Disabled cyclist's bike, cash stolen
08-09-05, 02:22 AM
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Disabled cyclist's bike, cash stolen
This is so wrong in so many ways.. 
Cross-Canada trip stalls in Saskatoon
Quebecer loses all belongings, journal
SASKATOON—A disabled man's cycling trip across the country came to a halt last week when his bike was stolen and a witness to the crime robbed him.
Since then, Maurice Bernier of Quebec City has been sleeping at the Salvation Army and relying on the kindness of strangers for an occasional ride.
"I said to myself, `Oh, this is not a good day,'" Bernier said on the weekend of his first hours in Saskatoon.
Bernier, 52, had stopped at a family restaurant for a bite to eat when his 21-speed bike was stolen.
The bike, reconfigured to better suit his disability, had lights, a handlebar computer and black saddlebags over the front and rear wheels.
"All my stuff was in there," Bernier said. "But now maybe all the bags are in the garbage."
The bags contained his sleeping bag, tent, stove, food, tools and clothes, as well as personal items such as an address book and a journal.
"Every day I would write in that book. It's all gone," Bernier lamented.
He estimates his bike was worth at least $800. To add injury to insult, Bernier says he was pushed down and robbed of the cash in his wallet belt after he went out and discovered his bicycle missing. He could only watch as a woman rifled through his credit cards, identification and cash.
Both robberies were reported to the police but Bernier doesn't plan to follow up because it means he would have to return to the city at some point if arrests were made.
Bernier, who left home May 21, has a hereditary muscle disease called myopathy, which is a form of progressive muscular dystrophy.
"Every year I lose more strength. I have a hard time walking right now but biking is good for me," he said.
His plan was to continue to Edmonton and then up to Yellowknife. His next stops were to be in Prince Rupert, B.C., Victoria and Vancouver Island. Bernier was then hoping to ride down into Mexico for the winter.
"Now I guess my trip is over."
Even with his strained ability to walk, Bernier walked to Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart stores to check out new bikes and equipment, but was discouraged by what he found.
"It's no use. It will cost me $600 for a bicycle but then I need a tent, a sleeping bag, a stove and all of that stuff.
"It's so discouraging because it's so many things I've lost.
"I've been doing this for seven years now. I don't know what to do. My legs hurt so much from walking in town."
CANADIAN PRESS
Quebecer loses all belongings, journal
SASKATOON—A disabled man's cycling trip across the country came to a halt last week when his bike was stolen and a witness to the crime robbed him.
Since then, Maurice Bernier of Quebec City has been sleeping at the Salvation Army and relying on the kindness of strangers for an occasional ride.
"I said to myself, `Oh, this is not a good day,'" Bernier said on the weekend of his first hours in Saskatoon.
Bernier, 52, had stopped at a family restaurant for a bite to eat when his 21-speed bike was stolen.
The bike, reconfigured to better suit his disability, had lights, a handlebar computer and black saddlebags over the front and rear wheels.
"All my stuff was in there," Bernier said. "But now maybe all the bags are in the garbage."
The bags contained his sleeping bag, tent, stove, food, tools and clothes, as well as personal items such as an address book and a journal.
"Every day I would write in that book. It's all gone," Bernier lamented.
He estimates his bike was worth at least $800. To add injury to insult, Bernier says he was pushed down and robbed of the cash in his wallet belt after he went out and discovered his bicycle missing. He could only watch as a woman rifled through his credit cards, identification and cash.
Both robberies were reported to the police but Bernier doesn't plan to follow up because it means he would have to return to the city at some point if arrests were made.
Bernier, who left home May 21, has a hereditary muscle disease called myopathy, which is a form of progressive muscular dystrophy.
"Every year I lose more strength. I have a hard time walking right now but biking is good for me," he said.
His plan was to continue to Edmonton and then up to Yellowknife. His next stops were to be in Prince Rupert, B.C., Victoria and Vancouver Island. Bernier was then hoping to ride down into Mexico for the winter.
"Now I guess my trip is over."
Even with his strained ability to walk, Bernier walked to Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart stores to check out new bikes and equipment, but was discouraged by what he found.
"It's no use. It will cost me $600 for a bicycle but then I need a tent, a sleeping bag, a stove and all of that stuff.
"It's so discouraging because it's so many things I've lost.
"I've been doing this for seven years now. I don't know what to do. My legs hurt so much from walking in town."
CANADIAN PRESS
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08-09-05, 03:02 AM
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Absolutely disgusting!
When I read things like this, I just feel drained of all faith in humanity. I have to keep pounding into my brain, "But most people aren't like this."
Wish there was a way to get money to him for him to continue the trip. I'd very happily donate.
When I read things like this, I just feel drained of all faith in humanity. I have to keep pounding into my brain, "But most people aren't like this."
Wish there was a way to get money to him for him to continue the trip. I'd very happily donate.
08-09-05, 03:12 AM
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Every lane is a bike lane
The saddest part is that none of it is really surprising.
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08-09-05, 08:29 AM
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I hope they find the people that did it and shove a rusty handlebar up their arses. People like that should just be executed on the spot. Or at least jailed for a while. Doing that to a person w/o disabilities is bad enough, but it just seems worse when stuff like this happens to someone who is disabled and trying to make the best of his situation physically. If there is a fund set up I will gladly donate also.
08-09-05, 08:37 AM
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that's the worst news i've heard since this morning's home invasion\murder on the news this morning. i hate sharing the world with these digusting subhuman species.
08-09-05, 08:41 AM
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I found his email addy: mauricebernier18@hotmail.com
I would donate as well. Maybe we should start the fund.
I am a brand new here, so I wouldn't expect to be trusted with peoples cash, but maybe a rider somwhere close to him in Canada could take Paypal donations or something.
Surely someone has a bike collecting dust somewhere.
I would donate as well. Maybe we should start the fund.
I am a brand new here, so I wouldn't expect to be trusted with peoples cash, but maybe a rider somwhere close to him in Canada could take Paypal donations or something.
Surely someone has a bike collecting dust somewhere.
08-09-05, 09:15 AM
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very disturbing to hear this news and I wonder why no one in the family restaurant came out and helped him when he was being mugged
08-09-05, 09:35 AM
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Society is really ****ed up !!!! I am starting to hate this world more and more each day, especially when I read about incidents like this. These lowlife scumbags should be in the slammer, but if we have to rely on the Canadian government to do something, we might as well forget about it.
08-09-05, 12:15 PM
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I contacted the reporter from the newspaper and he is doing a follow up on the story. He is keeping in contact with the rider and seems to be interested in doing what he can.
I emailed him back to see if there was some organized effort to help this guy.
I also contacted Pedal magazine in Canada to see if maybe someone has a bike they can donate.
I emailed him back to see if there was some organized effort to help this guy.
I also contacted Pedal magazine in Canada to see if maybe someone has a bike they can donate.
08-09-05, 01:25 PM
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One thought that keeps me going is that one day someone will try this in front of someone like me (someone who will do something about it). I'd gladly donate for the guy to get a new bike and some gear.
08-09-05, 01:29 PM
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Wow. This is sad. I'm in for a donation.
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08-09-05, 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by va_cyclist
I used to think Canada was a friendly place.
Originally Posted by operator
Man if I was there, someone would've gotten beaten to a bloody pulp.
08-09-05, 03:36 PM
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Update:
Here is a the note I just received from the reporter. Looks like this one gets a happy ending. There is also a place to donate if you wish.
*****************************************************************
Brad
Finally talked with Maurice
A Montreal compnay has fixed him up with a bike through a local shop in
Saskatoon. It should be ready to roll in a few days. He's waiting for
camping supplies to arrive from a woman in Cincinnati, who also read the
story on a discussion forum.
As far as a coordinated effort --- the Salvation Army in the city here is
taking donations to help Maurice buy other supplies to replace those that
were stolen.
They can be reached at: 306-242-6833
Darren Bernhardt, staff writer
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
306-657-6285
Here is a the note I just received from the reporter. Looks like this one gets a happy ending. There is also a place to donate if you wish.
*****************************************************************
Brad
Finally talked with Maurice
A Montreal compnay has fixed him up with a bike through a local shop in
Saskatoon. It should be ready to roll in a few days. He's waiting for
camping supplies to arrive from a woman in Cincinnati, who also read the
story on a discussion forum.
As far as a coordinated effort --- the Salvation Army in the city here is
taking donations to help Maurice buy other supplies to replace those that
were stolen.
They can be reached at: 306-242-6833
Darren Bernhardt, staff writer
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
306-657-6285
08-09-05, 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by KeithA
That's what is reaffirming.
For every jerk, there are many more that are good.
For every jerk, there are many more that are good.
I'm glad that yet again good prevails.
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08-10-05, 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Dead Extra #2
Update:
Here is a the note I just received from the reporter. Looks like this one gets a happy ending. There is also a place to donate if you wish.
*****************************************************************
Brad
Finally talked with Maurice
A Montreal compnay has fixed him up with a bike through a local shop in
Saskatoon. It should be ready to roll in a few days. He's waiting for
camping supplies to arrive from a woman in Cincinnati, who also read the
story on a discussion forum.
As far as a coordinated effort --- the Salvation Army in the city here is
taking donations to help Maurice buy other supplies to replace those that
were stolen.
They can be reached at: 306-242-6833
Darren Bernhardt, staff writer
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
306-657-6285
Here is a the note I just received from the reporter. Looks like this one gets a happy ending. There is also a place to donate if you wish.
*****************************************************************
Brad
Finally talked with Maurice
A Montreal compnay has fixed him up with a bike through a local shop in
Saskatoon. It should be ready to roll in a few days. He's waiting for
camping supplies to arrive from a woman in Cincinnati, who also read the
story on a discussion forum.
As far as a coordinated effort --- the Salvation Army in the city here is
taking donations to help Maurice buy other supplies to replace those that
were stolen.
They can be reached at: 306-242-6833
Darren Bernhardt, staff writer
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
306-657-6285
08-10-05, 08:03 AM
#21
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No problem, it was just one of those things that got me fired up. I just wanted to do my best to make sure this guy didn't fall through the cracks.
08-10-05, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by bwinton
I was just about to post and say that it is a friendly place, but apparently operator has beaten me to the punch (pun intended), and proven me wrong, all in the same post.
