The Pursuit Of My Cycling Dream

Hello everyone, I have been cycling for 10 years now, starting with my Father who introduced me to the sport at age 9. It has now become a part of my life that I can't see myself without.     Many people might not understand cycling because it is not a mainstream sport that is constantly advertised. However, cycling is one of the hardest sports in which to compete, with endless hours of training needed to be competitive. Often times I can spend 20-25 hours a week simply training for an upcoming race. But it is worth the dedication because the beauty of the adrenaline, pain, excitement,  joy, and love of the sport is why I race. My dream is to reach the Pro level of cycling, which means I can race in some of the greatest racing tours in the world such as the Tour de France, and join the Olympics to represent my home country, Canada. I also want to be a role model for younger upcoming cyclists and show them that anyone can achieve what they desire if they persevere and work hard.     In my province of Ontario I have won over 30 medals plus multiple Provincial titles and respectable placings at Nationals. Also, I have traveled to different places in the States for races to represent Ontario and Canada. With some races lasting up to 4 hours at my level, I have invested a lot of time in my favorite sport and I am proud of what I have accomplished with my gift. Cycling has also taught me many life lessons along the way. The most important lesson that I have learned is perseverance, I have a heart condition that challenges me and I have been dealing with it for years, but I never gave up on my cycling and I have made many good memories because of it.      This year I am attending Conestoga College for Welding and Robotics as a 3-year program, and as you can expect, it is very expensive. Cycling is also not a cheap sport. It will be difficult because of the cost of racing, coaching, track time and equipment. Next year I will need a new racing bike because recently I got into an accident with a vehicle and broke my old bike. A decent racing bike can cost at least $4,000 and that's not including all the other equipment needed for racing. The funds raised will go towards the new bike so that I can continue to pursue my dream and represent my province and country. My goal towards the summer is $3,000, Every little bit helps me afford the bike needed. I will never forget those who have helped me continue in the sport that I love.  Thank you for your consideration and generosity.