The entry I had hoped to never make

[wayfaringwordhack]

Last night, our bicycle tires were stolen. Our first brush with theft on Mayotte, and I can tell you, it is not a pleasant feeling. Replacing four tires will run us about 300 euros. I'm speaking of buying the parts new because I refused to buy them used and possibly--who can say?--be buying my own tires back. In any case, I'm not perpetuating the problem by encouraging the market. So, the question becomes, buy new tires or a-whole-freakin' 'nother bike?


Finished and gone are the days of being a trusting fool. (Yes, the bikes were chained, but only the frames, not the tires. Stupid, stupid, lazy us.)

Comments

[rabiagale.livejournal.com]

bummer. :(

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

truly a bummer.

[pjthompson]

So sorry. Theft feels like such a violation.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

that is exactly it. And I hate the way it makes me suspicious of everyone I see. Is that guy smiling that way b/c he is thinking of how easy it was to steal from me? Are those my tires on that bike? And the list goes on...

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

That's awful.

But 300 euros for tires? ouch!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yes, big time ouch. Our bikes cost us 180 euros each, used, of course, so I almost think it would be better just to buy bikes.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

And do you ahve room to keep them inside with the 3 legged guardcat?

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

lol. Are you trying to make her into the captain of the Maki Karate Guard so that I'll have to keep her?

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I think you just did.
And yes. :-D

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Nope, not going to keep her. And I might discharge the makis since they were incapable of driving off the wheel thieves.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Well, their objective was to protect your apartment. If you didn't clarify that that included the bikes, how could they be expected to know that? I think some new administrative skills, like, for instance, those of a three-legged cat, would solve the problem.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Kev, I'm not going to keep your kittencat for you. She'll be flying over as soon as her leg is healed. :P

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Could you ship her other leg separately, or is it too late for that?

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

You are a bad, bad man. And yes, I'm pretttttty sure it is too late. :p

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Yeah, even as I wrote that I was cringing.

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Ugh! Sorry to hear that.

Doesn't only happen in Mayotte, happened to me in Denmark, in a locked bicycle garage at university. My bike was locked with one of standard Basta locks around the back-tire, but that seemed to have opened like butter. Don't know what they used, but they did get away with my 5-internal gears tire.

I'd suggest chaining the front wheel and get a sturdy key lock that goes around the bike and the back wheel. Also painting the tires so that they're easily recognisable seems to deter the thieves.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we are going to bring them inside everyday, and I thought of doing just that with the next tires! I think a bright orange would do the trick. :D