Help get an underprivileged youth a bike!

UPDATE - we bought one of the youth riding gear and a few essentials that every bikers needs. Including pedals, shoes, chest protector, multi tool, jerseys, knee pads and a water bottle cage. Still have a long way to go to get a bike. But we aren’t giving up.

On July 4th we hosted an event at Silverstar Mountain Resort for indigenous youth, called Indigenous ShredFest. Where we introduce Indigenous youth to mountain biking in an effort to help them find a healthy outlet.

I started the event after a friend took his life. First Nations males between 15-24 are 5/6 times more likely to die by suicide than non-First Nations. And Inuit males between 15-24 are 11 times more likely than non-Inuit males.

At ShredFest, one of the youth who is 13 years old who came out both years, asked me “are you doing a bike give away this year?” I jokingly replied “if I were, what bike would you want?” He said “a Santa Cruz v10 with a Fox 40 and Float X2!” Kind of stunned I replied “what brakes and drivetrain” to my surprise he responded “maybe XT brakes and GX drivetrain”

This took me by surprise so I asked “how do you know so much about bikes and components?” He told me “I research bikes all the time” this kid was about to ride a bike for the second time in his life but was already hooked.

Later in the day, we went into the bike repair shop where this youth asked the staff “how much to buy a medium size bike” and “if I get a job here, do I get a discount on bikes?” He is 2 years from being able to gain employment.

The youth coordinator who brought him out told me that he lives with his foster parents. When I see a kid like this, I feel like we need to do our best to help support and give him the best opportunity possible.

I am asking the biking community for some help to maybe change a life! If we get this kid a bike, I think we’d make a huge impact on his life. I am hoping to raise enough money to get him a bike and all the protective gear he needs. ie shoes, helmets, gloves, knee & elbow pads and a chest protector.

Help me change a youngster’s life! And if you can’t afford to contribute, that’s completely understandable. You can always share this link.