- Always wear a helmet. I would never let Natalie live it down if she died because of something so stupid as not wearing a helmet, neither would she me.
- At night, use lights, preferably blinking ones.
- Keep a first aid kit on the bike. I don't do well with this because I haven't invested in saddle bags or something similar, whereas Nat has a basket.
- Don't be stupid. Be a defensive rider.
As I parked the bike, one fellow was exiting the store and came to pickup his own bike. He asked me if I was ready for today's game. I laughed and told him about how someone had asked my wife and me who we were rooting for and we looked back at them with blank stares, unaware of any bowls, super or otherwise. I made some small talk about how cold it was for riding bikes, he agreed. I turned off my blinking rear light, bid him farewell (which was returned), and for a reason unknown to me, I carried my helmet into the store with me.
I browsed the cheeses, the deli meats, some frozen chicken, discounted items and checked out. All in all, I was in the store for 10 minutes at most. I returned to the cold and the helmet to my head as I traced my steps to the bicycle rack. I stooped to unlock the bike and noticed the combination was not as I had left it. I had only moved one of the four knobs for easier access, a practice I am now halting, because it seemed as though someone tried to get it open. I didn't give it much thought until I twisted to the back of the bike to activate my blinky light.
It wasn't there. Who would want my blinking red light?
The light module was fastened to the bike by way of a thumb screw. It didn't fall off while I was inside. I looked around, hoping to see a scrambling figure with a flashing red emanating from his grasp. I even rode a sloppy figure 8around the parking lot before deciding to just go home.
Two theories: I was followed to the store by someone who couldn't resist my shiny, blinking light. He saw me on the way and knew he had to have it, much like the Thief from The Thief and the Cobbler (recobbled cut, of course).
Number two: the inquisitive sports enthusiast was so offended that I thought he might try and steal my helmet that he'd avenge me by actually being a burglar. When he couldn't get the whole bike, he'd deliver his message by taking my light.
Either way, I'm more disappointed that I was robbed of my Bishop Myriel moment of forgiveness and redemption, where I would offer the bike itself and the food in my backpack. More likely, Id've used that as an opportunity to convince him to not take my stuff or to discretely notify the police.
When anything is stolen from you, you tend to lose your sense of security. The smaller the item and the further from home, the less your security is threatened. Last night's incident was enough to have me peek out the window every five minutes after I got home to see if my bike was still there. If it had been stolen from the home, I'd be keeping the baseball bat near the door. If something had been stolen from within the home, I'd be buying a gun tomorrow.
When anything is stolen from you, you tend to lose your sense of security. The smaller the item and the further from home, the less your security is threatened. Last night's incident was enough to have me peek out the window every five minutes after I got home to see if my bike was still there. If it had been stolen from the home, I'd be keeping the baseball bat near the door. If something had been stolen from within the home, I'd be buying a gun tomorrow.
I'm glad that I wasn't totally robbed of my security, though. I enjoy being a little carefree and, indeed, careless. I'll have to get a new light though. This time, I'll look into something weatherproof and make it impossible to remove from the bike frame.

