So after lots of to-ing and fro-ing, I eventually pressed ‘go’ on ordering a new bike last night.

I visited a couple of bike shops with my better half yesterday afternoon, just to see some of the available colours ‘in the flesh’. We also needed to buy some new lights for our replacement bikes, as these were also stolen, along with the bikes.

I came home without purchasing, as the service in the Brompton store was…disinterested at best. I’m always amazed at London shopping experiences. I show up, signpost my intent to hand over money, and they act like it’s some kind of favour they’re doing me to find the thing and take the money.

Anyway…

I ended up ordering online, from a reseller, when my other half found the exact model I was looking for, but at a great discount. And while I’d originally looked at the black models, I finally opted for one in…orange! 🍊

The only challenge now is whether it’ll arrive before I fly to Singapore on Thursday. We asked when ordering and I’m still waiting to find out (it’s Sunday, after all). If they can’t, I’d rather they hold off on shipping until I’m home.

The last thing I want is for another of my bikes to be left lying around this building, after the last one was lifted. It hopefully won’t be too long before I’m back out on the streets.

My insurance company paid out for our stolen bikes yesterday.

My other half took care of dealing with them, while I dealt with the police. It almost feels like we can draw a line under it. All in all, we’re about £250 down, each. Insurance had a capped ‘per bike’ limit. And of course the bikes themselves cost a lot more now, compared to when we originally got them.

Doesn’t everything?

But it could have been a lot worse, obviously. So I’m trying to focus on the positives.

So today, it’s time to go shopping for a new Brompton! 🚲

Providing a statement to three police officers in my kitchen is not how I envisaged this weekend starting.

My other half is in Spain for the weekend and I woke up to a text message wondering why the airtags on our bikes were showing them as two miles away. I headed down to the bike room in the basement of our apartment building so discover both bikes gone. Chains and locks cut right through, cleanly.

All of the common areas are only accessible via a finger print lock, so I’m still trying to figure out how the scumbag(s) got access. And what kind of tools they used to cut through the chains and locks.

Flagging all of this with the concierge at reception was a waste of my time. The management company that runs our building is notorious for being quick with the invoices and slow with everything else. So I’m not anticipating any help from them.

The police, on the other hand, where superb. They went straight to where the bikes' Airtags said they were and searched the area. No luck. So then they came to my apartment and took a statement. They also inspected the bike room - and were also interested to learn about the fingerprint locks and how someone could get access.

It turns out several bikes were taken in the last 24 hours. Not being the only victim doesn’t make it any less infuriating. I’m still furious. The only consolation is that the bikes were insured. And as soon as the police email me the incident number, I’ll be making a claim.

Here’s hoping the weekend improves from this point on.

I picked up my Brompton from its service earlier - glad to have it back in my possession.

Less than thrilled that they left it in the bike room, unlocked, with the door to the room wedged open. I’m just glad I called by when I did. Otherwise the day could have taken a completely different turn. Bike theft is rampant in London!

I didn’t have my helmet with me, so took my folded bike home on the DLR. But I couldn’t resist unfolding it as soon as I got off and cycling the 500m to the end of the street. It was such a good feeling to be back on the bike and I can’t wait to do some cycling this weekend.

I definitely need to build my confidence after all this time, so I’ll be seeking out some cycle paths and quieter stretches of road in the neighbourhood. Then, it’ll be some early morning trips to the office.

Woo-hoo! 🚴🏼