And as an afterthought…if you don’t want to help him get the whole bike just consider that your money would actually just be buying say, the spokes…or a part of the stem…cables. It would be just like he has always posted…you buy it I’ll ride it. And the motto of Team Second Hand Racing…aint too proud to beg. Be like finding a seatpost in your basement that you never use anymore and sending it in.
I can’t remember everything, but the biggest thing is that a few months ago (the end of last summer I believe), he had a benign brain tumor removed. He had been hanging around on the forum, being his usual irascible self, and had at several times mentioned that his financial position prohibited him from buying a bike. You could tell from his posts that there was quite a bit to the story. So that, coupled with his rather odd sense of humor and the brain tumor, really struck a chord on the forum. I’ve always thought Mr. Tibbs was a good man who had endured more than his fair share of hard luck. He never asked for anyone to feel sorry for him, and I don’t think he wants that. But there’s nothing wrong with helping a friend, and I think that’s what’s going on here.
RP
‘if you knew his story - you may be more willing to open your wallet as well’
Actually I have a more dubious motive. Once we take care of Mr. Tibbs then we’ll start a “Help Cerveloguy Pay Off His Mortgage” fund.
Just kidding.
I awoke this morning to a private message from Mr. Tibbs. He was wondering why I was helping him. There was a lot to how he asked the question and it was rather touching.
I will not post what he wrote without his permission but I will share with you my response.
“Life is tough. Most people contribute to making life tougher. I like helping people. I love accomplishment and I love to see others feel accomplished and achieve their goals. It makes me feel good as a person. So I help you for your good, the good of people around you, and for my own selfish reason of making myself feel better about myself and the world around me.”
There are many great causes in this world (and I contribute and participate in many of them). I don’t understand how someone could justly say that Mr. Tibbs isn’t just as worthy of a cause as any other. I say this because helping people (to me) is all about having a positive impact on the people and world around you. Sometimes you help someone and it stops there. Every once in a while you help someone and it changes their life so significantly that they go on to positively impact more lives. I prefer to help the ones that continue to help the ones around them.
It is my belief that helping Mr. Tibbs will be one of the people that continue to positively impact the people and world around him. My choice is to help.
Order Team Secondhand Racing apparel and mugs and contribute to Mr. Tibbs!
One time someone sent me this, with a very nice letter. Tibbs and I, though we dont speak often - speak the same language. We know the same things…fear the same horrors in life. It is an honor to help out someone who has helped me out.
“in your honor when i get a new bike or used bike (80 years for now) i am going to throw a chorus on it. keep it all shiny.” (from "Customerjon)
I would expect that…this new bike will have Chorus on it.
You’re a good guy Mr. Tibbs, just like a lot of the other people here. No other reason is needed IMO.
I’m 38 years old, and I haven’t blown a snot bubble for about 30 years. The other day, one of Tibbs’ posts made me blow a snot bubble.
AN HONEST TO GOODNESS, SNORT OUT LOUD, TEARS IN MY EYES, I HOPE I DON’T PISS IN MY PANTS, SNOT BUBBLE!
I loved it. That’s all the reason I need right there.
Anybody who can do that to me deserves a good used bike. I’ll contribute $10 for each snot bubble Tibbs can make me produce. My contribution is $10 and counting.
– Big EE
I don’t want to sound like I’m raining on anyone’s parade - I think the whole phenomenon here is pretty awesome - but I have to ask… Do you still ride your 2003 OCR? Why do you need a new bike?
You are a good man Mr. Tibbs. I am sending over 20 bucks towards that sweeeeet new (secondhand) ride. Have a great season out there.
jIM
"She managed to pay off her $20,000 or so in credit card debt in just a few months… "
No way! Shit, I’ve got to start one of those!
Hid, that is AWESOME!
Leigh
Gotcha. Since you have a bike, you should offer Frank Renhelt some ass - you could get a sweet Renn disc out of it.
The TSR merchandise is f*$%ing awesome…
Do you still ride your 2003 OCR? Why do you need a new bike?
NEED, man you sound just like my wife. He’s like me ‘need’ is a sliding scale, I need all the tri crap I can lay my hands on; now I’d like to retire someday :<>
Cause you’re the real deal, Tibbs. We are at polar opposites on a lot of issues, but I can appreciate the genuine article when I see it.
And because you’re posts are awesome- they really are a bright spot in the day for me. Which is reason enough right there.
I’m in for $10. Enjoy the bike, ride it in good health.
Just for fun, and to see what, if any, response I get, I just sent Hid’s post to our local weather phenom, pro duathlete and age group triathlete Cecily Tynan. For those of you not in the Philly market, she does the local weather on 6 ABC (wpvi.com). Maybe she’ll kick in, or help spread the word. Or not.
madisonbucky,
If you wanted to give money to a “more worthwhile cause like a local charity or something” you would have already done it. This deal has nothing to do with your charitable contributions. Why try to piss on somebody else’s happiness?
“I just have a hard time helping someone else mooch and then get a free bike when I bust my ass and save for all of my toys…” So don’t help!!! It’s sad you want to talk others out of helping. We all bust our asses for what ever we have and I choose to send some of what I have to a guy who seems pretty cool. Why would that be a problem for you? If he has another bike, big deal. Now he will have one his wife will each have a bike and they can ride together.
The fund is up to $265.5 USD, not bad for one day.
Dave
I think it’s funny how aggressive people are being over this…I’m not pissing on anyone - so chill out.
"What if we donate money to a more worthwhile cause like a local charity or something but enter it as ‘in honor of Mr. Tibbs’…does that count? "
That is actually what I wrote…I am more than willing to donate - I just thought improving someone’s life might be done more by tossing money so someone can upgrade a bike…
I never tried to talk anyone out of giving…I actually tried to talk more people into giving - I recall, I actually suggested we donate to a 529 fund to help pay for his kids college education…perhaps, that was ill-advised because upgrading Tibbs bike might make his life better than helping out his kids pay for college.
I think $2k could do a lot for people to make their lives better…imagine what that could compound to over 10 years for someone wanting an education…but, you’re right…I’m an a-hole for wanting to do something like that.
madisonbucky you’re alright in my book.
Now back to Mr. Tibbs - I think we need a celebrity auction. Perhaps we can get Tom and Becca to volunteer to go out on a date with the two highest donators.
Well, Mr. Tibbs, don’t know you too well, but clearly, YOU ROCK. Except that grosser than gross joke where I was left slightly unimpressed as it did not match up to your normal wit 
But, I know bunnyman is going to kick my ass with his fundraising with his carbon fiber stems, but I’m going down fighting, so here’s my 40 bucks. You better frickin LOVE this bike, or I’m going to find you.
Oh yeah, YOU BETTER POST PICS