Only 35 days into a two-year trip, the South Korean cyclist's intercontinental dreams were dashed.

Minhyeong Kim had planned to travel from Canada to Argentina on his black-and-red Scott bicycle. But someone cut his cable lock while he was shopping at a Southeast Portland supermarket Friday, and now he's without his bike and touring gear.

Kim, 25, was devastated. He initially planned to return to his country because he didn't have the money and gear to complete the trip.

But a bunch of good Samaritans have a plan to get him headed south again.

Bryan Hance of bike registration and stolen bike recovery nonprofit Bike Index organized a gathering Thursday evening at beer bar APEX to help Kim out.

Hance said at least five people have offered bikes. Someone already donated panniers. One person is planning on bringing an Apple MacBook. Over $200 has already filtered in.

"There's so much about this particular story that just really hits home," Hance said.

Kim now hopes to get back on the road by August, wending his way to South America.

He started his solo trip May 27 in Edmonton, the capital of Canada's Alberta province. He hit Calgary, Banff, Vancouver, Seattle and Portland, where he met up with a friend.

They stopped in the Fred Meyer store on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard and locked up their bikes while they went inside for maybe 15 minutes. And when they returned, only one bike remained.

Kim said his friend called 911, and they filed a police report and sought security footage from Fred Meyer.

He loved the bike, saying it was perfect for him.

Photos on his blog show it propped against a guardrail, mountains in the distance; leaning against a chain-link fence, a tent pitched nearby; and lying on the ground while he sits cross–legged, snacks sitting in front of him.

He's thankful for the support and focused on how he can get ready for the rest of his ride.

Kim has set aside two years — time for him to pedal slowly to South America, befriending locals, staying in beautiful places and taking rests along the way.

Hance is hopeful that Kim will see his bike again but likened the possibility to finding a needle in a haystack. He said anyone who see the bike should call Portland police, who can be reached at non-emergency number 503-823-3333.

People can also contact Bike Index on Twitter, Hance said. He can be reached directly at bryan@bikeindex.org. The Thursday event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1216 S.E. Division St., according to a Facebook event.

— Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015