Down & Out…And Moving On

So Spartacus got vandalized last night. I had left it parked outside a friend’s house this weekend, in a fine, upscale neighborhood (no irony). My CSI-like scan of the scene this morning quickly established that some perp had stepped into the crate (dirty shoe marks) at the front of the bike and started doing his [...]

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Just an Amsterdam native who won't take his city and its cycling extravaganza for granted anymore, thinking these posts might be clues to others, inspiration perhaps, if you will...

Article by Amsterdamize
Amsterdamize’s Website
Spartacus was hurt.

Spartacus was hurt.

So Spartacus got vandalized last night. I had left it parked outside a friend’s house this weekend, in a fine, upscale neighborhood (no irony). My CSI-like scan of the scene this morning quickly established that some perp had stepped into the crate (dirty shoe marks) at the front of the bike and started doing his alleged and obviously badly rehearsed ‘break-dance’. I cursed, I stared, I blinked, I cursed again, wished for internment camps, took a few deep breaths and then unlocked and lifted my bike, walked 25 meters down the street and dropped it off at the shop where I had purchased this fine piece of machinery this summer.

40 euros and some labor costs for a new wheel. Pick it up on Thursday. It will be brand new again. The only real criminally induced damage I have encountered in 16 years of living in Amsterdam. Not bad, I figured. Lighten up. And I did. Not before posting the pictures online from my phone. You gotta vent and share the hurt, right? All part of the process.

I’m putting Spartacus up for sale. Why? I mentioned it before, my eyes had always been on a genuine Workcycles bike. It was just that I bought Spartacus a few weeks before I met Henry for the first time. From then on, it kept bugging me. Not that Spartacus is a bad warrior, no. I love it. It glides, it shines, it’s a beauty. But Workcycles bikes are special. And I like special.

Amsterdamize readers get first dips. Let me know if you’re interested in buying and riding my faithful 2 wheeled friend. You know where to find the e-mail address. We’ll talk.

If that doesn’t work out, I’m gonna sell it on the Dutch equivalent of eBay. I’m sure it will find a new owner before I can say ‘Damn those bastards’.

So, yeah, Spartacus will live on, and I will ride on. On Mr Freight. It’s sturdy, smooth, comfortable, one of about 5 in the whole country/world…and the only one in Olive Green. Now, that’s special enough, right?
(See all of today’s pics here)

This ones black, mine is Olive Green.

This one's black, mine is Olive Green.

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WHAT TO DO NOW?

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15 Comments

  1. 2whls3spds added these cyclelicious words on October 28, 2008 | Permalink

    Personally I think people that stomp bicycle wheels should have both ankles broken…better than internment, though on occasion I felt interment would be a better choice ;-)

    Congratulations on the new ride from Workcycles! Say hi to Richard for me, and thank him for getting me the dyno/rollerbrake hub. Great service and great people to deal with.

    Aaron

  2. Amsterdamize added these cyclelicious words on October 28, 2008 | Permalink

    I’m glad you feel similar, Aaron :-p

    Thanks! I’m really happy with it, obviously, even though it’s not entirely finished yet. I actually talked to Richard on the phone half an hour ago to make an appointment for that and I’ll see him tomorrow, I’ll make sure he gets your message!

  3. acline added these cyclelicious words on October 28, 2008 | Permalink

    What a shame. But you’ve taken the right attitude and the right course (as all your readers would expect).

  4. Tiago added these cyclelicious words on October 28, 2008 | Permalink

    Ohh Men… all my condoleances… It’s a shit thing to happen ! And…
    Congratulations on the Henry bike… Man, it’s gorgeous !!! What a beautifull bike ! beautifull geometry, big ballon tires (26”, I guess), brooks saddle… Great choice…
    The Sparta you saw in Paris didn’t move since them, the saddle was stolen, tires are flat… A pain in the heart to look such sad thing happening…
    Get the most fun on your new “warrior”…

  5. Alan added these cyclelicious words on October 28, 2008 | Permalink

    Maybe broken toes would be better….
    But hey, you’re getting a new bike, so it can’t be all bad!
    Balloon tyres are good, I’ve used them for a few years now. That seat tube angle is really something, almost cruiser like:-))

  6. Adrienne added these cyclelicious words on October 28, 2008 | Permalink

    I want Spartacus! But I am so far away that I will just have to dream. It was hard enough getting my Batavus here (forget the parts I need). Sigh.

    As to broken ankles, there is an old toast-

    May those who love us, love us
    and those who don’t, let God turn their hearts,
    and if still they do not love us,
    then let God turn their ankles,
    so that we may know them by their limp!

  7. NunoXEI added these cyclelicious words on October 28, 2008 | Permalink

    I feel for you man I truly do. I boil with rage when I face vandalism of any sort. I just never quite understand the mentality behind it.

    Bunch of Neandrothals.

    Hopefully your new bike doesn’t suffer the same fate!

  8. Amsterdamize added these cyclelicious words on October 28, 2008 | Permalink

    @Acline: thanks, Andrew, sometimes I can act the grownup :-p

    @Tiago: glad you approve! Shame to hear about the Parisian Sparta. Its owner has no sense of dignity.

    @Alan: we all have violent streaks :-p. Cheers, the bike is indeed nice, comfortable and a cruiser. I particularly like it in the rain, like today.

    @Adrienne: It would be so nice to sell it to a reader. You’ll get over it…take good care of your Batavus :). Ps, nice rhyme, but who’s this ‘God’ character you speak of? *grin*

    @NunoXEI: thanks, buddy. I’ll be on the lookout for them…

  9. Dave added these cyclelicious words on October 29, 2008 | Permalink

    oh man… that’s horrible about Spartacus… but I’m sure he will find a good home. I’m ok with my Electra for now… but if you could talk to all those Dutch and Danish bike companies and get them to start exporting bikes to the US en masse, that would be awesome :)

    I want to walk into my local bike shops and find Batavus and Velorbis bikes, right up by the front windows where everyone can see them :)

  10. Amsterdamize added these cyclelicious words on October 29, 2008 | Permalink

    Thanks, Dave, and yes, I’m sure Spartacus will be treated accordingly by his future owner.

    I hear ya, if it was up to me…well, you know what would happen. :-p

  11. adam added these cyclelicious words on October 29, 2008 | Permalink

    Long Live Spartacus

    And i hope your new ride turns ou to be everything you expect it to. Looking forward to video from atop Mr Freight

  12. Amsterdamize added these cyclelicious words on October 29, 2008 | Permalink

    Thanks, Adam, and yes, a vlog is brewing in my brain…

  13. Maria Gatti added these cyclelicious words on October 30, 2008 | Permalink

    Poor Spartacus. Hope he is fully recovered and finds someone to love him. (He is far too tall for me). So is Mr Frieght. I don’t think cruisers are intended for short people like me.

    If I’ve posted less recently, it is sismply because I’m swamped with work. Happens.

  14. Wilma added these cyclelicious words on October 30, 2008 | Permalink

    I hope Spartacus finds a good home! I’d love to have a good Dutch bike, but I’m afraid that’s too far too ship! I totally agree with Dave, that it would be wonderful if Dutch bikes would become widely available here. I have been lusting after a Batavus (secretly dreaming of a Royal Easy) which would make my commute so much easier…

    I may have made my last commute of the season today. Next week daylight savings time ends, and my ride will be in the dark (no streetlights for long stretches). It was beautiful today, though!

  15. Amsterdamize added these cyclelicious words on October 30, 2008 | Permalink

    @Maria: Spartacus will be fine in 3 weeks, once he finally gets his front wheel replaced (it had to be ordered). I have to correct you, it’s not a cruiser, it’s a genuine Dutch transport bike (and they come in all sizes, including fit for you). It was inspired by the Pastoorfiets. Don’t let the shape/angle of the frame deceive you, it delivers the same riding position.

    Don’t worry about not commenting as much, I totally understand. Meanwhile, I can see you’re still reading, so that’s fine with me. All in due time, I’m really happy to have you as a faithful Amsterdamizer!

    @Wilma I’m hoping for it, too, but the first steps of the last few years are promising, more and more local dealers setting up imports. Not the most efficient, but I’m sure it will get better. At least it’s easy to find out these days.

    Too bad to hear you won’t be able to ride any longer, Wilma, hoping you will still get to enjoy non-commute rides.

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