By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT WAS his first ride back after two years off the bike – and now his last. Narre Warren resident of 15 years Richard Sanders’ BMC dual suspension bicycle was stolen from inside his garage after his long-awaited ride.
The avid cyclist used to regularly ride his beloved bike at Lysterfield Park – until he was diagnosed with kidney cancer three years ago.
He now lives with end stage renal disease.
“I’m on dialysis 20 hours a week and with all the drugs every two weeks I get some energy back and was ready to get back on the bike – I’m getting back into shape and was really excited about riding again,” Mr Sanders said.
After leaning his bike worth more than $8000 up against the garage wall, Mr Sanders hit the garage door button and listened to the 12-month-old motor release the door.
“It wasn’t until I went to get my dialysate (dialysis fluid) that I noticed my bike was missing – all I can think of is that the door hit the bike’s rear tyre and sprang up again.
“We have an alarm system, the door motor is relatively new and nothing else was damaged or stolen,” Mr Sanders explained.
The 42-year-old’s bicycle helmet, Rudy Project transitional lens glasses and Garmin Edge GPS trip computer were also stolen with the bike.
Mr Sanders said in all his years of riding at Lysterfield Park, he’d never seen a bike like his.
“It’s the same bicycle Cadel Evans rides and I’d love it back,” he said.
The bike was stolen on Monday 20 July between 7pm and 10pm at Mr Sanders’ Hampshire Drive property in Narre Warren South and Mr Sanders believes it was an opportunistic thief.
After a walk around the area the following day, Mr Sanders was disappointed he didn’t come across his helmet.
“After wearing my helmet for two years and sweating in it, it’s pretty yuck, so I thought it might have been lying in the park or dumped on the footpath,” he said.
Something that took his mind off everything else, cycling was Mr Sanders’ outlet.
“I feel free when I’m on the bike, I don’t have to think about anything else but riding and mentally you can escape from the hospitals, medication and dialysis – you’re just free,” he explained.
Now making sure he stands in the garage and watches the door roll all the way down, Mr Sanders blames himself.
“I think I’m a victim of my own stupidity,” he said.
Police urge anyone with information on the brown and white bicycle to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
