Some bugger nicked my bike today. Which is coincidentally, also the day I thought I'd take a picture of it because I thought it looked nice in the snow. It's not a special bike, just the cheapest second-hand one I could find because I assumed it would get nicked. But of course that's precisely the kind of bike it's hard to find, because most decent shops won't deal in second-hand bikes because so many of them are stolen. So I'm annoyed. Bugger.
UPDATE: It was lost but now is found. My bike turned up. Hurrah. I found it abandoned in Soho, like it had been used for a ram-raid. Many thanks for the kind wishes and especially to Paul who offered me his old bike. (Which frankly I still quite fancy because I suspect his fitness may transfer to me in a Billy's Boots style scenario.)
It was that basket that made it so appealing - remember that next time.
See, if you'd just got a proper bike like Paul (http://lifeinthemiddle.typepad.co.uk/life_in_the_middle/2007/01/new_years_day_s.html ) you'd still be a proud owner.
(And don't you dare call me Dave.)
Posted by: davidthedesigner | January 24, 2007 at 09:19 PM
Mine was nicked two days before Christmas and I've just got a new one. I now sleep with the window open and get up at least once a night and check it's still there everytime I hear a weird noise outside. Oh the pain of ownership.
Posted by: simon | January 24, 2007 at 09:45 PM
Oh what a shame. I was thinking what a nice bike it was when I saw it yesterday. I expected you to have some sporty job and there it was with its little basket. Awww. I hope whoever stole it falls off.
Posted by: Anne | January 24, 2007 at 10:20 PM
That's really annoying. My scooter was nicked and trashed last year.
If you pop down to Brick Lane on Sunday you might be able to meet the thief.
A friend's bike turned up there the weekend after it was stolen. The police refused to intervene, however even though it had been postcode marked. They just told him to claim on his household contents insurance.
Posted by: Lee McEwan | January 25, 2007 at 08:20 AM
I managed to get mine nicked from the middle of Leicester Square. The Squier Sentinel lock was worth more than the bike...
Posted by: Adam | January 25, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Sad...and made more poignant by the "last seen here" photograph. I'm sure many of your readers would like to help....I know I would. So why not try a little experiment. Why assemble a new bike from parts sent to you by your readers. Put up a quick drawing of a bike with every part numbered (ie handlebar, brake levers, rubber handle grips etc) and let people nominate the part they'll send you.
Could be an interesting experiment.....and you'll end up with a totally unique bike.
What d'ya think?
I'll start the ball rolling by offering you a retractable bike stand and pump.......
Posted by: lifeiscarbon | January 25, 2007 at 12:54 PM
There is no such thing as too big a chain:-)
Posted by: Rodney Tanner | January 25, 2007 at 07:08 PM
did you just stumble across your bike in Soho ? or was it snowing and you followed the tracks ? or just a coincidence ?
i thought they stole them to order and sent them off to the eastern block where they used them for spare parts to service the king's courtiers ?
Posted by: funkypancake | January 25, 2007 at 07:08 PM
. . . or too big a lock!
Posted by: Rodney Tanner | January 25, 2007 at 07:09 PM