I am out of triathlon. My bike disappeared. So did my strength.

I think you are more upset about the other things going on in your life.   But you are a man of the cloth so who do you get to complain about the stress of dealing with other peoples problems?    This lost bike is the one thing that you can publicly complain about, so you might just be magnifying the bike problem more than you should.   That's human nature.  

God doesn't give you more problems than you can handle.    Re-adjust your attitude and deal with it.

I don't have a complete bike to send to you but I have a quite a few spare parts.   I am sure others here do too.  I will be more than happy to send you the things that I can.   Perhaps we as a group can get you back on wheels.

I'm so sorry to hear about your bike and the whole mystery surrounding its disappearance. I am afraid that I can't offer any advice on that topic, and it sounds like you told all the right people about it. Hopefully somehow, some way, it will show up again.

What I did want to say, and I mean this very sincerely, is that it is people like you and the contribution you make here on a public forum like this one that make participating in triathlons possible for people like me. So thank you, and please think about it before you give it up. This is a material thing.

Can you file a claim with your homeowners insurance?  or renters insurance?

Do you have pictures of the bike to prove it ever existed and to show the upgrades you made?  Do you want to borrow some? ; )  I mean, it's a shame to have had your Cervelo stolen.

+1 "you're upset because triathlon IS something you want to do"

+1 There are many good used bikes out there.  Start looking at Craigslist, Ebay, visiting local bike shops etc.  Or write a letter to Santa - your wife knows how much you love this.  It will be a win-win if you let her surprise you with something you really like.  You need to know what size you're looking for.  A bike which doesn't fit is no bargain at any price.  

Take a few weeks and focus on swimming and running and HTFU!  There's no crying in triathlon.

Hey, look at the bright side, soon you'll have a bike AND a spare front wheel!  

Claw, give us some info.  I'm willing to bet there are many more people on here like this fine gentleman and BT could get you on a bike within two weeks.

very sorry that happened. its definitely a crusher.

I felt pretty close to this when my car was stolen with my tri bike in it.  I was lost mentally.

but a friend was very cool and let me borrow his bike for awhile, and I was super lucky the bike was recovered after a few weeks (so was the car).

anyway, I hope you either find the bike or something takes it's place.

You'll keep going, it's the spirit in you that does triathlons not the equipment.

That's a sad state of affairs.  I understand where you're coming from, and we all go through the down times.  That's just a really down time.  The season is winding down to an end unfortunately.  Hopefully the wifey says yes to saving up for a new bike.  Maybe it's a sign to volunteer at some races.  After finishing races myself, I always go back and watch the finish line.  Very few things in the human experience is as inspirational and emotionally electrifying as watching a tri finish line.

Don't quit just b/c of the bike.  I remember actually seeing you on the first 1 or 2 miles at Eagleman this year.  I was heading back toward the finish (walking at that point b/c I seriously hurt my ankle but damned if I'm not going to finish) and you were going out.  I yelled "Doughboy to Ironman."  You said something like, "That's me."  And then a minute or so later I heard someone else say the same thing.  So, people remember you, and you do have a unique impact.

I have a garage full of parts to contribute.  Spare tri bars, lights, a saddle or two, and so on.

"So this event, from a training perspective, comes down to this: DNF is not an option. It just is not. I know no one would try to take back their donation if I didn’t finish, or if something happened that I couldn’t even start. But with all this great support on the line, I have added pressure/incentive, to make it this time. Readers may recall that my first attempt at an open water 5k ended in a premature DNF. I’m not using a wetsuit this year, and there is no official clock. I have no reasons to fail."sou

Hey Claaaw!  Does this quote sound familiar????  It should!  You wrote it about your experience with the 5k swim and how much money you helped raise!  Awesome job, man!!!  Remind yourself, DNF is not an option!. 

Take a deep breath, stay focused, and know you will get through this.

So sorry for all you are going through.  That many funerals is hard, no matter how strong the faith.....hospital visitations aren't much better in the case of serious illness.  They certainly aren't as fun as visiting a new mom or doing a wedding.....

As to the bike, I am overwhelmed with the folks here posting offers to help you.  I hope BT can come up with a set of wheels for you.  Don't give up.  You have brought a lot of good stuff in your contributions here.  You belong in triathlon.

So is it TMI to tell you all I am crying again, this time out of being overwhelmed by the support of all you people? 

I posted this thinking "it's saturday afternoon, no one's going to be around to read it." 

I already have 2 separate pms with full bike offers, in addition to all the posts in this thread. 

I mean I know this is an awesome community, but this is something I can't get ahold of right now. I hope no one thinks I was posting looking for more than sympathy. 

My wife has a hybrid I just bought her that she has been enjoying. It's too small for me, but I was planning to use it next month at the Dewey Beach sprint if all else failed. This is mt 2nd year for it - last year it was on my daughter's 8th birthday. She is my #1 fan. 

I just don't know what to say. I will find a way to pay this forward when I am able, someday. I said to my wife "I don't know how you just give a bike to someone you never met." She reminded me I once gave a car to a guy in a homeless shelter. I always forget about that guy. He was walking to work every day. 

After Dewey, we are planning on a week at the beach with friends and family for Beach to Battleship 1/2. If this is all real and not some weird mid-day dream, and I end up on a bike I got through a BTer's generosity, I dedicate that whole race to this community. And like my 5k swim goose1126 just reminded me about where I had all the charity donations, DNF will not be an option.

Thanks for the comic relief AtlantaBill. Sous, I think that one is too small. I need a 56. Wouldn't you know it, the two pms in my ibox are for 56ers. 

Kcarroll, the bike I'm probably picking up from another BTer is complete-  but I don't know the wheel situation. I bought a set of better wheels just to not pop spokes with my weight. I don't know if i would need them for this bike. I have one of my fulcrums, the front one. 

Powerman, I could use those tribars. 

This is overwhelming, in a good way. But I'm caught between feeling like I asked for charity, or on the other hand feeling like George Bailey at the end of It's a Wonderful Life. I'm not the guy who kept this community going for years, but some Mr Popper is out there with my bike right now, and you people have come to my rescue nonetheless. 

If you count a man's worth by his friends, I am rich indeed. 

Excellent!  My wife is swimming B2B1/2 on a relay, so I'll have her on the lookout for you.  Here's hoping you have better weather this year than last.  Have fun.

This.

You're  bearing a big emotional load right now.  Stuff happens sometimes.  A bike is only a "thing" - it's not the source of your strength or commitment.  It can be replaced.

Hug your family; get a good night's sleep.  Things will look better in the morning.  

Mark