Stan Engelbrecht and Nic Grobler's Bicycle Portraits is an ongoing project to photograph everyday South Africans and their bikes. Earlier this year, they used a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise $15,000, with which they are traveling around South Africa to meet fellow cyclists and tell their stories. Those pictures and stories will fill the pages of a stunning photographic book.
"There is an unspoken bond between two cyclist who pass each other on the road," says Engelbrecht. "If you choose to ride a bicycle instead of driving a car or using public transport in South Africa, you make a conscious decision to live outside the norm and put yourself in physical danger of getting robbed or mauled by a taxi every day. These fellow South African commuters are my people, and the Bicycle Portraits project is their voice. We get each other."
"I'm experiencing the project much like a ride on a bicycle, it is a journey," adds Grobler. "We see and learn things along the way. We make new friends and we have fun while doing it. To me the project is about people. It is not just about those we are photographing, but also about the audience of the project. The bicycle is facilitating conversation."
GOOD is proud to present a selection of images from the ongoing Bicycle Portraits project. If you're interested, you should check out some videos or donate to the campaign—a $50 contribution will reserve a copy of the book for you.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.