As it often happens with these social events, you meet people and then go somewhere else in a group.  This time I got invited to another bar with an American businessman who actually grew up in Hong Kong and had permanent residence.  He was now working on businesses between the Cambodia and Vietnam border.

We had a great time at this other bar but it was eventually time to head back and pick up my bicycle.  Except it wasn't there. I went back and forth for hours checking and asking people but the fact is it was gone.  I had locked it nearby the bar then even put a second lock around the back wheel and frame.  

But as I walked back to the hotel, after more than 7 years the loss of the Montague was like losing my best friend. Yes it could be argued that the $1000 made good use after all these years, but it's not about the money, it's about the memories.  The bike had truly been around the world and back and now it was all over.  Who could forget the time I had conquered the highest pass in India on the Manali to Leh highway.  Or my first ever ride in Burma in the rainy season.  Or the time I had gone to Western Sichuan province and the Tibetan areas.  All of those memories with the Montague and now it was gone.