Help James Stuart race in the Tour de l’Abitibi, Canada!

Hi! My name is James. I love the sport of cycling. I won my first race

when I was five and have been racing ever since! My parents are

cyclists and they encouraged my brother and me to learn how to ride at a

young age. We began riding at the Dick Lane Velodrome. It helped me

develop into the racer I am today. They have a youth cycling program

that is free and open to any kid who wants to try it. Now I ride for

North GA Cycling Assoc. Team Mission Source/Keenz in Atlanta. This is a

local team made up of kids from diverse backgrounds and of all different

ages. This team has supported me along the way as well.

I am now

a Category 3 racer, racing with adults. Before becoming a Cat. 3, I won

or placed in many races around Georgia and in surrounding states. A

few highlights from last year were my 1st place win at the Athens

Twilight Criterium Cat. 4 race, 1st place win at the Peach State Cup

Championship Mountain Bike Race, and 2nd place series winner for the GA

High School Cycling League Championships. This season, I placed 3rd in

my first Cat. 3 race and won the Georgia State Junior Road Race

Championships. I am so excited to think that I may have a future in

cycling. I am working hard to continue to do well. I ride almost every

day, even after school when I am tired. Sometimes I ride 60 miles after

school. In order to be competitive, I have to keep it up.

With

the help from a grant and some kind friends, I was fortunate to be able

to attend the Furman Talent ID Cycling Camp last week. While there, I

was chosen as one of six riders to race in the Tour de l'Abitibi in

Canada representing the southeastern United States!!!

I was so excited and honored. The Tour de l'Abitibi is a junior

bicycle race that takes place in Quebec, Canada. It has been in

existence for 48 years and many well-known Tour de France cyclists got

their start at this tour before launching their professional careers.

It is a once in a lifetime opportunity! The only challenge is that the

riders assume the costs for the trip.

As many people know,

cycling is sometimes referred to as a "rich man's sport". The bikes and

components are expensive. With as much as I ride, I often have to

replace or upgrade parts. Also, the clothing kits are expensive. The

registrations and travel can add up too. My parents try to help as much

as they can, and I use my race winnings to buy more bike parts and

things that I need for cycling. My mom is a teacher and my dad works at a

bike shop. This is no match for the expense of cycling! The trip to the

Tour de l'Abitibi will be about $5,000. I am trying to raise $4,000 of

it. The fees include registration, director, coach and mechanic fees,

passports, bike shipping, travel, lodging, car rental, and meals.

Please consider supporting me on my trip to Canada! I will do my best to make you proud!