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Bike Swap tally hurt by bike theft

Revenues fall just short of last year's numbers

By Andrew Mitchell

The 2007 WORCA Bike Swap didn’t set any new records this year, falling just short of last year’s numbers, but still succeeded in raising $7,672 for WORCA’s youth programs — minus the $1,170 WORCA paid to compensate the owner of a bike that was stolen from the swap.

Total sales were $73,828 once the credit card commissions were factored in, just short of the 2006 tally of $76,220. WORCA earned $2 per sale item, plus 10 or 15 per cent of sales, which put the total commission at $8,842 for the day — just $330 less than last year.

The numbers were severely curtailed by the late day theft of a bike that was retailing for $1,300, and cost WORCA $1,170 once the 10 per cent commission was factored in. Volunteers are still trying to figure out how the thief managed to walk out of the secured area, past volunteer security and the owner of the bike. It was the first bike stolen from the swap.

A description of the bike and thief have been passed along to the RCMP, and WORCA is asking members to help recover the bike.

The bike is a 2003 Norco Launch, small frame, with a Marzocchi Junior T front fork, purple Hayes disk brakes, a torn seat with black electrical tape on the front, and SRAM shifters that were scratched after a fall. Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 604-932-3044 or WORCA at info@worca.com .

Money from the swap is being put towards WORCA’s 2007 youth programs, which includes a return of youth dirt camps, family Youth Twoonie Nights, and increased support for the Whistler Secondary School team. As well, the funds help to subsidize WORCA’s youth members, as membership fees for youth and families no longer cover the cost of insurance.