Bike that travelled 10,000 miles stolen back in Bristol
A CYCLIST who rode 10,000 miles across Europe and Asia has had his treasured bike stolen – after he left it locked in a rack yards from the restaurant where he works.
Sam Swain rode the Dawes Super Galaxy hybrid touring bike from Ireland to Japan, passing through Turkey and Iran and spending three months crossing India before cycling through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China and South Korea.
But the bike vanished from a rack in Quakers Friars as Sam was at work in nearby Italian restaurant Carluccio's, where he is a waiter.
The 22-year-old, of Stapleton, is frustrated that despite being given CCTV footage of the crime in progress, which clearly shows the suspects, police have yet to contact him, more than a week after the theft, to let him know whether they have enough evidence to arrest them.
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The bronze-coloured bike, worth about £1,000 new, was taken from the rack where it had been secured with a combination lock at about 8.30pm on June 1.
As soon as Sam realised the bike had gone he reported the theft to a Cabot Circus security guard.
Staff found CCTV footage of a woman with a boy aged about 13 by the bike and the same boy riding off on it while the woman left on foot.
The footage was passed on to police but when Sam visited the police office at the Galleries the following day he was told that there was a "slim chance" of recovering the bike.
He was told an officer would be assigned to the case but has yet to hear back from them.
"It really annoys me because there's footage of the person stealing it but little prospect of getting it back," said Sam.
"There seems no point in having security cameras and patrols in Cabot Circus if they can't crack down on it straight away."
Sam set off on his ten-month intercontinental journey with his father Mark, 54, two years ago, to fulfil a childhood dream.
He said: "We cycled from Ireland to Japan, across Europe and Asia, with no problems throughout that trip.
"We come back to England and my bike gets stolen."
The timing of the theft was all the worse for Sam as he was in training for another long ride, from the UK to Poland, starting next month.
Avon and Somerset Police spokesman Martin Dunscombe said: "This theft was reported on Saturday, June 2, and the following day was assigned to a local beat manager to investigate.
"CCTV of the incident is being examined to try and identify the person who stole the bike in order that they can be dealt with and the bike recovered.
"The theft of bikes is taken seriously and we would encourage anyone who knows people who steal or handle stolen bikes to get in touch with us."
Comments
by katachua
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 5:15PM
“@AliRobertson
""Theft is one of the reasons why Bristol came way down the list of cycling cities"
It came 3rd in the UK."
Good value for 23 million quid, eh?”
by BishopstonMan
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 3:32PM
“MontyW,
Most bike thieves aren't interested in touring bikes like the Galaxy and are far more likely to nick a mountain bike worth half the price because they're easier to sell on. What's the point in investing in a good bike if you're not going to use it for fear of theft?
Tody123,
If you're depending on your bike as your only form of transport it makes sense to buy a good one for comfort, reliability, flexibility and weight. Touring bikes like the Galaxy are good all rounders but sadly these machines aren't cheap. Best thing to do is buy secondhand on ebay which is where I suggest Mr Swain looks as his bike might just pop up for sale there...”
by Tody123
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 9:05AM
“Generally, the people who are having their bikes stolen depend on them as a mode of transport
-----------------------
Not really try this instead
Generally, the people who are having their bikes stolen have spent thousands of pounds on them, depend on them as a mode of transport”
by MontyW
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 8:08AM
“Not a brilliant idea though to leave such a precious bike unattended. It cannot have been locked that well if a woman and a kid stole it (not exactly a bloke with a pair of heavy duty bolt cutters).
I have a 1500 quid bike and I simply would not dream of leaving it unattended in a city (and I haven't been to Japan on it). That is why I have a 20 year old 100 quid commuting bike with a couple of good locks. It rides perfectly well but it would not be the end of the earth it were pinched.
Bike thieves are the scum of the earth.”
by AliRobertson
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 6:17PM
“"Theft is one of the reasons why Bristol came way down the list of cycling cities"
It came 3rd in the UK.”
by TheDiceman
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 3:29PM
“Saw a bike the other day with the inner tube been removed from the rear tyre. Everything else was left.
From experience you have to stay on top of the police for them to do anything.
On my case the first PC was just useless with a bad attitude so I went to the IPCC and got the case reassigned where the new PC managed to solve the case when they realised I wasn't going to go away and they even got a conviction. So keep the pressure on them as they like solving the easy cases to keep their success rate up!”
by Mikey_Blake
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 1:42PM
“Find a way to upload the CCTV footage to YouTube and post the web-link to the video on these forums.
Also contact the two local TV News Stations and get it played on there during the evening news.
The S.O.A.B. will soon be identified and get a good kickin' by his mates.
Good luck.”
by roly12345
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 12:36PM
“It is just astonishing that the CCTV which invaded our privacy for "our protection" has made shop lifters and parking their only concern.
The most galling of all is that the suspects will be identifiable on dozens of cameras, probably from the moment they left their home.
and if that wasn't enough, our glorious forces are failing to investigate child abuse.
Yes, the minor is being abused by a modern day Fagan and that fact seems to have escaped everyone's attention.”
by haark
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 12:32PM
“A good few years ago I had my cheap (but very distinctive) bike stolen from my place of work in Clifton.
Next morning I was driving into work and saw it waiting at traffic lights. Put flashers on-in the rush hour-jumped out and collared him. Gave up without a stuggle .Turned out he was a Bristol Uni student!
Moral is,Sam, get out there and keep looking!!”
by haark
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 12:21PM
“A good few years ago I had my cheap but v. distinctive bike stolen from my place of work in Clifton. Driving in next morning I saw it waiting at traffic lights. Put flashers on-in middle of rush hour-jumped out and collared him. Gave up without a struggle. Turned out he was a Bristol University student!
Moral is Sam, you may get lucky-keep your eyes peeled!!”