Katie's Bike STOLEN!!!
Thread started by
canadienne at 04.8.09 - 6:21 pm
From twitter:
katiepoche FUCKING HELL someone stole Squeaky Nishiki off bus bike rack. #333 bus, 5:35, Venice & Vermont, according to bus driver.
Everyone look out for this bike!
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Sucks!
Sorry to hear this Katie.
Yet another reason for a foldie, you can take it on the bus with you.
User104.8.09 - 6:25 pm
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Lock your bike to the bus bike rack.
If the driver gives you heat, lock your wheels.
This bike theft biz is getting out of hand.
Creative Thing04.8.09 - 6:28 pm
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That sucks.My girlfriends bike was stolen off the 720 right around that area a couple months ago.You have to stand at the front of the bus right at the door behind the yellow line.That's what I do and if the driver tells me to move to back or exit out the back I point at my bike and tell them no.You should contact them as soon as you can and see it they have anything on there camera that might help.
blackout_blacklung04.8.09 - 6:37 pm
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wait wait wait wait wait
katie left her red bike on a bus, this is the new red bike right?
so wrong and so sad. katie i'm so sorry!!!
tomato04.8.09 - 6:47 pm
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she didn't leave it on the bus.... somebody stole it from the rack on the front of the bus while she was on it.
canadienne04.8.09 - 6:52 pm
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Holy shit. I agree that all this bike thievery lately is getting more brazen and out of hand.
SPOOK04.8.09 - 6:59 pm
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really sorry to hear it, kid.
steph04.8.09 - 7:40 pm
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You are freaking kidding me people are still stealing peoples bikes that is bullshit. We need to start hog tie people to poles and leave them there until someone lets them go when they try and steal bikes. I mean I am up for on these rides to set up a area and buy a large amount of chain and latch them up so people can check them in with me and get them back. sound like an idea right.
louisbianchirider04.8.09 - 8:05 pm
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Sucks. Will keep an eye out for her.
X-Large04.8.09 - 8:18 pm
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@liz sorry i meant the first time she lost her bike i think she left it on the rack, but someone could have stolen it too
this time, someone actually stole it and the fact that this is bike #2 gone for katie is what really bums me out. maybe we can pitch in some money for her to get another bike at some upcoming rides.
hope we can find the lovely squeaky nishiki =(
tomato04.8.09 - 8:26 pm
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Rat bastards! That's terrible!
I hope you find the thieves, and I hope they wither and die of guilt.
nathansnider04.8.09 - 8:28 pm
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Thanks, everyone. I'm so sad.
The sheriff's department takes care of thefts on buses. They're on their way to my joint now. I'll be making posters, too, and distributing them at bike shops around town. If anyone sees that bike — and it's pretty distinctive — GET IT! I'll pay you back, if they're hawking it! I really want that bike back!
Tomato, I left my Giant Quasar on the front rack of an east-bound 720 in early January. I didn't talk about it a ton because a.) it was 1,000% my own damned fault & I was ashamed, and b.) I didn't figure there was any likelihood anyone would find it, since it never showed up at the MTA Lost & Found. But this time, there might be a chance. Especially if there's a camera on that bus!
katiepoche04.8.09 - 9:27 pm
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aww its a red nishiki girl frame [;
i have a blue nishiki girl frame as well.
anyways ill be aware if i see it.
good luck finding it [;
LailaOwns04.8.09 - 9:29 pm
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That's a good strategy, the standing at the front of the bus. I usually sit with it in my line of sight, but this time the bus was mad crazy full of people (it was 5:30 pm), and they kept piling on in front of me. I was standing at first, and I STILL couldn't see it through all the people. Finally sat, gave up my seat, sat again, gave up my seat AGAIN (lots of old ladies tonight!), and that's when I realized I couldn't see my handlebars.
Me: Wait a minute ... where's my bike?! I put my bike on the front rack! Did someone take my bike off the rack?
Bus Driver: Yeah, someone did. At Vermont. That's about four blocks back.
Me: But that's how I get around! Well, that and the bus, but ... My workplace is SIX MILES from downtown! I NEED THAT BIKE!
Bus Driver: You should watch your stuff.
Me: But there's so many people! They all just kept coming and pushing me back!
But he did give me a transfer. I guess you're not supposed to get transfers if it's MTA-to-MTA, but he said if I pled my case to the driver (who was very kind and let me on), I might be able to ride without paying another fare. I trawled the neighborhood for an hour and a half or so, and even stopped in to ask after it at the bike shop on Venice and Harvard, but no luck.
Fucky.
katiepoche04.8.09 - 9:34 pm
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Yes, stick to the front of the bus. I get super paranoid every time I put my bike on the bus rack. I usually just stand right at the front and not let people push me back.
Gav04.9.09 - 12:00 am
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damn that's a trip, sorry about your bike. i never take the bus but i've always wondered that if i put a bike on a bus rack, how do i prevent it from getting stolen. i guess this type of ish really does happen. do most people lock their bikes to the bus rack?
tfunk40804.9.09 - 12:26 am
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I'm really sorry to hear that!
I'm on wilshire and vermont, I'll keep an eye out. I can also paste up posters around if your planning to do that.
aksendz04.9.09 - 12:34 am
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From what the ridazz say, the bus driver gets pissed if you lock your bike to the rack. But there's nothing that prevents you from locking your bike before putting it on the rack. At least this way they can't ride off with your bike.
I could just see a couple of dudes operating as a team with a pickup though. They roll around looking for buses to hit. When they see a bike they like on a bus, they roll by the bus and lift it. Gone in 10 seconds!
User104.9.09 - 12:35 am
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Bump
Really sorry to hear this Katie. I lost 2 bikes last year and am now super careful. My chant before I leave the house is "NOT THIS BIKE"
I ulock the back rim to the frame (is that the drops?) then put on the rack. Then I stand with my arm wrapped around the 1st pole behind that yellow line and dont let anyone push me back.
DeKadenzy04.9.09 - 11:44 am
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Keep your eyes out for this bike people! Bright red woman's Nishiki. We're going to find it. Last seen Vermont & Wilshire area.
Joe Borfo04.9.09 - 11:49 am
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Maybe a built in mega taser in the handle bars will slow them down! batteries can go under the seat.Modify an off/on switch and your good!
pporras04.9.09 - 12:05 pm
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I still think bus drivers should be held accountable if bikes are stolen off the racks. They're the only ones with a good view of the bikes. It's not too hard to remember at most 2 people at a time.
they're the driver, they're responsible for their bus.
FuzzBeast04.9.09 - 12:34 pm
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they're the driver, they're responsible for their bus.
sadly, not the bikes though
aksendz04.9.09 - 12:36 pm
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I have ridden alongside this bike many times, it does squeak a bit.
We will find "Squeaky Nishiki"..
Is there a reward fund being collected? I bet if we offered $50 to $100 this bike would get returned.
skd04.9.09 - 12:37 pm
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the bus drivers job is to drive the bus not pay attention to whose stuff belongs to who. hundreds and hundreds of people are on and off the bus throughout the day. half the time the bus driver doesn't even have a chance to get a good look at the person who is putting the bike on the rack because the driver is dealing with other passengers paying and showing bus passes. watch your own stuff.
sorry to hear about the bike katie.
brassknuckle04.9.09 - 3:28 pm
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My Friday bike rides home usually involve Jefferson to Vermont up to 6th. I'll be keeping my eyes wide and I'll stop at the two shops I know (Jefferson between Normandie and Vermont and Vermont and 25) to show them the flyer and see if it's there.
Agent Orange04.9.09 - 3:47 pm
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Katie...
How tall are you?
adrian04.9.09 - 4:46 pm
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Hey, adrian!
I'm about 5'5". I reckon the Nishiki was equivalent to a 50 cm frame (are mixtes measured the same way as regular-shaped bikes?), maybe a little bigger or a little smaller.
Do you know of someone selling a bike? I have no dimes right now (this theft couldn't possibly have happened at a worse time for me, financially). But if the seller (you?) is willing to wait, I could probably hustle up some dimes in the near future.
Eh? Whatchoo got?
katiepoche04.10.09 - 7:46 pm
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Also:
New flier. In color. For teh wab, because posting in color is not more expensive than posting in black and white, in contrast to Kinko's and/or printer cartridges. Content (writing) subtly different, but not really.
katiepoche04.10.09 - 8:07 pm
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Katie I have a Schwinn mixtte also red. It looks very similar. It's my "guest" bike. You can borrow indefinitely.
marino04.10.09 - 8:37 pm
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Katie
I'm the same height...
I have an old Nishiki...touring frame from the later 80's...it's not as stylish as yours...but it's a Nishiki
it's got 27" wheels...and it's all steel
I don't know what shape it's in...it's been at my mom's garage for a few years...
but if you don't mind fixing it up...
I can help with it also...I'm a mechanic at the Oven...
(in other words, I'm willing to help, but I don't want to do all the work fixing it up...hahah I'm lazy)
let me know if you want it...I think it needs a good home...if you want it, I'll swing by my mom's and check out the condition
adrian04.11.09 - 12:13 am
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Oh jeez, people, I'm overwhelmed!
Marino, I have a loaner, but thank you so much for the offer!
Adrian, I'd love to check out your bike. I would want nothing more than to have a big hand in its repair ... I know what I want, and I know my way around a bike a little bit (the Squeaky Nishiki was verrrryyyyy different when I first got it). Yeah? I'd be super grateful if you could take a look at your old bike & let me know the sate it's in!
katiepoche04.11.09 - 12:37 am
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Sorry to hear about this!
I love how the driver acted like it was all your fault that somebody took the bike. he should be paying attention too. the only reason people don't lock their bikes is that they are right in front of the the driver's face.
Now that i have heard of a few bikes stolen off the bus I just have to lock my bike every time it is on the front ... even if it is free locked.
i don't think keeping an eye out is enough. If the bus was crowded and i saw somebody grab the bike i don;t think i would be able to react fast enough to catch them.
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Doesn't the bus have surveillance footage on the front?
trickmilla04.11.09 - 3:57 am
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so sorry!
the worstest. let me know how everything goes my lady love.
<3
moondance04.11.09 - 9:54 am
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Trickmilla — they do have surveillance. I called the police, and they sent out a deputy to take a report. She said they'd scan the video footage of all westbound #333 buses that were near Venice & Vermont between 5:25 and 5:40. (I got off the bus at 5:40, just a few blocks away from V&V.)
I don't know what they'll do with the footage once they have it, though. Look for that guy just, like, on the street? For a stolen bicycle? I just feel like there's very little hope, using the police. I've got some friends canvassing the neighborhood with some fliers I designed, hitting up bike shops and co-ops and places bikers hang out. I hope it works.
katiepoche04.11.09 - 10:33 am
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CORRECTION:
Not just canvassing the neighborhood. Canvassing all of Los Angeles. Thank you, mixtemotions! You are an angel made of gold. And thank you Robert Stanfield, for distributing AND for the loaner bike! And THANK YOU, everyone else, for reposting and spreading the word!
I have some pretty amazing friends. I'm tearing up a bit just thinking about it.
Meanwhile, if you see the bike for sale, BUY IT! I'll buy it back from you + a $50 reward! I would offer more, but it's all I can afford right now. I kind of can't even afford that ... but I REALLY WANT THAT BIKE BACK!
katiepoche04.11.09 - 11:22 am
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i didn't contact them, but you might want to check it out
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/1118329132.html
SPOOK04.11.09 - 7:30 pm
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!
Thanks SPOOK!!!!!!!!!
I think I've seen this guy's posts before ... bad syntax & grammar, never any details on the bike.
I'm gonna get a new email account for this one. I can't write as "katie.oshea" with fliers all over town with my name on it. I should have kept it off!
!!!
katiepoche04.11.09 - 7:34 pm
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Update! Update! Update!
SPOOK04.12.09 - 11:34 am
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Katie, have you tried that bike shop on Venice between Vermont/Western (I think that's where it is)?
I drove by there the other day, and they were selling a lot of used bikes and it seemed a little sketchy, and it's not from where your bike was taken, so you might swing by and see if they've got something in a woman's bike in red available.
JB04.12.09 - 12:00 pm
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JB, that's the first place I looked, the day of the theft. Thinking the thief might have tried to offload it right away.. I'm going to look at a bike today from Craig's List not far from there, so I'll check back in and see if it showed up.
The guy selling the bike knows nothing about bikes. He said it was a ten-speed, but from the rest of the way he described it, I have no confidence he knows what he's talking about. You should have heard him describe moustache handlebars. "They're, like, not straight, you know? But they're also not ... round. They're kind of ... wavy. They're ... comfortable. You know?" I think he was groping for the phrase "comfort bike" or "upright geometry." I almost broke into laughter but had to keep in character. "I'm just a chick who's thinking about getting her first bike. I don't know much about them. Can you help me?" Blink-blink.
katiepoche04.12.09 - 12:23 pm
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meanwhile,check out the sweet ride im letting katie borrow.a time warp straight out of the 80's.in person its quite impressive,white components,lepoard seat,purple and turquoise accents.
too bad katie is going to have to change her look to match the bike.
this one wont really go with tweed and plaid.
good luck with the bike hunt ms.pooch
robert stanfield04.12.09 - 1:10 pm
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Dude. The loaner bike is awesome, in all senses of the word.
Mostly the 1980s sense.
Riding with gears is weird!
katiepoche04.12.09 - 1:53 pm
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you mean:
"Like, totally awesome, dude!"
Grammar Dude does not abide!
FuzzBeast04.12.09 - 3:39 pm
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katie...
what's your email?
I can send you some info and pics about the bike I have...
adrian04.12.09 - 7:38 pm
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Hey, adrian —
katie.oshea@gmail.com <-- That's it!
katiepoche04.12.09 - 11:32 pm
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Bump!
What happened yesterday?
SPOOK04.13.09 - 2:18 pm
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Oh, jeez, it was really pretty anticlimactic.
It wasn't my bike. I guess I was hoping so badly it was mine, I didn't listen very well. That, and the guy wasn't forthcoming about the bike, over e-mail or the phone. He just kept saying "come over and check it out."
The bike was blue.
But it was exciting figuring out what to say and do should it have been my bike. I was going to act all innocent and ask a bunch of questions and blink a lot, and then ask to test ride it, and then once I was sitting on it tell him that it was MY FUCKING BIKE and that I was riding off with it, and that I had already contacted the police (I had), and that if he didn't just let me go with it, I was calling the police again.
See, he's a convicted child molester, and I can't imagine he was interested in being involved with the police again. I recommend googling the name of anyone you are going to meet on a dodgy street corner in Hollywood so you have this information to leverage. I also highly recommend bringing a posse. I had three people with me, one of whom was WIFE BIKE, who is a badass, even if she DID crochet the entire bus ride over there.
katiepoche04.13.09 - 9:35 pm
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Wifebike will fuck some shit up.
I'm glad you took a pigeon, though. You're straight trippin', boo.
SPOOK04.13.09 - 11:17 pm
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Katie... YOU CRACK ME UP!!! not that facing a convicted child molester is at all funny... but you have a way.... you know what I'm talking about! How many people can I facebook marry.... I heard something about a chain... I don't know if it's urban legend or what... but i think it's worth looking into! I'm still keepin my fingers crossed and my eyes open, and my hopes up legs closed, and my nose to the grindstone, and an ear to the floor <--- did I just make that one up!? -- nope googled it, and it's real! I'm doing all that for your bike to come home to you soon!
mixtemotions04.14.09 - 12:05 am
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FOR SALE ON CRAIGSLIST YESTERDAY Melrose and Normandie.
Stolen last week nearVermont and Venice Blvd.
Looks close. Missing the Brooks Brothers seat and has a basket put on it, though this could all be for cover.
Anyone want to call them?
Craigslist Ad
urbanpedal04.15.09 - 12:42 pm
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OH DAMN! Looks really close but there are reflectors on Craiglist one. Could it be a clever ruse to throw us off.
OR......
It just could be a coincidence
DeKadenzy04.15.09 - 12:47 pm
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No cages.
Damn, my heart is racing. Just thinking about if this was my Pugeuot stolen from last year, I would go ballistic
DeKadenzy04.15.09 - 12:49 pm
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"Don't worry about the seat I have it. "
Hmmm, that's awfully suspicious. He didn't have a seat to replace Katie's so he took it off for the picture?
The wheels are definitely switched out, different rims and hubs.
toweliesbong04.15.09 - 12:51 pm
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Holy shit, even if it isn't the bike...it's the twin.
skd04.15.09 - 12:55 pm
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I think Katie's had a single speed in the rear too.
mk452404.15.09 - 1:53 pm
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there's also a back brake missing.
this is either a smart thief or a twin bike coincidence.
sciencefriction04.15.09 - 1:58 pm
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this exercise reminds me of those, "What's different?" games in highlight magazine. But I imagine most of the people here might be too young to remember that.
sciencefriction04.15.09 - 2:00 pm
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what's that matching game called where we have the find the differences between two pictures?
meow04.15.09 - 2:05 pm
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yeah, it's not the same bike. Similar though.
I wish it didn't cost $200. That's a lot. And even if people contributed money, they wouldn't get $200.
urbanpedal04.15.09 - 3:20 pm
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I'm in for $25 on this bike if she wants it and we can get it.
barleye04.15.09 - 3:21 pm
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I'm in for $20, if she wants to get it. I also think we can haggle the guy down from $200.
skd04.15.09 - 3:27 pm
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Has Katie seen this??????
I will gladly add in with wheats 'n Barley and Stuart.
Brad 25
Stuart 20
Louis 20
DeKadenzy04.15.09 - 4:18 pm
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LAME. stealing bikes in general is lame, but stealing a GIRL'S bike is even lamer.
fucking thieves!
northernsoulbyrd04.15.09 - 4:24 pm
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I'm in for 20 too if she wants it. Does anybody know whether she actually wants it?
PC04.15.09 - 4:27 pm
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what if the model is a girls bike but a guy is the owner/rider of the bike? hmmmmmmmmm........
theladiesman04.15.09 - 4:28 pm
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We have $85 so far. We just need three of four more people and we could get this bike.
Anyone been in touch with Katie?
skd04.15.09 - 4:39 pm
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"LAME. stealing bikes in general is lame, but stealing a GIRL'S bike is even lamer."
I DISAGREE, BIKES BEING STOLEN IS LAME PERIOD. BEING A GIRL DOESNT MAKE U SPECIAL.
TIMESARECHANGING04.15.09 - 5:29 pm
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Being a girl DOES make you special.
But it doesn't make your bike special.
theroyalacademy04.15.09 - 6:21 pm
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^^^I was SO going to post this comment before, but didn't want to come off like a princess.
canadienne04.15.09 - 6:31 pm
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I have a front light and back light, and possibly a u lock to donate to the cause. I'm betting Katie doesn't have any three of those items.
User104.15.09 - 11:35 pm
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Whoah!
WHOAH. You guys, whoah!
I don't think that's my bike! Unless the seller totally revamped it ... I was riding fixed-gear, and that bike's got gears. I guess he could have taken everything off it and swapped it for parts, but that seems unlikely.
Shit, but what if it is?
I'm gonna contact the guy and take a look at it in person. If it's my bike, then I don't want anyone putting any money towards that asshole. I'll take WIFE BIKE's advice and just ride off with it once my ass is in the saddle, and I'll tell the dude I've contacted the police already (I have — I filed a report the day it happened). And that I'm calling the police if he tries to do anything about it. There will be identifying marks on the bike (which I have recorded and keep a hard copy with me at all times) to prove it.
I don't know which one I hope more, that it's my bike or not my bike. a.) I want my bike back! b.) I will have the strong urge to smack that guy upside the head with a U-lock if it is.
katiepoche04.16.09 - 9:06 pm
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Wait, I forgot to say something.
I forgot to tell you how fucking overwhelmed I am at everyone's generosity. I'm gobsmacked by how sweet and wonderful and amazing you all are for offering to help. I'm a little teary-eyed. More than a little.
Thank you.
katiepoche04.16.09 - 9:08 pm
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[Why post one time when you can post three times?]
But I won't accept it. Like I said, I don't want any of y'alls' hard-earned money to go to that bike-thieving asshole.
However, if I DO go to take a look at it, I may want a posse. I'll post here if/when I go.
katiepoche04.16.09 - 9:12 pm
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You rock katiepoche! I mean, you full on rock.
Are there any scars in the paint that you distinctly remember? Or other unique things about the frame only???
It just trips me out that it doesn't have a saddle, like he was switching stuff out and didn't have a different saddle to put on it yet.
toweliesbong04.16.09 - 9:15 pm
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Aww, towelie.
I'll check it out and report back. The two stickers on the frame are missing. But the seller might have taken them off.
I'll take a look at the saddle the seller's got on offer. If the seller's going to try to sell the bike with MY saddle, there's a thin white mark on the top of the saddle.
God dammitt.
katiepoche04.16.09 - 9:42 pm
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" I'll take WIFE BIKE's advice and just ride off with it once my ass is in the saddle" -Katie
Ouch, you might want to reconsider that, being there is only a seat tube.
DeKadenzy04.17.09 - 10:53 am
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ya....let louis do it for you. he's used to it.
barleye04.17.09 - 11:25 am
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louis, ur one sick puppy!
User104.17.09 - 11:28 am
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HHHAAH!
Louis, the seller said he has the saddle. It's just not on the seatpost.
katiepoche04.17.09 - 11:54 am
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I LOCK MY SHIT UP ON THE BUS, FUCK THE BUS DRIVER AND HIS STUPID ASS SCHEDULE.
ITS ALL A MATER OF HIS SCHEDULE OR MY BIKE.
NO BRAINER HERE.
WAKE THE FUCK UP RIDAZZ!!!!
eddieboyinla04.17.09 - 12:03 pm
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OH YA , SORRY TO HJEAR TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BIKE.
eddieboyinla04.17.09 - 12:04 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
BUMP!