Stolen bike update post

The response to the loss of my bikes has been overwhelming. Thanks to everyone who has read the posts and printed the Wanted Posters. 


I've spent the day wandering around dodgy areas and waiting for the Police, who were late but very effective once they arrived. We found that the garage was untouched apart from the missing bikes. The paddock stands were still in there, which gives me some hope: the thieves don't know that the 998 needs to be kept off the ground to keep pressure off the forks (the seals are very light on these forks and blow if they are stored with weight on the wheel).


There were four stands, worth a few hundred on their own, plus a set of Pierobon stands, which are properly expensive. Also a spare pair of PVM magnesium wide track wheels and disks worth a fair bit (used once). All left behind.


I'm not convinced that the thieves know what they've got: the rarity of the parts, the fact that the bikes are 'known' and that they will be hard to shift. Maybe they just saw something shiny and nicked them.




This evening has been spent with the SOCO (CSI) guys looking at the garage and giving statements. The Police are interested in the rarity of both bikes and gave the thumbs up to the use of social networking to spread the word. The response has been so great that I got my first 'Monetize your blog' message from Google today : )  It's not happening.


I'm knackered this evening. Partly because it's been full on, partly because I've been trawling pubs with the posters. The response from every one we've asked to display them has been fantastic. It must be twenty years since I've been in so many pubs in one evening. All were great places, one left my head reeling and an odd craving for biscuits and chocolate. I was offered drinks in most and a big bag of weed in one. Made friends with a huge Staffie on an equally huge chain. And I met Lee from last night again. He was still stoned and told me that he'd taken two of the strippers back to his place. Great guy!






Before I put this to bed for the night, a final thank-you to everyone who has taken time out of their busy lives to read this story. In a world that can sometimes be very unpleasant, I haven't met one single person who didn't want to help. The fact that complete strangers can offer help and comfort is just amazing. Thank you all - the people I know and the thousands of people that I haven't met yet..