(Photo: BikeFree.org)
Paul Lebelle and Adam Burkowske arrived in Portland on Saturday afternoon after biking over 3,000 miles on their “Bike Free” charity ride. The duo are on a mission to provide bicycles to children of people in the military. Unfortunately their plans are on hold because Paul’s Cannondale touring bike was stolen last night.
Here’s what Lebelle told KOIN:
“We were going to head out to one of the arts festivals here on Labor day, then decided we wanted to eat a bagel first so we made the bagel, popped back outside and the bike was gone.”
Lebelle has filed a police report and has created a Stolen Bike Listing, but so far they’ve had no luck getting it back.
Lebelle has posted more about the theft on BikeFree.org:
“My trusty Cannondale bike – she took me over 3500 miles from Maryland to Oregon – and she was a beauty.
I’m not sure what we’re going to do, but I know that Adam and I must complete our journey and carry out the Bike Free mission.
Some way, with God’s help, we’ll overcome this selfish deed, get bikes to the kids, and continue spreading the word about the goodness of bikes.”
Paul emailed this morning and said all their plans are on hold right now. “We can’t make our journey without the bike. Can’t even get around town… Not sure where we’ll be staying – everything is up in the air.”
Keep your eyes peeled for a 2010 green Cannondale T2 with Specialized Avatar saddle, Top Contact Continental tires, blue handlebar grip tape, silver Shimano clipless pedals (half platform/half clip), 3 black water bottle cages, rear rack, cycle computer, large rectangle “Never Stop Riding” sticker on top tube, Yellowstone National Park sticker on downtube.
The bike was stolen between 1:00 and 3:00 pm near the 4600 block of NE Grand Ave. If you see the bike call the police and then call Paul at (443) 310-9096.
Here’s a video that ran on KGW TV: