Frick! Bike stolen.
 

My commuter/utility bike gone.

3 years ago I bought a 2 year old Marin Stinson for $130, and souped her up some to create a bike that I simply relied upon for so much, and loved. The really frustrating part of the whole deal is that for years I kept a crappy old falling apart saddle on it to deter thieves. Just last week, I replaced the saddle with a cheap, but much better looking one. Now, 5 days in, the bike is gone.

Hopefully CL will come through with something, and soon!

That's rotten. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your bike. Here's hoping that karma will quickly catch up with the thief in some unpleasant and ironic way - karma has a way of being more creatively funny than most of us can be. :)

How and where was it locked?

Locked to a bike rack at the local train station with a strong cable and master lock, lead through the front wheel, frame and around the rack. I've locked it up that way for 3 years now. The next bike with have a new and stronger lock (the lock and cable were stolen too).

sorry to hear that. It's worth calling the police just in case. You never know...

I don't believe there is such a thing as a strong cable, unfortunately. Sorry about the incident but at least you got some great service from the bike. Good luck with the CL search.

Sorry to hear that dude. I am glad most of our transit stations have these secured bike boxes where one can rent.

you don't mention what city/town? very tough to loose one like that. my condolences.

I feel your sorrow,
I would be devastated if that happened to me, I realize on one level (and to almost everyone else in my world) that it is just a material thing.
However on another level there is a symbiotic relationship that you have with your bike.
It's magic,when you are rolling effortlessly down the road, the bike responding to your slightest moves and wishes, dodging pine cones, potholes, rocks, and small (and/or large) furry animals.
Losing that relationship is the part that really hurts. .

Well said xtrajack. Thanks for putting it in plain words. hurts..

As for location, Lake Bluff, IL Metra Train station on the north rack (facing the parking lot).

Fuggin' sucks! So sorry to hear about that.