Bike raffle for a good cause...

[CentralCoaster]

---UPDATE!  All 200 raffle tickets are now sold.  Thank you for your support!  The raffle will be posted on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2G6OEdcyUM----

One of my friends, Xavier Rigau, who is also a leader of our local riding group was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on October 24 and is paralyzed from the waist down.

We are raffling off his other bike (which was not crashed), it is a 2010 Aprilia RSV4R in pristine condition with 3,987 miles on it.  The goal is to raise enough money by the end of the year to go towards the cost of purchasing a wheelchair accessible van for when he's out of the hospital in January hopefully.  

Tickets are $100 each and limited to 200 total.  

Xavier's Aprilia will be on display at GP Motorcycles off the I-5 here in San Diego.  (AND RAFFLED ON DECEMBER 31 AT SAME LOCATION)

We have about 140 tickets sold so far.

More info here:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44041.30

Let me know if you have any questions, Robert is coordinating the raffle.  It's also on meetup.com but I think you have to sign up to view the info there.  (San Diego Sportbike Meetup Group)

I visited him yesterday in the rehab center and he's holding up ok mentally considering all the challenges he's got ahead of him.  I'm really going to miss following him through the twisties.  He contributed so much to the beginners in our group, taking his time to coach them on everything from correct riding techniques to proper maintenance and always willing to hold back so he could lead/pace for the newbies to help keep them safe.  I learned much of what I know from riding with him.  It's especially heartbreaking for me to see him like this because I know his mentoring and goodwill has surely protected others from the same fate.

Mods, let me know if this isn't kosher or in the wrong section.  Thank you and ride safe!  

[Firstoni]

I have no idea how I would get it to texas even if I won it....

Good cause though

[Caffeine]

Just a suggestion:   Get with a shipping company to donate/arrange nationwide shipping anywhere in the lower 48 to go along with the bike.  You'll get  A LOT more nationwide interest in the raffle.

[CentralCoaster]

Yeah, rob was looking into that but didn't find any takers yet. Hell if someone out of state wins it I'll ride it there if you buy me a one way ticket back.

[ohgood]

i can't right now, but would like to by the end of the year. will you please PM me after christmas ? (this is not a joke)

[CentralCoaster]

Thanks, yeah I will keep you updated!  The flyer/website should be up soon.

[madjak30]

Man, that really sucks...for someone who was obviously quite passionate about riding...

But there are some new toys out there that can enable him to ride again if he still wants to...

One is from the Canadian company Bombardier (Ski-Doo)...

The Spyder...you can get the SE5, which is an automatic 5spd trans w/reverse...quite the machine.









I don't mean to be glib about the predicament your friend is in, but I saw a review done by a guy that was in a wheelchair (he had lost function of one of his legs).  He used a bungie to hold his foot on the peg and the linked brakes and automatic made the rest possible.

Again, I don't want you to think I am being cold hearted...I just see a guy that has a passion for the sport, and I don't know if it would go away that quickly...

Later.

[CentralCoaster]

No I understand.  I'm the pragmatic type, I was thinking ahead about those sorts of things right away, no sense dwelling on the past or stuff you can't change.  His injury is at the T12 vertebrae, so I'm not sure what that means as far as control of torso/waist for something like a Spyder.  You'd probably need a seatbelt or something to stay on it without use of your legs.  And your ride better start and end at home also because you aren't getting off it otherwise.  Then again some people (or even their friends) are content never getting near a bike again after a bad accident.

Here's X in the rehab center a few days ago.  He had surgery on his arm also so until that heals up he's going to be limited to a motorized chair.

[CentralCoaster]

Around 70 tickets sold so far, and a supermoto track day benefit in the works...

[CentralCoaster]

The organizer is donating all fees to X-man so he can get some transportation.  This is separate from the bike raffle.

[CentralCoaster]

Xavier's in the local newspaper!

http://pomeradonews.com/article/News/News/Drawing_to_benefit_paralyzed_RB_man/33683

Drawing to benefit paralyzed RB man
Elizabeth Marie Himchak
Published 12/09/2010 - 9:18 a.m.

Motorcyclists will have an opportunity to win a 2010 Aprilia RSV4R Superbike just by purchasing a $100 opportunity drawing ticket.

Only 200 tickets will be available in the fundraiser benefiting Rancho Bernardo resident Xavier Rigau.

The 44-year-old was paralyzed in an Oct. 24 head-on crash in Lakeside, said his wife, Carmen Vega.

"He was training friends, ... always advocated safety and drives very well," Vega said. "We do not know what happened, but he crashed into a car head-on. He is alive because of all the good protection he wore."

Vega said her husband started riding motorcycles at age 14 and is well-known in the San Diego biker community. He was a member of San Diego Sports Bike Club, which every weekend rides throughout the county.

Her husband always stressed to other motorcyclists the importance of wearing safety gear, including a chest and back protector, which he credits with saving his life, she said.

Due to a broken back, Rigau is paralyzed from the waist down. Other injuries, she said, include a collapsed lung and broken arm and leg. He is expected to remain at a rehabilitation hospital until late January.

"He is in so much pain right now," she said.

While the couple has medical insurance, Vega said it is unclear if it will cover the wheelchair her husband will need. She already knows it will not cover renovations needed for their two-story Rancho Bernardo condominium that must be completed prior to his return home. These include making the downstairs bedroom and bathroom wheelchair accessible in addition to building some ramps.

The couple moved to Rancho Bernardo 10 years ago when Rigau's software engineering job at Hewlett-Packard required a transfer from their native Spain.

The couple is receiving assistance through others impacted by paralysis. These include a $1,000 donation from the Head North organization founded by Eric Northbrook (who was paralyzed in a 2006 motorcycle accident) and assistance from Can't Keep Me Down, a nonprofit founded by Bobby DuCharme, who became a quadriplegic in 1999 due to a surfing accident in Coronado.

The group's president, and DuCharme's mother, Lori Boyters said Can't Keep Me Down tries to help those paralyzed adjust to their new physical condition by providing advice her family learned the hard way.

"(Paralysis) is a horrible thing that is life-changing, including for the family," Boyters said. "Doctors and nurses do not provide enough information during rehabilitation."

Some of the information they have learned, such as preventing bed sores, can mean the difference between life and death, she said.

Because the organization has nonprofit status, it is also assisting with the Rigau fundraiser so contributions can be tax-deductible.

Earlier this year, Rigau purchased the motorcycle, which retails for $16,000. It has almost 4,000 miles on it and was not involved in the accident.

The winner will be announced around Dec. 31 if all 200 tickets are sold. If not, ticket buyers can request a refund, according to the fundraiser's website.

Checks — to purchase a drawing ticket or make a donation — must be written to "Can't Keep Me Down" and indicate they are for Xavier Rigau. Mail to Can't Keep Me Down, 3958 Corte Mar de Brisa, San Diego, CA 92130.
For details, go to www.cantkeepmedown.org.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

I'm not in the position to participate in any of the fund raising efforts, but I wish X-man all the best.

[CentralCoaster]

Update, 140 tickets are sold... and the raffle will be held on December 31 at GP Motorcycles in downtown San Diego, whether or not we reach the 200 ticket goal.

[CentralCoaster]

Less than 20 tickets still remaining!

Raffle will be held 12/31, ending at 5pm at:

GP Motorcycles
3617 India Street, Ste B
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 233.4762

Any remaining tickets will be available for sale beforehand.  I will update the youtube video below with a link to the raffle, hopefully within the hour after if they hook me up with an internet connection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2G6OEdcyUM

[CentralCoaster]

Just a suggestion:   Get with a shipping company to donate/arrange nationwide shipping anywhere in the lower 48 to go along with the bike.  You'll get  A LOT more nationwide interest in the raffle.

Robert says he'll provide storage and local delivery, possibly further.

Personally I hope if someone win's a $15K bike for $100, it won't break their heart to spend $500 for a shipper, or a few hundred for a one way plane ticket.

[CentralCoaster]

UPDATE!  All 200 raffle tickets are now sold.  Thank you for your support!

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Awesome! Someones gonna get a great bike.

[CentralCoaster]

Raffle video here!

Some lucky bastard is taking this home.  Is it you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovhJ66QURms

[spc]

I wish the guy all the best........BUT (and this is a big but)
You do realize that you're violating California Penal Code 320.5..........and that the state has the right to not only seize the proceeds, but the prize as well.......right???

[CentralCoaster]

I break CA penal codes on a daily basis. Anyhow this was done under a non-profit and is legit.