(Photos courtesy David R.)
David R. got his bike stolen in the wee hours of Saturday morning. We’re posting this not only to help spread the word in hopes of getting it back, but also to share David’s story. He’s learned an important lesson. See if you can spot it in his email below.
First, here are two more photos he sent in. The first one shows the thief seconds before he grabbed David’s bike. The second is of David riding his beloved steed…
Here’s David’s story and plea for help (emphases mine)…
Hi Jonathan,
I know you can’t be publishing every stolen bike, but I want to at least leave the editorial decisions to you…
My bike was stolen from outside the 7-11 on 20th and Hawthorne at about 2:30 on Saturday morning, as I was at the counter not 10 feet away. I chased it down the hill, but was unable to catch up or find it, despite jumping into a passing cab and staying out till 6am looking for it (including going through the hole in the fence under the burnside- hole is still there, but there are no bikes or camps down there currently).
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The bike was a Jamis Allegro Comp with disc brakes, a selection of stickers including local bike clubs and HUB on the top tube, a Pedalpalooza 2014 and a chrome sticker on the seat tube, and (ironically) a ‘death to bike thieves’ sticker mounted over the logo on the driveside of the downtube. I had finally purchased my first Brooks, a Cambium C17, in February, which is now also gone. The pedals installed were bright green platforms. The rear rack had a bungee attached. There are 4 spoke cards in the front wheel, the largest being the pink one from last summer’s West Side Invite. The front tire is a continental, and the rear was recently fitted with a Vittoria. The headlight was a blue body with a black head. Picture included, though none of the bags pictured were mounted at the time. there is a loose zip tie on the top tube. There is a reflecty thing on the seatpost which says Ass (as in less gas more).
My biggest reason for writing is obviously that I want to get my bike back, and my hope is that the readership will know upon sight that this isn’t a tweaker bike. But more importantly- it only takes a few seconds for someone to get on your bike and ride, and if you’re not close enough to grab them, then all you get is the heartwrenching image of your taillight receding into the distance as you realize that you can’t catch up. I’d gotten out of the habit of locking if I could see my wheels, and in this case that served me poorly.
I’ve also included a photo from the surveillance video. These two walked up, he handed her the bag of cans, she came into the store, and then he rode off on my bike. It’s been reported on the Bike Index, Project 529, and as Portland Police Case # 15-22260. The bike is serial number U127K17777, and was purchased last May at the River City Cycles outlet.
This bike was my commuter, my tourer, my explorer, my party bike, and my friend. Any help you can muster to help me get her back will be immensely appreciated.
Thanks,
-David R.
If you have any tips or other information about this bike, please drop us a line and we’ll connect you with David. If you see someone riding this bike, please call 911 or the Portland police non-emergency number (503) 823-3333.
— Read more from the Bike Theft Chronicles.
CORRECTION, 1:30pm: This story originally stated that “Brian” got his bike stolen. His correct name is David. We regret the error.