I’m Eli Barron – 18 years old from Cobble Hill, BC.

This year I have earned an invitation to the DH World Cup Finals in Les Gets, France!

This is awesome news after the crazy year I’ve had. First, I broke my wrist in February, putting a damper on the off-season training plans. Then, a dislocated shoulder after the first round of the Northwest Cup made for a rocky start to the season. Then, in April, my new Enduro bike was stolen, and we realized that my DH frame was cracked and unsafe to ride. Finding replacements was not easy, but after a little shuffling and a lot of worry, Forbidden came through to help me out with a solution.

Despite the tough start to the year, I had enough points to earn an invitation to the World Cup DH at Lenzerhiede (where I placed 22nd), Andorra (finished 18th), and Mont Sainte Anne, where I cracked the top 10, and finished 9th! I popped out to Kicking Horse between Andorra and Mont Sainte Anne and earned bronze at the 2022 Canadian National DH finals.

Here’s the thing; I graduated from high school in June. I have been working as a pizza delivery driver, but this travel schedule has made it tough to work enough. So this is my last year in the Junior Expert category, and my goal is to keep improving and get picked up by a factory team … but I’m leaving for France in 8 days.

Last year I was caught off guard and hadn’t planned for the trip to Europe. But you guys came through. This year I exhausted my resources getting to Lenzerheide, Andorra and Quebec.

So I’m reaching out to my community once again.

• Roundtrip, the flights cost about $4500

• Combined project fees are about $1300

• I’ll need spare parts, including wheels & tires, derailleur, chain, hub so I’m as prepared as I can be (about $2000).

I am so lucky to have the support of my family, and of companies like Cowichan Cycles, Forbidden Bikes and Gravity MTB, Nobl and Leatt; I wouldn't be here today without them. But I still have to raise funds to make this trip happen. In all, the trip will cost around $7,000 - so that's my goal. It is a big goal, but really, every little bit helps.

If you can spare a bit to help me get to the World Champs, it would mean a lot. I realize how lucky I am to have this opportunity, and I am so grateful for any help I can rally to get me there.

Sincerely,

Elijah Barron