BIKE CRIME
Earlier this summer I befriended a fellow sewing volunteer at RepairPDX who wound up teaching me how to tighten my bike breaks! They walked me through the steps while we drank our novelty drinks outside in this kind of cul-de-sac(?) by my fav boba shop.
Even though I have been a regular bike commuter for, like a decade, I actually know... basically nothing about bike maintenance. I'm on a quest to change this, though! And learning how to tighten my brakes doubled my bike repair knowledge (Prior to this I could also do basic chain upkeep)! Which was great, because last month my needed to be tightened again and this time? This time, I did it all by myself.
My Hot Middle Age Bisexual glow-up continues to be a resounding success.
...
But then.
Exactly ten days later...
THE FUCK.
A friend asked me to feed his cat while he was outta town and in the one hour while I was inside his house (bike locked up directly in front, visible through the living room window, bright daylight, nobody else visibly around when I arrived and departed), some jagweed not only stole my fuckin' wheels(!) but also tried to melt my fuckin' lock(?!?!?!)
OH MY FUCKING GOD.
My poor baby :C :C :C
Even though their website warns people there is no way they're getting stolen bike stuff back, I still filed a report with the police so I could try to get insurance to maybe help pay for replacing my wheels and the other bits that got jacked. Of course this all happened literally the day before Matt and I were going out of town for two weeks to visit family, and then when I got back it turned out there was a mix-up at my bike shop so I still had to wait another week to get my bike back, but here, now, at last, I am finally reunited with my fully ambulatory sweet baby girl!
She rides like a dream!
It's nuts how big of a difference my quality of life is when I can ride my bike regularly and when I can't. It keeps me grounded, it makes me feel alive. It's the best!!
The same friend is out of town again and I'll be catsitting this weekend-- but this time I'll be bringing my bike inside his house, thankyouverymuch 😤
Comments (10)
Boooooo but also glad you got back on the road soon. And hoping insurance helps mitigate the shenanigans.
What the actual frick! I once thought wrapping my bike chain around my wheels as well as the frame was overkill but now, I see things,differently. Glad you got new wheels! Lack of mobility sucks.
They def stole your wheels out of spite since they couldn't melt your lock. sorry this happened to you.
Hope insurance gave you a hand, and hurray for new wheels!
I’m so sorry someone stole your wheels! I just bought a bike off of Craigslist and have to carry it up the three flights of stairs to my apartment so no one steals it. For some reason bike theft and damage feels personal in a way that doesn’t make sense. You might be interested in seeing if you have a local bike “church”. I just went and they taught me how to fix my squeaky breaks and the broken speed shifter. I’m an absolute beginner and it gave me the courage to ride my bike back home in Philadelphia traffic! May the green lights and easy left turns be with you.
I had quick disconnects on my wheels and would pop the front wheel off and use the kryptonite to lock wheels and frame to a fence or whatever. One day I came out for my bike and the fence was gone, along with all the bikes that had been locked to it.
Goodness! Glad you've got your bike again 🤗
Hanging is too good for bike thieves! It's like taking someone's friend, or a pet. I, uhh, might have strong feelings about this.
Boo for bike crimes, but huzzah for bike knowledge & a newly functional ride. Also, NICE kohlrabi shirt!
Oh my goddddd. I had my bike stolen once right off my front porch while we were on the other side of the wall watching TV!! Hope your insurance covered something? Anything? Hey at least now you've got new tires! 😅