Robbed of Livelihood.
My bicycle was stolen recently. We don’t know the actual day/date because the last time we used our bikes was Saturday, June 5th. We had gone out for a long day biking around town and also for a long walk and then home for rest. On Wednesday (yesterday the 9th) we discovered it to be stolen.
Curiously, the saddle bags, baby trailer, Nick’s bike and the other bike were all left. Only mine was stolen.
What hurts is that bicycling together was a family affair that we used to bond and spend time together. Win-win that it’s also a very active and healthy endeavor and was certainly doing wonders for my body that was two-years-and-counting out of shape. Audrina really, really loves going out for long bike rides. She loves her trailer deeply and understands what it means when she sees it; she will even try to climb into it and buckle herself in out of excitement and impatience. I’m still very, incredibly relieved that Nick’s bike nor Rini’s trailer were taken as that would’ve broken my heart way worse than losing my own; at least the two of them can still go out together.
When talking to Nick about it, he made a very good point, which is that a bicycle thief is the lowest of the low among thieves. Not everyone is well-to-do and bikes as hobby. There are a lot of people in Portland (and many, many other cities) who bike because they can not afford a car. That bicycling is the only way for them to make it to their jobs. Though it was a life style decision for us, it is still a very lowly and pathetic thing to do to someone.
Currently, the speculation is that someone went back there either knowing that’s where our bikes are (so someone who’s seen us in the front of our house before) or someone who originally went back there to steal our recycling to turn in for money and noticed the bikes. We imagine they took mine either to have a mode of transportation themselves or because it was obviously the most-expensive one in the bunch and could potentially be sold back to a bicycle shop for profit. It makes me sick.
Aside from swimming, there are currently no other exercises other than bicycling that are as active and engaging (both mentally and physically) and tender on me knee. My right knee is a torn up, banged up, wimpy mess. Sure I’ll go for lengthy, lengthy walks. It feels really good to do so but in the end leaves me in excruciating pain.
As well with the stress we’ve been dealing with together, from the crowded apartment and not-always getting along with our house mates; as well the stress I’ve been dealing with from moving my entire world and having to learn a whole new culture and life style, bicycling was one of two activities that kept some semblance of sanity in both me and Nick. It was an outlet that could relieve stress by physical means and by emotional/mental means, for simply getting out of the house and away from all our troubles for a few hours. Now that is gone.
People sometimes have a good excuse, but never any right, rhyme or reason, to steal. In life or death situations it is understandable. Yet the likelihood the thief who lifted my bike did it for reasons like that, is slim to none. More than likely s/he did it to sell for drug money or to use for their own leisure. It’s disgusting. So very shameful anyone would want to make such a direct attack at someone’s livelihood and well being.
Wish us luck. We’ve reported it to the police and Bike Portland . Our specific listing can be found here .