Looking Around

06.10.2008 | 2:42 pm

Before I get to the main part of today’s post, I have a couple items of business to discuss. Please read them carefully. If you want to.

When Will Jerseys Be Available Again?
Like many of you, I was caught completely off-guard by how quickly the 2008 Fat Cyclist Jerseys sold out: all 500 disappeared in less than 24 hours. I’ve been getting a lot of questions from people on when jerseys will be available again.

Because I’m not a big ol’ company, I can’t muscle my way to the front of the jersey manufacturing line (and Twin Six can’t either). So it’s not as simple as just re-ordering.

So the short answer is: we’ll have jerseys available again in early November (plenty of time for giving as Christmas gifts, hint hint).

But I don’t want to happen with this batch of jerseys what happened with the last batch. If you want to get a jersey, I want you to be able to get one.

So here’s what we’re gonna do.

  • July 8: I’ll unveil the new 2009 jersey design and colors. That’s right, it will be a new design. Twin Six and I are working on it right now. There will be elements you recognize, along with some surprises. I’m excited to show it off.
  • July 14 – 20: You’ll be able to pre-order your jerseys, ensuring that you get the size / color / gender combination you want.
  • Early November: Your jersey will be shipped to you.

And while it’s too early to say right now, it’s possible there’ll be more than jerseys and socks this time. Shorts? Armwarmers? A shell? An enormous bratwurst-shaped helmet? It’s hard to say at this point, but we’re looking at lots of possibilities. Feel free to weigh in with what you’d like to see, Fat Cyclist clothing-wise, this year.

Don’t Miss This Ad
I know that some of you use ad blockers and some of you read this blog using RSS readers, so I’m going to go ahead and call out what those of you who do see my blog ads can see for yourselves: I’ve now got LiveStrong Challenge ads running.

Take a moment to visit the site and see where the events are, how they help, and maybe consider supporting them yourselves. As I’ve mentioned before, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has been very helpful to Susan and me, and I’m always excited to see readers — ClydeSteve and MikeRoadie, among others — working so hard to raise money for this crucial cause.

And, if you’d be so inclined, why don’t you go and click here to support MikeRoadie as he works to raise $30,000 (wow) to fight cancer this year.

Looking Around
A couple days ago, I was alone, riding Hogg’s Hollow (Hogg South to Jacob’s Ladder to Ghost to Clark to Hogg South, for any interested local riders). It’s a ride I’ve done before dozens of times, to the point that if I plug into an iPod and have stuff on my mind, the entire ride can go by without me noticing my surroundings.

But this time, about halfway through the ride, I did the opposite.

Having just finished the climb, ready to do the descent, I looked down into Utah Valley. And it struck me: In all the years of riding I’ve done, I’ve never just sat down by myself in the middle of a ride and looked around.

So that’s what I did. I sat down on a rock and just enjoyed the view. At first, I looked down into the valley. Then I pivoted around and looked at the mountain. Then I stopped looking so far away and just looked at the trees, scrub oak, and trail.

It is all so beautiful.

With all that’s going on in my family’s life, I kind of expected to start thinking about my troubles, but I didn’t. Being swamped by the massive gorgeousness of the mountain took my mind off me. Instead, I just looked. Not having deep, sublime insights, just looking. There’s a lot to see. A lot more to see than I realized.

I’m not sure how long I sat there, just enjoying the beauty that a mountain bike can deliver so quickly and easily. Yeah, I think “easily” is the right word, because even though the climb was anything but easy, the fact is I was alone on a beautiful mountain after only an hour of work. Relatively speaking, that’s pretty easy.

It occurs to me now that this is really one of the primary virtues of the mountain bike: it can take you to some incredible spots, fast enough that you can do it without packing for a trip, but slow enough that you can enjoy the view along the way.

My problem has always been that I’m inclined to keep moving — I’m wasting ride time if I’m not in motion.

I now realize that’s just stupid.

From now on — not every ride, but definitely not rarely, either — I’m taking the time to see where my mountain bike has taken me.

90 Comments

  1. Comment by Bravo Delta | 06.10.2008 | 2:50 pm

    Genius, My wife and I were just saying that you should be able to pre-order jerseys.. Can’t wait for the 09 sutff to drop!!!

  2. Comment by KanyonKris | 06.10.2008 | 2:50 pm

    Podium! Oops, wrong blog.

  3. Comment by je | 06.10.2008 | 2:58 pm

    For what it’s worth. I will sell my barely used 2008 Pink Fatty to the highest bidder. It’s a size large but is just a little too small for me. I’ve been riding in it a couple of times and it just isn’t long enough I end up with a little bare back when hunched over.

    Your purchase price will go directly to the Huntsman Cancer Institute via my fundraising effort for my LOTOJA race. I will then match that sales prices with a donation to Susan’s WIN fund.

    Three winners. 1: You get a 2008 Pink Fatty. 2: Huntsman Cancer Institute gets a nice donation. 3: Susan’s WIN fund gets a nice donation.

    Email me at jaredeborn@hotmail.com with your bid.

  4. Comment by je | 06.10.2008 | 2:59 pm

    Fatty, if this isn’t cool with you, please delete my reply. I don’t want to step on any toes.

  5. Comment by KanyonKris | 06.10.2008 | 3:02 pm

    A similar experience happened to me last week.

    I had a triathAlon (the Utah pronunciation, I guess) coming up on Saturday but I wanted to get out for a ride Friday after work. So I started the the Equestrian Center in Draper and rode mellow up to Ghost Falls. I’m usually focused on going fast and getting somewhere. I do look around a bit, but not really. Going slow I thought the ride would be boring and dull, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

    I looked at the tree, grass, wild flowers, the sky, the stream flowing by, Clark’s trail across the canyon, the condition of each knobby on my front tire (OK, I didn’t go THAT slow). The point is, there was so much to take in.

    I’m with Elden, I’m committed to the occasional mellow ride, and even stop and sit and look at times.

  6. Comment by je | 06.10.2008 | 3:11 pm

    some of my favorite rides have been simple ones.

    Actually, I think all of my favorite rides have been simple. A trip along the Jordan River Parkway with the kids in the trailer. A solo trip up Strawberry Canyon near Bear Lake in Idaho. A ride up to the top of Suncrest where I pulled into a parking lot with a view and just stopped there for 10 minutes.

    I like hard fast rides. But I, too, find more ‘joy’ in the slow easy ones.

  7. Comment by dug | 06.10.2008 | 3:14 pm

    “I’m taking the time to see where my mountain bike has taken me.”

    Just another way to say you were tired and needed a rest.

  8. Comment by fatty | 06.10.2008 | 3:16 pm

    je – that’s TOTALLY cool with me. as i’ve mentioned, huntsman is an extremely worthy cause; susan received the total nordstrom treatment from them — not something you ever expect from a hospital.

  9. Comment by fatty | 06.10.2008 | 3:17 pm

    dug – yeah, i thought maybe i should point out that it’s also possible i’m just getting old and part of my mind is finding ways to not admit that fact to other parts of my mind.

  10. Comment by je | 06.10.2008 | 3:20 pm

    We’re not ‘old.’ We’re just Masters Category cyclists.

  11. Comment by BellaCroix | 06.10.2008 | 3:20 pm

    I wonder if there’s something we roadies are missing out on.

    I regularly stop to look around (at first it was because I REALLY needed to stop and look around – read catch breath, later it just became something I wanted to do). I think instead of the beauty of a MTB bike it’s the beauty of a bike.

    A bike stops, sometimes on a small patch of grass barely large enough to stand. Sometimes it’s along side a lake, mountain road, dirt path, park trail… Regardless of how you got there you have yourself, the view, and the accomplishment of having gotten there. If nothing else, the exposure of a bike (being removed from the container of a car) allows you a greater opportunity to notice what’s to be noticed.

    The act itself of biking can clear your mind enough to actually appreciate all of God’s creation.

    In an auto you have A,B,C-pilars, glass, steel, upolstery. There’s little effort in getting where you’re going except finding a wide enough and (depending on the vehicle) cleared/improved enough to be passable. You don’t stop often because you can’t. You don’t notice you SHOULD stop because you’re in an atrificial bubble. By the time you can stop it’s passed.

    Instead of thinking the roadies are missing out, I think the hardcore riders too interested in winning, training, or counting intervals miss out. Depending on where you live there’s tons of roads that lead to remarkably beautiful places.

    I’m glad you finally took a moment to smell the roses.

    /rant

  12. Comment by je | 06.10.2008 | 3:30 pm

    The bidding for a barely-used, size L 2008 Pink Fatty has reached $100.

    I’ll update on this thread every time a new high bid is submitted.

    Bidding will end at Noon (

  13. Comment by jeffro | 06.10.2008 | 3:30 pm

    I don’t know what your color parameters are for the new jersey, but it’d be pretty cool to see a Fat Cyclist jersey in Twin Six Green.

  14. Comment by rexinsea | 06.10.2008 | 3:34 pm

    Perfect!
    The empty spaces are why I love sports that take me to nature as well (cycling included.) I just started reading a book called “The Geography of Bliss..” by Eric Weiner. His approach was to visit locations that had the highest concentrations of happy people.

    Sweden was one of those countries he visited. Included in the author’s speculation on why Swedes are happy are: 1) Deep connection with nature. How could you not with the Alps? 2) Not afraid to be bored/content with just taking in life once in a while.

    I was pondering this very thought this morning as I rushed through my workout so I could rush to work. We all need more down time to be able to reset. Why not on top of a mountain.

    Perfect!

  15. Comment by Richard | 06.10.2008 | 3:36 pm

    I’m working in Grand Junction, Colorado and last night we rode out near Fruita (Loma). We rode the Rustler’s loop trail. We rode it twice. The first time around it was mainly as fast as we could. The second time around I realized that we were missing some unbelievable views of the Colorado river and cliffs.

    You are right, if you don’t stop to see and appreciate where you are, then you weren’t really there to begin with.

  16. Comment by rich | 06.10.2008 | 3:50 pm

    I’d love to see something that supports fatcyclist that I can wear off the bike. A hoodie, a windbreaker, a sweater….
    Everytime I wear my t-shirt it never fails to generate conversations.

    win Susan

  17. Comment by 331miles | 06.10.2008 | 3:59 pm

    When I take a camera on a ride, I notice I try to find places and moments like you are describing. Without the camera, it’s hammerfest.

  18. Comment by dug | 06.10.2008 | 3:59 pm

    the swedes have alps?

  19. Comment by fatty | 06.10.2008 | 4:02 pm

    dug, maybe the french gave the swedes some of their alps. after all, they gave the u.s. the statue of liberty. they’re a very generous people.

  20. Comment by dug | 06.10.2008 | 4:07 pm

    elden, do you not use capital letters when you correspond with me?

  21. Comment by Clydesteve | 06.10.2008 | 4:11 pm

    dug put the question burning in my mind right out there.

    The Swedes do have pickled herring – that should count for some joy.

  22. Comment by Clydesteve | 06.10.2008 | 4:13 pm

    My, Elden, you are joyful after your stop on a ride. To give positive credit to the French is really thinking outside the box.

  23. Comment by BurkeInTheOzarks | 06.10.2008 | 4:32 pm

    Swiss/Swede – they’re practically related, aren’t they? I mean, their names sounds so similarish… Don’t worry, rexinsea, we’re really enjoying ourselves having fun at your expense! Thanks.

    A great observation today, Fatty, even if you were probably covering your extreme fatigue to due to your old-man-ness (I’m your age, by the way, so I know where you’re coming from). Stopping and just looking around is one of the reasons I so love mountain biking.

  24. Comment by bikeuphill9 | 06.10.2008 | 4:32 pm

    Some of my favorite moments are when I am just sitting on the top tube watching the clouds pass by. There is an awful lot of beautiful stuff out there to see that most people miss.

    As for a new batch of Fatty gear, shorts would be awesome. Then I could run entire Team Fatty kit! Whatever you have we’ll order.

    Give Susan our well wishes.

  25. Comment by Travis | 06.10.2008 | 5:12 pm

    I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud…..

    it is one of the reasons that I do ride, gets me out of the city (Beijing) and to take take time, at some of the beauty around me.

    Hugs to Susan

  26. Comment by kellene | 06.10.2008 | 5:27 pm

    The Biker Babes love biking jewelry, arm warmers, socks, vests, jackets…any great matching accessory! Basically we just love to buy new bike stuff each season! Needed or not! Mostly not!
    PS we love pink!

  27. Comment by ShedBiker | 06.10.2008 | 6:10 pm

    The rocks, the trees, the Maryland trout streams, rapids and little waterfalls, not to mention the timber rattlers and black snakes, the deer, and the occasional wild turkey – and this last weekend the cicadas (again); the solitude and quiet, and the fact that you had to work a little bit to get there – that pretty much sums up mountain biking for me. I think you’re on to something.

    I’m not a jersey guy, but I’m still loving my FC t-shirt,

    Win Susan!

  28. Comment by isela | 06.10.2008 | 6:37 pm

    A windbreaker will be in my to-order list for sure. I enjoyed wearing your jersey during this Saturday’s Little Red Tour here in Cache Valley. Many riders stopped by my side to talk to me and to tell me how much they liked my jersey. I am excited to pre-order one for next year.

  29. Comment by Bluenoser | 06.10.2008 | 7:11 pm

    I know what you’re saying Fatty. I put the HRM away this year and have been taking in the sights instead of having my eyes glued to the monitor to see if it dropped a beat.

    Way better.

    -B

  30. Comment by Bluenoser | 06.10.2008 | 7:14 pm

    Clydesteve,

    We have had it (pickled herring) here forever we call it Solomon Gundy. Get it in all the grocery stores here.

    -B

  31. Comment by Steve | 06.10.2008 | 7:40 pm

    i would love to be able to wear a complete fat cyclist kit. i’d love to wear any complete twin6 kit, for that matter, but in particular one adorned with fatty’s stallion.

    also high on my list would be: armwarmers (although arguably included in “kit”). beanie/toock (winter skull-type cap, but without propeller).

  32. Comment by Marge g | 06.10.2008 | 7:49 pm

    I was recently invited to ride with the Biker Babes in southern Utah on Gooseberry, Little Creek, and the Thunder Mountain Trail near Bryce Canyon. It was so great to be to be a part of such a great group of pink laden awesome gal riders and yes we did stop to view some unbelievable hoodoos. Mountain bike riding is about as close as you can get to heaven. Fatcyclist accessories will be a welcomed addition as Kelleen stated. And give Susan my well wishes.

  33. Comment by Al Maviva | 06.10.2008 | 8:30 pm

    I often stop and pause to take in the scenes in the places where my mountain bike takes me.

    In the Emergency Room at the local hospital, before I got my leg sewn up and finger straightened, I noticed the nurses were extremely fat. Remarkable.

    In my doctor’s office, waiting to get something-cillan for the infection for the cuts stemming from some misadventures involving rocks and a move not-quite-made, I noticed kid’s wallpaper that must have been 35, 40 years old. Incredible. I don’t think that doctor was born when that paper went up.

    Then there’s the beer shop. Every time I do a mountain bike race, I get my ass hammered, and I vow never to do one again. On the way home I stop and get a sixxer to pound. That’s after a two hour stop in the pain cave earlier in the day.

    Then there’s the bike shop. There are all sorts of beautiful bikes in the bike shop. I love going there. And, because I break my bike a lot by crashing it into and off things, I get to go to the bike shop a lot, so in reality the mountain bike takes me there too.

    You’re right, Elden. A mountain bike takes you to a lot of places you probably wouldn’t go otherwise.

  34. Comment by clambertsmith | 06.10.2008 | 9:04 pm

    Hi Fatty – I’ve recently started reading your blog daily and I just wanted to say Hi and thanks for your post about your ride today. I live down south and mountains aren’t something we have in abundance around here (only big hills that some folks call mountains!). You described the beauty with such eloquence that I was able to share your moment! I’m excited to hear that you’ll do jerseys again b/c I’d love to have one! My best to you and your family!

  35. Comment by Erin | 06.10.2008 | 9:25 pm

    As a female rider in Southern California you would think I could get ahold of good looking jerseys. Not always the case! I am glad to hear of the new designs coming out and can’t wait to see them as I love the Twin Six jerseys I have. Keep enjoying the sites on the ride and not just the ride.

  36. Comment by Marla | 06.10.2008 | 9:30 pm

    How’s about a hat?

  37. Comment by Beth from the Funny Farm | 06.10.2008 | 9:32 pm

    I just love reading the comments. It is like an entirely different language here amongst the hard core bikers chatting and commenting to each other. Way cool.

    Win Susan.

  38. Comment by Di | 06.10.2008 | 9:48 pm

    Stopping for the scenery -

    This is something I’m trying to do. I like to keep going because I love to go fast and our local trails offer a lot of challenge. It’s fun to keep going. However, I’m trying to do photo surveys of the local trails for my web site. With the camera along for the ride, I’m starting to notice things I’ve never noticed before. Trail work is the same way. It’s amazing how you see a trail when you’re not buzzing down it as fast as possible. It’s a whole new adventure!

  39. Comment by Don | 06.10.2008 | 10:07 pm

    The comments on this are great! I can’t wait for Santa to bring me an FC jersey… or maybe a couple?! I just wish I knew which size would be right… For the record a skully/toque (tuque?!) would be bad as heck. As would a Fat Cyclist Cornhole set. pink and orange bags, and the stallion on the boards. WOO HOO!
    Keep up the good fight Susan… HUZZAH!

  40. Comment by mark | 06.10.2008 | 10:51 pm

    Fatty, with the new jerseys, how about something for cold weather, especially for years like this when winter lasts until June? T6 being in Mpls knows what that’s all about. I’m not talking arm warmers or knee warmers (we all know how you love those!). How about a nice wind vest or a long-sleeve jersey, or both? And if you do a long-sleeve, make sure it’s a full-zip, so we can put it on over the other jersey when it gets cold. For that matter, how ’bout making the short-sleeve jerseys full-zip as well? Love the stuff Twin Six is doing, but full-zip jerseys would absolutely kill it. Srsly.

  41. Comment by mark | 06.10.2008 | 10:54 pm

    Oh, and while I’m parked in front of the suggestion box, how about some cycling caps, you know the kind that fit under your helmet. That would be really cool to still be riding for team FC (beyond just the socks), even when we’re on a club ride or otherwise wearing someone else’s jersey.

  42. Comment by Weiland | 06.10.2008 | 11:08 pm

    I used my mountain bike to get into the back country of Wyoming to take pictures and to fish. I would put my camera and lenses into a backpack along with a backpacking fish pole, reel and worms and head out for the day. I took a lot of pictures only caught 1 fish which I released back into the stream, I never thought how I’d get a fish back home a few hours down the mountain. Now that I do 98% of my riding on a road bike I don’t carry my camera with me, well I carry either my iPhone and snap pictures with that or on “special” rides I’ll carry a compact digital camera.

  43. Comment by BellaCroix | 06.10.2008 | 11:54 pm

    Suggestion box: Pink (hell yeah, I’ve pulled too many numbers off the road with a pink jersey to ever miss one again)… but how about a little LESS pink on the men’s design.

    I’m not saying I have a problem wearing the “Maglia Rosa de Susan”… just that I’d prefer a little more MANglia and a little less Rosa. How about pink as an accent color again like last year. I can’t match a pink jersey, I’ll wear pink on top… but black belongs on the bottom.

    I’m riding an MS150 this year, riding for my cousin who passed away beacause of MS and poor care (Google: Darlene Amberik – shocking story really) but plan to wear the “Maglia Rosa de Susan” to remind me that I can make it.

    WIN SUSAN.

  44. Comment by Alex from ZA | 06.11.2008 | 12:15 am

    Because you’re not complete until you have a facebook page dedicated to you (or more appropriately, Susan):

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=47283180564&ref=mf

    WIN Susan!

    PS – looking forward to seeing the new designs.

  45. Comment by Alex from ZA | 06.11.2008 | 12:17 am

    PS – you’ll probably need to register with Facebook to view.

  46. Comment by kc | 06.11.2008 | 12:29 am

    I’d like to see a long sleeved jersey, and a cycling cap would be a winner as well.

  47. Comment by william | 06.11.2008 | 12:31 am

    I always stop and enjoy the view, it’s part of a mountainbike ride. Why go to the woods or mountains, if you don’t see them? (plus I am inherrently lazy and anjoy a little rest and a drink)

    I’m up for a long sleeve jersey and maybe shorts. what about a gillet type thing, depends a bit on combination of the price and the quality of the fabrik. Finally what about a hoody or something warmer for off the bike as it will be heading for winter

  48. Comment by Tim D | 06.11.2008 | 1:52 am

    How about a long sleeve for winter. Or maybe a Buff? By the way, I was crowing about getting a pink and an orange FC jersey.. Turns out no pink for me, got an email from the Twin Six guys saying Ornage on the way, but refund for the pink. Ah well.

  49. Comment by trio | 06.11.2008 | 2:11 am

    Hey shorts would be great! My Jersey arrived yesterday so today I will be heading out in it. I also second the idea for a buff, I also have one with me!

  50. Comment by bikemike | 06.11.2008 | 5:16 am

    Elden, i think that might be Mikeroadie with the Livestrong Challenge. mad props to Mike and Clydesteve for raising money and awareness for the cause.

    Win Susan.

  51. Comment by carolyn | 06.11.2008 | 5:37 am

    I’m not the outdoor type but I slow the car down and roll down the window on occassion. Don’t throw pinecones at me.

  52. Comment by Rob L | 06.11.2008 | 6:10 am

    Just saw this for a group raising money for LAF in the charlotte area, a 24 hour road ride.

    http://inmemoryofkristenweaver.wordpress.com/

    Check it out if your in Charlotte NC, or want to donate to a local group raising for LAF.

  53. Comment by john b | 06.11.2008 | 6:29 am

    Just want to say that you were represented at the 24 hours of big bear in Hazelton, WV this past weekend. I saw at least 2 (one was pink) FC jerseys and some other Twin Six stuff. Keep up the great (award winning) work and WIN SUSAN!

  54. Comment by Donald | 06.11.2008 | 7:03 am

    Great to hear. Looking forward to the ‘09 design.
    Ideas… How about a cycling cap?

    I’m also raising funds for LAF at 24 Hours of Booty.
    http://www.24hoursofbooty.org/site/TR/Bike/General?px=1005102&pg=personal&fr_id=1050

  55. Comment by buckythedonkey | 06.11.2008 | 7:13 am

    > You’ll be able to pre-order your jerseys…

    HUZZAH! That is music to my ears. :-) I wonder how many you’re going to sell…

    T6 are doing proper cycling caps now – how about a Fat Cyclist cap with a coloured stripe to match the shirt?

    UK FC JERSEY OWNERS: at least one other Fat Cyclist jersey has been spotted doing laps of Richmond Park in London. Who are you?

  56. Comment by Mocougfan | 06.11.2008 | 7:18 am

    I’d love a windbreaker jacket of some sort for those days when it’s a little brisk and/or raining.

    I miss biking in Utah. Very beautiful to stop and look around there.

    Win Susan

  57. Comment by Al Maviva | 06.11.2008 | 7:25 am

    Winner winner chicken dinner! The cycling cap idea is awesome. I wear a cap for riding about 8-9 months of the year. Of course for the huckers & single speed crew you’re probably going to need to make one of those high foam content farmer-style baseball caps. Y’know, so they can wear it backwards.

    Ps. My rides actually do take me to some really beautiful places. They take me to some dark places too, psychologically speaking, what with crashes and long hills, and whole hours spent gasping for air like a caught fish stuck in a cooler… the ugly is part of the beauty though. Without ugly, you wouldn’t know what beauty is; without the harsh pain of slowly picking your way up a long, technical, hurtin’ uphill, you wouldn’t take exquisite pleasure in a long, smooth, flowing downhill where you hit all the lines and almost lose consciousness, it’s so easy. Life is like that too, you just don’t see it quite as vividly or as immediately as you do while riding. Roadriding offers similar pleasures, but the focus is much narrower and much more pure – the pain more concentrated, the beauty in smaller doses.

  58. Comment by Ka_jun | 06.11.2008 | 7:50 am

    Good post, fatty. When I broke the sensor on my hardtail, I didn’t replace it and left the computer on my commuter. I wanted to relish the ride, again, that’s the point, isn’t it? Went out early on Sunday, tasted the singletrack and dropped into a quiet valley where I could still smell the early morning mist and feel the moisture and dew in the air under a canopy of trees. The light still had that grey dusk look to it and there was a green tinge from the light filtering down from the leaves. It was still too early for the dog walkers, and quiet, with that damp soil smell hanging in the air. All this within Pittsburgh’s city limits. Man it’s good to ride.

  59. Comment by ryed4fuhn | 06.11.2008 | 7:55 am

    For anyone looking for a 2008 Orange Fat Cyclist jersey – size XL – please check out my eBay listing:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160249954475

    Unfortunately I wear a M, but I view this as a great opportunity to help out the Nelson family. Anything over $70 will go to Susan’s Win Fund.

    WIN SUSAN WIN!!!

  60. Comment by Susan (another one) | 06.11.2008 | 8:31 am

    I was going to suggest a LS jersey, but was beaten to it. So I’ll second it.

    As to the views, this summer I made a conscious decision not to train for anything, but just to ride for the love it. Great decision on my part! I’ve found new roads, and nifty things I had never seen on the old routes.

  61. Comment by sk8ermom3 | 06.11.2008 | 8:34 am

    Did exactly that on a Charity ride this past weekend. Only it took me half the ride to figure it out. When I slowed down I could take in the view, appreciate the specialness of just “being out there”, and chat with the other riders. After all, this was MY time, why rush it?
    Enjoy the moment.

    WIN SUSAN

  62. Comment by montanapat | 06.11.2008 | 8:36 am

    “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris Bueller
    I was coming down a trail on Sunday when I noticed an Osprey dive into the creek ahead and grab a trout. I stopped to watch it fly overhead with the fish and thought how cool is that. Not 30 seconds later I came around a corner and nearly had to stop for three deer. Again, how cool is that I thought. And now Fatty is taking pre-orders for the 09 jersey. How cool is that!
    WIN Susan!

  63. Comment by fro | 06.11.2008 | 9:25 am

    yeah, the odd time stopping to fix or tweak something on the bike i’ve ‘noticed’ the stuff around me. mind blowing. i’ve (completely sober) seen the forest where it seems to vibrate w/life. life seems to be everywhere even, somehow, in the air. hazy yet very clear. really taken me by surprise the couple of times it’s happened. saw a great vid on ‘ted’ about a brain researcher who has a stroke and watches her brain shut down to the point where she was living w/o past or future. quite the lecture. win!

  64. Comment by Flash | 06.11.2008 | 9:32 am

    Excellent on the new jersey pre-order idea! I’m ready now to put my order in.

    BTW: I just thought I’d put in a kudos for the Livestrong Foundation too. My 25 year old nephew in law was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year and had surgery, chemo, etc. The Foundation was a great source of strength for him and our family. And poop on my nephews insurance company (bloodsuckers) who refused to pay a dime for his treatment. But the hospital and doctors came through and treated him anyway and cleared his bills. Yeah.

    Riding fast and not smelling the roses: I can’t tell you how many rides I’ve been on where the riders are so much more interested in how fast they can go compared to everyone else instead of just enjoying the ride. I personally don’t get it. Maybe when I’m faster I will. But for now I enjoy going a little slower and enjoying the scenery.

  65. Comment by je | 06.11.2008 | 9:38 am

    Again, for those who did not arrive in time to buy a 2008 Pink Fatty, I am offering up my Size L to the highest bidder.

    The money from your purchase will be donated directly to the Huntsman Cancer Institute via my fundraising page for my participation in LOTOJA 2008. I will then match that money with a personal donation to Susan’s WIN fund.

    The current offer is $100.

    Contact me at jaredeborn@hotmail.com if you want the jersey and are willing to spend more than $100 to get it.

    Bidding ends at noon (MDT) today.

  66. Comment by chtrich | 06.11.2008 | 9:41 am

    You have to do knee warmers :-)

    http://www.fatcyclist.com/2007/05/16/knee-warmers-are-stupid/

    and I’m still asking about any updates to the Triathalon??

  67. Comment by Ka_Jun | 06.11.2008 | 10:34 am

    Hey fatty, you and the dudes over at Twin Six ever think of making the t-shirts 100% poly, or some other type of wicking material?

  68. Comment by KT | 06.11.2008 | 11:04 am

    Hats, armwarmers, vest, windbreaker… accessories… I’d definitely spend my dough on that stuff. :)

    Since I got yet another nasty cold, I haven’t been riding lately– and it sucks. Thanks for posting some perspective! :) I’m hoping to get better by this weekend so I can ride again– I don’t think it’s a good idea to ride while having sinus congestion and a nasty cough.

    My best to Susan!!

  69. Comment by AJ | 06.11.2008 | 11:09 am

    Cycling caps ++

  70. Comment by Mike Roadie | 06.11.2008 | 11:17 am

    Thanks for the shout to the LAF webpage, and even more for the pre-order idea!!! I got shut out last time—I couldn’t even get a water bottle!!!

    Big fundraising event in Ft Lauderdale Thursday night…..I’ll let y’all know how we did!

    UNITE
    Win

  71. Comment by NW | 06.11.2008 | 11:30 am

    Long sleeved jersey. I also liked the idea by Ka_ Jun regarding the moisture wicking t-shirts.

  72. Comment by profette | 06.11.2008 | 12:07 pm

    I’d love a long sleeved jersey or arm warmers, since they’ll be arriving in November.

    Win Susan!

  73. Comment by tim | 06.11.2008 | 1:51 pm

    green is the new pink?????? (and orange)

    WIN SUSAN!!!!

  74. Comment by Rocky | 06.11.2008 | 2:02 pm

    It’s been said a number of times, but the following is on my wishlist as reiteration:

    1) cycling cap
    2) baseball cap
    3) fatty sumo suits

    Beyond that, the places my mountain bike takes me – though the scenery is breath-taking, the riding has been a little like hanging out with scary clowns.

  75. Comment by rexinsea | 06.11.2008 | 2:14 pm

    whoops, apparently I should read what I type before I hit submit. And I should pay more attention to what I’m reading. I stand corrected and embarrassed.

    And I vote for a cycling cap as well.

  76. Comment by Orbea Girl | 06.11.2008 | 2:19 pm

    I would happily buy a complete FC cycling kit if it gave me the same “luxury body” that comes with my Assos kit.

    Seriously, it would be great to have the FC cycling shirt in black and white. In addition, as others have suggested, some more stuff for wearing off the bike would be fab too.

  77. Comment by Swirlgurl | 06.11.2008 | 2:36 pm

    Oh I hope you keep the pink! And the t shirts! what about womens t shirts or tanks

  78. Comment by SurlyCommuter | 06.11.2008 | 4:29 pm

    I can’t believe no one has mentioned cut-offs, tube tops and truckers caps. I know this would be a radical departure for the T6 guys – but think of it a demographic adventure! Gotta go comb out the mullet and change the oil in the IROC. Later Fatty!

    WIN Susan!

  79. Comment by eevlmonkey | 06.11.2008 | 5:02 pm

    when i go rock climbing i make sure i get a look around before the descent. i’m almost always awarded with a spectacular view that not many people get to see. if i can weigh in on jersey design, i think the best one had black as the main color and pink, or the other color if you don’t like pink, down the sides and on the sleeves. i’m looking forward to whatever the design.

    “winners wear pink”
    marco pantani

  80. Comment by TCluff | 06.11.2008 | 5:41 pm

    Right on! Quiet serenity is definately one of the perks on Wasatch rides! They become even more precious after working steep climbs to see them. Can’t wait for the ‘09′er jersey to come loose!

  81. Comment by Dill | 06.11.2008 | 5:53 pm

    Yup, stopping to admire the view generally makes a ride for me. It can also be a great way to take a break! Biking the Canadian Rockies really made me appreciate both the views and the breaks last summer. Now I always try to stop and admire.
    Glad you had a good ride!

  82. Comment by RockLobster | 06.11.2008 | 10:34 pm

    I think the long sleeve jersey (with full zip) is a great idea. I would also like to see a new color incorporated. While the pink is pretty cool to me, I get enough crap from my non-cycling friends for wearing spandex without the added crap for wearing pink…but I would love to see green or blue in the jerseys. Just something different from my orange and black attire. I can’t wear orange and black every ride, you know. A windvest would be a must have, as well.

  83. Comment by DubaiMTBer | 06.12.2008 | 3:36 am

    Hey Fatty
    We mostly stop and look at the view out of necessity rather than the view. Not much to see out in this part of the world, but the mountains does have their own unique beauty. The desert climate and rocky mountain terrain create their own set of challenges not found elsewhere in the word. Great fun though! Stop and smell the fresh air!!

  84. Comment by Bluenoser | 06.12.2008 | 7:43 am

    Just go for the full kit. Pink is fine. It’s like the old joke; What do you know when you see 40 elephants coming over the hill wearing pink sweaters? They’re on the same team.

    All together now. Groan.

    Also about the stopping and looking around. bikesgonewild has a place they stop called God’s Knob. Pretty hard to beat that one. Only in Northern Cal.

    -B

  85. Comment by Jennebelle | 06.12.2008 | 8:20 am

    Does anyone know anything like the Livestrong Challenge that is in Canada?

  86. Comment by Caloi Rider | 06.12.2008 | 8:34 am

    I was on the road bike this morning, and I got to looking around at the area. When my mom was here a few weeks ago, she kept saying, “It’s never looked this green here before.” This morning it really sunk in. The mountains in the distance were hiding in blue rainclouds. I could hear the wind shuffling through the tall grass and the potato fields. The canals are filled to the brim with fast-moving water. Everything is green and lush—nothing like the desert we’re used to.

    I can’t wait to get some time to head up into the hills with the mountain bike and see how it is up there.

  87. Comment by Rocky | 06.12.2008 | 10:02 am

    Okay. So out on a ride last night with a bunch of kids from church I was forced into a situation of having to wait for more than an hour (long story whose details are of no consequence here). I have never had an hour on a mountain bike ride just to look around me. After finding all of the things that I could jump off of (including a picnic table) and after studying the black widow spider in the corner of the men’s restroom, I went up to the top of the nearby hill to look around. It was near sunset and the once billowy white clouds had now transformed into a stunning array of orange, pink, blue and purple with dark gray shadows in their folds. The air was cooler and calm. The evening was so bright that those same clouds, soaking in all of the few remaining moments of the sun’s warm embrace, cast a greedy shadow on the mountains some 30 miles to the east. Their outline was clear on the mountainside. I have never seen anything quite like it – brilliant sun rays illuminating the mountain in the perfect outline of the clouds as a cutout. Even the buzzing bugs seemed to stop for a few minutes to take it all in. Slowly, the sun dimmed the lights on the clouds and on the earth all around – the show came to its inevitable quiet end. I believe the locals call that time the witching hour. It was bewitching – for a few minutes -I was under its spell.

  88. Comment by MAJ Mike | 06.12.2008 | 10:44 am

    BellaCroix, I looked up that story. That’s awful! My father has MS, and I would like 5 minutes alone in a room with that cruel, b!tch.

    I intended to do the MS 150 this year in honor of my dad, but the Army had other plans. Next year…

  89. Comment by judi | 06.12.2008 | 3:36 pm

    Fatty – you have some beautiful land in Utah. In Ohio? Not so much.

  90. Comment by wing-nut | 06.21.2008 | 7:05 am

    It’s not just the scenery but the people you get to meet too. On one of my routes I’ve noticed some kids playing in front of a dilapidated old trailer. One day the boy was riding his WalMart bike as I approached. He made a sprint to match my speed and I slowed, then made a fake and slow sprint letting him win when he decided the race was long enough. I told him thanks and went on. Now whenever I pass, he is cheering me on and saying hello. I love that section.

    I’ve done the same with a dog I call champ, but after egging him on I never let champ win. A dog behind the rear wheel is much better than one at the front. Besides, after champ has chased me off his territory he is strutting his stuff all the way back to the house.

 

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