I guess I would have just stood up and rode til I got home....I am strangely against walking a bike unless you have a flat (and even then...that can be fixed.) A long ride would likely have seen me go and buy another one quickly. Worst scenario would have seen me in tears...on the phone with the BF....calling for the car with the roof-rack.....
It amazes me what people steal off of bikes. I had my 5 year old 2" "beater" forks stolen off of my bike while at work one day. Nothing sucks more than walking out of work, intent on a quick ride home and a long ride after dinner.... and your handle bars are sitting on the ground because your forks went home with some dude that didn't realize that there was only sentimental value to them.
Damn theives!!