Help Shawn replace a stolen mountain bike

Short story: Hi! My name is Shawn and I recently had my mountain bike stolen from me. It was locked to the back of my car in front of a busy shopping plaza. Within the short timespan that I ran into a store to get something quick, it was gone. The lock was left cut on the pavement. I've never set up a gofundme before, but some family and friends suggested it, so here we are. 

Long story: This bike was special to me. I had gotten it in 2014 when I was still in high school and working at a bike shop. I had worked really hard to afford it. I loved riding mountain bikes, and I still do. When new, the bike retailed for $3,500 (about average for a good mountain bike). Over the years, I spent countless hours maintaining the bike, cleaning and tuning it, and swapping out parts for a custom build which brought the overall retail value towards the $5,500 mark. This past spring, I disassembled the bike (I do this every year) and basically cleaned every single individual part with a toothbrush and made sure it was working flawlessly. I had put a lot of effort into keeping this bike in top shape because it took care of me on the trails.

This bike had been ridden in at least 7 different states. It saw races in at least 4 of them. It traveled across the country with me where it eventually got stolen where I currently live in Colorado. It saw countless miles of riding with friends and making unforgettable memories. It was a really good bike. Good bikes aren't cheap, especially when you ride as often or as passionately as I would. Unfortunately, a new bike isn't in my budget right now, which really stinks.

I'm still bummed that it was stolen. I didn't have renters insurance at the time, so it's a complete loss. To make matters worse, only 6% of stolen bikes ever make it back to their owner. I've spent hours online looking for it and driving through the worst of Denver (like really rough spots) trying to spot it in the streets. Bike theft here is bad... really bad. I learned that one the hard way and won't leave the next bike out of my sight. The local government and police don't care much, thieves aren't punished for their actions, and the astronomical value on bikes right now amidst this shortage is causing thieves to break into garages and even homes looking for bikes here. 

This summer, I'm working as a rock climbing and mountain bike specialist instructor for a youth adventure camp. While not absolutely essential for work, having my own bike helps a lot. It's also nice being able to ride on the weekends to keep my skills and fitness fresh for when I'm teaching technical skills to young riders. And, it was awesome while it lasted being able to get some mileage in with my coworkers after the kiddos went home. I've also considered getting my mountain bike coach cert, and can't do that without a bike. 

If you've gotten this far and want to help me get on a new set of wheels, anything helps. I've had a few ideas with this fundraiser, or if I ever get my old bike back (slim to no chance): Excess funds here could be donated to a local youth cycling organization (if the amount raised plus my contribution exceeds the cost of a new bike. Exact organization is to be determined). I'd also be thrilled to pass on my old bike (if recovered) to a young local rider who needs a more capable bike to pursue their riding passion. A good bike makes a huge difference in the progression of an up-and-coming rider. 

Anyway, thanks for reading and I appreciate you all. It means a lot. Happy trails!