When I was a kid, I had my bike stolen. I filled out a police report with the make, model, colour, etc., and about a month later, I was asked to come back to the police station to identify it from a warehouse of recovered stolen goods. My younger brother went with me for moral support.
Looking back I think he may have been casing the joint.
The officer opened the door to a room filled with bicycles in all shapes and sizes, and led us to the one he believed to be mine. The thing is, it wasn’t mine. It was much nicer than mine. It was newer, shinier, and had bells and whistles I had only seen on bikes in better parts of town.
When the officer asked, “Son, is this your bike?” my mouth started to form the word, “No” when my brother elbowed me in the guts and piped in,
“Yes it is officer! That’s his bike.”
My love affair with biking ended shortly after that. I used to enjoy bike riding, I really did. But bad bike karma set in, and I felt like a fraud riding some other kid’s stolen Schwinn. Would the kid spot me on the street? Would he think I was the bicycle thief? So the bike collected dust in the basement. Mom hung winter coats on it.
A couple of years ago, buoyed by a pursuit of the amorous kind, I decided to hop back on. I inherited a bike from my new flame’s brother-in-law. But when the relationship ended, and I backed my car out of the garage for the last time, that bike let me know the score – in the form of a massive handlebar-shaped scrape down the driver’s side of my retreating Suzuki. A permanent reminder of two affairs that ended poorly.
Karma, it seems, is a dish best served cold.
So when LocalGuiding.com asked if I would take a bike tour of Bangkok and write about it, I was a bit hesitant. I had no issues while renting a bike in Ayutthaya, but this would be different — this would be a guided tour. And where there are tour guides, there are tourists. And tourists judge. I know because I do it all the time. So do you. It’s just our nature. And I am somehow convinced they will see my shady past as clearly as if the words were etched on my forehead – “Bicycle Thief.”
Here’s hoping they don’t.
hmmmmm….i actually remember u gettin your bike stolen at fort amherest…i was teh only one that didnt get mine stolen (mine was a piece of junk lol)
Mine was a piece of junk too — I still can’t believe you escaped the thievery that day…
Raymond recently posted..Desperately Seeking Santa
Another very enjoyable read, Raymond. Please tell me that rusty pink bike isn’t yours!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..The Chimney Tops of Santa Maria Island
It’s not mine, but mine was only in slightly better shape. Plus I had streamers.
Raymond recently posted..That’s Entertrainment: The Reign of Travel by Train
Ummm sorry to say this Raymond, but if they are following your blog, you might as well written “Bicycle Thief” on your forehead…
Jarmo @ Arctic Nomad recently posted..The Surprising Balut Experiment
I think there are maybe 4 people following my blog. And we all avoid the cops.
Raymond recently posted..Desperately Seeking Santa
I can’t think of anything I would rather LESS do than take a bike tour of a place – at least, a long one – but I will be very interested in reading all about yours!
Jan Ross recently posted..Peggy’s Cove, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Yeah I’m tending to avoid exertion in my latter years. But i figure a bike is good practice for when I eventually need a wheelchair to get around.
Raymond recently posted..When Nature Calls: The Greener Clacker Cleaner
I’m totally with Jan, bicylce and me don’t go hand in hand or rather saddle to bottom. Enjoy your ride and tell us all about it.
inka recently posted..The beautiful melancholy of winter
Will do! I’m a bike and tell kinda guy…
Raymond recently posted..Desperately Seeking Santa
Goodness, that rusty junk bike looks like the one I lost in my childhood… what a coincidence!
David @ Malaysia Asia recently posted..Travel Contest 2012 – Win RM5000 Vouchers from KLIA
It could very well BE yours! I know where it is if you want me to claim it…
Raymond recently posted..That’s Entertrainment: The Reign of Travel by Train
You’re funny! I totally believe in bicycle karma. Enjoy your ride.
Kim recently posted..It’s My Blogiversary!
Two-wheeled is the most deadly form.
And congrats on your blog anniversary!!
Raymond recently posted..Out of the Closet and Into the Peat
Awww, you were a kid! Did you even understand the concept of karma then? I hope your trip is fantastic!
dtravelsround recently posted..Escape of the Week: Sintra, Portugal
Thankfully (or not), Karma Chameleon was popular back then, so at least I had the Boy George understanding of it.
Raymond recently posted..Desperately Seeking Santa
I am going back to my childhood days now. I bought a new cycle and riding through my adopted city these days.
I am always afraid that someone will steal my cycle. Its the kind of cycle that you can detach by parts. If they cant steal it in full, they can steal some parts of it
Sailor recently posted..On a Rainy Day through Chennai Highway
I can’t believe you had such a guilty conscious at such a young age! You’ll have a great time on your tour!!
Abby recently posted..Costa Rica coffee yum
I have a guilty conscious at this old age too. It’s the one constant in my life. I am Catholic you see.
Raymond recently posted..That’s Entertrainment: The Reign of Travel by Train
Just don’t wear a fanny pack
Gerard ~ GQ trippin recently posted..Staying Healthy: Vaccines & Medications
Fanny packs are the work of the devil. You can quote me on that. :0
Raymond recently posted..When Nature Calls: The Greener Clacker Cleaner
C’mon, Raymond – you want everyone to believe you ever rode a BIKE?? Clearly you’ve forgotten that you wore velcro KangaRoos because you weren’t coordinated enough to tie your sneakers…
You know who loves ya, baby! Happy Peddling!
I had velcro Underoos too, but let’s keep that hush hush for now shall we?
Raymond recently posted..Desperately Seeking Santa
Raymond, I swear that pink bike was the one I got for Christmas when I was 10. Seriously. Give it back.
Cherina recently posted..Old Friends, New Lives: Vancouver, British Columbia
Did you Ma steal it from David @MalaysiaAsia? You two need to talk…
Raymond recently posted..The Agony in the Air Con
Love the post. My father has a nice bicycle and had been stolen. But sad for us that the bicycle didn’t returned to us. But for me I’m very happy for it was stolen its because before it was stolen I broke the brake and the front wheel of it due to careless accident.
Breaking things and then having them stolen sounds like an insurance scam to me. I’m calling the police.
Raymond recently posted..Classic TV Combats Airport Ennui
Loved this story and the bike tours sounds interesting!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Get into the festive spirit with a visit to London’s winter ice rinks!
Thanks Debbie!
Raymond recently posted..When Nature Calls: The Greener Clacker Cleaner
it could’ve been sooooo much worse. like you flew over the top of your handlebars…now THAT’S bad bicycle karma.
jenjenk recently posted..Photo Friday: Japanese Wedding Couple in Traditional Dress
I did that once in a shopping cart (Kids, a hill, a dare — go figure), but thankfully never done that on a bike.
Raymond recently posted..Travel from Point A to Point Z
I really like the story of this post..Biking tour rounds are really great!
judith recently posted..An Entrepreneur Home Based Business You Would Love!
I’m starting to become a bike evangelist I must say. I had fun on the tour and will have the scoop soon!
Raymond recently posted..Desperately Seeking Santa
Hope this ride changes bad memories to good! =)
Andrea recently posted..5 Reasons to Visit Jordan Now
It did indeed — I will have a post up soon!
It did! I will have something up on the tour soon!!
Raymond recently posted..That’s Entertrainment: The Reign of Travel by Train
Interesting story about a stolen bike and wanting more
eileen ludwig recently posted..Christmas Celebrations Busch Gardens Ice Skating Musical Stage Show
Cute post! Hopefully the bike tour bikes were not reclaimed from the police station, so no one will think you are a criminal
Jade – OurOyster.com recently posted..Australia Zoo : One Of The Best In The World
The bike tour company assured me the rides were legit…
I like that you had a guilt conscious on that as a kid. Wish everyone felt the same. I had a few bikes stolen in my life. It sucks! Go bad bike karma!
Good luck on your tour.
Sam recently posted..Park Tool Advanced Mechanic Tool Kit Review
Thanks Sam. I credit the strict Catholic upbringing. Now who’s up for a rosary!!
Yeah, Karma’s a bitch. I get hit by it every now and again… the universe letting me know I should treat people better. Well written though.
Thanks Ian! Karma can be gentle as a lamb, or a fierce as typhoon…I think I’m moving towards lamb territory lately…