While i refuse to harbor regrets in my life, sometimes things happen that are unfortunate and just need a positive means to vent upon…
Last night my bike was stolen.
Not only mine, but the bike it was locked up to: my best friend Tope’s BMX. Ya, he’s a semi-pro bmx rider, and his bike was worth even more than mine (financially speaking).
This is officially one of those “fuck the world!” kind of moments. However, with the encouragement of Tope, I guess its better not to harbor that kind of negativity. After all, I’m not a very sentimental person when it comes to material possessions. Multiple travels, displacement from home to college, and my recent trip have left me with the knowledge that possessions are temporary and impermanent, which is why right now i’m trying my best to react to this assault on my transportation in the most buddhist kind of way. Just breathe, it will be alright.
Now I can say without a doubt that our country needs change. This economy has people pulling some of the shiestiest moves ever..stealing bikes being one of them. I guess it all comes down to the money, its a sad thing to say, I know. But I press on recognizing this theft as more indicative of a larger system that has folks in my working class and low-income neighborhood hard pressed to get by.
I am one of the more fortunate cyclists out there now, with the opportunities that this trip has blessed me with, I have many projects in the works and have a feeling like I’ll be able to get another bike someday soon…but it sure would be nice to have all those signatures back.
This bike had meant a lot more to me than rubber, aluminum and carbon fiber..it reflected in its very frame the Americans that inspired me to continue on in my nationwide trek. From the mom and pop bike shops that fixed my bike for free, to the camera crews that followed me from ABC, the only signature that seemed to be lacking would have been the president’s himself.
For all of my bike lovers out there: Learn from my mistake, don’t leave it out of your sight…especially in the city.
Moving forward, I have to press on to the projects I have in the works. Yesterday I contacted producers and editors in Hollywood to try to get my documentary put together in the next two weeks for the 2009 Bicycle Film Festival. Along with that, my agent Sven has been working in Switzerland to secure sponsors to continue the ride internationally.
Many things to look forward to, so i’m just going to keep my head up and keep the rubber side down. Off to build my next bike- I’m goin fixed gear!
Departing December 2, 2008
Arrival: January 20, 2009
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 10:38 am
Wow, sorry that happened. It happened to me 2.5 years ago, my long-time, 10 year old bike was stolen from my job, with security police on guard. I just hoped that whoever swiped it, they use it to get to work, etc. I had another, newer bike. But one part of me does not like the thief mentality of stealing anything. I would go without rather than steal from anyone. Thieves don’t realize that they are stealing from people who are no better off than them. It just breeds mistrust among the people who should be trusted. So, Ryan, get a better bike, buy a Kryptonite lock and move on to the bigger and better things you have in store. And tell us when and where you are riding because we would like to participate.
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 12:43 pm
What a royal bite in the ass! Damn Man, having GPS imbedded on those wheels would be sweet right now, huh? Just imagine being able to find the ‘beep’ and then go storming in, all “Gimme MY bike Mutha!’
Nah, really, it’s more like what Anthony says . . . ‘those’ who steal breed mistrust among all of us, so just move along for the better. When I’m REALLY pissed at some a’hole saying “I wish you well” helps get me past that awful point. Well, I’m usually still pissed afterwards, but more focused to chalk it up and move on to my next life lesson. You’re still young. Much more serious shit will come your way . . . Sooo, take care to take care, with your head up and your bottom down!
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Where did this happen? Have you been in touch with the police? Perhaps the culprits can be stopped, putting another nice bike there as bait and watching it –
check out this: Chasing my stolen bicycle in FS
http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=2836&volume_id=254&issue_id=281&volume_num=41&issue_num=20
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
the news of course, is deeply saddening… but you (and tope both) seem to have the best outlook you possibly could…rising above the situation… evaluating it on a level beyond what i know could be so personal and moving forward. you’ve accomplished so much and it’s a shame that the object that probably best symbolizes that part of your journey has been taken away, but at the same time, i think you know that….it is just that… an object… and only a part of your journey. i’m confident that your journey will continue….whether it be on a bike (which i’m thinking at least a good portion of it will be) or otherwise. much love and keep that beautiful face up!
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Dude, that just sucks so hard. I’m really sorry that happened. Group hug!
I can’t bring your bike back–but I can fix that nice shot of you and your buds in the bike shop:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67181944@N00/3298142299/
on Feb 23rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I just moved to Los Angeles and I was looking for a bike on CL and your ad. Fuck, I’m so sorry for your loss!
on Feb 23rd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I am so sorry to hear about the bikes. I sure hope that the creeps that took the bikes feel guilty and return both bikes. I am sure whom ever stole the bikes knows what comes around goes around! Maybe someone will recognize the bikes and steal them back!
Ryan my best to you and Tope!
on Mar 1st, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Er, are you going to continue your “international ride” on a fixed gear? Good luck with that one.
on Mar 1st, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Ryan, that’s just awful! Maybe it will get returned, it’s a pretty famous bike and hopefully someone will recognize it (both of them) and get them back to you. You seem to be dealing with it well, if it was me I think I’d just cry.
on Mar 21st, 2009 at 1:32 pm
The loss of material possessions can be traumatic only if one chooses to allow inanimate objects to be considered as part of one’s own individual identity. With or without that particular bicycle, or for that matter, any other object, you continue to remain that which you are.
I am sorry to hear of your loss, and even more regretful that you will be leaving for Europe. Your heart is strong, your spirit remains unbroken, and your public expression of the necessity for a progressive agenda shall be sorely missed on American televised media.
You want to change something? You want to lift all ships? You want to renew and invigorate the planet? Before peace and justice may flourish; before change can be made permanent; before hope can become reality, it is the necessity of equality under the law that must exist.
LESS THAN 4% of THE STIMULUS WENT TO RENEWABLE
ENERGY PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION.
AT LEAST 50,000 AMERICAN TROOPS SHALL REMAIN IN IRAQ FOR MORE THAN TWO MORE YEARS.
NO LEGAL INDICTMENTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO DATE FOR VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS, AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION BY:
BUSH/CHENEY/RUMSFELD/WOLFOWITZ/RICE/GONZALEZ
on Mar 27th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Hey Ryan – was just checking your website and saw the news your bike was stolen…!
Man, that’s a bummer!! The bike sure brought you a long way…. 
Well, maybe you can get a folding bike in the future, so you can fold it up and bring it in with you, like the small Bike Friday Tikit I have… In fact, I’m having dinner at a nice restaurant in town tonight…I’d love to be able to bring my Tikit in with me…but being that it’s a nice restaurant, I’m not sure if I can…… If not, I will be folding it up, covering it up and locking it with TWO locks outside and hope for the best…. :/ Well, better luck with your next bike…. take care, Charmaine
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