I could not believe someone stole my bike seat. I do not have some high end Italian racing cycle, just a crappy old, off the rack bike that worked just fine and was helping me out greatly. Most might even say it is a piece of shit but it is my piece of shit and suited me perfectly. I was so upset last night and had no idea what to do. I needed a new seat, post and clamp. I checked at Walmart online and even at Walmart prices it was going to cost me about $40. I left the house this morning knowing I needed a solution but not knowing what to do. I thought about going to the bicycle shop or I could walk to Walmart too. I did not know, I just started walking at 7:30am this morning because that was all I could think of at the time to do.
As I walked and thought about it. I remembered seeing bikes before at the Salvation Army and thought I could check there. Then it occured to me that there are always a million yard sales on the weekend, perhaps I could find some luck at one of those. I first went back to the scene of the crime just to double check. I dunno what I was double checking for as there was nothing there but then it dawned on me that I was close to the flea market and that I could go there as the other stores were not open yet.
At the flea market I came across some folks that were selling just random flea market stuff but they had about 5 bikes. One was super nice and really caught my eye and I thought I could get a deal. They said $140 and I could only talk them down to $130 so that was not going to work out. But they were still unloading stuff and I noticed in the back of the truck a mangled mountain bike frame missing both its wheels but still with its seat. I told them I was interested in the seat, post and clamp. They took it off for me and I measured the diameter and it looked good. I then asked about the price and they said 5 bucks for all 3 pieces - yes! It was too good not to take the gamble. I just have a standard bike so those things must be fairly universal I thought - oh my fingers were so crossed for some good luck.
I was texting up a storm as I walked. Matt was funny as he asked if I purchased my own seat back at the flea market (not such a far fetched hypothesis). Judy was even funnier as she was like you know some crazy street person is sleeping with it at night and saying things like, "Oh my precious I am so glad I found you.". Kym was providing all types of support reminding me to really look at the blessing this week has been and the positive changes that happened, albeit not by choice.
I was talking with Judy as I was walking home and I just kept saying how excited I would be if this worked out. I was so exhausted. I left the house at 7:30am on foot and it was now 12:30pm. As I got closer and closer I was getting more and more excited. Judy was still on the phone and I said, "I am here finally - let me try it!" and VOILA - how fucking perfect, an exact fit! I was so excited and elated - yes to have my bike whole again but more over because I did it! I had no idea how I was going to solve it but I knew I had to and I fucking did it!!! The new seat is fine - very on par with my last one - no better, no worse but completely functional. Plus you need wrenches to secure the clamp that holds the seat in place whereas the last one just had a convenient lever. What this means is that another street person will not be sleeping with another one of my seats, unless of course they have wrenches in their bag!
I fucking did it and I feel great about myself!
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