LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BRAIN) — While last week's Marshall Fire apparently spared the businesses of area suppliers and retailers, many industry members were directly affected. Area retailers, suppliers and others are working to help those who lost homes and belongings get back on their feet — and riding.
The fire burned 6,026 acres and destroyed more than 900 structures. Two residents are still missing.
Pearl Izumi, Wheels Manufacturing, The Pro's Closet, and TrainingPeaks all have facilities near the fire zone, but none of their buildings burned. No local bike shops were directly affected.
Louisville Cyclery is collecting new and like-new toys and bikes for people in need from the fires. The retailer is offering to fix up donated used bikes and make them available to those in need.
TrainingPeaks, based in Louisville, is making a $200,000 donation to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund, being organized by ColoradoGives.
Nonprofit shop Community Cycles is offering free used bikes to people lost bikes to the fire.
“We realize there may be some people who lost the bicycles or cars that they depend on for everyday transportation,” said Sue Prant, Community Cycles Executive Director. “To the best of our ability, we’d like to make some bikes available to meet basic transportation needs.” More information at CommunityCycles.org
Boulder's Full Cycle Bikes & Colorado Multisport is offering 50% off kids bikes if a kids bike was lost in the fire and 20% off hybrid bikes to replace hybrids lost in the fire. The retailer also is offering free 1-day bike rentals to those who lost bikes in the fire and has built a web page listing fire relief resources and programs.
The Feed, a Broomfield-based sports nutrition retailer, is donating all proceeds from the sale of a special water bottle to fire victims. The company hopes to sell the 5,000 bottles they have in stock to donate $60,000 to the community.
The Feed is also teaming up with top mountain ultra runner Hillary Allen for a fundraising trail run at Boulder's Mount Sanitas on Saturday, Jan. 8. All donations from the event will be a part of The Feed's contribution to Marshall fire victims. Details on the event can be found on Eventbrite
Crowd-funding
Friends have set up crowd-funding campaigns for several members of the cycling community who lost homes in the fires. The campaigns include:
- Noah Granigan is a professional cyclist who works at Stages Cycling in the offseason. He and his wife, Lauren, a high school science teacher, lost their home and all belongings. A GoFundMe will help them purchase clothing, household goods and furniture, replace bicycles, racks and tools and help with the cost of a used vehicle beyond what insurance may cover. GoFundMe.com.
- Tom Hopper, a mechanic for the EF Pro Cycling team, lost his home. Tom was out of town at the time and his wife, Alie, had minutes to evacuate their two daughters and the family's dog. All of Tom's tools were lost in the fire. GoFundMe.com.
- Aaron Clark, Policy Manager at the International Mountain Bicycling Association, and his family lost their home. They need basic necessities such as clothes, food, housing and toiletries. GoFundme.com.
- VeloNews' Ben Delaney is turning his regular New Year's Day Biscochito group ride into a fundraiser ride to be held Jan. 8. More details at Vafels.com.
- Adventure Fit Events, the organizer of next month's Old Man Winter Rally in Lyons, Colorado, is donating a portion of its registration proceeds to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund. The organization will donate $20 from every registration between now and Jan. 12. Adventure Fit Events will also be donating $20 for every hour volunteered at the event.
- PeopleForBikes and the Outdoor Industry Association, each based in Boulder, are urging members to support the Boulder County Wildfire Fund.
- Louisville-based The Pro's Closet will donate $100 from every bike sold, up to $10,000 total, to support the Boulder County Community Foundation. TPC said it also will be working to help riders get back in the saddle if their bikes were lost in the fire.
- Cyclists and hikers started a new Facebook Group for people who want to donate gear for those who lost belongings in the fire.
- If you are aware of other fundraisers by cycling organizations or to benefit members of the cycling community, please let us know by emailing sfrothingham@outsideinc.com.
