This year, I decided to go all out and chase my dream of competing at the highest level of downhill mountain bike racing, the World Cup Series. I threw a fundraiser in Phoenix with the help of some good friends, family and most of my sponsors. The fundraiser was a huge success in that the whole Arizona mountain biking community came out to show their support, do some shuttle runs, eat a ton of pancakes and brats, donate and purchase raffle tickets for all of the awesome gear my sponsors had donated. We even auctioned off my complete downhill bike from last season to one lucky bidder! The funds generated were substantial and incredibly generous thanks to the best people in Arizona.
It is directly due to this generosity that I was able to travel to the first World Cup in South Africa. From my fundraiser, donations and Pint Glass/T-shirt sales I was able to raise enough for me to afford to travel to the first three World Cups. I am incredibly excited to have raced in South Africa, Scotland and Austria. Almost halfway there, I have four more World Cups and World Champs to sort out. The 4th and 5th World Cups are in Windham, NY and Mont Saint Anne, Quebec towards the end of June. The 6th, 7th and World Champs are in La Bresse, France, Val De Sol, Italy and Champery, Switzerland all through the month of August and first weekend of September.
I have spent my time coming up in the ranks and now I know I am meant to race at the World Cup level and intend on doing it, I just need some help throughout. I am asking if you will pitch in towards my dream/race fund by making a $25.00 donation on the Gnar Gnar Tours and you will receive a custom pint glass and T-shirt with yours truly on them or you can visit my website (www.harmonys.com) and just make a donation to the cause. Please also let everyone you know about my dream, especially if they would like to see a privateer racer make it to the top. I am also open to any new sponsors, inside or outside of the mountain biking industry that want to get their products or brand noticed at a World Cup level and want to help out a struggling racer. Every little bit helps!
As my race season moves ahead, and I get a better idea of the costs involved, I have begun to realize that all of the savings that Dante and I have accrued while working this winter pale in comparison to what I need to be able to follow through with my first full season of World Cup racing. I have figured that the funds I will need for the last 4 World Cups and World Champs is about $11,000 including race entry fees, airfare, rental car, hotel, gas and food. With all of your help and my landscaping in between racing I know I can raise enough to attend the rest of the races. Thanks for your support and wish me luck!!!
