Looking for Help

[Marva32]

I've been a professional Cat-4 racer since 1984, now doing some masters, and have been an official for several seasons. The last few years have seen me divorced and change jobs a couple times, so the racing and officiating have gone by the wayside. Cycling has kept me sane.

20+ years ago I was diagnosed with major depression, which has affected my being able to do many of the things I have wanted to in my life. Cycling has been one of the stabilizing factors in my life, along with my daughter. Cycling alone helped me lose 140lbs over the last 14mos. I am divorced. I have been hospitalized at least 5 times over the last 12 months, and was on the verge of being admitted to a 24-hour care facility when my new meds started to kick in properly.

Friday, I was released from the hospital, and went for a ride on Sunday, the first in probably 2 months. I was just over 1/2 hour into a 90 minute ride when I was attacked by 3 guys who just pushed me over, kicked me in the back a couple times and took my bike.

I filed the appropriate police reports, and thankfully checked out okay at the hospital, but don't know how I am going to replace my bike. I have not been able to work steadily, tomorrow I have an appointment for State public assistance and food stamps, and Thursday, I have an appointment regarding disability income with the Federal Government.

If anyone can help me with my Quattro Assi Attack 57cm, with Cinelli Ram bars, Flite Genuine Gel Saddle, Rival gruppo, Ultegra and Velocity Deep V Rims, Time RXS Pedals, and a Polar CS600, I would appreciate it. This took place just north of Chicago, IL.

I'll try to give out more information if necessary. I need to do something before I wind up back in the hospital for lack of a good outlet for my disability.

Thanks everybody. I don't know where else to turn to.

 

[Cobber]

Wow.. that's horrible. I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. I really hope you get your bike back!

One thought.... do you have the serial number? If you do, it might be worth giving it to some of the bike shops and pawn shops near where it happened. Keep an eye on Craigslist too. You might catch the people that stole your bike trying to sell it.

Well, good luck with everything. Hang in there!

 

[Greyhound Velo]

Definitely print out a description of the bike, with photos and serial number if you have them, and drop these off at all the bike shops in the area. It's not uncommon for thieves to part out the bikes they steal and sell the parts separately, and the buyer might bring your frame into a local shop to buy parts for it. It's a long shot, but it happens, as I know from first hand experience. I had my apartment in Rogers Park broken into several years ago, and among the things stolen were two bikes. A month later some messenger brings one of them into my shop to buy cleats for the pedals. Long story short, he went to jail (possession of stolen property over $1000 is a felony) and I got my Pinarello back.

Shop guys are cyclists too, they'll be sympathetic and happy to help if given the chance.

 

[elapid]

I've been a professional Cat-4 racer since 1984, now doing some masters, and have been an official for several seasons. The last few years have seen me divorced and change jobs a couple times, so the racing and officiating have gone by the wayside. Cycling has kept me sane.

20+ years ago I was diagnosed with major depression, which has affected my being able to do many of the things I have wanted to in my life. Cycling has been one of the stabilizing factors in my life, along with my daughter. Cycling alone helped me lose 140lbs over the last 14mos. I am divorced. I have been hospitalized at least 5 times over the last 12 months, and was on the verge of being admitted to a 24-hour care facility when my new meds started to kick in properly.

Friday, I was released from the hospital, and went for a ride on Sunday, the first in probably 2 months. I was just over 1/2 hour into a 90 minute ride when I was attacked by 3 guys who just pushed me over, kicked me in the back a couple times and took my bike.

I filed the appropriate police reports, and thankfully checked out okay at the hospital, but don't know how I am going to replace my bike. I have not been able to work steadily, tomorrow I have an appointment for State public assistance and food stamps, and Thursday, I have an appointment regarding disability income with the Federal Government.

If anyone can help me with my Quattro Assi Attack 57cm, with Cinelli Ram bars, Flite Genuine Gel Saddle, Rival gruppo, Ultegra and Velocity Deep V Rims, Time RXS Pedals, and a Polar CS600, I would appreciate it. This took place just north of Chicago, IL.

I'll try to give out more information if necessary. I need to do something before I wind up back in the hospital for lack of a good outlet for my disability.

Thanks everybody. I don't know where else to turn to.

Wow, all I can say is good luck. I really hope you find your bike and avoid another visit to the hospital. Stay healthy for your daughter and for yourself. Wishing you all the best.

 

[wbruce]

I am not a doctor, just sharing my personal experience as I have had depressions and anxiety for sometime. The best way to get over anxiety and depression is to take a break from your regular schedule, go out, and take good sleep. This helps in clearing the mind and try consulting a specialist who can suggest you as how you can get over your problem. There are various prescription drugs to get over anxiety and depression, but these should only be used in accordance with the instruction of a physician. Rather than going on drugs, one should look for the reason behind there problem . Keeping your self busy and changing the schedule also helps sometimes to get over stress and depression.

 

[Mark Andrews]

I am not a doctor, just sharing my personal experience as I have had depressions and anxiety for sometime. The best way to get over anxiety and depression is to take a break from your regular schedule, go out, and take good sleep. This helps in clearing the mind and try consulting a specialist who can suggest you as how you can get over your problem. There are various prescription drugs to get over anxiety and depression, but these should only be used in accordance with the instruction of a physician. Rather than going on drugs, one should look for the reason behind there problem . Keeping your self busy and changing the schedule also helps sometimes to get over stress and depression.

Just to let you know, Marva is a former teammate, but more importantly a friend. He has been on medication for over 20 years, and has worked consistently with a therapist for about the same amount of time. The only consistent calming therapy for him has been the bike. Never the best, but never giving up.

I remember the days when he was successful. Back then, week in and week out, he always brought stuff to races or group rides to help others fuel up, his trunk was never without a cooler of energy drinks, and a couple boxes of bars for his teammates.

When he was officiating, he was the official who all the riders approached with questions about results knowing he would listen to protests, but would always be fair with the answers. Nobody argued with him, he commanded respect.

While he is getting ready for his meetings with the government offices and spending as much time as possible, I am talking with some of his co-workers and former teammates to see if we can raise a bit of cash to get a decent bike, you can see he doesn't have extravagant taste in equipment, and help him out with rent and child support.

I don't know if anyone here is interested in helping him out, but, if you are, let me know. I'm going to be creating a paypal account to help him out and see how much I can raise to help get him off the bottom.

Thanks for your concerns,

Mark Andrews.

 

[Mark Andrews]

I just opened up a paypal account to help out Marva, his real name is Andy. the paypal account is: anmar613@hotmail.com. Any little bit helps.

Mark

 

[Mark Andrews]

Just wanted to let people know, no word on the bike so far, but we have raised almost $250.00 towards some new equipment for Andy. Thanks for all who have helped out.

Mark

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry man, but a couple of posters with very few posts setting up a paypal account raises a red flag in my book. Sorry, but the internet is full of stories that seem plausible and are scams. They wouldn't be good scams if they weren't.

 

[Anonymous]

sad story...

as someone who has been suffering with stress/anxiety for about 9 months i know what its like.. the times i feel 100%, are when im on the bike..

dont know if it will help but i will make a note to check ebay once a day for a Quattro Assi.. you never know..

 

[Mark Andrews]

Sorry man, but a couple of posters with very few posts setting up a paypal account raises a red flag in my book. Sorry, but the internet is full of stories that seem plausible and are scams. They wouldn't be good scams if they weren't.

I understand your concern. I'm figuring it will take me about $2000-2500 to replace his equipment, after that the account gets closed. Also, just so you know, for donations from people we don't directly know, anything over $20.00 is being sent back. I don't want people pulling too much from their pockets.


Mark

 

[Anonymous]

I understand your concern. I'm figuring it will take me about $2000-2500 to replace his equipment, after that the account gets closed. Also, just so you know, for donations from people we don't directly know, anything over $20.00 is being sent back. I don't want people pulling too much from their pockets.


Mark

Fair enough. If true, I actually hope you get the stuff you need. It sounds like you are legit, and I hope that I didn't negatively effect your efforts with my post.

 

[Mark Andrews]

Fair enough. If true, I actually hope you get the stuff you need. It sounds like you are legit, and I hope that I didn't negatively effect your efforts with my post.

I can't tell the impact of your posts, but we are receiving donations. I want to thank the community for pulling together to help Andy.

Mark

 

[indurain666]

I can't tell the impact of your posts, but we are receiving donations. I want to thank the community for pulling together to help Andy.

Mark

If you are legit, then don't forget to update us after you are done with your fundraiser. Post pictures, etc just to keep all this stuff real.

Just my 2 cents.

And sorry to hear tyour story, good luck

 

[Mark Andrews]

If you are legit, then don't forget to update us after you are done with your fundraiser. Post pictures, etc just to keep all this stuff real.

Just my 2 cents.

And sorry to hear tyour story, good luck

I already planned on it. Thanks

 

[Mark Andrews]

A few things today.

First, thank you to the people from the forum, we've received about 40 donations from forum members, and it has helped us progress.

I've been able to work out a reduced price for a replacement frame which is an upgrade for him.

The bad news is that his ex-wife has been giving him trouble about visitation with his 8 year-old daughter, and he is having more trouble because of that.

On the bright side, Andy has graduated to an intensive out-patient program which is 10 hours a day of group and individual therapy. Too soon to know what the results are.

Thanks for everything,

Mark

 

[Anonymous]

A few things today.

First, thank you to the people from the forum, we've received about 40 donations from forum members, and it has helped us progress.

I've been able to work out a reduced price for a replacement frame which is an upgrade for him.

The bad news is that his ex-wife has been giving him trouble about visitation with his 8 year-old daughter, and he is having more trouble because of that.

On the bright side, Andy has graduated to an intensive out-patient program which is 10 hours a day of group and individual therapy. Too soon to know what the results are.

Thanks for everything,

Mark

Here is an idea, contact Joe Papp on this forum and ask him about the carbon frames he imports. They are inexpensive and really sweet. I want one, but don't have the money just yet (they are not expensive, I just have an IRS thingy I have to deal with first). Not only will you be helping out your friend, but you will also be helping out a really cool guy who is trying to do something directly about cleaning up cycling.

He started this thread: http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=3176

Click on his name and send him a message. Super nice guy.

 

[Mark Andrews]

Thanks for the tip, will do.

 

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[Mark Andrews]

I just wanted to give a forum update. We are still way short of our goal for funds and are working hard on other funding sources.

Andy is doing well in the outpatient program and seems to be a lot more at peace with himself.

As for exercise, right now he is going to a Spinning class at a local Bally's healthclub.

Thanks for continued thoughts,

Mark

 

[google2008a]

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[Mark Andrews]

Here is an idea, contact Joe Papp on this forum and ask him about the carbon frames he imports. They are inexpensive and really sweet. I want one, but don't have the money just yet (they are not expensive, I just have an IRS thingy I have to deal with first). Not only will you be helping out your friend, but you will also be helping out a really cool guy who is trying to do something directly about cleaning up cycling.

He started this thread: http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=3176

Click on his name and send him a message. Super nice guy.

I contacted Joe, and he put me in touch with his supplier, so we should be able to get a better frame. Unfortunately, we are still a little over $1000 USD short. If people could dig deep, every $10, or $20 helps.

Thanks

Mark

 

[Mark Andrews]

Just to give you an update, as I was out of town on business, and had no computer access.

Andy has been back in the hospital, this time undergoing ECT or electric-convulsive therapy.

One of the local bike shops may be willing to work something out with him for space so he can start up his business once he gets out. We're still working on that.

Donations have dried up and we are still about $1000 USD short.

Thanks for your concern.

Mark