A BIRTHDAY BIKE FOR JESS

About a year and a half ago, my girlfriend Jess's bike was stolen. She's been wanting to buy a road bike, but she doesn't have enough money for a decent one (or even a janky one, for that matter). She really wants a bike, but I know it doesn't top her list of priorities for spending/saving her limited funds. I know she'd get a lot of good use out of a bike.

Jess's birthday is September 19. I'd love to surprise her with a bike for her birthday, but the kind I could afford would be rusty and wheel-less, and wouldn't serve her very well for the kind of adventures I have in mind for us. She deserves something nice.

$1300 would buy her a good mid-level road bike. And since I hate giving gifts that force someone to turn around and spend more money, I'm hoping to raise an extra couple hundred dollars for accessories she'll need (e.g., bottle cages, clipless pedals, shoes, a rear rack, frame pump, bike computer, head/tail lights).

THIS FUNDRAISING EFFORT IS MEANT AS A SURPRISE. I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST TO CONCEAL THIS FROM HER UNTIL HER BIRTHDAY. I KINDLY ASK THAT YOU PLEASE NOT DISCUSS IT WITH HER. IF YOU SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK, PLEASE TAKE STEPS TO KEEP IT FROM SHOWING UP IN JESS'S NEWS FEED.

I have no idea whether this will work. I realize this may seem a tacky or bourgeois thing to do, but I love Jess very much and and I'm dying to make this happen for her. Buying a good bike for her is just not realistic for either of us. If anyone deserves a surprise like this, it's Jess.

THANK YOU for your support! Please donate what you can, and help by spreading the word.