And Now, A Word from Chuck
A Note from Fatty: There are Friends of Fatty (FoF), and then there are Best Friends of Fatty Forever (BFoFF). Scot Nicol, aka Chuck Ibis, is definitely a BFoFF. Last year he donated an Ibis Silk SL to help us raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. A couple months ago he made it possible for us to shave Bob Roll’s head, raising yet more money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. And now he’s working to raise money for another worthy cause. I’ll let him explain.
Scot Nicol here, you might remember me from our little raffle from last June when many of you participated in a raffle of one of our Ibis SilkSL road bikes in Susan’s name to benefit the LAF. The result of your kindness and generosity was that the Foundation had $37,505 more in their coffers. Thank you all for that, it was a success beyond our wildest imagination.
I’m giving Fatty a day off today and will use my rickety soapbox to toot the horn of another very different and very worthy group of people out here who are fighting the good fight.
Most of us like trails, whether we’re mountain bike riders, hikers, equestrians or Australian Shepards. Somebody has to build these and maintain these trails, and more often than not that task is done by a local, state or federal government agency. There are national organizations out there that do it, the one we cyclists know best is IMBA, the International Mountain Bike Association. There are also smaller, more regional organizations too that are doing good, innovative work. The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is one of these.
Since 2003, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship has been quietly building and maintaining a network of trails in and around a little mountain town called Downieville. It’s a place that’s close to my heart, as I spent a good chunk of every summer since 1959 there on the Yuba River, recreating on my grandpa’s mining claim. There were trails then, but no mountain bikes. Growing up on a river in the Sierra was absolute paradise for a kid from the ‘burbs.
The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) has a unique approach to reaching their goals. They rely on a huge amount of volunteerism, and have honed their trailbuilding efforts to a science. Their efforts also include a tremendous amount of community outreach, including a youth program that involves the local schools. The longer-term goals of this group also include the development of trail systems around the thriving metropolises of Graeagle, Clio, Portola, Calpine, Loyalton, and Sierraville.
Actually, these are all destination resort areas whose economic livelihood will be greatly enhanced by the new trail networks. I’ve even heard mention of a hut system sometime in the future. You can read more about what they’re about here.
These guys also happen to put on what I consider to be the funnest mountain bike event on the calendar right now. It’s called the Downieville Classic, where the legendary Downieville Downhill was born (45 minutes of descending at warp speed for the winner, more for me). It all takes place in the tiny burg of Downieville, and events include a pixie cross (small bikes racing in a tight circuit) and the insanely popular river jump contest. They set up a huge ramp and jump bikes into the river, I got to be a judge last year, one of my proudest accomplishments ever. To give you an indication of its populariy, the race sold out in minutes this year (as it does every year).
Now, if you’ve persevered to this point, I have a little treat for you. This is the most incredible 5 minutes of bicycle related video I’ve seen today, and maybe forever. It starts out a bit slow, but is well worth five minutes of your day. Once you’re done, continue reading. This is totally unrelated to anything in this post or any that Fatty has ever done most likely. I simply thought it was incredible enough to share.
The SBTS is not shy about their lofty goals, and have spoken to me about taking their brand of advocacy and community involvement on the road, showing other communities how they do it.
One of my goals is to help them do it. And that’s where this post is headed.
We at Ibis have donated a pimpy fresh Ibis Mojo, totally decked out with all the latest gear that would be appropriate for a ride around Downieville. We are raffling this bike on April 27th, this coming Monday. Raffle tickets, like before, are five dollah. 100% of the proceeds go to building trails. The SBTS estimates that one dollar of donation to their non-profit equals about $1500 dollars of normal trail building effort if it was done by a big bureaucracy. And they say they’ve had 22,000 hours of volunteer labor dedicated to their projects since 2003. Those are compelling numbers. Figure a burrito costs 5 bucks, your raffle ticket will buy someone a burrito and they might be able to build 10 feet of trail. Or more if it’s a super carnitas with guac (hopefully you vegans will still ride the trail).
We had our uber racer Brian Lopes design the parts pick of the bike, and we thank all of his kind sponsors like Marzocchi, Shimano, Easton, KS shocks, Kenda, WTB for their generous support.
In short, why don’t you go buy a raffle ticket or twenty? You might win a very cool bike.
PS: if you liked the video above, check out this one of Brian on the very same Mojo (well, not the same Mojo, but another one exactly like it) you see pictured above. That could be you, man. Or at least it could be your bike.
Comment by Jacked | 04.21.2009 | 8:13 am
A world where boots, bikes and horses work together! That is a good thing you have going on there.
Keep it up Scot!
Ticket bought.
David
Comment by Clay | 04.21.2009 | 8:14 am
You guys are awesome. Keep up the good work. I got my tickets and my fingers are crossed.
Comment by Rantwick | 04.21.2009 | 8:19 am
Thank you for that video. My God. I’m just blown away. I’m gonna donate just because you showed me that.
Pingback by It’s Just A Ride » Blog Archive » Whistler | 04.21.2009 | 8:27 am
[...] comes by way of a guest post at FatCyclist from Scot Nicol of Ibis, makers of the Mojo, that sweet-ass orange rocketship in the video. They’re raffling one off [...]
Comment by rich | 04.21.2009 | 8:27 am
Awesome group to support and once again, good on Ibis for the support you guys offer…
really cool video too….
tickets bought…
Comment by GenghisKhan | 04.21.2009 | 8:38 am
I’ve liked the Ibis for a while and I can’t help but like Chuck and his gang more and more and more and more for the great support they are for good causes!
As to the video, I remember training that dude… Yeah, not. I can’t do that stuff without a bike, let alone a bike. It was definitely worth five minutes of my employers time. Now, off to the Brian Lopes video…
Comment by cheapie | 04.21.2009 | 8:53 am
i’m in. i gotta win one of these raffles eventually. right?
Comment by Aaron | 04.21.2009 | 9:00 am
The Downieville race is sooo much fun. and the trails in that area are awesome. Thanks for all the work!
Comment by Daddystyle | 04.21.2009 | 9:10 am
Good on you and all the trail builders out there. {me included] Takes a whole cycling community to create a bike friendly planet.
As for the vid, SWEET, that ripper has some mad trials skills.
Comment by Banger | 04.21.2009 | 9:26 am
Anyone who enjoyed that video should demand that their local shop order them a copy of Jib 2, by Thor Wixom. Or alternately, if you want to learn to actually ride like that, Mastering the Art of Trials, with Ryan Leech. Cheers!
Comment by Brandy | 04.21.2009 | 9:26 am
Tickets bought !! I like Scott’s use of the term “pimpy fresh.”
Comment by (California ) Matt | 04.21.2009 | 9:46 am
That video is pretty freaking unbelievable! I now feel like I have absolutly NO biking skills whatsoever! the stuff he is doing I would have called impossible, except I just saw it being done. Unreal!
And as to the bike…I believe I will have to get a few raffle tickets…I don’t NEED a new mt bike…but to win that bike…it’s a dream bike. Thanks for the great post Scott (and Fatty for having it)!
Comment by (California ) Matt | 04.21.2009 | 10:22 am
Brandy…I agree…who DOESN’T need a “Pimpy Fresh” bike?? Between that (and the AWESOME video) I just HAD to buy some tickets.
Comment by matt (ming) | 04.21.2009 | 10:49 am
man, i sure could go for another ibis =)
chuck/scot thanks again for stepping up and doing with your small company what the volume brands arent doing.
tickets bought
Comment by Clydesteve | 04.21.2009 | 11:22 am
that video… i must live a sheltered life – i had no idea that anyone even tried to pull off stunts like that. wow.
so, Chuck – I’m in for 5 tickets
Comment by BuzzLiteBoy | 04.21.2009 | 11:31 am
WT, oh, forgot this is a kid-friendly website. Man, I have problems staying upright on the single track I ride in Crested Butte. That is down-right SICK. I’m in for the raffle, these guys and gals are awesome. Chuck, you are the MAN! And your bikes are BEAUTIFUL.
Comment by Rob | 04.21.2009 | 2:09 pm
Great video. A lot of it was standards trials stuff. Certainly nothing I can do, but see it all before. Couple of part, though are WOW. Like riding across the top of that black iron fence! Impressive.
Comment by Kt | 04.21.2009 | 3:33 pm
That video was… stunning. Incredible. Jaw-dropping– literally, I’m sitting here at my desk with my mouth hanging open, just flabbergasted and uber impressed.
Scot, that’s a great cause you’re pimpin’ for.
Win, Susan!! And Trails!!!
Comment by Big Boned | 04.21.2009 | 3:50 pm
…but when is the hakklugi coming out??? That is the bike I’m really needing to complete my stable…
Comment by Clydesteve | 04.21.2009 | 3:58 pm
Big-Boned – I like the hakklugi as well, but i fear it is just because of the Phegm-ish Lion badge. i can be so immature.
Comment by dawn from Houston | 04.21.2009 | 7:02 pm
My god that bike is beautiful..I’m drooling over it and I don’t drool over bikes. Raffle bought.
Comment by Jamieson | 04.21.2009 | 8:20 pm
Tickets purchased.
Comment by T1mm0 | 04.21.2009 | 9:08 pm
Hmmm, the Kind Shock seatpost was designed by a New Zealand guy (Rob Metz) who took a prototype to Taiwan to get contact manufactured. Kind Shock ripped off the design and consequently court proceedings are in progress… It’s disappointing to see it featured on a renowned brand bike.
Comment by Dan | 04.22.2009 | 12:22 am
Wow – killer video. Maybe I’ll dust off my ’80s Ibis Trials Comp and finally learn how to hop. Ha – then I woke up.
I got my ticket purchased.
It’s the winning ticket by the way. Ha – then I woke up….
Comment by Saso | 04.22.2009 | 6:52 am
Awesome video.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 04.22.2009 | 6:56 am
Nice to see the city of Edinburgh being put to such good use!
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by (California ) Matt | 04.22.2009 | 8:53 am
Any of ya’ll who haven’t yet watched that video…well…Scott says “This is the most incredible 5 minutes of bicycle related video I’ve seen today, and maybe forever.” Well…he’s not kidding. I’ve watched it like 5 times now…(it’s REALLY put together great too..awesome music!) I”m just stunned each time…I gather these are pretty standard trials stuff..but being as I”m NOT a trials guy, most of his moves I keep saying to myself are seemingly impossible.
And I hope I win the bike…have my tickets (I promised my wife I won’t be needing a new bike till at least 2011 cuz I just built up a new road bike last year). Thanks again Scott for stepping up for a good cause. It’s cool to think that my donation counts for so much to the bike club. The world needs MORE trails, thats for sure. I hope to get up in that area someday to sample some of their work. Just need the time.
Comment by Smoe | 04.22.2009 | 9:55 am
FYI I purchased a raffle ticket through the paypal link. I immediately had another $180.00 transaction from my account for a transaction I did not make. Just so people are aware to check their accounts.
Comment by Kathleen | 04.22.2009 | 10:22 am
Great cause and thanks to Ibis for making our support of them so easy!
Comment by (California ) Matt | 04.22.2009 | 12:20 pm
Smoe….that is interesting (and scary!)….back in the middle of March I had BOTH my credit cards all of a sudden making crazy internet purchases (not for goods that would need to be shipped…whoever did it was using my name, address and had the 3 digit code on the back of the cards). Paypal is one of the VERY FEW places I had used both cards and I am totally suspicious (they were not physically stolen, but someone got all the info somehow). Anybody else have issues like this? I’m sure Citibank would like to know (one of my cardholders). Paypal Plus was the other card…and in case anybody cares, Citibank was AWESOME to deal with, and Paypal not at ALL easy (in fact, I’m still fighting that one). Citizens Beware!