Bike Locusts in the Neighbourhood

Last week, a Saracen bike suddenly appeared, locked to the lamppost at the foot of Blenheim. I'm not really an expert on mountain bikes these days^*, but it didn't look like a cheap machine.

It was still there the following day, which wasn't entirely unexpected, but from that point on, components have been going missing from it on what seems like a daily (or, more probably, nightly) basis.

The front wheel went first. Then the handlebars. It had disc brakes, and they've now vanished, along with the derailleurs, the handlebars, the saddle and the back wheel.

Now all that's left is the frame, sans forks, the chainset, cranks and pedals, pretty much. And, of course, the lock still affixing these rather token remains to the street furniture.



* readers accustomed to Ralph's tendency to do things by halves will be astounded to learn that at one time he was a massive mountain bike geek. I guess it's the exception that proves the rule...