Hoooooorray readers! This will be a quick series to update during the cycling - The sad days!
Current Position: London in the UK.
It's been a few days that I don't post any content, also it's been two days that I've been trying to find any signs of happiness - kudos to the brazilian community in London and many Steem friends for cheering me up.
On my last quick trip update I was in Slovenia, making it confusing for those who follow my content. How can I teleport so fast across the map? It's not that I'm teleporting, it's because for the past weeks I have been traveling non stop, sleeping on farmlands and train stations, or not sleeping at all, thus not having time to post anything; all this created a gap between my current position and the content.
However, this time I'll skip all the Slovenian, Italian and French adventures... we'll have time to talk about them in the future, so let's jump straight to my current position and somehow messed up situation.
On January 11th I finally crossed the ferry between Calais and Dover, for three days and two nights I cycled hard over hills, camping on farmlands and giving all my energy against the headwinds to get to the capital, where I planned to settle for a while to produce even more content and maybe upgrade my camera gear.
I got to the N°8 Hostel Seven Sisters on the evening of January 13th, tired and without a shower for 5 days, my belly was screamming for food like a Lion. The low prices for the night brought me there, the naive mindset of a guy who had been camping on isolated areas drove me to the big mistake of leaving the bicycle on the hostel's garden. I took a shower, cooked a delicious meal, checked the bicycle and went to sleep. At 0300 AM I woke up for the first time, I was worried, still with my eyes semi opened I went downstairs to check the bicycle - it was still there.
I must say that sleeping was not easy, but I eventually did when the last of the hosts decided to shut up and stop talking on his phone. At 0800 AM I woke up, grabbed my towel to wash my face and even before going to the bathroom I went downstairs to check if the bicycle was still safe. It wans't.
That very moment I felt an emptiness through my throat, passing by my chest and ending on my guts. I placed both hands on my face and my legs lost their strength making me sit on the nearest chair. It's gone... my bicycle is gone - I said while having my hands on my face. Sorry sir? - The lady nearby asked. My only important possession is gone, someone stole my bicycle... - I said.
The rest of that day was spent dealing with the useless English police and wandering around trying to figure out how to deal with life. Should I go back home? I should start looking for a job. What should I do? My mind was all over the place and at some times my eyes would get full of tears that refused to drop.
I have to be absolutely grateful for the brazilian community who supported me for these past two days, giving me a space to sleep. Tomorrow I'll start looking for work and a hostel to volunteer and slowly I'll recover what I've lost. Through hard work, giving english classes everyday for 1 year I bought my bicycle. Trhough hard work somewhere in London I shall recover it!
Don't worry, I'll give my best to keep the content going and the spirit of this channel alive.
If you liked this post, please, consider leaving your upvote for a hot coffee.
~Love ya all,
Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.
I'm Arthur. I blog about Adventure Stories, Brazil, Travel, Camping & Life Experiences.
Follow me to stay tuned for more craziness and tips.
You may also want to read:
Quick Trip Update: We made it to Slovenia!
[vlog #29] Bike Vlog on the Road | Austria | Going Crazy on the Forest
Quick Trip Update: Mr. Wild Camper and the Holy Tractor
[vlog #28] My2018: Just a normal day | Is travelling different from being at home?
[vlog #27] A quick, clumsy and HUMONGOUS thank you!
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I'm so sorry to hear that. As a person who also lost her bike because of thieves, I know your feelings. When your bike is like a friend and your best helper, like another pair of legs or hands ... and especially if it is part of a big dream, as in your case ... This is a damn sad situation.
Unfortunately, bicycle theft is a frequent phenomenon in the cities of Ukraine or Russia, so only a few risk leaving the bike unattended. But for me it was a surprise to find out that this could happen on the streets of cultural London.
I hope you can cope with your difficult situation, and karma will overtake those who did it.
Heyho @erikaflynn, it's a really sad feeling indeed, but we can't let that put us down.
Bike theft does happen a LOT in London, same for motorcycles.. I even saw a guy stealing inside the supermarket!
Damn! Sorry that this has happened, but yeah in a big bad capital city like London, you shouldn't leave anything to chance. Sorry that this has happened to you again! Hopefully, you will find a job to build up some savings and buy a bicycle for your second leg of your European bicycle journey.
Btw, there is a Steem Meet-Up in London on Friday (18th from 12:00 onwards). Check out @redrica's profile for more info. She made a post within the last week. I (Sam) should pop over for an hour or two more likely in the afternoon. Hope to see you there, if you are not working on that day. 😊
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Sup @travelling-two, I'll try my best, I just don't know if I'll have the feelings for talking about Steem and specially about the trip; nor I know if I'll have the money to get there.
Well, hopefully you can as maybe we can help out, but totally understand that you might not be in the mood. Fingers crossed for a turn for the better! 🤞😊
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It's turning for better already! I was just feeling down this morning but after a meal I'm already getting better haha.
That's great! Food does help with that 😉
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Sam, can I just say thank you for being so awesome and helping spread the word of the meetup. You haven't even met us and already such a value to our community. Really looking forward to meeting you on Friday!
And through doing that, thanks for bringing my attention to this post. I really feel for this guy, and will see how I can help. Hope he can make it on Friday as well!
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You're very welcome! Been to a few Steem meetups in Thailand, so if those are anything to go by then I'm happy to help out where I can 😊
I can see that you are already helping out Arthur 😊 this is how communities work! Love it!
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Weheee, yeah we've met yesterday so now I have a place to stay at least till I find a job of some sort. Things will get better @travelling-two, just gotta keep the positive mindset.
That's the way Arthur! 😉 Sending positive vibes your way too
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sorry to hear that. my 3 cents won't really help but :(
hope you manage to get a new bike.
It'll take a while @bil.prag, but hopefully I'll do it!
Thanks for being supportive, much appreciated
Oh man, that is rough. Nobody should take adventurers bike, or anyone else's for that matter :(
But I must condone your spirit of not giving up, that takes some serious mental strength.
I wish you the best!
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There should exist a law between thieves that bikes are considered holy spirits and touching them would send them straight to hell.
But I'll tell you... London is impossible, I saw people stealing inside the supermarket.
Oh man I feel for you! I know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night, wondering if the bike is still where I locked it, and fortunately (in my case) it always was. But I don't know what I would have done if it weren't. Throw in the towel, I guess. So even more respect to you for knuckling down and pulling yourself out of it. Best wishes for the job hunt in London (probably not the worst place for it). Looking forward to your updates, past and future. And DEATH to bicycle thieves!!!
Thanks for the support man! I'll tell you, it's a gigantic emptiness feeling and we go through all kinds of emotions. From helpless to vulnerable, we also become defensive and survival mode quicks in. Then the shock phase goes away and the sadness comes, realisation and a desire to maybe cry.
London is reaching impossible levels, I saw people stealing inside the supermarket!
Bah, já tive a bicicleta roubada e a sensação é terrível, mas acontece, não dá para descuidar um minuto onde quer que seja. É uma situação complicada, mas dá-se um jeito. Força aí e, precisando, estamos aí, só chamar.
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Tamo na correria! Não vai ser fácil comprar outra, da mesma forma que não foi fácil comprar aquela, mas seguimos batalhando, a guerra não foi perdida ainda.
:-( Really really really sucky, especially since you seem to sort of be worried about the bike getting stolen and it happened within 5 hours after you checking your bike for the last time. Arrrrgh.
Really hope something good comes out of this but I know it doesn't feel that way now. Good luck @mrprofessor...!
I believe in destiny @soyrosa, if something happens it's because, maybe, it should have happened after all. Maybe if I still had the bike I'd not be entering this survival mode, maybe I would be comfortable and not so focused on finding a job, maybe...
I just need to keep myself occupied so I don't think much about what happend
Bummer!!! So sorry to hear that. Glad to hear your spirit is still intact and you will be able to get another bike. Your new bike will bring you on bigger adventures. All the best!
I'm trying to keep it intact, the best thing I can do now is to keep my mind busy so I don't have time to think... now for a new one, that's a big maybe.
Thanks for the support!
Life lesson.
Keep your friends and most valuable possessions close.
Keep your enemies closer. (in your mind that is)
Situational awareness is one of the most important life skills anyone can have.
Your instincts were correct, next time follow them, keep what is important to you safe.
Yup, but the hostel had no places inside... I even thought about spending all the night awake and just using the hostel to take shower eat. But.. what is done is done.
No lock? A good lock might have bought you some time, especially a high quality lock securing your bicycle to a fixed object, even a low cost u-lock can't be broken or cut quickly without making a lot of noise.
That said, even the toughest locks and chains only take a few minutes to cut with a battery powered angle grinder, if it was my most valuable possession, it wouldn't leave my sight if I felt it was unsafe.
Bicycles are great, and usually replaceable, always factor that into your travel expenses.
Sorry for your loss, thieves are everywhere.
London is world famous for many reasons, especially theft.
Man, this is just so heartbreaking :(((( You know I have been following your European adventures very closely and I know what you have already been through. You have endured things that most other travelers would not endure and instead of some deserved reward and good luck, you end up having your bike stolen... And we all know that to you, the bike was like your best friend, your family member... I don´t know what to say, really. So sad :( Dude, if your London mission doesnt turn out good, go to Czech Republic - I have some good friends there and my family who would let you stay with them for free and maybe also help you find a job. It´s so frustrating for me to watch you struggling that bad so close to my homeland and not being able to help myself :(
Suuup @phortun, your support is always the best man!
I can't really enter the main land in Europe for a bit more than 3 months now, it's the time for my Schengen visa to renew, so I can't really go to CZ =/
My only options now are to find something in the UK or go back home with one part of my heart missing.
Ah, I didn´t realize this... Man that really sucks :( Wishing you all the very best in London then! It is a huge city, there should be tons of job opportunities... ¨Hopefully, you will nail something decent soon. Fingers crossed!
OW NO!!!
That is literally the worst thing you could have lost on a journey like this, super duper sucks. And I totally believe ya, the britisch police will not be helping you, so many bikes get stolen there that they will not see the value of yours between all the others :((((
good luck amigo!
It really sucks @karinxxl, but I'm already surrounded by amazing people, you included. The London steem community is just amazing, so at this point I believe that the bike was stolen for a reason.
Yeah you might have to stay there a bit longer as planned which doesnt have to be a bad thing in the end indeed
Yeah, and the community here is awesome! But even if I manage to get a job I won't buy a new bike until right before starting the trip again, otherwise it'll be stolen again... it's way to dangerous here.
Very sorry to hear that Arthur :( especially when you need it most during your tour. But I am sure that your London story will have a happy end :)
So bad your bike is stolen. Hope you can get a new one soon!
I hope too @mrkonijn, throughout hard work I shall get a new one, but now I'm afraid someone will steal it too \o\
I'm so sorry to hear this Arthur.. after what seems like such an amazing adventure you've had with your priced possession. Thanks to @travelling-two for bringing this to my attention.
I have a Marin that I don't use anymore. Depending on how tall you are, maybe it could be a decent bike you can use for now? Let's talk more privately, if you're on Discord
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I could help a lot @redrica, with a bike I can maybe work as deliveroo for some time to raise some money, I'm also on the run for some cash-in-hand jobs.
My philosophy right now is focused around good Karma, I'm looking for volunteer tasks to bring happiness to others. My life will adjust itself if I keep the enthusiasm.
I tried to find you on Discord, but couldn't find your username =/
Sorry this happened to you. This is what I'm always scared of especially when traveling by bike. Glad you got to somewhere you can stay for awhile. I'm not bringing my bike to Europe but I'm going to be just as worried that some thief will steal stuff while I'm gone.
It's always a pain Rob, especially when the bikes are so important and fundamental for us all.
I think that if you are not coming for a long stay, it's not worth bringing the bike. However, the countries up north are way more bike friendly than here.
I just plan to do day rentals when I'm in Europe. I'm only going for two weeks anyway. Plus it's winter.
I believe it's the way to go, there are rentals everywhere.
So sorry to hear about losing your bike. The worse news for any cyclist
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You know the feeling! But maybe I'll have another one by the time you guys get here.
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Damn, sorry to hear that. It happened the same to me the first days I arrived in London. After that adventure when I went to Bruges cycling I only left it in locked spaces or it slept with me in the same room. I do hope @redrica's bike will be ok, if not I can offer to buy an used one from the brick lane market antique fair
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Heeeyho @teodora, yeah at least so I can work with delivery or something to raise cash. Mine was so special because it was also my trail bike, I used to unpack it and go on crazy trails and stuff with it.
But things will be sorted soon I think!
I hope the meeting yesterday raised your spirits. It can get you down when people are meal enough to steal from you. I've found Steemians to very very supportive.
Steemians are the best! I'm 100% sure that they stole the bike for a reason, some sort of destiny that had to happen. Otherwise I would possibly not meet all the incredibly supportive people.
I'm feeling way more enthusiastic and positive since I met everyone!
I've met so many great people through Steem. I hope you can find another bike to continue your travels
I have lost 6 bicycles to theft, and for people like you and I, it’s our transportation, so it’s especially hard.
Our bicycles are extensions of us, so it’s like losing a piece of ourselves.
I wish you the best and I hope the thief gets a really nasty rash.
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Exactly that @runridefly, it's incredible how a simple mechanical device can become so fundamental for us cyclists. Also I feel like it'll take some time 'till I adapt to a new bicycle, as they fit just like a piece of clothing.
However, at the same time, I believe that they stole the bike for a reason, a lot of good things are happening to me since then.
Oh man, That's so sad...
But the life goes on anyway.
There should be a low amongst the thiefs that stealing bikes is consider a sin! But as you said, life cannot stop because of material stuff!
Specially stealing bikes from a traveler.
But anyway what ever doesn't kill you just makes you stronger.
Oh no! I've experienced that sinking feeling when I went to the garage and my partner's bike that he saved money for a year to buy was stolen. The thief went to jail but we haven't recovered the bike. In Minneapolis, bikes are stolen everyday. I used to sleep in the same room as my bike to keep it safe and never left it locked outdoors overnight. I've grown to trust more and I keep it in the garage now.
Best wishes to you. I look forward to more of your stories, including cycling stories in the future :)
That's the first thing I thought when I woke up that day "why didn't I remove the wheels and brought it to the room?" then I went down stairs and it was gone =/
Adventure will continue for sure!