Replacement Bicycle Fund

Hello,

My name is Odis Holcomb. I really don't like asking for help, or begging for money, but the last few years have been really hard. I am poor, I have been trying to work my way out of my financial hole, and build up my career using my skills. I am freelance Artist, and illustrator working mostly in fan based communities. I make enough money to get by, barely.

Here is my web site: http://stickypawz.timduru.org/

I keep a roof over my head, and the lights on, but I have no savings (there is rarely enough money at the end of the month), and I have no car (I can't afford to buy one, nor to pay the up keep). I instead ride a bicycle everywhere, its my primary form of transportation and I depend on it to do everything. I ride it to get to the grocery store, pay bills, ship art off at the post office, etc.

On June the 16th I was out having a predawn ride, to get the blood moving, and during the night there had been storms in my area. I has speeding down a hill along a darker part of the local paved bike trail when I came upon debris in the bike path I swerved, and rounded a corner looking up in time to see a dead tree had fallen across the path. I was traveling at a fast speed and did not have time to slow, and I slammed into the tree. My bike folded and I flew through the air. I sustained a few painful scraps and bruises (nothing to serious), but my bike did not fair as well. It sustained major damage to the front wheel and fork, and the front and back breaks are seized (I assume from my last second hard breaking). The rest of the bike took minor damage.

I am now with out any form of independent transportation. Due to my financial situation I am unable to repair, or replace the bike, and with much pushing from some friends I have made this Go Fund Me in an attempt to raise money to purchase a new bike of an equal or better quality then this one. New safety equipment, and new pannier rack, and bags (as my current pannier was damaged in the accident as well). 

Thank you for any help you can provide.