one less bike
Life
Continuing the fine tradition, my bike was stolen today. In total, that makes: 1 swapped for a washing machine, 1 written-off and 5 stolen since I have been riding. This latest one was actually quite nice - I am pretty unhappy to lose it. An Avanti Barracuda, with hydraulic disk brakes, front shocks and good components all-round. Solid enough for some Sunday downhill action but not so much so that speeding around the streets is a chore. With blue/black livery and mostly black components, it was quite easy on the eyes, too.
I locked it up next to the Barr Smith Lawns at Uni (this is one of the busiest parts of the campus) at 15:00 and by 19:45 when I came back for it, it was gone. So I went and told campus security and the guy exclaimed Oh no, not another one!
Apparently quite a few went missing today. If you see it, please let me know. This is what it looks like (no, not that one, the blue one on the right):
I also now need to decide what to do about transport. Do I buy an equivalent (or maybe a racer?) racer now? Do I wait until summer because I do not ride much in winter? Do I get a (cheaper) second hand one? Or do I just get a motorbike?
Oh well. Looks like I'm walking tomorrow and the new notebook is going to have to wait.
Comments
That's really disappointing. I once had a bike stolen from exactly the same place. Maybe it's time for a scooter?
(By the way, you might see me riding around on an Avanti Barracuda. I've had it for some time. It's not yours. Really.)
Posted by: Paul Hoadley on May 7, 2005 09:05 AM
Oh no Mike, that sucks!
Were you insured again?
I recommend a kid's bike like my purple pre-adolescent sized beast. Not stolen once, yet.
Posted by: ann on May 7, 2005 01:25 PM
I'll say it again, thieving bastards! that's why I've subscribed to the bikeshed. For the tiny fee of $11 a semester it provides little protection, but it's better than nothing.
I also spent ~$80 on a bike lock. I figure I'd rather pay for this once than for a new bike. Some dude took to the keyhole with a screwdriver but he only scratched the surface, the thing's as tough as old boots.
if you want to get a road bike, perhaps it would an idea to get a cheap second hand mountain bike and deck it out with mudguards or get a cheap old roadie with mudguards. That way it won't sting as bad if it gets nicked and it's better for winter. Also you'll be left with more dosh for a racer or laptop later on.
Posted by: toto on May 7, 2005 11:14 PM
If anyone here is still using a circular key bike lock read this.
If Volition doesn't like my link just go google "bic bike lock".
I'm sorry about your bike Mike.
Posted by: luke on May 8, 2005 10:48 AM
Fuck.
I hate thieves as a special brand of asshole, but bike thieves are maybe the worst of all.
Sorry to hear 'bout your bike again. Again.
Posted by: Joel on May 9, 2005 06:42 PM
Cheers guys, it suX0rz, but for some reason I seem to be kind of used to it. Sigh.
Toto: yeah, I was meaning to get a key for the bike shed again (hrm, I wonder if that will still be around post-VSU? :) but never, well, got around to it.
Still, I did have an $80 lock for it. This was one serious lock. The disturbing thing is that I could not find a trace of it after the bike was nicked, so I can't be sure I didn't just mis-lock it or find out exactly how they got through it. Do I assume I mis-locked and get the same lock again, or do I try to find an even bigger, beefier one? A sucky situation, a tough question.
Posted by: Mike on May 9, 2005 09:27 PM
Go a road bike - it'll be so much faster and nicer to ride around twon than a mountain bike.
As fellow cyclist i feel for your loss...
Posted by: Chris on May 10, 2005 05:44 PM
Buy a racer! Buy a racer!
Posted by: on May 13, 2005 02:11 PM
Dude that sucks...
Racers are a hassle. Much nicer to be able to hop a gutter (yeh you can do it on a racer but the rims usually dont last long if you do) get another MB!
Talk to Andre he has some mates that are MB freaks he might be able to get you a good deal.
Posted by: shaun on May 13, 2005 10:06 PM
Sorry to hear that. I really am. I've had two bikes stolen but neither were as impressive as the one ripped off from you.
Any chance of seeing some money back through insurance?
All the best, but definitely don't go motorised. Leg power is the way.
Posted by: Bricktop351 on May 17, 2005 09:27 AM
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