Thank you all for you support, I cant believe Im going to the World Championships. Many friends, competitors, supporters and sponsors helped make it possible. I am overwhelmed that so many stepped up and donated funds. I am so thankful and excited, that I cant even begin to describe my feelings. I have tried to write thank you's to everyone, but I just cant find the words to tell how I feel. Everytime I sit down I get emotional and go back to packing and getting the bike ready. I will contact everyone personally shortly. I will also strive to represent everyone as best I can. I have certainly learned a valuable life lesson from all of you and will strive to be a giving as I can in the future.
Its been a very hectic week so far. I was selected to race the World Champs, and I was going to have to decline because of lack of funds. I was extremely disappointed at the fact this would be the second time I was selected and did not get to race the World Champs. I could not race last year due to an injury.
My dad called and confided with an industry friend, and we took his recommendation to accept the selection and figure out funding later. He also got a three day extension from USAC before the money was due. I sent a letter to sponsors informing them that I was selected, but I did not know where the money would come from to get there. One sponsor made a donation along with two others that followed. That really got the ball rolling with companies that I had written to in a separate letter. While a good sum of money was donated, I was still less than halfway to the $3500, the trip to the worlds in Australia would cost.
It was a real emotional rollercoaster for of me. Although I understood it was an opportunity that may never happen again, I will continue to work hard to be chosen again next year for the World Champs in Mt. Ste. Anne, Quebec, Canada.
Word got out and another friend put up a post on an internet forum asking for help. Many friends, competitors and people I did not know helped to make this trip possible. My dad put things up on Ebay to raise funds. Things were looking better but I was still falling short and I was ready to give up. Then a close friend found out how much more I needed and he made a large contribution to make sure I got there.
Since then its been crazy getting all the USAC paperwork and necessary visas in place. My bike needed a complete disassembly and an overhaul. Another friend let me use their credit card to pay USAC the $1800 fee and the plane ticket which was up to $1700 because it was so late. I leave Friday around noon for the 33 hour flight. I will arrive on Sunday morning with course walk and practice to begin on Monday. The race is Sunday morning. You can watch the World Champs live from http://freecaster.tv . Be sure to check it out!
Thank you all so much, for your kindness, and generosity. I hope to make everyone proud.
Geoff
Its been a very hectic week so far. I was selected to race the World Champs, and I was going to have to decline because of lack of funds. I was extremely disappointed at the fact this would be the second time I was selected and did not get to race the World Champs. I could not race last year due to an injury.
My dad called and confided with an industry friend, and we took his recommendation to accept the selection and figure out funding later. He also got a three day extension from USAC before the money was due. I sent a letter to sponsors informing them that I was selected, but I did not know where the money would come from to get there. One sponsor made a donation along with two others that followed. That really got the ball rolling with companies that I had written to in a separate letter. While a good sum of money was donated, I was still less than halfway to the $3500, the trip to the worlds in Australia would cost.
It was a real emotional rollercoaster for of me. Although I understood it was an opportunity that may never happen again, I will continue to work hard to be chosen again next year for the World Champs in Mt. Ste. Anne, Quebec, Canada.
Word got out and another friend put up a post on an internet forum asking for help. Many friends, competitors and people I did not know helped to make this trip possible. My dad put things up on Ebay to raise funds. Things were looking better but I was still falling short and I was ready to give up. Then a close friend found out how much more I needed and he made a large contribution to make sure I got there.
Since then its been crazy getting all the USAC paperwork and necessary visas in place. My bike needed a complete disassembly and an overhaul. Another friend let me use their credit card to pay USAC the $1800 fee and the plane ticket which was up to $1700 because it was so late. I leave Friday around noon for the 33 hour flight. I will arrive on Sunday morning with course walk and practice to begin on Monday. The race is Sunday morning. You can watch the World Champs live from http://freecaster.tv . Be sure to check it out!
Thank you all so much, for your kindness, and generosity. I hope to make everyone proud.
Geoff
but no luck.
