Ramil's Bike gets STOLEN!!
I'm so upset. My bike was stolen from me yesterday. I don't understand how because I was only away from the bike for like half an hour, it was locked securely, and it was on a very crowded street. Anyway, here's what happened...
I was competing in a Macaroni & Cheese Cook-Off, which I lost to Chef Leslie Faylor, and Former President Ronald Reagan, and I needed to get a cheese grater. So, I rode my bike over to Surprise! Surprise!, purchased the cheese grater, and then rode over to Trader Joe's to buy some cheese. I locked my bike to the bike rack directly in front of the entrance, and, as I always do, I gave my bike a good tug to make sure that my lock was fastened secruely. I walked into the store at 4:00, waited on the '12 Items or Less' line forever, and then exited Trader Joe's around 4:30. I walked out the door, and I immediately noticed that my bike was gone.
Instantly, I was devestated. I have not been that sad in a while. The feeling you get after your bike stolen is such a unique saddness, and I'll tell you why that is. Not only did you just lose your bike, but you also lost your lock -- which in my case was more expensive than my bike. Including lights and tune-ups, the bike was a $150+ operation.
Also, when you own a bike, you always expect that the bike or at least part of the bike will eventually get stolen. Every time you lock your bike, you're just increasing the likliehood that this will be the last time you'll ever see it again. It was difficult living with this weight on my shoulders when I first started biking, but every biker eventually learns to cope. Then, when it actually happens, you get that horrible "I knew it"-feeling. It's like someone inside your head is taunting you, finally able to say, "Told you so."
Anyway, so there I was on the sidewalk, with only my legs for transportation. I didn't know what to do. The cheese was melting, the opening ceremonies for the Macaroni and Cheese Cook-Off were rapidly approaching, and I was bikeless. So, I called my sister. She calmed me down, and told me that I needed to file reports. Then, I talked to the NYPD (I got to dial 911 for real) and NYU security, and you'll be surprised to find out what they told me: getting out bike stolen is actually not that important. And you know what, I think they might be right on this one.
Although I feel awful because someone jacked my stuff, I can find solace in the fact that bike season is almost over, no one got hurt, and I'll probably be getting a nicer bike soon.