Every day in the city, people return to their bicycles, only to find them missing or stolen. It is never easy for anyone, but for Krzystof Jarzebski, the loss of a bike borders on calamity.
Someone cut a hole through the front entrance at the Church of the Nativity in San Francisco's Hayes Valley, where he has been staying. All that effort to take a bike most people would never have the strength to ride.
Jarzebski said through a translator, "I am a sportsman, I have problems, but I win." He is Polish, along with friend, translator, and doctor, Vladimar Zgoda, M.D. He is a Special Olympian who powers the bike with his hands on long distance journeys. Jarzebski had planned to leave, Thursday morning, on a cross-country trip to raise awareness about the cancer that took both of his legs.
"They cut his legs part by part. [It took] eight operations. He passed chemo and radio therapy," said Zgoda.
Then, the thief stole his dream from the church's front porch.
Jarzebski's missing bike is worth $10,000. Clearly, without it, or one like it, he clearly won't be making that cross country trip, but he is still making plans.
"He plans to [do a] marathon on a two wheel bicycle," said Zgoda.
Tomorrow morning, Jarzebski intends to ride a wheelchair a marathon distance through the city.
"He will try to pass this distance, and win!" said Zgoda.
Cancer can rob a man of his legs, a thief can steal his wheels, but Jarzebski still has his heart.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the bicycle or a possible suspect is asked to call Sgt. Victoria Sullivan with the department's Northern Station investigations team at (415) 614-3465.
Police have released a photo of the bike, which has a distinctive sponsor sticker on its side with the letters "AZSLODZ."
People wishing to remain anonymous can call the department's tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
