Stolen>>>Recovered *RESPECT* @ Military Road, Retreat

[IRLeo]

I have never really posted on here, but figured this was a worthy mention. Basically, a big RESPECT and THANKS to the community of Military Road, Retreat in their help and efforts, in helping retrieve my bike.

 

My bike was stolen from outside the Charity bookshop in Kistenhof (I moved here from London and always lock my bike, but yesterday had forgotten my key and had the bike leant against their massive window). So, glancing over at the window (I wasn't in there long) noticed my bike wasn't there. Ran out into the road, hoping (expecting) to see a pile of bike and thief (the bike is fixed gear), but nothing there!

 

So rung my girlfriend to come in her car, and we went looking for the f*****! Took the back route between the VW and Toyota dealership, past the rail tracks, ending up on Military Road. It had been about 20 minutes since my bike had gone and first road we came to there he was coming at us. I jumped out the car and ran at him, but obviously he took off,,, and the bike moves. But, still I chased, shouting at cars next to me "GET 'IM" and they tried, puliing in front of him. Also, pedestrians having a grab for him. By now he was in the distance (I can't run that fast). Jumped back in the car, when my girlfriend caught up. Last I could see of him, he had moved to the other side of road to avoid the cars i had instructed to "GET".

 

Then he was down another side street, sort of running with the bike. We took the next street, with a wide swoop round, hoping to 'head him off at the pass'. Anyway, didn't find him. But, found some people looking at something, so before moving on, we asked what was going on, they had alot to say. Along the lines of ( I work with coloured guys, but sometimes i struggle with what's being said) a guy jumped over that wall with a bike and hid under that bush, then left the bike and hobbled off down the street. Which apparently is what they were staring at, to which we had asked 'What's going on?'

 

And there was my bike under a hedge in this garden. Even though the guy had dumped the bike, if it wasn't was for these curious, suspicious (although obviously they had every right to to be) people I would never have found it there...would anyone? Then the police turned up ( I had shouted at them too, while they were on the other side of the road, during my rage run on Military Road) and the guy who had explained and shown me where my bike was climbed in the cop bakkie. We asked one of the officers if we needed to report what had happened and greeted with a sly smile and response of "Nah".

 

Anyway, long post, but am stoked to not be without this bike. It was my Dad's second track bike, which he acqurired early 70's, which he passed on to me. The bike is essentially priceless to me and have turned down lots of offers, and ultimately it was worthless to him. Fortunately there was little damage, except he split the rear tyre and dent the rim, which was why he was running with the bike.

 

Bottom line, I never thought I'd say this,,, but THANK GOD for punctures!!!

[IRLeo]

I thought I'd included a pic of the bike after i retrieved it

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/unknown-vintage-track-632_9.jpg

Edited May 27, 2013 by IRLeo

[Skylark]

Niceeee!

Would have been really blind to lose that bike.

Nice to hear you got it back, being proactive in bike ownership restoration is the only way it really works in SA