Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Machak was stolen

Machak ... my Marinoni Ciclo bicycle ... has been stolen. He was resting against the van Sunday night in the quiet little town where we were staying over the Easter weekend, and somewhere along about 11:30 pm, someone took him. We gave chase but lost them, spent most of the night searching, then filed an extensive police report, and spent the entire day on Monday, and Tuesday morning, searching. I am devastated.

The town has a population of 1000 people and their main industry is tourism because of a historic main street. Things like this "never" happen in this town. We're leaving it in the hands of the police officer here who is, so far, quite enthusiastic about finding Machak.

There will be an article in the local paper there, posters up everywhere made from some photos I sent them, and I think there has been a talk to the local community association about the fact that this sort of thing is bad for tourism, and therefore the whole community needs to do something to help me get my bicycle back.

I'm just praying Machak is found or returned or dropped off or something, and is still in good condition ... but I'd like him back even if he is badly damaged.


Meanwhile ... I had a 300K planned for this coming weekend, but now have no bicycle to ride it on. One has been offered on loan to me, but it may be too big ... we'll see. We're hunting for an inexpensive bicycle just so I have something to ride in the next few days or weeks.

Machka,

That really sucks! I hope you find him soon.

I am so sorry.

It sounds like you are doing all you CAN do.......and more than most would be able to do...to ensure his return.
Here's hoping this story has a happy ending.

chin up!
Cyril

Quel dommage! Bonne chance.

Machka, I feel really bad for you! I know how special Machak is to you. I often worry about someone walking off with my bike like that. The thief, whoever it is, probably doesn't even know that they have. Keep your chin up!

Sorry to hear that, Machka!

Hope you can get Machak back.. good luck.

Aww man, kiddo, that sucks.
I hope the cops recover Machak promptly and undamaged.

:(

Fingers crossed for Machak's safe return!

So sorry. Hopefullly Machak is somewhere in the community and you get him back.

I hope that the police are able to recover Machak for you. It sucks to have a bike stolen; especially one with such sentimental value.

Aw, that's terrible news. But that's just one bad apple in a host of good humanity. Please don't give up on people. They're mostly OK. Hope you get him back!

Good luck, Machka. I do hope you get Machak back. I'll keep the fingers crossed.

Wow! Good luck, maybe in a town that small she will be found. :(:(

Rowan has put together Frankenbike for me! Frankenbike consists of a GT mtn bike frame and gearing with road handlebars, brakes, shifters, and wheels. Frankenbike has platform pedals with toe clips ... and one of Rowan's partially broken in Brooks saddles. I've done a couple short test rides on Frankenbike and will see how things go on tomorrow's ride.

Meanwhile, the police officer has been in touch and is still diligently searching for my bicycle. I have to commend the police force (one man) in that area.

I hate when that happens. Sorry for your loss, hope the Frankenbike works out for the current ride and hope that the bike reemerges.

Hope Frankenbike works out well. All that really matters is that the "fit points" (sit-point, handlebars, pedals) are in the same configuration, and you're good to go.

Hope even more that you get Machak back. The thief didn't steal a bike, he stole the tangible expression of all of your memories.

Best,
Nick

Bah. Was hoping if I checked again, there'd be a report that the police had found Machak. Good luck with Frankenbike, and I hope next time I check Machak is safe.

Bike thieves suck:notamused:

I'm sorry to hear your bike was stolen. I hope you are able to recover him. Best of luck on your 300k this weekend.

No word?

:(


Cyril

No ... posters are either up or are going up shortly. The police officer has informed the second-hand shops in the area. And they are dragging the dam on Friday. There will also be an article in the newspaper of one of the larger towns about Machak and dragging the dam, and the smaller newspaper in the area will be on the scene of the dragging process and will report on it as well.

I can imagine how I'd feel if I lost my Marinoni Ciclo, even though it doesn't have a name ... other than Ciclo. Though I have a rider on my house policy for replacement value, there is no replacing an old friend and, of course, the Ciclo has now been renamed, so the model is irreplaceable in that sense as well.

I do hope you get Machak back and in good order.

There is a special place in hell reserved for bicycle thieves.

Oh man.. I hate to hear those stories and I know exactly how devastated you feel.
I had mine stolen in 2008, which I bought brand new in 1993 and I'm STILL looking around in hope to find it :cry:

When you're emotionally attached to your bike and someone takes it, it hurts.

Good luck in finding your precious bike.

I keep checking this thread hoping it will be good news. But alas, not yet. I'm still hoping for it.
In the old west it was permissible to shoot horse thieves.

The Chiltern Police officer and the SES dragged the dam (pond) in the town of Chiltern for my bicycle, Machak, and came up with nothing. I have mixed feelings about that - part of me is glad he wasn't in there, but part of me wishes that he were found. Here's hoping the newspaper coverage brings some results.

Just saw this. Terrible news. Hope you get your bike back very soon.

Oh Machka!

I' so sorry about Machak. I've been an avid follower of your adventures together.
I do hope for the return soon.

Hey, this is really sad news. Hope he does turn up.

I hate to say it, but the thief was probably some out-of-towner who is long gone (probably some bogan from the outer suburbs of Melbourne). You might want to let the bike shops and pawn shops in the bigger towns know to look out for it too. Your bike is pretty distinctive.

I am glad to hear that the local community, including the SES and VicPol are so on top of a proper search.

Good Luck.

It may have been someone from out of town, although the outer suburbs of Melbourne are about 250 km away from the little town where Machak was stolen. If it was from out of town, it would have more likely been someone from Wodonga/Albury, or Wangaratta ... and word has been spread to those areas. Also, apparently there's a system here that my serial number (and bicycle description) was entered into in order to alert police etc. all over the country.

But there was evidence that the person who rode off on Machak knew the area, and the people who ran off the other direction disappeared amazingly fast, like they also knew the area, and no one triggered the motion light on the bowls club right behind the campground.

It's a crying shame that you cant let anything sit for a minute, without somebody ripping it off. What a society we live in. Good luck Macka, I hope it's recovered soon. I also hope that they catch the dirt bag that took it. It sounds like it would be a local to me, the way it just vanished. Probably waiting for the thing to cool down, before trying to do something with it.

I have a few things laying around if you need some parts towards a new bike. You have given enough to this forum for me to be willing to help get you some parts towards a new bike cheap. I also work in a shop so there are always good deals coming through.

Just let me know if you would like any help, feel free to PM or email me at chris k murray at gmail dot com

I keep coming back, hoping to hear good news.

I feel so badly for you, Machka. :(

No news yet. I'm still hoping.

But meanwhile, I do have rides coming up in May ... and I've always wanted a titanium bicycle ... so, while I wait for Machak's return (I hope) ...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?637756-Titanium

Cool! You'll get all the fun of a new build and a faster and possibly more comfy bike. Around here ti is very popular for brevet bikes, especially among the non-racer crowd. The fast folk have all gone carbon and everyone else is on ti.

But what about your tandem? The most fun two people can have in public. I don't know why we don't see more tandems on brevets. I'd think coincident goals would be common among couples and a tandem can sure be a get-'er-done machine.