apologies for the appalling spelling before, even worse than usual i mean
So after posting the boy rode past me again and I said I wanted to buy it off him. He said it wasn't his. I said tell the owner I want it. he rode off and I never saw him again.
Now before anyone thinks Im being in any way racist by assuming it couldn't be his, this boy was about 18 and his monthly wages would have been about enough to buy the cheapest component on the bike. Not only that but I've been her for over 3 weeks and not seen a single bicycle that would have cost more than a $100. So when a Thorn rides past your eyes pop out of your head.
Having done my bit for the Thorn community I went off to the top of Daramkot to watch a small classical Indian music gig in a yoga temple. As you do here. I took my seat on a cushion on the ground and sat next to an Indian man with a great mustache and watched the concert.
Ten minutes in I start getting bombarded with calls and Facebook to trying to arrange a meet up. Embarrassed ,I turn my phone off and go outside to take the calls. When I get outside I see the man who had been sat next to me putting on a Pearl Izumi raincoat. Their are a lot of fakre chinese outdoor clothes here. North Face, Mamut, that sort of thing but no cycling gear. Then a 10 year old boy arrives on the Thorn. I ask the Indian man if its his bike and tell him about my trip. It is his bike and we have a big hug. Then he tells me his name is Dickie and as i'm a Richard this calls for another big hug. Daramkot/Mcleod Ganj and Dharamsala are very huggy places in case your wondering, there is a lot of love here
By the way the guy talked about his bike, the passion, the knowledge, his regret of getting hydraulic brakes instead of V and his knowledge of how damned heavy my bike was. I have no reason to believe it's not his. That and the fact that he mentioned how long he spent deciding with Robin on what bike was best for him, meant if it was stolen it was an amazing piece of background research!!!!!!!! (Totally possible in India)
He comes from Delhi, is on a little bike holiday for a bit and has offered to lend me the bike for a few days when he is not using it, as well as inviting to go stay with him at his home in Delhi. Both offers I'm hoping to take up.
So (presumably) mystery solved. I thought you would all be interested in the outcome.
