In Case You Haven't Heard, Cisco Got His Bike Back

When we last heard from Cisco, he was getting ready for a solo cross country ride, and making payments on a new Bianchi to replace one that had been stolen months earlier. When his planned departure was just over a month away, he got some exiting news. -- ed.

I never thought it would ever happen. I thought that I would never see that damn bike again. I think it was February, 27th or something like that when I walked down from my friend's apartment to find my bike lock cut-through, laying around the tree, and my brand spankin' new, 2 and a half week old baby Bianchi not in my near sight. Instead, I was looking at a small pink Huffy that somebody shoved in the doorway of my friend's apartment. I assume that they did this to create an obstacle in case somebody were to walk out while they were cutting through my lock. Now this bike that I had just spent a month and a half's worth of work on is being ridden by some bum somewhere. I don't know where. Could be anywhere.

But, after four long months of wondering where my bike could be, and who is riding it around, I got it back, and it happened through a weird chain of events... But now, it's back in my possession and it works. That's all I care about.

When I got a from Travis at Blazing Saddle Cycles, I was psyched! He said “Yo Francisco! You'll never believe what I have sittin' in my shop right now.”

I respond “What!?!?” knowing that it was my bike because Blazing Saddle was the first place I called the day after my bike was stolen.

Travis tells me “Man, I can't believe it, but I have your Bianchi sittin' right here in front of me right now.” I just about fell to the ground in tears of joy because of this fantastic news. SO HAPPY! (Travis does great work by the way. I recommend you go there for any of your cycling needs or problems.) 

My friend and I had biked to the Radiohead show at blossom the night before. (which was amazing!) After hanging up with Travis, I finished packing up camp and raced back to Cleveland through the Cuyahoga National Valley park. When I walked into Blazing Saddle, I was greeted by my Bianchi and Jamie and Travis. What a beautiful sight!

I sat in front of my bike on the floor of Blazing Saddle telling the guys how much I couldn't believe that my bike was sitting in front of me. The craziest part about the whole story is that my good friend's dad bought the bike off of some old homeless guy riding in down Madison and Bunts for a hundred bucks! My friend's dad knew that the bike was stolen, but he didn't know that it was mine. So he took it into Blazing Saddle to get it cleaned up, (because it was wrecked) and as soon as he walked in there with the Bianchi, Travis told him that it was my bike and he called me right away with the great news.

Getting this bike back is still unbelievable to me. It's a HUGE relief. I don't have to ride around looking for it anymore, hoping that I see some idiot riding it around. Also a huge money saver because while getting ready for my trip I was paying for a new Bianchi on layaway at Cain Park Bike Shop to replace the stolen bike. So thanks to all who made an effort in the retrieval of my bike. Really, thank you so much!