Awesome and insane bike recovery story from Spacing Toronto:
Stolen Bike Recovered through covert ‘Bike Strike’
Heather’s story is not one many Toronto cyclists may be used to hearing. Although it begins with what is for many an all too common experience - having one’s bike stolen - the tale finishes with a scene that wouldn’t seem out of place in a James Bond film or Tom Clancy novel. Complete with an improvised set-up at the appropriately named ‘Castle Frank’ subway station, a team of undercover cops, nervous yet supportive friends and a tinted ‘old-school’ SUV, Heather’s story is nothing short of spectacular.
It begins on the Friday night of the long weekend in May, while Heather was having a drink with friends at a bar in Kensington. “I had a feeling and I don’t normally have that feeling,” recalled Heather, who was anxious over her bike which she had parked outside to a post-and-ring. “It’s a nice enough bike that I don’t normally take it out at night,” she explains, making it all the worse when, to her shock, she emerged from the bar only to find both her bike and lock nowhere to be found.
Hearing about her loss the following day, a friend jokingly searched Kijiji for a similar bike to Heather’s. He found one selling for $750 and light-heartedly sent her the link via Facebook. Remarkably, her friend had actually stumbled upon Heather’s stolen bike, identifiable not only by its make and colour, but by its loosened front brakes mentioned in the description - an adjustment Heather always makes to avoid going head over her heels in case she has to stop suddenly.
In disbelief, she called the number provided and arranged to meet with her potential bike thief for Tuesday. Following the phone call, she filed a stolen bike report to a cop who, as Heather describes, was completely uninterested in her story and just wanted to take down her info and be done with it.
