Fight Cancer, Win a Superfly Singlespeed
A Note from Fatty: Thanks to everyone for the enthusiasm you’re showing about Susan’s jewelry. She’s excited to get started — and in fact, this weekend she and a friend are going to begin work (and I will help by disassembling and degreasing chains). Once Susan has a feel for it, she’ll decide how many bracelets / necklaces she’s up to making, and that will determine whether she sells, auctions, or raffles her jewelry. Regardless, all proceeds will go toward the Team Fatty LiveStrong Challenge. Stay tuned for details soon.
Win My Dream Bike
A while back, I mentioned that I had managed to get in on the pre-order list for a very limited, not-for-retail run of Gary Fisher Superfly Singlespeeds. Since then, it has taken all of my willpower to not gloat and cackle with every waking moment, for the following reasons:
- It’s a monocoque carbon frame w/ horizontal drops and slotted disc tabs, and custom paint
- It has a Fox Float RLC 29 suspension fork
- It has custom G2 geometry, upon which I am — having recently transformed from a horrible downhiller to a reasonably good one on exactly this geometry — pretty well sold
- It’s a singlespeed. Duh.
And, well, just look at the thing:
(Build in photo for illustration purposes only. Components will be different on actual bike)
More important than any of this, though, is the most crucial fact of all: this bike is not for sale. Anywhere. And all of them that are being built are already spoken for.
In other words, if you haven’t got one on order, you can’t get one. Sorry.
OK, that’s not true. There is one way you can get this bike, because of what I am giddily about to announce:
Gary Fisher is Donating a Superfly Singlespeed Frameset for a Team Fatty Raffle
Yes, that’s right. This is the coolest singlespeed MTB on the market today — except, of course it’s not on the market — and the only way you can get one is by fighting cancer by donating to Team Fatty’s LiveStrong Challenge.
How awesome is that?
“Very, very awesome” is the correct answer.
Oh, and you’re no doubt wondering what size the frame is. Well, it’s whichever size you want.
Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for Gary Fisher Bikes, and for Travis Ott, who is not just a great brand manager but also a really great guy.
If you already ride a singlespeed, you already know what this bike represents and can’t help wanting it.
And if you don’t ride a singlespeed, then you should do either of two things:
- Look into your heart of hearts and realize that you really do want a singlespeed and there’s no more awesome SS you could have than this one.
- Tell your friends who do ride a singlespeed (i.e., who have seen the light) about this raffle so they can take a shot at getting this bike.
But That’s Not All.
Winning a Superfly Singlespeed frameset is easily a big enough prize on its own, but I really, really wanted to give away a complete bike.
So I talked to Brent Hulme, the owner and operator of the extremely awesome SLC Bikes (if you’re local, come check the place out — it’s a beautiful shop, Brent’s a great guy, and he’s got excellent people helping him) and he said he’d spring for the components and the build, making this into the sexy, ready-to-ride machine it deserves to be.
And then he’ll box it up and ship it to you. And you will do a little dance because you have won something everyone else wants but nobody else can get.
But That’s Still Not All.
When I asked the folks at Gary Fisher to help Team Fatty raise money for the LiveStrong Challenge, they obviously came through in a huge way.
And not just as a company, either. Eric “Hootie” Bjorlin, the Trek Pavement Brand Manager, also put his own personal framed poster, signed by Lance Armstrong up as a raffle prize:
I know some of you will ask, so: No, Hootie is not included as part of the prize. Sorry.
Here’s a closer look at the poster, with less glare:
How Can You Win?As those of you who have entered these raffles before know, all proceeds of the Team Fatty raffles this year go straight to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, because the work they’re doing in helping people fight cancer has made a big difference in Susan’s and my life and in the lives of many others I’ve met. (And also since I never actually handle any of the money, this is a lot easier on me around tax time.)
So you can win in either of two ways:
- Donate money to my LiveStrong Challenge page. For every $5 you donate at my Austin LiveStrong Challenge page during the rest of this month (January 2009), you get a raffle ticket, which could be the winner of either the bike or the poster. Click here to donate now.
- Raise money in your own Team Fatty LiveStrong Challenge page. If you’re a member of Team Fatty, every $5.00 you raise on your own LiveStrong Challenge page from now through the end of January earns you a raffle ticket, too. So — obviously — now’s a great time for you to make a donation on your own page as well as to press friends and family to make a donation (You don’t have to tell them that they’re increasing your chances of winning a bike when they do). And if you aren’t a member of Team Fatty, now’s a great time for you to join and start raising money to fight cancer and win cool stuff for yourself.
By the way: the winner will get the frameset when the framesets are available — most likely in March. Also, if you win and live outside the US, we’ll still cover shipping, but you’re responsible for paying customs. Cool? Yeah, I thought so.
How Can You Join Team Fatty?
First off, you should know that Team Fat Cyclist: Fighting for Susan, is currently the top fundraising team in all four LiveStrong Challenge event cities. Our team is 332 strong, and has raised $70,000 so far. But we want to be the first team in the history of the challenge to raise $1,000,000 — and to do that, we need your help.
Luckily, it’s really, really easy to join Team Fatty. First, you’ve got to decide which event you want to be part of: Austin, San Jose, Seattle, or Philadelphia. If you’re just planning on fundraising — not attending an event — then pick whichever city you most closely identify with. Then, just follow these steps:
- Click one of the below links to go to the Team Fatty page for that city:
- Click the “Join Our Team” link.
- Fill out the form. Note that the $50 registration fee is the same, whether you do one of the rides, the run/walk, or join the virtual challenge.
- Start fundraising. You’ve got to raise a minimum of $250 to attend the event of your choice.
Good Luck
This is an incredibly exciting raffle for me. I love the idea of being able to give away my dream mountain bike. I mean that seriously; there is no other mountain bike in the world I am more excited about than this one. And I love being able to give away a signed Lance Armstrong poster right as Armstrong is getting ready for his first big comeback event.
And most importantly, I love that we’re all doing this for one of the most important, unifying causes there is — fighting cancer.
Whether you win something or not, you’re still doing something really great for a cause that affects every one of us.
Thanks, and good luck!
Comment by Jamieson | 01.14.2009 | 9:50 am
That is one awesome looking bike… now to go shake down some friends….
Comment by BikeCopVT | 01.14.2009 | 10:02 am
Fatty,
Your ability to shake down all the awsome companies for even more awsome prizes is nothing less than (you guessed it) AWSOME! Now it’s time to get back on that fundraising bus.
Win Susan!
Fatty Won
LiveStrong
Comment by MOCougFan | 01.14.2009 | 10:07 am
Seriously you should be a politician. You get what you want. But then you give it to the people. Gonna start calling you Robin Hood.
Awesome.
Comment by Aaron | 01.14.2009 | 10:08 am
Can’t wait until March!
Comment by Jeff | 01.14.2009 | 10:09 am
Pardon me while I squeal like a 12-year old girl at a Jonas Brothers concert.
EEEEEEIIIIII!
Comment by SYJ | 01.14.2009 | 10:24 am
Fatty,
This is amazing – your dedication to fighting cancer writ large, and your ability to motivate others to help in that fight, is beyond wonderful. I hope you don’t mind, but I copied a portion of your ‘About Fatty’ page to provide context in an email I sent urging coworkers and friends to participate in the raffle.
SYJ
Comment by KanyonKris | 01.14.2009 | 10:31 am
Sweet bike! And the other prizes also rock. Time for me to get on the fund raising.
Comment by Mike | 01.14.2009 | 10:33 am
Holy carp! That’s awesome!
Comment by nosferaustin | 01.14.2009 | 10:35 am
I’m going to have to second (or third or fourth) the complements on your ability to get people and companies to participate in kicking cancer’s ass. You’re right up there with LA in my book as far as raising awareness and working your butt off for the cause. You are, in short, an inspiration!
And I want to brag a little, because my lovely wife just informed me yesterday at our 2nd xmas gift exchange (it’s what you do when relatives fly in after xmas for the holidays) that she got me one of the limited edition wool Fat Cyclist jerseys! I can’t wait until it arrives! I only wish Austin was cooler (temperature-wise) so I could wear it at the ride!
Comment by Canadian Roadie (posing as a mtn biker) | 01.14.2009 | 10:45 am
Oh my freakin god – I got shivers reading your post. I never thought I’d try a singlespeed – until now!! Kudos to you, Gary Fisher and the crew at SLC Bikes for really stepping up.
I’m also thrilled to hear the Susan has a bit of relief from the side effects. The bracelet is beautiful and I will hopefully get my hands on one!
Comment by Bill Martin | 01.14.2009 | 10:48 am
It is sad it takes so much temptation to get people to help out with the fight against cancer … but … count me in, that is a sweet prize. I bet you reach your goals with such a carrot!
Comment by matt | 01.14.2009 | 10:57 am
super cool, i mean superfly! way to go fatty. if i win this bike i will ride it on my livestrong century! if not i guess my ibis will do.
win susan!
Comment by Adventure Nell | 01.14.2009 | 11:19 am
Wow, that is one awesome bike! Glad to hear Susan’s hands are getting better and I would love to get my hands (wrists) on one of those bracelets. I would be the envy of my bike club :)
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Jonni | 01.14.2009 | 11:36 am
What a great bike. I hope I win, I have someone very special I want to give the bike to.
Thanks for all you do.
Comment by Mike | 01.14.2009 | 11:49 am
I hope the jewelry is made with dura ace, XTR or SRAM super duper chain links. :)
Win.
Comment by getinlost | 01.14.2009 | 12:26 pm
WOW!
Comment by FliesOnly | 01.14.2009 | 12:51 pm
The only problem with such a fabulous prize is that I want to win…and to increase my chances to win I would need fewer people to donate. But I don’t want fewer people to donate because…well…I think the reason is pretty obvious. Oh what a mental conundrum you have placed upon my very weak shoulders, Mr Fatty.
But, as usual, I will donate what can and hope for a minor miracle. I would prefer, of course….more of a major miracle, as would (I’m sure) all of your readers. We all hope to come here one day and read about the miraculous recovery that Susan has made.
Keep up the fantastic job you have been doing of keeping us all informed as to how Susan is doing, as well as providing us with some hilarious stories and utterly amazing “raffles”.
Comment by MikeonHisBike | 01.14.2009 | 1:02 pm
And the cool prizes keep on coming. You’ve outdone yourself this time. I liked your comment about joining the location you most closely identify with. That could be a tough one!
Mike
http://www.mikeonhisbike.blogspot.com
Comment by LidsB2 | 01.14.2009 | 1:37 pm
Giddyup. GIDDYUP!
Comment by VeloMom | 01.14.2009 | 1:44 pm
Woo-hoo! Gorgeous bike. Checking under seat cushions for spare change to donate!
Seriously, though, it’s your story-sharing that’s most inspirational, Fatty.
Comment by Clydesteve | 01.14.2009 | 3:17 pm
i dunno fatty…. what color is it? :-))
Comment by rich | 01.14.2009 | 3:31 pm
meh…it’s awright….
Ok, so I’m totally lying – that bike is really cool…
As others have said, great job getting people to step up and donate and great job helping raise awareness in the battle against cancer.
Comment by Tony Award | 01.14.2009 | 4:43 pm
I want that poster… Given the nature of this blog, I thought this story hilariously appropriate–the military considering creating “fat camp” for recruits:
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Americas/2009/jan/Military-Considers-Fat-Camp-to-Help-Overweight-Recruits-Slim-Down.html
What’s next, a “Fatty Camp” for overweight cyclists? That has GOLD written all over it.
Comment by WheelDancer | 01.14.2009 | 4:43 pm
This is a horrible time to be out of work. If you keep this up Fatty, I’m gonna have to raid my 401k just to have a chance at this bike. er, I mean just to get behind Team Fatty.
Kidding aside, I’m in awe of your commitment to the cause and your ability to make Team Fatty such a powerful force in the fight against cancer. It’s a rare soul that can lift their eyes up from their own challenges and lead others to a solution that will likely come too late for themselves.
I bid you peace.
Win Susan!
Comment by Jodi | 01.14.2009 | 5:49 pm
Listen.
I’m just making sure that being your sister doesn’t disqualify me from winning. I love you and love the cause and love Susan but there is this hardwired piece of me that needs to have the bike you want.
Nice prize wrangling.
Comment by Kathleen | 01.14.2009 | 6:35 pm
Sweeeet! I am not a MTB but even I can see the allure of that beautiful machine. I’m in! Gotta go send some more emails to fundraise!
Comment by Jsun | 01.14.2009 | 9:13 pm
as you have shown us again and again, sometimes its the little things in life that we learn to truly appreciate,
but that is huge
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 01.14.2009 | 9:24 pm
Just to keep everyone up to date on the Lance himself. He arrived safely in Australia 48 hours ago and has been given the royal treatment ever since.
The Mayor of Adelaide even adjusted the weather so the Texan wouldn’t have to acclimatize; day 1 was offered up on a plate at a balmy 41 degrees celcius. That’s 106F for the nonmetric amongst you.
Comment by anon | 01.14.2009 | 9:43 pm
i’ve officially stopped reading you blog. just too much lance all over the place.
Comment by dr_robert | 01.15.2009 | 1:18 am
That bike’s gotta’ be one of the coolest prizes in the history of cool prizes. $20 headed your way, wish me luck! :)
Comment by TCR Dave (formerly dave) | 01.15.2009 | 9:15 am
That is super cool how Travis and Gary have stepped up like this…especially considering your first communication with Travis flattered him in a stalker sort of way. Good job Elden.
Comment by EBasil | 01.15.2009 | 11:44 am
Happy to support, and the raffle of those prizes is amazing. Do you send me raffle tix numbers or how’s that work?
Comment by fatty | 01.15.2009 | 2:00 pm
eBasil – you aren’t sent anything at all; i just add your name to the raffle spreadsheet, along with how many tickets you’ve bought. i keep it all very simple.
Comment by skunkty14 | 01.15.2009 | 2:24 pm
Wow, amazing raffle items Fatty. Lit a fire under me to step up my fund raising efforts a bit.
Win Susan
Comment by Mike Roadie | 01.15.2009 | 2:24 pm
Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Guess I’d better get some more of those emails out again!
WIN
Comment by Chris | 01.15.2009 | 4:55 pm
Just joined the team for the San Jose ride. Can’t wait to see everyone out there. Mmmmmm SuperFly!
Comment by Born 4Lycra | 01.15.2009 | 6:12 pm
Well anon you don’t want to be here in Adelaide. The fight against cancer is on the front page of everything and the only person putting it there is Lance. He is being swamped by media everywhere and still handling himself well and getting the training in and the message across.
Does not help my fundraising at all at present because all the Aust Cancer Organisations are getting such a high profile and getting loads of donations which of course is what it is all about.
Still you’ve officially stopped reading FC’s blog so i guess you were not getting the message anyway.
Lance, FC, Susan and so far 332 of us what a brilliant team.
Comment by DD | 01.15.2009 | 7:34 pm
I MUST HAVE ONE OF THOSE BRACELETS!!
Comment by DD | 01.15.2009 | 7:36 pm
Oh – and “anon” – really – are you that shallow???
Comment by GenghisKhan | 01.16.2009 | 9:04 am
Just came across this mention of Team Fatty over at mountainbike.com: http://mbword.mountainbike.com/2009/01/mb-news-park-to.html?cid=145297302#comment-145297302
Comment by Ron | 01.16.2009 | 10:21 am
Made my donation today.
Fatty, I didn’t know about you and Susan until some riders I met on the trail talked about your site. So I’ll pass along your site info and encourage my riding buds to check out the raffle.
Comment by CellPhoneGuy | 01.16.2009 | 6:33 pm
This is the lead story on Bike Radar right now. Check it out at: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/rare-gary-fisher-singlespeed-to-be-raffled-off-for-charity-19988
Might drum up some more money for Team Fatty.
Comment by Tony | 02.5.2009 | 10:05 am
When exactly will the winner be announced?