I was out for a walk this afternoon to pick up coffee for next week, and look what I discovered outside of the cafe. The remains of a bike.
Take a careful look. This front wheel does not have a quick release. The scumbag that stole the remainder of the bike had to have had a wrench or pair of pliers. Now, you can argue this is not the recommended method of locking your bike, but you would think with bolted on wheels this would be sufficient to deter most scumbags, particularly on a high traffic, retail street in front of a cafe.
I have been fortunate. In my time, and I have had a lot of time, I have only had one bicycle stolen. The experience taught me a big lesson. Don’t leave your bike, even if it is locked. I never lock my good bikes when I am out. If I can’t take them with me, I don’t go. I walk them into stores, washrooms, libraries, cafes … I have learned that no matter how good the lock may be, there is always someone willing to do whatever is necessary to break it.
I don’t use the word scumbag lightly. There is nothing more lowly than a bike thief. They have a complete disregard for what a bike is. It is not simply a means of transport. The more a bike is ridden, and the longer it is owned, the more it becomes an integral part of the cyclist. Stealing a bike is nothing short of stealing part of them.
It doesn’t matter what the bike costs. Or, how new or well equipped it may be. Cyclists get attached to their bikes. In fact, they get better with age, like a good bottle of wine. They are upgraded when worn, fit as necessary, and perhaps most importantly, share memorable experiences.
Shame on you bike thief.
PedalWORKS 
This is so true. I had my first bike stolen in November. I now ride a much better one, almost twice the cost, and I love it but… I still get pangs of missing the old one! Bike thieves are despicable.
The bike I had stollen was my first touring bike. My first expensive bike. It was only a few months old, and it was stollen right in from of the university business building where I taught in full view of the administration staff. It has since been replaced with much more expensive bikes but the Dawes still holds a special spot in my heart. A bike is like an old friend. You share so much together. 🙂
Lowlifes. I had a bike stolen a few years back. I lent it to a friend who locked it up outside her gym (strong D-lock and two big cables) and it still got stolen! The locks were probably worth more than the cheap department store mountain bike…
You have to wonder what the motive is sometimes. It seems any bike is a target.
I’ve heard some are just stolen for scrap metal money!
I agree! I love my bike, she even has a name 🙂
Aside from that, I don’t drive and I couldn’t afford to replace my bike if it was stolen. It truly is a despicable act. I do wonder how people are able to take apart a bike with tools in a public place in broad daylight — does nobody notice them doing it?
My road bikes have names too. “Bob” is the Roberts, and “Louis” is the Louis Garneau racer. Yes, bike thieves are despicable. There is nothing worse than to lose a bike you have shared years and experiences with. How anyone can think of loosening those bolts on a busy, lit street is beyond me. Thanks for the comment. If I am not mistaken we are almost neighbours. 🙂
Seems like it!
Ha, the comparison to a bottle of wine is very nice and coming to think of it, that is exactly the way I feel about my piano.
I have had a bike stolen once and yes, it makes me want to swear just like you at the thought of it!!! I get your point about not taking our bikes if we can’t lock them and I find it outraging that thieves don’t have an ounce of compassion… Ha! Thieves and compassion – not two words you find in the same sentence very often!
Exactly. You experience many long and enjoyable hours at the keyboard. Your piano does for you what my bikes have done for me. To think someone would steal a bike, or a piano (that might be difficult), is beyond me. 🙂