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news
Grand piano (via Facebook)Grand piano towing cyclist falls foul of San Francisco's steep hills
A pianist from Germany who tows his grand piano around by bike has suffered a spectacular (and doubtless noisy) crash in San Francisco. Davide Martello’s brakes were no match for the city’s steep roads, but he has since repaired the piano and performed last night.
In 2015, Martello towed his piano to the Bataclan Theatre in Paris to perform the John Lennon song Imagine in the wake of the terrorist attack.
More recently, he has been travelling and performing in the United States.
Unfortunately, things did not go well in San Francisco earlier this week.
Writing on Facebook, Martello said: “I’m very sorry San Francisco but your roads were too steep and I busted my piano really bad. I will keep you posted as soon everything is fixed. If someone in the area of San Francisco wants to help me out I would be very thankful. I was very lucky not to be injured or injure others... I only scratched an Uber car.”
He continued: “There was a German man who helped me out to get everything back inside my trailer. And I am very thankful that I’m still alive. Everything happened on Bay Street, the first hill I did it with no problems but the second one was deadly!
“Thank God I jumped right off my bike when I realized that I couldn’t handle it anymore and the speed got out of control. My brakes aren’t designed for San Francisco grades.”
However, Classic FM reports that he was first given a substitute piano by a shop in the city and he has since said that his own piano has since been repaired.
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
Latest Comments
- anke2 52 sec ago
Sure. Like it's interesting to wonder about the driving for driving (track-days), driving for playing golf, driving for a ramble, driving for a pub...
- Smoggysteve 19 min 21 sec ago
If I create a ride usinga garmin. I upload it to Garmin Connect and they pass it to Strava and other apps I choose such as Komoot. If Garmin wants...
- Jogle 25 min 34 sec ago
And a couple of small plastic bollards will stop the lorries going anywhere near the bridge. ...
- Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells 27 min 39 sec ago
Or completely give up.... and buy a emtb, which will break within 12 months, so you can lounge on the sofa guilt free 👍
- Rendel Harris 57 min 59 sec ago
You're quite entitled to feel that way if you wish but it would be rather more dignified if you attempted it yourself, preferably with some form of...
- Sredlums 1 hour 22 min ago
That bike is awesome. Always like the Mondriaan-esque style, so bold and recognisable.
- Secret_squirrel 1 hour 35 min ago
Why are they overpaid? They are partly responsible for bringing in hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars of TV revenue money for a very...
- Mr Blackbird 1 hour 36 min ago
Did the driver also claim that he was a member of Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple?
- chrisonabike 2 hours 52 min ago
I think I saw something like that at a Welsh international - it looked a bit leeky though.
- dreamlx10 3 hours 3 min ago
Ah, Endura the company owned by the man who told his employees to vote against Scottish independence as it would result in Scotland having to leave...
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4 comments
His rear tyre looks a little flat.
I guess his track pump didnt quite hit those notes.
Hits rather a discordant note, but perhaps he needs to fix the brake pedal on the piano; obviously nothing wrong with the accelerator pedal. Presumably the piano had a soft landing.
Well, his heart is certainly in the right place. A SF bricklayer might find him a few bricks shy of a load, though. Yes, lucky he's alive.
I think for san fransisco he probably needs a slave braking system for the impressive trailer.
Good luck to the man.
I cannot see a motor, he hauled that thing up hills.
"... I only scratched an Uber car.” Nice.
The bataclan thing caused me to shed a tear.