June 22/08 2:33 am - "Best Fest" at Buckwallow in Support of Jim Best

Posted by Editoress on 06/22/08
 

Best Fest Saturday July 12th at Buckwallow
Courtesy Mike Badyk

Many of you in the Ontario MTB world know Jim Best. He races. He built bikes and did repairs at his home shop Best Bike Works. He wrenched at lots of events with his trailer as well. He is also an IMBA regional rep and has done lots of good work helping with trails. Besides that he's just a great person.

Jim has been having some health problems. They are in fact serious. He has been diagnosed with MS. Lots of people know about this now but many don't. It seems that the type of medical assistance that Jim is seeking isn't covered by OHIP (diet advice, naturopathy) therefore there is quite the financial burden for Jim and his family.

Jim's good friend Gord Wyatt, Jim's bike club - the MAMBO Kings, Buckwallow Cycling Centre, Cycle Solutions and Ecclestone Cycle are getting together for a ride to raise funds for Jim's treatments on Saturday July 12th at Buckwallow. Response has been so strong that it has morphed into what is being affectionately called "BEST FEST". There are rides between 10 and 1, food, music, pottery demos, draw prizes (see below) and probably more as well. Park entry is $8.

The main part of the fundraising effort is a raffle. Tickets are $5.00 each and if you buy 5 tickets you get a 6th for free. Tickets are available at both Cycle Solutions stores (Beaches and Parliament), and also through Paypal (link available soon). Please contact bonner@sympatico.ca for more info about the raffle. Other raffle prizes will be added to the list by July 12th. Please note that you don't have to be at the event to win but we'd love to see you there to offer Jim as much encouragement as we possibly can. Ticket draws will be done at Buckwallow. You can also make a voluntary donation at Best Fest.

Here's a partial list of the raffle prizes.

1st prize - 2007 Gary Fisher Tassajhara GS XC bike valued at $1300.00
2nd Prize - 2 tickets to Toronto F.C. soccer game (their 2008 season is sold out)
3rd - Syndicate signed jersey
4th - 5th Michelin XCR dry tires (2.6 x 2.0)
6th - 16th XT rear derailleurs (that's right...10 derailleurs)
17th - Cycle Solutions Jersey - 3/4 Length
18th - Cycle Solutions short sleeve jersey

This is our chance to help out someone who has done so much for mountain biking in Ontario. Best Fest isn't affiliated with anything or anyone. Its just friends helping a friend. We hope you can be part of it.

Buckwallow Cycling Centre is located 4km north of Gravenhurst. Turn right from Hwy 11 North (Gravenhurst Parkway) onto Reay Road East near the KOA.

For more info please contact Gord Wyatt at gwwyat@gmail.com