Paraplegic's Adaptive Bike Stolen in Calgary

Jul 30, 2019 at 7:05
by Daniel Sapp  
Ryan St. Lawrence was on a trip across Canada this week when his custom Santa Cruz V10, with special adaptations to help him ride, was stolen outside of a Hilton Garden Inn near the Calgary, AB airport. The heavily modified V10, along with a Specialized Enduro EVO, were locked to a van but the locks were cut overnight. Both bikes are nowhere to be found. Ryan and his friends are asking fellow mountain bikers to be on the lookout.

Ryan's modified V-10 and his riding partner's Specialized Enduro EVO were both stolen.
Just this past week, Ryan did a heli-drop at Retallack...a huge accomplishment.

In 2016, St. Lawrence was paralyzed from the waist down following an accident at Highland Mountain Bike Park.

The New Hampshire resident, determined to get out in the mountains doing what he loved, built a custom Santa Cruz V10 that allowed him to ride the trails he wanted to. According to posts on social media, he had launched a quest from New England to Calgary to ride the Canadian mountains...a dream of many and a tremendous accomplishment for Ryan. Just this week, he did a heli-drop at Retallack Lodge on an adaptive bike. A first, and a remarkable feat in and of itself.

Ryan's wife shared on social media, "This is so much more than a bike to him, so much more than a replaceable piece of equipment. This is freedom, redemption, recovery therapy. This is the thing that has brought him happiness again. Ryan has had so much taken from him already, so if humanity could conspire to get these bikes back to him, we would be so grateful."

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Ryan or his partner's bikes, please reach out.

Author Info:
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Member since Jan 18, 2007
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140 Comments
  • 317 0
 There is a special place in Hell for scum like this...
  • 10 4
 No shit
  • 25 0
 I bet this kind of guy also steals canes from blind people, scams disabled people and repetitively asks money to his own grandma with alzheimer.
  • 17 0
 In this case, there's an extra special place...
  • 24 1
 it would be worth them stealing it for me to catch them stealing it!!! Pliers blow torch shovel desert..........
  • 39 4
 This a-hole should be shot on site! In both knee caps... then in the dick as to prevent reproduction!
  • 14 0
 @biglev: "Let me tell you what now. I'ma call a coupla hard, pipe-hittin' n*ggers, who'll go to work on the homes here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. You hear me talkin', hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight"
  • 1 0
 @DhDWills: best movie ever
  • 7 0
 @scotttherider: Extreme, yet fair.
  • 2 1
 @scotttherider: Nah! Ain't worth the ammo, plus he'd miss out on all that suffering, what with BOTH his hands, AND his feet chopped off, and his tongue cut out with rusty metal shears, and then both eyes popped out with a broken bottle... just 'cuz! Oh, Ok, I'll be nice and NOT call the police! He's free to go... to be dumped in the woods, so he can at least help the environment.
  • 4 0
 @DhDWills: i'm gonna get MEDIEVAL on yo ass!
  • 2 1
 @Code98: draw and quarter the sons of bitches and feed them their entrails!
  • 4 0
 Worst Karma coming to them.
  • 1 0
 @zede: Probably works in a telesales company calling people to ask if they've had an accident too...
  • 2 0
 @biglev: wee boat trip wi concrete wellies is easier than diggin holes for the scumbag! Smile
  • 105 1
 Any crowdfund for getting this guy a new bike, maybe someone who knows Ryan could set it up? I´ll throw in a tenner, I´m sure there´s plenty of people here who would join in...
  • 12 0
 Bump up ... I’d do that, shit happens, some people are c*nts this fella sounds like a legend ready to bounce back with a bit of help, and a feeling of support this story could have a final twist for the better.
  • 52 1
 WTF is wrong with people... I hope you get your bike back Ryan.
  • 4 1
 Well, they're people.
  • 27 2
 I hope, for once, that this thread doesn't go full Dinkbike and fill up with posts blaming the paraplegic for not wrestling his bike into the hotel room. Have a heart FFS and show some empathy
  • 4 2
 THIS...Too many ignorant a holes on this site these days.
  • 23 0
 When he gets it back can you do a feature on the modifications he made to make it adaptable?
  • 1 0
 Here's some of it --> a href="https://www.pinkbike.com/news/Back-on-Bike-after-Spinal-Cord-Injury.html" target="blank">https://www.pinkbike.com/news/Back-on-Bike-after-Spinal-Cord-Injury.html/a>
  • 5 0
 Hmmm, not sure why my html link went screwy and removed some brackets... it was clickable for a min. Sorry folks.

www.pinkbike.com/news/Back-on-Bike-after-Spinal-Cord-Injury.html
  • 2 0
 you can see him shredding and more info here as well.

www.pinkbike.com/u/projectnortheast/blog/team-granite-taking-adaptive-biking-to-an-11.html
  • 16 1
 A fantasy of mine is watching one of these piece of shit thieves steal my bike, and while chasing him down he gets ran over by a bus, and then backed over again like Phil Leotardo. Fuck bike thieves forever.
  • 5 0
 @ross005 - I watched that Sopranos episode last night!
  • 8 30
flag toastbrot51 (Jul 30, 2019 at 9:35) (Below Threshold)
 You really want to see other people get killed/ severly injured because of stealing a bike? What's wrong with you?
I mean I love bikes just as much as you do, but at the end it's still only a bike.
  • 17 1
 @toastbrot51: what would be the great loss to society?
  • 5 1
 @toastbrot51: i think his wife goes through some obvious reasons why it's not "just a silly bike"
guess you missed that part
  • 1 0
 @toastbrot51: that u merkel?
  • 22 10
 So was it locked to a van or locked inside a van? Seems crazy to me to leave 10k in bikes on display in an airport hotel parking lot.

Edit: Looks like it was locked to the hitch rack...

dgx9rrgrsfte9.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/31213616/Webp.net-resizeimage.png
  • 23 13
 People leaving such bikes unattended in the public are bound to learn a lesson.
There are simply NO locks good enough to protect these bikes - anyone can put on a yellow vest, grab an angle grinder/cutter and leave with the bike in 5 minutes without anyone approaching him...
  • 5 4
 @f00bar: exactly. Even the kryptonite faghettaboudit lock can be cut in a matter of minutes. My Thule T2 has a lock on the arm that clamps to the wheel that’s useless as ever as someone can deflate the tire or even take the tire off to get around it. The only thing locks are good for is leaving your bike unattended for a short period of time and that’s it.
  • 30 1
 Yes, having bikes visible/locked to vehicles is no bueno but let's keep in mind Ryan might have some challenges loading/unloading the bike off his rack into hotel rooms and maybe his van isn't setup to store bikes inside.
  • 19 4
 @f00bar: A part of me agrees with you but the other part screams "victim blaming" Smile
  • 46 1
 unfortunately guys, my buddies bike weighs like 50 pounds(the bucket bike), and there is no way for him to take it on and off himself in most cases while being in a wheelchair. I like to take my bikes in too, but this was at the end of a trip and he was alone.
  • 6 5
 Gwin's bike was stolen from inside a van I think....really the bikes should come inside the hotel.
  • 2 0
 I park my car so my bike is pretty much in a bush, or right up against a wall. But over night keep in insight in your hotel or tent or whatever.
  • 3 3
 I'm sorry for this dude but, lock? Those cable locks can be cut super fast an easy an I'm guessing professional tea leafs go to places like this
  • 11 18
flag taskmgr (Jul 30, 2019 at 11:06) (Below Threshold)
 As much as i hate to say it. I agree with this. Myself and my ex went camping in the middle of nowhere and had our bikes locked to our rack. The bikes got stolen. Its a horrible feeling but it's a lesson. I hope he gets his bike back. Bikes get stolen all the time. Why is this being treated differently? That's another thing I really don't get.
  • 9 1
 This issue here is that people still hold on to some weird faith in humanity. Take me for example; I gave up on the human race years ago, because we are inherently pieces of shit and will step on anyone or anything if it means we can get our Latte first... nothing stolen in quite a while.
  • 2 2
 @ssteve: i wouldn't go that far. I think most people are generally good but even if 1/10000 is a p.o.s. or even just a desperate junkie who could actually be a good person then there will be issues. I live in a rural area of a small town and lock everything up all the time. Its peace of mind and there's no reason to risk the things I've worked so hard for
  • 11 3
 @makripper: Spend a day or even an hour with Ry and you will better understand why this is being treated differently. It's not just a bike, its a symbol of freedom and accomplishment after a life changing event in a world that said "you can't", but he did. The many people involved bringing this story to the limelight recognize that thing called compassion.

And on that note, let's keep this thread on topic, which is not the how it happened or how it could be prevented (also very relevant to Ryan's injury), but rather how can you be a positive influence going forward and share this story to show your compassion for someone that loves our great sport the same as you.
  • 6 10
flag taskmgr (Jul 30, 2019 at 13:02) (Below Threshold)
 @thebigheezy: Why can't he get another one built? Yeah we all make mistakes and have had valuable stuff stolen.
  • 9 0
 Doesn't make the guy who took them any less of a cunt though
  • 1 0
 @red720: agree 100%
  • 1 0
 @thebigheezy: he's come a long way, and I hope that he will come to realize that the bike is a thing, but his accomplishments are experiences that can never be lost.
  • 5 0
 @makripper: Because it's hard to take a 50 lb bike on and off a rack yourself when you're in a wheelchair?
  • 15 1
 The guy is paralyzed and people are still railing on him for not carrying his 50lb ebike up to his hotel room. What the f*ck is wrong with people?
  • 3 0
 @topherdagopher: exactly. He does not load/unload this bike by himself (which he was at the time). As an able-bodied person who transported this bike for the better part of the summer for him, it's was a feat to lift onto my truck bed rack.
  • 5 3
 @kmayotte: @topherdagopher it makes the dipshits on this site feel better about themselves to tell him it's his fault and he should have known better. No thought of the fact that the man's in a wheelchair and that bike is not light. Heartless small minded douchebags.
  • 3 1
 @highcountrydh:
I'm not dissing the guy in any way and nor should others, but clearly the security of this bike could have been
better planned, and by highlighting issues off bike security is better than the likes of
what I would do too the culprits that will never happen nonsence. At the end off the day this is gutting for the guy
and he will be feeling it, so please others learn from this.
  • 1 0
 @ssteve: got some nihilists in heah
  • 1 0
 @mm732: I believe "Realist" was the term you were looking for.
  • 13 3
 So unfortunate and sad that there are people out there who would do this. Really hope you get your bike back, brother. Good news is likely that bike has a ton of bespoke components, making it seemingly impossible to "part out" #killallbiketheives
  • 8 0
 Terrible news. I'm sure that the mountain bike community would gladly come together and donate through GoFundMe or similar to get this champ a new ride if he didn't have the funds himself.
  • 7 0
 We have family in Calgary and have spread the word. They'll be checking the local classifieds for would be sellers. Best of luck to you both.
  • 4 0
 Calgary N.E is the worst ! Had my catalytic converter cut out of my truck , middle of the day while at work in a work parking lot only few blocks away from that hilton . Calgary is almost the highest bike theft in Canada now and for sure the highest rising rate.
  • 3 0
 I've always considered putting a little GPS tracker inside my handlebars or something, but I live in Ohio where bike theft isn't as rampant as it is in places like BC and Colorado. But its unfortunate that there are people out there that make you take such measures in the first place.
  • 2 0
 No bike theft is rampant in Ohio too. I have to bring my bike into my apartment because the garage isn't secure enough. Had bikes that were locked stolen out of the garage.
  • 5 0
 Ya I'm getting Sherlock it's a tracker/proximity alarm that goes in your handlebars.
As extra protection lockon grips with the bolts replaced by ones which require a special tool to remove.

If my bike is so much as touched a alarm goes to my phone ..and I don't call the cops.
  • 2 0
 @vapidoscar: good to know, that was my plan when I buy a house. Garage work station with bikes dead bolted to the floor.

I currently do as you do, dedicate my living room in my apartment to the bike cave. I guess that’s never changing, lol.
  • 1 0
 @Happypanda1337: Good call on bolting to the floor.

I am fortunate to have a sunroom on the roof of the garage that has now become my bike garage. But the bikes still have to be pretty clean for the trek through the building and through our halls.
  • 1 0
 ohio here, ive had a bunch of friends lose $1000-3000 bikes to theft
  • 1 0
 @LumberJake: Hmm, I guess I'm fortunate then. Better start locking my bike up better haha.
  • 7 1
 Вот пидорасы!!!!!

*suka blyat*

PinkBike, can you start a crowd-funding company to help Ryan to replace bike?
  • 3 0
 Sucks to hear. This is a good reminder to anyone with renters or homeowners insurance to see if your insurance provider will add a rider to your policy that will cover the full cost of your bike if it is ever stolen. A lot of providers already include bike theft coverage but only reimburse a small amount if stolen, usually $1,500 or so. Bike specific insurance from companies like Markel and Velosurance is another option. Although somewhat expensive it's better than nothing if you live in an area where bike theft is high.
  • 2 0
 If you see the drug addict that stole these bikes do us all a favour and kick the shit out of them and then contact the owners of the bikes. Don't even bother calling the cops because they are useless when it comes to bike theft.
  • 4 0
 C'mon guys, why so down on these bike thieves? That crystal meth ain't gonna buy itself.

There's a special place in hell for scum like this.
  • 2 0
 There is so much bike theft here in Calgary, it’s insane. Watching the news and it seems our police bust bike theft rings on the regular finding tons of stolen bikes. They part them out and ship them around the country. Disgusting rats.
  • 3 1
 This looks bad on Alberta. One thing I've learned after moving here, the drug problem is bigger than we all can imagine. We have things go missing from our yard semi regularly. Everything from tools to old bikes and most recently our empty cans. People come into the yard even during the day. Please don't think we're all out to just steal. It's a select few that do it and they do it often.
  • 5 2
 Don't have that problem so much in Reno, NV. It is fairly well known that trespassers are likely to be shot on sight. Everyone here is armed to the teeth and proud of it. I have a little more respect for life and wouldn't just murder someone for coming over my fence....but it happened to some young man in some old man's yard just down the road from me. Blew the kid to bits. Cops didn't even arrest him, said he was within his rights. However, I got the nonlethals ready!
  • 2 2
 @DhDWills: ya, look how that works for your garlic festival. And the moms protesting violence in chicago. And that is just the last two days....
  • 2 0
 Seriously, F#$@ selfish F#@$%^( people. F them all. Society is so screwed up because everyone is stuck in "me" world and can't take a single step back and see how their actions relate to others and the world around them. What an asinine sewer dweller to steal something like that.
  • 3 0
 I've been chased for a 6 pack of beer. A friend of mine got jumped for his shit singlespeed. I'd be more surprised if meth heads failed to steal a Santa Cruz locked up overnight
  • 1 0
 Yes I agree that the person or people that stole the bikes are pieces of shit . But come on to leave bikes, especially one with a heavy investment into it, locked to a van over night in a he city is pretty stupid. I bet he won’t do that again!
Sorry for your loss
  • 5 1
 In my fantasy of this event the thief would crash trying to ride it away and suffer a major spinal cord injury.
  • 9 0
 but then could use it to ride again! oh the irony!
  • 10 7
 This sucks big time, but bike theives don’t discriminate towards anyone. Why on earth was this left outside a hotel over night?
  • 4 3
 +1 it’s unfortunate but leaving a bike outside is asking to come back to nothing
  • 2 1
 Calgary has been a real hotspot for bike theft lately! It's insane the amount going on here. Unfortunately the part of town where the van was parked is the worst. NE calgary. I hope its recovered there ha e been some good bike recoveries lately too
  • 2 0
 It would be great if they could list the parts on the bike, so that people could keep their eyes open for them. Someone selling a fork or wheelset could help lead to the rest, or to the degenerate that stole it.
  • 3 0
 ¡! ¡!!!!!! ¡!!!!!!¡¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have an idea
What if Pink bike raised money for him and give him A New v10
  • 1 0
 Scumbags, plain & simple, but even after the fact, it may be worth setting up a profile on bikeindex.org and listing the bike as stolen, the more exposure, the higher the chance of recovery.........

bikeindex.org
  • 2 0
 **Also there are FB groups for Calgary & Edmonton specifically for stolen bikes......

Calgary
www.facebook.com/groups/312174922457398

Edmonton
www.facebook.com/groups/576708895843716
  • 1 0
 Bike thieves really are shit. At the same time we gotta do what we can to minimize the theft opportunity. A cable lock on the back of your car is there to slow the theft down. It is in no way an actual security device. If you believe it is you will be losing your shit sooner or later.
  • 1 0
 As sad as this is theres a big lesson to learn here, a bike locked to the outside of a van over night is gonna draw attention, and on this occasion it did, and it happens all the time. Every time you leave a bike unatended assume it is going to be taken, this world is full of shits and there everywhere. Bikes are increasing in cost, and can be worth more than used cars, they can be so eaily carried off, stripped down to there parts and dissolved into the selling market. It frustrates me when I read the stolen bikes section, people can do a lot more to help prevent there loss, its as if we beleive it won't happen to us or we trust our societal surroundings, we only wake to the reality of it when its to late. I sure as hell won't leave my bike advertised and unattended for all to see, if I have to leave it, its either in my sight close by and always locked, or out of sight in the building I may be in and close by, locked. I will remove wheels and take it with me in parts to my hotel room, and if I am not allowed I will get sneaky to do so, if all else fails I will change my plans so as it can work to keep my bike safe. My actions will make it difficult, short of an individual threatening me with a weapon and taking it. I wish this person well and for them to overcome the loss quickly, ideally get the bike back and for those responsible to get there just deserves.
  • 2 0
 This sucks and I hope however did it dies a slow and painful death from some horrible disease. However... Leaving bikes like that locked outside over night is just demanding they be taken, really not surprising at all.
  • 1 0
 I see a lot of threats promising death or torture for bike thieves but the chance of actually catching someone is probably not a lot better than winning the lottery(well maybe a little better than that but not good). Its not like catching bike thieves is exactly a high police priority, they can pretty much ignore it and know that they are never likely to hear about it. My experience has been that they try to ignore it. My most recent bike theft experience was of the bikes being stolen from a friends garage in Winnipeg. Obviously they were experienced, they took the high end bikes and left the commuters. The best part is my friend replaced her bike and they came back for it as well. So while it may feel good to make threats bike thieves are probably not too worried.

On the other hand it is a bit random, I have left bikes locked on my van at hotels and campgrounds all over BC, Alberta and the Yukon and been lucky enough to not lose any (off my rack on those trips). Most hotels do not allow bikes in rooms and you won't sneak in with 4-5 bikes (my old favourite in canmore had ski and bike rooms to store them) I just try to park where I can see them and if I can right outside my room. Twice recently I have come home from a ride and got distracted (kids) by some minor emergency and left my bikes unlocked on the rack in my driveway in Campbell River and been shocked to see them there the next morning (pure luck).
The sad thing is while some bikes are stolen by people who part them out or are involved in networks to resell them, most people stealing them to support addictions are just going to flip them for next to nothing and if they steal something they can't flip they sell it for scrap.
  • 5 0
 Fuck bike thieves
  • 3 0
 Glad this finally made it onto pinkbike. Hopefully someone will have seen something.
  • 3 0
 Ryan, you are lucky about one thing. Your wife gets it. My wife does not effing get it. Best of luck getting your ride back.
  • 2 1
 Well honestly... he might have well left it leaning against the wall at any winnipeg north end 711. Calgary is full of bike thieves just like winnipeg. Like flies on shit... That bike is gone baby gone
  • 2 0
 You know the worst part is that he's just gonna be using it to bike around town, probably not even gonna take it off any sweet jumps.

Too soon?
  • 1 0
 I'm pretty lose with my bikes and been lucky over the years....guess after ready all this time to tighten up before s#it goes missing.

Hope you get your custom bike bike Ryan!!
  • 1 0
 I am ready for the down votes, but my question is about the bike. He is paralyzed from the waist down; why is there a chain, cassette, or shifter on this bike? No disrespect intended.
  • 3 0
 That sucks so bad. I really really really hope you recover your bike dude
  • 2 0
 ahhh this really sucks! What's wrong with people?! fingers crossed you get it back my dude!
  • 1 0
 Hopefully they catch him and cripple his legs. Now you can use the bike!!! Not this one tho you thieving bitch, gotta buy your own.
  • 1 0
 Now this is truly f*cked. I've had three bikes stolen, but something like this is extra sh*tty. I hope they find the bike and the thief.
  • 2 0
 Come on Canadians! You can find this thing!
  • 1 0
 Please let this dirtbag come to CA and get found so we can beat him to death with the very bike he stole.
  • 2 0
 RYAN"S BIKES WILL RETURN HOME TO HIM !!! WE WILL FIND THEM RYAN !!
  • 6 6
 I hope this man/woman are found and beaten to death. Do most stolen bikes just get parted out? This seems like a nearly impossible rig to offload
  • 2 0
 unbelievable, I'm so bummed to hear this. I hope justice is served
  • 2 4
 That’s absolutely horrible. This is why I would never leave my bike on my rack, overnight, especially if it was decked out like this one. He should have known better but unfortunate none the less. Quite sad we live in a world where you can’t run into a grocery store without fear that your bike isn’t going to get stolen, even when it’s locked up.
  • 1 0
 This. I can't even grab a sandwich after a ride without taking my bike home first....
  • 1 0
 Thank you guys for publishing this. Absolutely gutted for Ryan and disgusted about this news.
  • 2 1
 honestly it's a shame what novaday laws is so soft, for this arm of thief should be cut off
  • 1 0
 Alberta, Calgary in particular, has been brutal for bike theft lately. Keeping an eye out for this one.
  • 1 0
 How the heck do you even fence a bike like that? Eff whoever the heck buys that from the thief too.
  • 2 0
 get the rope we used to hang horse thieves
  • 1 0
 pray for the one who stole the bike that God may grant the person a sincere repentance and the bike is returned.
  • 1 0
 Absolute worst of the worst. I am stunned.......no words.......f off you piece of @#$% who did this......
  • 1 0
 Just give me 5 minutes with whoever did this ????
  • 1 0
 Just take a bike lock the next time, and no wire
  • 1 0
 What the f*** is wrong with people?
  • 2 0
 instant Karma....
  • 2 0
 this is horrible news...
  • 4 5
 Horrible...but why dear god to people leave fancy bikes on parked cars?? ALWAYS assume someone is after it. Lock? What lock? Take your baby inside please!
  • 1 0
 Agreed, don't get the Negs.
  • 2 0
 Not cool
  • 4 3
 I wish ass cancer upon the losers!
  • 1 0
 Shared I hope they find it.
  • 1 0
 son of a bitch must pay for this
  • 1 0
 This just proves that bike thieves are the worst kind of degenerates.
  • 1 0
 Where's the GoFundMe? I got $20 towards a new bike for him.
  • 2 3
 Calgary is a shit hole . Hope dude gets his bike back Or maybe Pinkbike can start a fundraiser for him and we can all pitch in and help this guy shred again
  • 2 0
 Wow, mxmtb. Tell us how you really feel!
Calgary is hoping Ryan's bike gets back to it's rightful owner, pronto.
It has been mentioned that most of Calgary's stolen high end bikes go west to the Coast.
Is there security footage from the hotel? If so, lets see it....
  • 3 0
 also where Pinkbike started
  • 1 0
 If they don't find the bikes, start a GoFundMe. Donations will come in.
  • 1 0
 This is awful Frown
  • 1 0
 Such bad karma
  • 1 0
 That's just shitty.
  • 1 2
 One big fire, please....
  • 2 5
 Typical Calgary. World class
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