Life on the outside of Skyscrapers

Starscrapers

I'm reading A Quantum Mythology by Gavin Smith. In chapter 11 (page 117) we go to planet Ubaste which is entirely covered with starscrapers, skyscrapers that reach into space. Out on a walkway that is high enough that one needs supplemental oxygen, a female feline criminal is accosted by a woman who is backed by a squad of space marines. The meeting goes south and everybody goes over the edge, the newcomers chasing our criminal. And then we have a major fight and that was enough for me for now.

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Reminded me of another story I read, I have no idea when, about a guy who lived on the side of a skyscraper, basically using the same techniques to 'hang out' as mountain climbers use when scaling a rock wall. He didn't have to actually climb when he wanted to go up or down, for that he had a motorcycle that was connected to a single, vertical rail attached to the side of the building. I vaguely recall that the motorcycle was attached to the rail using a series of small block shaped devices. The blocks were attached to the wheel using wires or rods or magic stuff. At any one time, there were a couple of feet of blocks attached the rail. As the motorcycle moved and the wheel turned, the last block in line released its grip on the rail and was snapped back up to rest on the wheel, while on the other side of the wheel a new block was released and sent down to latch onto the rail. I can sort of imagine this at slow speed, but at high speed? It would seem insane, but the way technology is advancing I'm sure someone will be building one soon.

I remember him riding his motorcycle up and down the side of the building using a conventional motorcycle riding position which seems pretty ridiculous, and I don't remember anything about turning the motorcycle around when changing directions. And while it had fancy wheels, it was based on an old gasoline powered motorcycle. Of course it was. As least that's the way I remember it.