Back in the 80’s, one of the guys I used to race against was Steve Remy, now Team Director for Monster Media Racing Team.  Our paths crossed again last year, this time with us wearing the same kit on Team Guinness.  So when Steve asked me to speak in front of the Monster Media Racing Team as part of their team camp for 2015, I didn’t hesitate.

The talk was intended to motivate the riders to push themselves beyond their current limits. In particular, I shared my thoughts on how to deal with discomfort and pain, both unavoidable in serious bike racing. Naturally, I shared some of my stories of suffering behind some great and fast riders over the years, and beckoned them to challenge all self-established boundaries.

But nothing I conjured up for that talk can compare to the courage and mental strength Portland cyclist and Monster Media Racing Team rider Alistair Corkett displayed after his horrific bicycle accident on Sunday, May 10. Corkett and fellow team mate Anthony Disano were nearing the end of their weekly long ride when a pickup truck suddenly veered quickly into a left turn at a particularly dangerous Portland intersection. This move stole both Alistairs right-of way and his right leg, but Alistair kept his head, never losing consciousness or his composure. In fact, he was making jokes by day’s end. His close friends have been by his side since the day of the collision.

I am honored to represent him and am doing all I can to find insurance coverage; however, it’s doubtful that the driver has insurance and even if he does, it will barely cover a few days in the hospital, let alone the life adjustment costs facing Alistair. And then there is the needed prosthetic. Fortunately, Alistair has health insurance, but it doesn’t cover all of the costs he incurred and will incur as a result of this uninsured driver’s negligence.

And that’s where Alistair’s friends have stepped up again. The day after the collision, they set up a GoFundMe page for Alistair to help raise money for a prosthetic leg. The original goal of $50,000 was reached within 4 days, so a new goal of $100,000 was set; the additional funding will be to help Alistair finish his education.

Alistair’s GoFundMe page has already received 888 shares; let’s get the word out and share it even more to reach the fundraising goal and help Alistair recover from this devastating crash.

If you’ve been in a bike crash and need help from our Oregon bicycle accident attorneys, contact us right away. 

Bike Law