THE BIKE THAT WAS ALMOST MINE

There are many more worthy charities and people in need of financial help than this campaign. This campaign is for more of a want than a need.

In January 2018, I was ramping up my triathlon training to compete in IRONMAN Mont Tremblant in August 2018. To be an IRONMAN, you have to first swim 3.8km, then bike 180km, then run 42.2km. I had a good paying job at the time, so I put a $1500 down payment on a new bike for the race. My bike at the time was 20 years old, very heavy, and I was always having mechanical issues. Last thing I wanted is to train hard for 8-10 months and not finish a race due to a mechanical failure.

In February 2018, I lost my job. It was a shock. I was unemployed for over two months, desperately trying to find work, and trying to pay the bills. I had to withdraw a significant amount of money out of my RRSP just to keep up. I managed to find a job in May 2018, and I have been employed since. It has been a financial struggle for the last year, getting so far behind and only making 60% of what I was making before. To pay the bills, I have had to sell many of my personal belongings. It is just stuff, no big deal at the end of the day. I also had to forfeit the $1500 I put down on the new race bike. That was tough - I really could have used that money. I cancelled my plans to compete in IRONMAN in 2018 as I knew I would not be able to pay for other costs associated with the event (e.g. hotels, travel, etc.). I would also not have a bike. I was able to defer my registration for IRONMAN to the 2019 event in hopes things would turn around financially for me.

Here we are in March 2019. It has been one of the toughest years of my life. So much stress not knowing how bills were going to get paid month to month. I started training again for IRONMAN, which is in August of 2019. I needed a target to stay motivated with my training, because it is crucial for my mental well being. I have suffered from anxiety and depression much of my adult life. Medication, counseling, group therapy, and other tools have helped, but triathlon has been the key. When I train, I leave my anxiety and depression behind. I don’t know how it happens, but I know it to be true.

The bike I put the down payment on has not been sold yet, but it likely won't last long. Unfortunately, I still can't afford to buy it. I want it, and it will help with my training and my race, but if I don't get it I will find another way to race IRONMAN this year. I started this campaign with the hope that I could get some help from people who might have more flexibility in their budget than I do right now.

So that's it. Thanks for considering this campaign, and thanks in advance for your support.