Danish Ambassador Friis Peterson at start of embassy cycle event
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German athlete gives up high-paying job to ride on passion for fixed-wheel bikes. Zhang Lei rolls alongside.
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We talk shop with Ines Brunn, Beijing’s own fixed gear bike revolutionary. She’s also one of the forces behind Natooke Fixed Gear Bikes, the hutong headquarters of the fixed gear set. Want to join the revolution? Catch their regular newsletter by signing up over at www.natooke.com.
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By Joshua Samuel Brown

Hailing from Bavaria by way of Beijing, Ines Brunn has performed track bike gymnastics at bike shows and events around the globe. Our Corospondent in Asia caught up with Brunn following one of her performances at this year’s Taipei International Cycle Show.
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Brunn runs her fixed-gear bike shop “Natooke” in Wudaoying hutong, adjacent to the Lama Temple, a major tourist attraction in the Chinese capital.   She opened the shop in March 2009 after finding it hard to obtain parts for specialty fixed-gear bikes – which have wheels that are always in motion when the bikes are moving, as opposed to ordinary bikes that can coast – in the country.   Brunn had started a fixed-gear bike club with a friend two years before she opened her shop. In 2008, five other people took part in its activities as fixed gear cycling was still considered a niche sport in China,   “I thought it was really funny when a friend suggested that I start a shop,” Brunn says. “But then I thought I might have more people riding because of the shop, and I could see the bike community grow.   “I could also be my own boss and schedule my own time.”
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First of all, who thought to play polo on two-wheeled cycles? The answer is Richard J. Mercredy of Ireland’s County Wicklow way back in 1891. Fast-forward 120 years and you can see some urban mallet-swinging in the heart of Beijing, thanks to the fixed-bike fanatics of Natooke. They recently gave us the 411 on this two-wheeled version of four-on-four.
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By Yin Yeping
What does the ambitious expat do if he doesn’t come with a nice cozy job all set up, or want to be an English teacher? An increasing number of expats are heading to Beijing with the intention of setting up their own business, but the path to business riches is strewn with potholes. After having the idea, the plan, and the finance to set it up, most foreigners will require, at least at first, a Chinese partner, to help them through cultural and language barriers, to provide investment, and help cut through the red tape on the way to the grand opening. Here’s how three foreign entrepreneurs have got open and stayed open.
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Natooke is an oh-so-niche trick cycle and juggling ball shop located in the Dongcheng district of Beijing. The fixed-gear bikes (from 2,800RMB) are circus standard, while the diabolos, rola bolas and the standard juggling balls are pretty cheap, too. Bike rentals and juggling workshops also offered. Stop in for a closer look at what’s new around Beijing.

For the origanal content click on the link bellow

http://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/shopping/stores/n214666391.shtml

Dupree, a 25 year old bike mechanic and advocate at Natooke-a fixed gear and juggling store– told me stories of his youth living in a Hutong with a big shared yard and a 400 year old tree. The yard provided a large flexible open space to ride and race with friends until someone falls down. Unfortunately, spaces like this are now protected from shenanigans by the government–reducing the available space for bike play in Beijing.
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