Stolen Bike = Stomped on Spirit

Everyone that knows me knows that I love to ride my bike. I average about 600 miles/year on it. As soon as the weather is ready to break my bike goes in for a tune-up (always take extra-special care of my bike!) so I’m ready to go!

Over the 6+ years I have had my (nice) bike I have spent time and money decking it out a little: added a kickstand, a water bottle holder, a saddlebag rack, nice electric lights, a decent Cat Eye, $100+ metal pedals (one side allows you to “clip in”) and I always lock my bike wherever I go (we go a lot of places together!).

I ride my bike for stress relief, for fun, to be “green”. I run errands, ride to dinner or the farmers’ market and visit friends all via my bike. I’ve ridden way out to my parents house (and back), to the beach, on Critical Mass rides and a million other places.

Last night I rode it to Target near my house and locked it up. I walked in at exactly 7:20 and my register receipt was stamped 7:37. By the time I got outside, someone had stolen my (locked up) bike.

I felt a bit like I had been kicked in the stomach. I was stunned…stupefied actually. I went in and spoke with security and called the police. The police came and took my report. They were actually awesome; took this seriously: drove around looking, alerted area police departments, were kind, respectful and sympathetic.

My neighbor (and friend) came and got me to take me home (we stopped so I could have a drink first!) and I called the police with the serial# for my bike.

I’m so stunned by this. You hear so much about karma and what goes around comes around and how doing good brings good to you.

Well: I am pretty good. I am generous with both my time and my money. I donate as much as I can to charities, I have helped many a person in need financially (to the point that right now I am paying on a loan I took out a couple years ago to help someone else out. Not the smartest thing: sure; but, I was able to do it and come through and help in a time of need so I did. I’d do it again.). I volunteer a lot (not a week goes by that I don’t volunteer at least a little), I am an active community member. I feel like I am undeserving of such a jerky move by someone.

But when you start to get down in the dumps, the dumps really come…and I start reflecting on my short comings and the mistakes I have made and unkindness I have been guilty of and I think: why not happen to me? Maybe I do deserve to be the victim of a jerky move.

But I know life can’t be lived that way. I know far worse things happen to far better people. I know that I’m not perfect and I have never strived to be. So I guess I’m just going with the whole: “shit happens” mindset. I’m going to keep being flawed but keep doing good and always strive to be good and kind and generous.

I am not going to be a Debbie-Downer about this. It sucks – for real, but I am lucky enough to be in a position where I can replace my bike. I’d rather spend that money on other things (or charities) but I am so, so lucky to be in the position that I am. I am not a single mom of two whose only mode of transportation is a bicycle and that’s part of what chaps my ass: the person who stole my bike had no regard for what they were doing to the person who worked so hard to have that bike (and anyone who knows me would tell you: I’d gladly give to help someone if they were truly so in need and in such a bad situation that they needed to steal. I’m betting this person wasn’t doing anything but being a jerk though). For a split second I knee-jerked the thought: “Why do I even bother? Why do I try to help people/society/the planet etc. if something like this is going to happen?” and then I realize that it’s because I truly enjoy helping people and furry people and the planet: it’s what feeds my soul.

So…I will get a new bike. I don’t know if I’ll replace it with an identical bike and all the goodies or if I’ll try something new. Either way I am grateful to be able to do it, sorry that I have to but I won’t miss out on bike riding this season.

Oh, by the way: please don’t be a jerk and steal stuff, ‘kay?
Thanks a lot.