland. Beyond just cycling, he and the club members also contribute to the community spirit through charitable trips to donate bicycles to underprivileged students in mountainous districts.

Many call Mr. Chau the "bicycle romantic" because of his unique love and romanticism for old values. Through the meticulous care of Mr. Le Dinh Chau, the wheels of the past continue to roll on a journey connecting memory with the present, reminding us of a proud era of "self-reliance" in our nation's history.

Text and photos: Minh Quyen

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/lang-tu-xe-dap-nbsp-va-chiec-xe-mang-ten-doc-lap-286239.htm