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Libertad's Journal

libertad
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10/06/2009 19:50 #49950

The Red Raleigh- Libertad at 14
When I was 14 and my Grandpa was 57 we went on a bike trip from Rochester to Endicott NY. We took tents and sleeping bags and everything we needed with the exception of food for three days. I have very fond memories of this bike trip. My Grandfather and I developed a strong bond those three days.

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Today I went to the river without my old bicycle. It really made me sad when I realized that I never made the trip over the Peace Bridge with my red Raleigh Technium 420. I wanted to do it so bad but I didn't because I didn't get a bicycle rack and new tires. I thought that I would do it next year after I made those purchases...
ladycroft - 10/08/09 12:58
how fun! i always thought i'd wipe out trying to carry tents and stuff...or maybe that's just because i get in a lot of bicycle accidents :)
heidi - 10/08/09 09:26
What a great story and wonderful memory. I'm so sorry about your bike, (e:libertad). :-(
dcoffee - 10/07/09 12:11
I wish I had a trip like that, it sounds like fun. At least you got to do fun stuff like this.

10/03/2009 16:20 #49917

Operation Pee-wee Herman
Operation Pee-wee Herman is under way. Have spent the last 2.5 hrs riding through the West Side. A friend of mine lent me her bike which is really nice because the best way I can find it is with my own eyes. If I see it, I'm calling 911 while following it and giving them the description of bike, person and direction they are going. My bike is fast, so I hope I can keep up while keeping a safe distance so that they know they are not being followed. I wish I had more flyers to post up. They are like .59 a piece at Kinkos. Maybe I'll check with library to see if they do it any cheaper.

It is October 3rd and the weather is great. Don't have much time before most people stop riding for the winter. I spoke with the guy on Lexington and gave him a flier. He seemed like a nice guy and really doesn't want much to do with stolen bicycles. Gets his stock at auctions he says. He showed me the stuff he had in his garage. Still need to go to the one across from Wegmans.

Time to get back out there. That is so weird. It is 420 right now just like my bike.
paul - 10/04/09 11:43
I feel bad for your bike situation and hope you find it, but I also hope you don't get yourself knifed in the process - that would be ridiculous.

10/02/2009 10:19 #49903

Snuggling up next to a warm laptop
There is nothing more dangerous than recent cooler temperatures coupled with my new *to me* laptop. I love it! I have recently discovered the joys of internet TV as I stay huddled up under my down comforter. My robe is draped over my heater waiting for me to slip it on so I can go venture off into the cold cold house that I can't wait to move out of. It should only be another 3-4 weeks in this super humid and cold space and then i finally will move into a place with radiator heat *my dream*. I'll actually be warm which I anticipate will make this winter much better than last. Yesterday I woke up very wet and cold and noticed that my bedroom window was dripping with condensation. Good luck to my landlord renting this place out as he is out of his mind if he thinks I'll turn on my heat for any showings. People are going to know when they walk in here what it is going to be like the next six or so months.

As I was writing this I just got a call from Detective Nowadly from the BPD. I was really shocked that I got a call regarding the stolen bicycles and that she was so compassionate about my loss. You just sort of assume that they wouldn't give two shits about a stolen bike considering all the other stuff they have to deal with. My fliers featuring my bicycle along side Pee-wee Herman announcing the $200 reward are strategically placed throughout the city. Not sure if they will be noticed but whoever came by and stole them out of my garage are sure to one day pass by again and see it. Today I will walk to work and will no doubt constantly be eyeballing every bike I see.

So it is time to get up and out of this bed. Just wanted to say I love my laptop and internet TV without even mentioning the bike but then I got the call.

09/29/2009 15:10 #49884

Buffalo Stolen Bikes
Here are the other three bikes that were stolen along with mine. Clearly the owners want them back as well.

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Bike #1:

2003 Specialized Hardrock Cr-Mo (Women's)
Color: Charcoal
Also included additional customizations as listed on the receipt: Greenfeild kickstand, Trek Vapor black seat, and water bottle cage.
Serial number not available.

Bike #2:

1996 or 1997 Mongoose Threshold Sport (Men's)
Color: Red
Serial No. M5FA80195

Bike #3
Mongoose Switchback
Color: Blue
Serial number not available

I have emailed everyone I can think of with pictures of my bike. I also enlisted the help of Buffawhat and Buffalo Rising

I hope that everyone saves my phone number so that they have it ready in case they see my bicycle. Thank you all so much for your help. Hopefully I will get some signs up today as well.


tinypliny - 09/30/09 11:02
It is the most heartbreaking thing to have your bicycle stolen. I went through this with my brand new month-old bicycle when I was in Rochester. Someone broke into my porch and took it away.

I am so sorry! :(
jason - 09/29/09 22:41
Dang, I'll see if I can somehow program all that into my iPhone. I certainly sympathize and wish everyone the best. That is just unreal!!!
jenks - 09/29/09 19:26
you can also register your bike's serial number with the police department, and there's also a National Bike Registry- but that's not free.
I don't know how much it actually helps- but it made me feel like I was doing everything I could. (Also, some bike locks come with a "$5000 guarantee" or whatever- that they'll pay you if your bike is stolen while using their lock. And in the fine print, to qualify for the guarantee you HAVE to register your bike.)
libertad - 09/29/09 15:15
Please also make sure to write down your serial numbers. It is really helpful when you do this if you want to locate them again if they are stolen.

09/28/2009 11:58 #49874

Raleigh Technium 420 STOLEN
I'm so sad to report that my bike of 17 years was stolen sometime on Saturday from my garage along with three other bikes. Besides just putting $200 into it just a couple of weeks ago it is irreplaceable because of the emotional attachment I have towards it. It wasn't just a reliable source of transportation but one of the few things in my life that I have ever held on to in a life that has been constantly changing.

I really want to find my bike again Peewee style. I went to Campus Wheel Works and they were so awesome and sympathetic. I called Rick's and told them about it in case someone tries to sell it to them. I don't have the serial number as I got it used and never thought to write it down. The police came last night and I didn't file the report because I thought I might be able to locate the serial number, so I am going to have to call them back and file it without one.

Not really sure what else to do. Making signs is a possibility as well as offering a reward. I'm willing to pay someone $200 for the bike no questions asked. I just want it back. Does anyone know of any places like pawn shops that might sell hot bikes? I'm checking craigslist constantly and am not sure if I should post on there or if that might scare them away.

The first three shots are of my missing bike. The last two are pictures I found on craigslist (Way too far from Buffalo to be mine.) The last two pictures look exactly like mine does.

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Keep in mind that the bicycle has new break cable casing which is black and that the speedometer is no longer on the bike.

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ladycroft - 09/29/09 02:01
I bet it's the same bastards that stole mine from my garage on Bryant! grrrrrr
libertad - 09/28/09 21:59
Thanks everyone. Please let me know if you need an email with pictures. I will send it so that you can forward it to anyone that might see it. I have alerted everyone I know even Buffawhat and posted on craigslist. Call me 716-563-3899. I will not assume that you stole it but that you purchased it legitimately. I really need to have my bike back.. I can't handle not having it. Please give it back to me.
jenks - 09/28/09 19:20
ugh, that sucks. My first 'real' bike, that i loved loved loved, was stolen from my dorm in high school ON MY BIRTHDAY. I am still sad about it. :( I hope you find it.
james - 09/28/09 14:52
There is also that garage across the street from Amherst. They operate during the weekends. I will take a look this Saturday.
drew - 09/28/09 14:44
There is a dude on Lexington that sells used bikes and always has a supply of them--seems shady. I will check his inventory next time I walk by.
joshua - 09/28/09 14:36
Damn man. :( I understand. Occasionally someone will try to sell me something hot on the street - I'll keep my eyes out. Is there any specific identifying marker that would make your bike easily identifiable as only your own?
jason - 09/28/09 13:48
Lib, I'm sorry as well. That's really brutal. Every now and then when driving home from work I see bikes set up for sale on Grant Street, front lawn style, I'll keep my eyes open there and elsewhere. I really hope you get your bike back.
james - 09/28/09 13:07
That sucks. I am really sorry that happened.