Author Topic: Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC  (Read 9608 times)

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Offline brad

Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC
« on: April 30, 2010, 03:43:57 pm »
My Novara Safari was stolen today at Franconia Metro in Alexandria VA near DC. Three years of commuting on that bike and as a 2006 model no hope of replacing it. Ironically last night I just put a "Life is Good" sticker on the downtube.

Anyone out there have a line on another Safari? :)

Brad
jason.b.nicholson@gmail.com    >:(
If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. ~James Michener

Offline miles2go

Re: Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2010, 09:12:18 pm »
Wow Brad.  That really sucks and I'm sorry to hear about it.  Was a lock cut to get it?  Any chance of recovery?  Reported I imagine.

I have a Safari that might be going up for sale soon but I'm in the middle of a couple of acquisitions and liquidations.  I don't have it fully worked out what I'm selling.  As you can see in this photo taken today, this one is in wonderful shape.




I hope you get yours back.

Offline brad

Re: Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2010, 09:35:43 pm »
Let me know what size it is and if you are indeed interested in selling it...I am at jason.b.nicholson@gmail.com

www.hoyawolfblog.blogspot.com
If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. ~James Michener

Offline Tourista829

Re: Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2010, 12:27:32 am »
Brad, it is ashame that you lost your bike. We feel for you. We were living in Ft. Lauderdale, in a gated high rise building, and our bikes were locked to a bike rack, inside the garage entrance. Constant traffic, in a space that was supposedly well guarded. The thieves stole the entire bike rack with 20 plus bikes. It was probably, an inside job. One of the folks we knew, found their bike at a local pawn shop. We unfortunately never found ours. It took us a few years to replace our bikes. The worse part was we had renters insurance but, in the very fine print, they would only replace the bikes, if the bike was in a storage compartment, with a locked door or stolen out of our apartment.

Sadly, most people do not copy down the serial number or ever take a picture of the bike. This was helpful to the police, who periodically sent alerts and checked pawn shops. I wish that, like Lo Jack for cars, that a theft system was available, at a reasonable price, for bicycles or motorcycles. This would be especially useful in cities like Washington, D.C. or New York. Unfortunately, no matter how case harden a chain or pick proof a lock, if thieves are prepared or have enough time, they will get the bike.

If you replace it, and you use it to commute, get something, used, black in color, a little cosmetically altered, a minimal amount of accessories, (or stuff you can take with you) and relatively inexpensive. The other alternative is purchasing a used 16" or 20" folding bike, that you might be able to take inside, in a soft case, and store at work.

We wish you luck an hope something turns up.  :(

Offline seattlewoman

Re: Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2010, 01:08:25 pm »
Years ago I had my commuting bike stolen off the rack outside my office building. When I finally stopped shouting, and bought a new bike, I lobbied the guards in my building so loud and long, I was allowed to bring my bike into the building and store it in a back room. Eventually other riders in other depts were emboldened by this, and we had a community of commuters happily storing inside. Were I to do it again, and have less persuadable security, I'd either "uglify" my bike [make it look used, beat up, etc., a tip from a "how to be an urban biker" I read once, or spring for a folding bike, like a Brompton, and bring it inside in its lovely little cover bag.

Offline miles2go

Re: Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2010, 11:37:19 pm »
Brad, just to follow up with you, since I have the sale of my Thorn Nomad pending, it looks like I'll be keeping the Safari.  I wish you the best in finding a replacement.

Offline Rep

Re: Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2010, 12:06:47 am »
I have a tan 20" Safari that is for sale.  I moved over to a Surly LHT as I am only interested in touring on roads.  I also could never get the fit dialed in for me.

Let me know if you are interested.
Bicycling, Brewing & Backgammon...What a life.

Offline brad

Re: Novara Safari Stolen Today at Franconia Metro In DC
« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2010, 11:04:57 am »
Rep, I sent you a note. Brad
If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. ~James Michener