Violated

September 24th, 2023

For the first time in years, I don't feel like writing today — but I will, for spite! My bike was stolen overnight and this morning only the cut bike lock was left. The bike was there yesterday evening on the bike stand outside where I live and is gone today. I contacted the police, and they arrived and took notes to make a report, but as they said — the chance of recovery is not much more than zero. And this is not about the value — the monetary value — of this bike. I was already planning on getting a new one since this one was already showing wear and tear after 3 seasons of heavy use. It is about violating my personal property by fucking thieves, well prepared since they had wirecutters and ignored other bikes while targeting mine. I feel terrible for the simple fact that something that belonged to me was taken by somebody else.

But there is more to this situation. Everything can be replaced. I will get a new bike and will get such a safety contraption or just a real chain that my new bike will be next to impossible to be stolen. I will get it marked by the police so that, in case it gets stolen somehow, it will be easy to identify it. I might even get insurance on my new bike to be well-prepared and well-covered from every possible angle for the future. But there is more…

That bike was a crucial part of my recovery from addiction that started three years ago. In season — I would ride it as much as possible, to work and on longer trips over the weekend. That was motivation for me to keep my body in shape, and to push myself to get better average speeds and longer distances. To be fit and striving to get fitter. And having a fit and healthy body helps tremendously to keep a sober and well-oiled mind. So there is a huge emotional value I had in my bike and now, just like that, that bike is gone. Of course, I will not stop getting better — physically and mentally — but the fact of such a terrible violation of my property feels awful.