Help Rebuild Fabio's Adventure and Dreams

Two hours after I took this photo, both of Fabio Rivellini's legs were broken and crushed below his knees by a semi truck. In addition to the first two surgeries another 4 to 6 will be needed.

Fabio was bicycling solo on the Prudhoe Bay to Punta Arenas leg of his multi year, around-the-word bicycle journey when he stopped by my home in Kanab, Utah on September 15.

While grinding up the steep hills up to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, a semi truck rounded a curve at a high speed, crossed the line and tipped over onto Fabio.

Though he jumped off his bike when he saw the truck coming straight at him, he didn't have time to pull his two legs away from the tall cargo trailer that tipped over onto him at over 50 mph.

By pure luck and miraculous coincidence, a firefighter emergency medic was in the next car climbing the hill, followed shortly by a car with a military medical specialist. Together they applied tourniquets to both of Fabio's legs and literally saved his life.

Two hours later a helicopter transported him from the crash scene to St. George Regional Hospital.

Though his future is uncertain we will think positive. We will think with that narrow, relentless, single-minded determination that is shared by all long distance riders.

And what else? Can we at least help Fabio get a new bike and gear?

Literally everything he owned in this world was flattened and mangled beneath the sliding truck trailer.

This fundraiser is to help Fabio replace those few worldly possessions. Bike, racks, panniers, tent, solar charger, sleeping bag, clothes, tools, odometer, cooking utensils, flashlight, the works.

More importantly, the fundraiser is to let him know that even though he is alone in this country, and alone in his hospital room, and his fate is yet to be known, he has the heartfelt support of our wonderful bicycle communities.

When Fabio is eventually healed and straddles his new and fully loaded touring bicycle that we will provide for him, he'll know he won't be riding alone. He'll know we're with him, all the way to Argentina. All the way home to Italy. We're with him in the bike, in the panniers, in the tent and in the stove and the water bottle and the odometer, helmet, gloves and all the rest. Every single item. We're with him.

It's not a large amount we're trying to raise. And again, this fundraiser truly is more than the relatively small amount of money. Our genuine and heartfelt sentiment behind the donation will do more for Fabio's spirit than any amount of bike gear. So spare a big thought while sparing small change --- today's coffee or beer money will do. We can only pray for his legs and feet but we can certainly purchase a new bike.

And please share the word around to your biking friends, bike shops and bike clubs!

Thank you all so much. RIDE SAFE!