Albert Cheng: A Man Who Has Found His Roots
Recently, we completed a bike for an important customer. The bike came out beautiful, per our usual standards. We incorporated a specific dark-colored species of bamboo for the seat stays which made for a unique constrasty looking frame. But the other noteworthy feature of this bike is the geometry. We designed the geometry for a relaxed riding position and a more “cushy” ride. You can tell from the images that the proportions of the frame are a little “different” than most of the bicycles that we’ve built in the past, being more stretched out. The effect is a longer wheelbase which results in a more stable, cruiser-like ride.
But enough about the bike. The significance of this bike, really, is that it belongs to Albert Cheng, a living icon in the Bay Area Chinese community. He is former president of the Chinese Culture Center and co-founder of the In Search of Roots program, with over 40 years of community service. Both of these entities serve to promote the appreciation and discovery of Chinese culture to current and future generations. This includes hosting examples of Chinese visual arts, literature, music and theater through exhibitions and public programming.
The Roots curriculum in particular, focuses on a year-long research program, where interns research their own Chinese-American family history and genealogy. The interns also spend a significant amount of time exploring the Pearl Delta region of Guangdong Province, where most of Chinese American originated from in the mid-1800′s. Our very own co-founder, Nick, participated in the program in 2010.
Al will be at an opening reception on Saturday, June 25 at the Pacific Heritage museum that will celebrate the path of discovery that Nick and his fellow Roots interns experienced. Through art pieces, photographs, poetry and more, it’s an amazing exhibition of self-discovery. Consider checking it out this summer:
Pacific Heritage Museum
608 Commercial Street (between Montgomery and Kearny Streets)
San Francisco, California 94111
The Museum opens Thursdays through Saturdays, from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Phone is 415.399.1124.
Stalk Bicycles has always been about building bikes that reflect the personality of the rider. In building and designing this bike with Al, the Stalk Bicycles team has developed a deep respect for him, his love of Chinese culture, and his generosity. Whether you’re Chinese or not, we as people, can all understand the innate curiosity to know where we came from.
After a few days of owning the bike, Al was kind enough to send us an email, “Love your bike. My younger son loves it even more! Thanks for building such an incredibly beautiful and eco-friendly cycle.” Thank you Al, for your years of commitment to the Bay Area community.
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