Bikes get ripped off, but most people are still awesome

Now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I’m realizing that though I’m missing half my poor bikey, I’m still pretty darn lucky. Why? A bunch of reasons:

  • Ultimately, it’s fixable. I still have my frame and many parts; I can rebuild from that and still feel like it’s the same bike
  • If I have to rebuild my bike, I’d rather it be because parts were stolen than because I got squished by a car
  • Again, though I have a huge emotional attachment to this bike, it is, after all, a bike. No one was actually harmed in the stealing of my bike parts.
  •  I’ve had this bike for almost 9 years now and this is the worst that’s ever happened to it. I’d say that’s actually a pretty good track record

Though it feels like a violation, though I spent a good while wondering how many bike parts in the world (especially those floating around on Craigslist) are stolen, though I spent a while trying to determine if everyone I saw on a bike or otherwise was a thief, that’s just ridiculous. Having something stolen doesn’t change the fact that inherently, I still believe that most people are good.

And the best thing? The best thing is the people that all along have been proving that to me. Deb from the Hollywood Farmers Market not only gave me a ride to my house post-theivery but also gave me a ride to her house, to pick up her road bike that she lent me indefinitely–until I get myself back up and running, she said. That’s way beyond the call of duty and has made life so much easier since I can still get myself around.

My friend Mark at Upcycles is helping me find used parts and order new ones with his magical bike-shop ordering skillz, and we’ll have a put-my-bike-back-together party whenever everything’s ready.

And many of you have emailed, called, or commented here, which makes me feel less lonely somehow. I’m not sure why having stuff stolen would make me feel lonely, but it kind of did. Perhaps because it seems like if someone’s stealing from you it must mean that they have no regard for your feelings at all, which is sort of lonely. I don’t know. But thanks to all of you making me feel better:)

I’m still kind of sad about my bikey, but it’s okay. People are still awesome.

4 Comments:

  1. I had a bike stolen from my garage a few years ago. I had foolishly left the door from the garage to the backyard unlocked (the thief came through the gate to go into the garage). A Buddhist monk I know, told me that I “had made a donation”. He advised me to do my best to let go, and the thief would have to deal with his/her karma. It’s hard to just “let it go”, but, really, what else can one do? Devote the remainder of your existence to hunting down the guilty party?

    I am sorry for your loss, and for the resulting frustrations and anger. It will pass.

    • Man, that’s lame about your bike. I feel like it’s a whole different ballgame when someone actually comes into your house (or garage, whatever) and takes your bike. Or anything, for that matter. LAME.

      But I totally hear you about letting it go. I firmly believe that staying angry gives someone else all the power over you and your emotions, and I don’t like that. So it’s sad, but ultimately it happened and now I deal with it and move on. heh–I consider it a donation, I suppose:) I like that.

      Thanks for the comment:)

  2. You know – I want to simply throw in a ‘how lame’ for commizeration-sake. But really I’m inspired by your list of how things could have been worse. Your ability to rise to the occasion and see the good in people is admirable. And I also wanted to thank you for posting the story. I would have had my bike parked probably pretty close to yours at the farmer’s market that day if I had been a little more on the ball with my morning. Your cautionary tale is a good one to remember.

    • Aw, shucks. Thanks. :)

      For what it’s worth, this wasn’t during the farmers market itself, just a board meeting. I mention that only because I suspect there’s way too much going on during the market for someone to strip a bike down without being stopped by someone. I hope.

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