My Problem.

[Oldcreaky]

Hi,
After a long period of being unable to ride my bike through ill health which included lack of energy, joint pain , lack of appetite etc after a stay in hospital i have been diagnosed with prostrate cancer which has spread to the bones. I am now a poor mans Sir Chris Hoy as he has the same condition but is younger by 24 years which makes it a lot worst for him.
My problem is what to do with all my accumulated gear bike ,clothing and workshop, nobody in the family is interested in riding so it will be sold but when to sell. I have lost a lot muscle which will never return although some partial recovery is possible. So do i wait to see if i can recover enough to ride if only on the local cycle track or sell now while fit enough to deal with the hassle.
You views on the best place to sell will be much sort after as i do not really fancy ebay.
Sorry to be morbid at this festive time of year but with limited time available i would like to have a plan, time scale is not definite so i have to act as i do not want the family to have the task of disposing.
Any ideas you may have will be most welcome and once again sorry for relating my tale with not a very good ending.
Oldcreaky.

 

[steve_sordy]

@Oldcreaky Sorry to hear of your devastating news.
I wish you well with your remaining time.

I know you said no to eBay, but did you know that they are no longer charging sellers fees?

The only other place that I have sold bikes is PinkBike Classifieds. I don't like it because it is not as easy to find what you are looking for as it is on eBay, but I have sold two bikes on there with zero hassle.

I know that there are other social media selling sites that are out there, but as I have never used them I cannot give a personal recommendation. Others on here may do so.

I know that selling stuff can be a proper hassle, describing the item, taking pictures, uploading, fraud prevention, weighing and packing up, getting stuff to the Post Office (wherever). The only reason that I go through that is to get the money. It's why I don't sell cheap stuff, it's not worth the hassle to me. Surely life is too short for all that palaver. I'd consider going down the easy route.

If you have a good relationship with your LBS, how about selling all your stuff through them. The proceeds could be all for a prostate cancer charity, or whatever charity the LBS supports. Or you could just split the proceeds with the LBS.

Is there a local bike club that could take over the task for you? Again, split the proceeds with them in some way.

No relative, but is there a youth on your street (or the son of a friend) that is into bikes that might be induced to help by the prospect of a share of the proceeds?

Or just donate the whole lot to the local cancer charity shop?

Finally, you don't say whether you have an electric bike or not. If not then I urge you to consider getting one! An e-bike would be perfect for a person in your weakened state.

 

[Oldcreaky]

Hi Steve,
I am on my third emtb, the current one is a 20022 Giant Reign E+1 with about 900 miles on it which i managed before everything went awry. There are quite a few upgraded parts also clothing' a selection of Fox tops and pants together with a Giro Switchblade helmet with detachable chin guard and matching goggles also gloves both winter and summer.
I have also thought of my LBS and i have a good reatiohip with them so a visit will be in order sooner or later.
At the moment i am leaning towards hanging fire for a bit to see if things start to improve and hope Spring comes early.
I had bowel cancer 10 years ago which was an easy cure just one operation with no consequences, i have come to terms with the situation and it does not worry me because it cannot be altered so why worry with something you cannot alter. Thanks for your good wishes and be assured i am confident i can keep a good attitude and i am always being told off for telling black jokes about my condition.
I will update the Forum as when there is news, next hospital appointment 21st January so possible around then if not before.
OlCreaky
ps Happy Christmas to all on the forum

 

[Mikerb]

I would say dont give up on riding. You may not be a ble to ride the trails you used to visit but even tarmac rides would help keep you as fit as your condition allows.

If that proves impossible my advice would be to use forums like this one and/or closed facebook groups...in your case one dedicated to Giant bikes. Whilst i appreciate your candour in talking a bout your medical condition I think it would be far easier for you as a seller and potential buyers for you to merely mention your reason for sale as being ill health.

Sadly the value of used bikes is at an all time low so dont aim too high. Your other kit is very different since the pricing of virtually anything new associated with the bike industry is overpriced, so anything second hand in good condition can represent a good bargain.

 

[Oldcreaky]

Hi,
Thanks for your advice and i will probably keep the bike and see how things go and hope to get to stage where the cycle track is as good as it likely to get.
I realise the bike is not worth a lot and will probably be worth not a lot less in the Spring. The idea of visiting various forums is a good idea and echos the views of my wife.
As you say i will not mention specifics when trying to sell as people do not want to think about the worst of situations.
Thanks for your reply and advise gladly accepted.
Cheers for now,
.Oldcreaky

 

[High Rock Ruti]

Hi,
Thanks for your advice and i will probably keep the bike and see how things go and hope to get to stage where the cycle track is as good as it likely to get.
I realise the bike is not worth a lot and will probably be worth not a lot less in the Spring. The idea of visiting various forums is a good idea and echos the views of my wife.
As you say i will not mention specifics when trying to sell as people do not want to think about the worst of situations.
Thanks for your reply and advise gladly accepted.
Cheers for now,
.Oldcreaky

High Rock Ruti

Sorry Friend

I love one part of your journey, you mountain biked until you couldn't, that is an exemplary part of a life well lived.

Warmest Regards Ruti

 

[Oldcreaky]

High Rock Ruti

Sorry Friend

I love one part of your journey, you mountain biked until you couldn't, that is an exemplary part of a life well lived.

Warmest Regards Ruti

Hi,
Thanks for your thoughts and regards all the way from across the pond.
I took to electric mountain bikes after having a stroke and not being able to drive, before the stroke i was a keen motorcyclist and the emtb seemed a good compromise although a very expensive one.

On a completely different subject one regret i have is not being able to visit the Gettysburg battle field and see where the 20th Maine under Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain held the Union left flank at Little round Top.and charged downhill at bayonet point and scattered the attacking confederate forces.My interest was aroused in the history of the battle after seeing the 3 films on tv. I am now listening to to the audio version of the book Killer Angels that the films were based on, brilliant way to learn history.
I am going to leave a list for the grand children to of things i would have liked to have done and hopefully they can visit place and do things for me and remember the old boy.

Once again thanks for your contact and my journey continues and at present i feel no apprehension and am content with the situation, perhaps nearer departure i may turn into a weeping wreck.
Cheers and thanks,
Oldcreaky.

 

[irie]

Hi,
Thanks for your thoughts and regards all the way from across the pond.
I took to electric mountain bikes after having a stroke and not being able to drive, before the stroke i was a keen motorcyclist and the emtb seemed a good compromise although a very expensive one.

On a completely different subject one regret i have is not being able to visit the Gettysburg battle field and see where the 20th Maine under Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain held the Union left flank at Little round Top.and charged downhill at bayonet point and scattered the attacking confederate forces.My interest was aroused in the history of the battle after seeing the 3 films on tv. I am now listening to to the audio version of the book Killer Angels that the films were based on, brilliant way to learn history.
I am going to leave a list for the grand children to of things i would have liked to have done and hopefully they can visit place and do things for me and remember the old boy.

Once again thanks for your contact and my journey continues and at present i feel no apprehension and am content with the situation, perhaps nearer departure i may turn into a weeping wreck.
Cheers and thanks,
Oldcreaky.

I have anotated photo albums and family trees to be given to my children so that when I am gone they can see where my parents and previous generations came from.

 

[Oldcreaky]

Hi,
I have ideas of a similar nature although a lot of my photos of when my wife and i were courting are on slides so the cost of transfer would be prohibitive. i will look into seeing what can be done also still have a selection of my school books from senior school would like to think they would be saved as part of my past and a piece of social history from the sixties.
Thanks for your ideas i will find out what can be done.food for thought.
Cheers,
Oldcreaky