My cousin Tim, who I visited in Colorado last year, is danger boy, always trying to challenge himself, is fearless in a back country avalanche dodge skiing kind of way, has zero body fat and a superior IQ, is a hugely successful partner in a law firm where on any given day he is confused with a bike courier,  as he loves his oldest pants and riding his favourite bike to work with leather saddle bags and exercises a humility and gratitude I am inspired to see, tells this story.

Not today, no you don’t. This is a picture of Jimmy, who stole my bike this morning. I don’t think he expected a guy would chase his car down the alley on foot (yes, in 3 degrees F), flag down and jump in a passing vehicle (a modified car jacking), speed after him down the streets of Denver, and then jump out of the car to grab the bike as it hung out of his trunk. Nope. My bike, sir. And yes, I totally believe that you thought it was garbage, particularly because it had my saddle bags on it. Don’t know whether to feel anger, pity, sadness, or all three.

Jimmy

And for those wondering how I got the picture of Jimmy, it was while we waited for the cops. We took his car keys after he pulled over and he begged forgiveness as we waited. He tried hard to explain that it was all a mistake and he never would have taken the bike if he thought it was somebody’s??????? Right. Makes sense. Just a mistake.

So while I wish I was as extreme and marvellous as Tim in the true way I describe him above, the story he tells of Jimmy has me feeling like I belong to this family. It reminded me of when I chased a soldier on an overnight train in Spain, who had robbed 12 of us as we slept. This while all the machismo men on the train sat back resolved to the theft and all the women cried at their losses. I had him arrested and convicted and all the stolen items returned.

And while I know this was for material recovery for both of us , I know too, Tim, that this is more about no one taking from us what is ours. Plus, if I can speak for both of us, perhaps a teeny weeny bit the thrill of the chase.