How do you cope with a loss?

So I had my bike stolen straight from the extension on my house. We were all inside the house at the time. The bike wasn't too good, but I'd had it for 5 years so it'd become my second half. It's been 5 days and I'm still depressed about it. Probably more the fact it'll be ridden around and dumped in a field somewhere and not loved any more. I got 30mph out of that bike, despite the fact it was a full steel frame and had a lot of drag due to the tyres it had on. Still really annoyed it's gone...

I'm just looking now for some advice on how to forget about it and just think ahead at how I can make sure this won't happen again but also to overcome these current feelings.

Thanks guys.

asked Feb 27 '11 at 18:42

Taz155
191●16●21●27

6 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

I hope I don't come off mean, but it was a bike. You can just buy a new one. I have two bikes both the same size and I ride one of them but I have no emotional attachment to them.

To prevent this from happening again you should buy a bike lock and lock your bike from now on.

Just let it go.

answered Feb 27 '11 at 18:57

TheTechDude
16.8k●40●94●298

edited Feb 27 '11 at 19:08

FizzNakLe
2.5k●44●56●96

Well I thought I hated that bike but I do miss it. Probably more down to the fact I've lost my independence for a while and now feel unsafe riding through the village where people know who stole it.

I have a bike to use for the moment but it just isn't mine..

I thought I had let go but obviously not :(

(Feb 27 '11 at 19:05) Taz155

Maybe use it as a chance to buy a better bike than what you had before. And make sure you get a good lock for it.

(Feb 27 '11 at 19:13) TheTechDude

Got a lock the other day but I really need a heavy duty chain. I saw one guy with an expensive bike using 2 locks.

(Feb 28 '11 at 17:26) Taz155

Find a good chain. Since you seem to live in the not best area or you just have some bad people with nothing better to do I suggest locking the bike with the lock around both the wheel and another part of the bike. If you were to just use the wheel someone could take off the wheel and leave with your bike. And this way no one can steal your tire either. Like the first part of this pick http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/lockyourbikehowtolockdiagra.gif you could do the second part if you want but that to me seems like to much trouble.

I have never had the emotion attachment to something like you do.

(Feb 28 '11 at 18:01) TheTechDude

Generic items that can be bought again? I would just be annoyed that it was stolen and then look into buying a new one, personal items or one of a kind items would bother me a lot more if something were to happen to them. For example, if I was out taking photographs and my camera was lost or stolen before I returned to back up everything I would be bothered more about losing the images (depending what they were) then the camera if it was a family event, one of a kind moments etc.. If it was generic shots of landscape that could be redone I would be more annoyed at losing my camera.

answered Feb 27 '11 at 19:52

Xiro
4.4k●37●54●103

If you don't have a job, you need to get one mate, a bike can be replaced for CHEAP!

I have found bike shops all the time where you find them for $20-$120 depending upon condition and brand, and I'm not talking crummy stuff either!

I bought a Giant mountain bike from a garage sale for $35!!! We are talking about a $300 bike here!

Don't sweat it mate, there are HELLA Deals waiting on you, get some grip in your hands and go shopping!

answered Feb 28 '11 at 00:30

_GTech
1.3k●16●23●43

edited Feb 28 '11 at 00:35

I was looking at some bikes on eBay, but delivery can be a problem :(

(Feb 28 '11 at 14:44) Taz155

In my personal opinion the only way to feel better about something that is stolen is to get revenge if someone stole my bike I would hunt them down and beat them to within an inch of their life.

answered Feb 28 '11 at 15:17

snack pack88
2.0k●25●36●55

I've convinced myself I'm going to do that if I see someone riding it. But possibly only force stop them and hold until the police come. I'm not letting some scum get away with using MY bike. But possibly fighting them would only make the situation worse. I live in a relatively peaceful area, but the closest town I have to get through to do anything is full of low-life children who seriously don't have anything to do.

(Feb 28 '11 at 17:25) Taz155

The feelings you have are normal, especially when dealing with something that you've really enjoyed. My first car was an absolute piece of crap - 1991 Dodge Colt. It was tiny, it sounded like a moped, and it had the worst audio system that has ever been installed into any vehicle. It was also the car I learned my love of the road in, over the course of 3 months, a multitude of breakdowns, a transmission repair, two accidents, and nearly 60,000 miles of every kind of driving you could imagine. I grew to love that little car, because as much as it broke down, it never failed less than a few yards from my house, usually after carrying me hundreds of miles to get me there. I treated it well, made sure it had the best tires, brakes, and maintenance available for a car of its econobox-ish nature. It was towed while I was trying to get together money for a second transmission repair - I was planning to convert it to manual when it was taken. I still miss that little car, but keeping the good memories and moving on is the best way to cope. As much as you are attached to it, it's still an object, and in the end it can be replaced.

answered Feb 28 '11 at 17:10

KnightZero
1.2k●7●24

Yeh, I understand that.. But not you "got it towed"? Like, stolen?

My bike wasn't anything good, and unlike you I didn't realise I liked that thing until it was gone. Walking out of the house and your heart sinking is the worst feeling ever. I'd built my young life around that bike. I went to gym every day on it, and got some serious speed on it. Now, I know I can get a new bike, but I've been torn apart physchologically to feel safe riding through town again. Mum dropped me off at the gym today and I just couldn't put any effort in, when I usually burn 500calories + and do 30 minutes cardio.

I become attached to items because I don't get a chance to upgrade them regularly. This is obviously a negative of not being 'rich'.

(Feb 28 '11 at 17:29) Taz155

While I "loved" my car in a way, I used to complain about it incessantly until it got towed. (My local municipal board hates sitting cars, and didn't even leave mine alone for very long before they took it, and crushed it.) I didn't realize its true value to me until I was looking in hindsight as well.

(Feb 28 '11 at 17:48) KnightZero

My laptop died a couple days ago, so i know what you mean by loss. It's frustrating when you can't do anything about it. That being said, dude, it's a thing. It's not like your hard disk containing two years of photos died, or your only copy of your thesis was wiped out in a flood. It's not like your best friend moved across the country. It's not like you trained six months for a marathon only to twist your ankle the day before the event.

Get some perspective, then get over it. Get another bike.

answered Feb 28 '11 at 17:21

Duodave
4.6k●40●49●98

I've had hard drives fail on me. It's easy to recover files on them.

With bikes, you can't just find them. It's more chance that you'll ever see it again. I guess if I did see it again I'd make an effort to get it.

(Feb 28 '11 at 17:33) Taz155

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