Cochrane RCMP say at this point they cannot say definitely if a report of a booby-trapped mountain bike trail near Bragg Creek is a legitimate complaint.
Cochrane RCMP say at this point they cannot say definitely if a report of a booby-trapped mountain bike trail near Bragg Creek is a legitimate complaint.
Stelios Psaroudakis, 37, of Calgary, reported that he was knocked from his bike on July 5 after striking barbed wire that had been strung across the trail he was riding.
“I cut my neck, I smashed the bottom of my back on a rock so my back is swollen and I have (a) tear on my liver, ” Psaroudakis commented in a July 6 Facebook post.
The following day Psaroudakis started a GoFundMe campaign titled “Almost died on trail by barbed wire ” asking the public for $8,000 to help “pay for bills, buying another bike and deer cameras to donate to the trails and make them safe. ”
At press time, the campaign had reached $851 with the site putting the funds on hold.
Police have received calls from the public with concerns regarding the validity of the incident, but at this time Const. Troy Savinkoff said he is unable to comment on legitimacy of the case.
“The GoFundMe is not part of the investigation, ” Savinkoff said, adding police are still looking to speak to the rider's friend who was reportedly there at the time of the incident. “We haven't been able to speak with the friend he was with, ” said Savinkoff.
The Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association is also working to verify the case and while it issued a warning to other riders earlier in the week, its volunteers have been unable to verify where the incident occurred.
“In concert with the CMBA (Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance), the RCMP and K-Country staff, we continue to seek further clarification on the barbed wire incident that injured cyclist Stelios Psaroudakis on July 5, ” Peter Tucker, president of the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association wrote in a statement on the website.
“Mr. Psaroudakis has indicated that the incident occurred on the south side of Merlin View (the usual descent route). GBCTA volunteers have completed a sweep of all the trails and nothing further has been found. That said, we urge caution on all downhill sections of our trails. ”
The report from the RCMP stated the incident happened July 5, at approximately 8 p.m.
“The cyclist was standing, resulting in the wire hitting him in the shoulder area and knocking him off his bike, ” the press release read.
The complainant then reported to police that the pair removed the wire and walked back to their vehicle leaving the mountain bike. The victim then travelled to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. When the two cyclists returned the following day, the bike was missing.
A local bike shop employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the GoFundMe page is overestimating the value of the bike - a 2008 Stumpjumper FSR made by Specialized - saying the Bicycle Blue Book value is “high. ”
“Bikes tend to lose value quickly, ” the staff member said.
Based on a photo and the brand of the bike, the shop estimated the retail value at $1,000. Trail cameras cost approximately $250.
Psaroudakis could not be reached for comment.
The incident happened more than a month after Psaroudakis asked for $600 on GoFundMe to “Help Me Get My Puppy Back. ”
On June 7, Psaroudakis requested help after his three-pound Chihuahua was apprehended by the City of Calgary because it did not have tags nor was the animal registered.
“Just found out it's going to cost me over $400 plus taxes and probably administration fees to get my dog back - I would only ask for $400 but unfortunately GoFundMe takes eight per cent. The thing is I never registered her or put tags on her here in Alberta because she never leaves my side she never goes outside, ” Psaroudakis stated on the GoFundMe page.
Only $75 of the original $600 goal was raised with the campaign changed on Tuesday to a $1 goal.
“As of now, we have received no further complaints. It is possible they were on a trail that wasn't a designated trail … right now there are a lot of unanswered questions, ” Const. Thomas with the Cochrane RCMP said on July 7.
