Carrera makes radical decisions

Carrera

Another of my bikes was stolen today. This was the Claude Butler roadbike that replaced my last stolen bike. I'd left it in a public area chained with a large, thick chain. This was a thick chain and padlock.
While I was in the internet cafe, a man in a suit rushed in and told me he'd just seen my bike being stolen from outside his office. He managed to get a description of the thief and saw where he'd headed. He even shouted and took a description.
Incredibly the thief had managed to cut through the chain with large bolt-cutters. As he'd done this in a public place, he runs a large risk of being caught. Of course there are cameras.
I only wish I'd come out and collared the dude (so I could have kicked his ass in such a way as he'd think twice about stealing peoples' bikes) but, as it is, I've gone to the police and will be making a statement tonight. I didn't see the crime unfold as I was in the internet cafe.
Basically, this changes a lot of stuff. I've decided I can't afford to to keep paying out for new bikes so the boat will have to go, especially in light of the fact this could be stolen as well and would cost me thousands of pounds as opposed to hundreds of pounds. I decided crime is now becoming more radical.
I'll have to buy another bike and invest in huge security, scores of locks, alarms and whatever I can use. I'm going to have to limit my material possessions so I can direct my money into the security of my bikes. I'll be dismantling my other bike tonight as the next thing the garage door will be broken down in the night and another one gone.
Yes, I'm pretty pissed off!! This is hundreds of pounds I've lost so far.

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

Dondare

The boat is less likely to be stolen than your bikes.
Was the bike insured?

limerickman

sorry to hear that.

If it's any consolation - I've had several bikes nicked : having said that these bikes (used for commuting) were valueless in terms of resale value.
I would never use any of my racing bikes for commuting purposes.

Maybe you should consider that as an option - buy a bog standard secondhand bike for as cheaply as possible.

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.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets" - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Carrera

The police have been and gone. There's a good chance the theft will have been recorded on camera but I guess I'll be lucky if I get it back in one piece.
This bike wasn't my absolute best. It was about the cheapest, Shimano roadbike you can buy (a bit too basic for Rourkes to touch). It cost me about 345 pounds brand new and I chained it up with a large, thick chain and padlock. It was also left in a public area in broad daylight.
Seeing as this is the second theft, yes, it's changed my attitude. I'll probably have to buy a new bike for commuting and seeing as I don't buy rubbish, I'll probably lay out about 300 pounds. Apart from that, I've decided to stop being materialistic and sell up my boat which I now figure I'd have to insure more carefully as well as fit alarms and loads of security stuff. I mean, if that gets stolen I'll lose thousands as opposed to hundreds and crime over here is surging.
So, from now on I'll stick my money in the bank and spend it on holidays and stuff instead.

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

Carrera

No insurance as the chain I used was pretty big and the padlock was up to security standards.
It hit me at a bad time as I have a lot of money to pay out for the boat license and other expenses so this is kind of like the straw that broke the donkey's back.
In truth, I can't afford to spend time and money on possessions that some people seem desperate to get hold of. So, the boat will have to go, a new bike will have to be purchased and then a few hundred pounds spent on locks, alarms and anything else I can think of.
Just wish I could have caught that guy in the act.

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

BottleCage

Ride a Fixed gear the thief most likely not be interested in something with no accessories to sell. Plus riding a fixed gear takes a little bit of practice.

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“Too bad that all the people who really know how to run the country are busy driving taxi cabs and cutting hair.”
- George Burns

mikesbytes

Mate you've had a bad run. I must of been lucky, I've never had a bike stolen.

I'd go the crap bike route, find a really old racer and use it for commuting. Take the good bike out on the real rides.

Otherwise immigrate, time to forget the warm beer.

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Don Shipp

It's just as well that you didn't catch him as then you would be facing assault charges.
I like the fixed wheel idea, you never use your low gears anyway so why not? Fixed gear bikes can be built out of cheap bits and still be light because there is just so little of them. You end up with a bike that looks like crap and which most people wouldn't want and couldn't ride....so less likely to get nicked.

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Carrera

"It's just as well that you didn't catch him as then you would be facing assault charges."

I've been in that line of work (personal security) so, yes, I'd genuinely like to teach that guy not to steal any more bikes - it's the only message that will sink in sometimes.The first time, I just shrugged it off as one of those things but now I'm not seeing the funny side at all.
Still, life goes on. The police came round last night and took statements. They're reviewing security camera that were trained around the area of the crime.
I decided to follow Limerickman's advice and buy a cheap bike for commuting and keep my roadbikes locked in the garage when not in use. I'll also be devising new security systems as well as getting insurance.
As a replacement roadbike the best bet is the Carrera - my original bike that also comes in red and costs a mere 260 pounds. However, I'm buying a cheap mountain bike today for about 80 pounds for general purposes.
I've also made up my mind to sell the old boat as I now realise that could be stolen just the same or vandalised and security and insurance for boats is far more complex than for bikes.

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

Carrera

Funnily enough, bike crime makes a big impression on people. Madonna was pretty upset when her bike was stolen in London, even though she could afford to buy several bike shops, let alone bikes.
The most serious bike theft mistake, moreover, was that of Cassius Clay's. Had it not been for that, he'd never have walked into a boxing gym and been signed up in the club.

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

cheapie

what is it about having our bikes stolen that hits us so hard? i had one stolen and i steamed about it for a long time. i hadn't even gotten all that attached to it yet. i'd rather my car, home theater, etc. be stolen than my bikes. do we form more of a bond with them that we do with our other posessions? somehow attach warm feelings to them that are connected to the good times we've had on them? even when i sold my old hardtail MTN bike i was a little sad about it.

BottleCage

My theory is that we spend alot of time on them with no distractions( i.e. radio, cell phone, etc.) Plus the fact that when we put out more effort it responds just like our bodies do. So there is the connection that it is an extension of our body. It is a feeling you do not get when driving a car. The bicycle has become part of us and who we are that is why we get so attached. I have several complete bikes but I just can not part with old frames etc. Unless I know it is going to a good home. ;-)

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“Too bad that all the people who really know how to run the country are busy driving taxi cabs and cutting hair.”
- George Burns

Carrera

I'll explain why I was so angry (and still am).
First of all, I don't drive a vehicle so my bikes are fundamental when it comes to getting around, especially on those days I decide to work on my boat. I need to cover many miles so I need a light bike that will get me there sharpish.
Also, this is the second roadbike I've had stolen. The first time, I shrugged and put it down to one of those things but this time, I went ballistic.
I made a start sorting stuff out and bought a cheap mountainbike. Sadly the expensive bar lock that came with it seems to be a washout and has started playing up already (all I can do is try some WD 40 and see it that helps).
As for the boat, rather than sell I found a way to store it on dry land but I realise I'll have to chip, insure and alarm both bikes and boat.
If I ever get my hands on the thief I have little doubt it won't be a pleasant meeting but, by the same token, I'm aware stealing and theft in this area seems to be linked to increased poverty, closure of many industries and social problems as a whole.
I think it needs dealing with at the root cause. As a Chinese friend told me last night, you can't have a society of haves and have-nots without problems of theft or even muggings. When you can't leave a bike chained up in a public area by day, there is a major problem that needs to be addressed.

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

willocrew

Hmm not really. As long as Carrera used reasonable force without intent to cause grevious bodily harm.. he'll be validated by a right to defend personal property.

Actually Carrera, you could have even cracked his skull and get away with it cuz he would have had lock cutters which would have posed as a possible weapon.

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