Some Things Are Meant To Happen, And I’m Pretty Sure This Is One Of Them
An Executive Summary from Fatty: Today’s post tells the story of how I stumbled into the opportunity to turn my jersey pre-order into a way to give away an incredible bike, raise money for World Bicycle Relief, and have that money matched, dollar-for-dollar, by Trek.
I’m worried that for some people, it might be one of those “Too long, didn’t read” posts, though (even though I personally think it’s really interesting), so here are the basics of how the contest works, copied-and-pasted from the details section later in this post:
- The prize that will be given away is a Trek Project One Madone 7 Series Road Bike, painted in the color scheme of your choice. It will have the ENVE road wheels, road handlebars, stem, and seatpost of your choice, and SRAM Red drivetrain, brakes, and levers. This is, quite easily, a $15,000 bike.
- When you purchase a 2014 FatCyclist.com jersey (Short-sleeve Men’s / Women’s or Long-sleeve Men’s / Women’s), Twin Six and I will donate $20 to WBR, netting you two chances at the prize. Trek will match this donation, so your jersey purchase nets World Bicycle Relief $40, and you get two more chances. And WBR will kick in a bonus chance, bringing you up to five total chances at the prize.
- The FatCyclist.com jersey pre-order ends Tuesday, July 16.
- The contest to win the bike continues after the jersey pre-order, going to the end of July 2013. Next week, after the jersey pre-order ends, I’ll be putting up and promoting a donation page, where you can donate directly without purchasing anything, for people who want to help World Bicycle Relief and might like to win an incredible bike, but don’t really want a FatCyclist jersey. Awesomely, Trek will still match your donation.
- Because a prize is on offer, the donation part of your jersey purchase is not tax-deductible.
I’m not even sure where to start with this story; it doesn’t have a single, simple path. Instead, it starts in a lot of places, and kind of converges here and now.
So let me ask you to stay with me for a bit on this. I think you’ll find it’s worth it.
December, 2012
Last December, I was deep into my “Grand Slam for Zambia 2: This Time It’s Personal” fundraiser when I got an email from Jeremy at ENVE Composites — a maker of beautiful, very high-end carbon wheels and components.
He said he loved what World Bicycle Relief is doing, and he’d like ENVE to help with fundraising for them.
At the time, I had so many prizes on offer that I told him we should stay in touch; at some point there would be a perfect opportunity for ENVE to be a big part of a WBR fundraiser.
May, 2013
After spending several months reading about ENVE wheels and talking with people who have ENVE wheels and beginning to obsess over ENVE components in general, I got a new bike with a set of SES 6.7 Clinchers, a Compact Road Bar, and a 100mm stem.
A couple weeks later, I raced this new bike at the Rockwell Relay, and knocked seventeen minutes off Team Fatty’s previous best during the first stage of the race.
I promise you: the wheels matter.
This Week
This is where the story starts getting a little bit crazy.
Monday: I launched the pre-order for the 2014 FatCyclist.com gear pre-order. Usually with these pre-orders, a big chunk of the profits go to a charity. However, I didn’t have a big event coming up, so — out of laziness I guess — didn’t make a charity a part of the pre-order.
Also Monday: I found out that Trek, during the month of July, is matching donations to World Bicycle Relief, dollar for dollar.
Still Also Monday: A little light bulb went off in my head.
Tuesday: I called Katie at WBR, asking for more information about this matching program. “Is it for all donations to WBR?” I asked.
“Yes it is,” she replied.
“Would you be interested in having a FatCyclist.com fundraiser during July to help really take advantage of Trek’s generosity?” I asked.
“Yes I would,” she said.
“Have you heard of ENVE Composites?” I asked.
“Of course I have,” Katie said.
“Do you happen to know of someone who could donate a really, really, really nice frame as part of a fundraiser for WBR — to go with the ENVE components?”
“As a matter of fact,” said Katie, “I do.”
As it turns out, Trek — as part of their incredibly generous partnership with WBR, had made a Project One Madone 7 Series frameset — Trek’s absolutely highest-end road bike — available for fundraising.
For those of you who don’t know, the Madone 7 is an outrageously great road bike. And the Project One version of it means you get to customize the colors and design scheme so it is yours.
At this point, I fell out of my chair. Don’t worry. I was fine.
And then I called ENVE and said, “Remember how I said I’d find the perfect fundraiser to match you up with? Well, I just found it.”
It didn’t take us long to agree that this was pretty incredible: We were going to give away a Trek Series 7 Madone, tricked out with Project One colors, and set up with ENVE wheels, handlebars, stem, and seatpost, and finished off with the top-of-the-line SRAM Red drivetrain, brakes and levers.
And the best part of it is, every donation made would get doubled, courtesy of Trek.
Wednesday
I called Brent at Twin Six. “Hey,” I said, “You know how the new FatCyclist.com jersey doesn’t have a charity tied to it?”
“Yeah,” Brent said. “That seems a little off to us.”
“Me too,” I said. “So let’s fix it.” And I told them about the Project One / ENVE / SRAM Red dream bike that had just fallen into my lap, and how we were going to use it to get lots and lots of kids in Africa onto bikes, and change their lives.
“How about this,” Brent said. “When anyone orders a jersey — either short sleeves (women’s sizing too) or long sleeves (women’s sizing too)– we’ll have $20 of it go to World Bicycle Relief.”
“Plus,” I said, “Trek doubles their donation, so actually $40 goes to World Bicycle Relief. So, for a short-sleeve jersey, that’s like half the cost of the jersey. And at ten dollars per chance at winning this bike, that’s four chances at winning the bike.”
“Let’s make this retroactive, too,” said Brent. “To be fair to anyone who already purchased a jersey. We’ll donate $20 on their behalf too.”
“That sounds good,” said Katie at WBR when she heard about this, “but how about we give jersey purchasers — whether they already bought one or are going to buy one now — a bonus chance, as thanks for supporting Fatty and WBR?”
The Details
So now you know how a FatCyclist.com fundraiser comes together: basically through luck, fortunate timing, and a lot of good people who love to do the right thing.
Just in case your head’s swimming from all the back and forth here, here are the essentials of how this contest will work:
- The prize that will be given away is a Trek Project One Madone 7 Series Road Bike, painted in the color scheme of your choice. It will have the ENVE road wheels, road handlebars, stem, and seatpost of your choice, and SRAM Red drivetrain, brakes, and levers. This is, quite easily, a $15,000 bike.
- When you purchase a 2014 FatCyclist.com jersey (Short-sleeve Men’s / Women’s or Long-sleeve Men’s / Women’s), Twin Six and I will donate $20 to WBR, netting you two chances at the prize. Trek will match this donation, so your jersey purchase nets World Bicycle Relief $40, and you get two more chances. And WBR will kick in a bonus chance, bringing you up to five total chances at the prize.
- The FatCyclist.com jersey pre-order ends Tuesday, July 16.
- The contest to win the bike continues after the jersey pre-order, going to the end of July 2013. Next week, after the jersey pre-order ends, I’ll be putting up and promoting a donation page, where you can donate directly without purchasing anything, for people who want to help World Bicycle Relief and might like to win an incredible bike, but don’t really want a FatCyclist jersey. Awesomely, Trek will still match your donation.
- Because a prize is on offer, the donation part of your jersey purchase is not tax-deductible.
Honestly, I’m pretty much amazed at this contest. It’s a dream frame, customized to your personality, with incredible above-top-end wheels and components. This is, quite literally, going to be a nicer bike than what all but very few top pros ride.
More importantly, though — because after all, only one person’s going to win this bike — no matter what, you’re going to be making a huge difference in people’s lives. A bike for a girl in Zambia means she can stay in school longer. Have more time for studying. Get water for her family easier. Have a greater range of work opportunities. You can learn more over at WBR’s site, or maybe watch a little slideshow from my trip to Zambia here.
Thank you, and good luck!
Comment by Grant | 07.11.2013 | 6:48 am
well, we’re waiting!!!
Comment by Jerry | 07.11.2013 | 7:08 am
Slower than reading web pages back in the days of 300 baud modems!
Comment by Rhyd | 07.11.2013 | 7:14 am
Is this like a Stephen King novella?
Comment by Doug (Way Upstate NY) | 07.11.2013 | 7:18 am
Now I have something to look forward to when I get off the plane!
Comment by Christina | 07.11.2013 | 7:24 am
You can never have too many prizes to offer!
I love the WBR fundraisers. I turned my 100MoN into a WBR fundraiser that they were running. Easy to tell people about, easy for people to donate. It’s a good organization with a good business plan. I’m excited to see we’re going to be doing this during the Trek promotion.
Comment by Nathan Vandenbroek | 07.11.2013 | 7:30 am
15 minutes from when?!?
From now? From 10 minutes ago?!
For the love of all that is good and holy: Give. A. Time.
Comment by Doran Bosso | 07.11.2013 | 7:31 am
I like where this is going!!!
Comment by Nathan Vandenbroek | 07.11.2013 | 7:32 am
Oh! Given the time where you are and where you live (i’m guessing it’s not 15 minutes from any place) and your predilection towards (shall we say) the bathroom….
Comment by alan | 07.11.2013 | 7:49 am
dont leave me HANGING!!!!
Comment by Sara | 07.11.2013 | 7:51 am
So glad to hear this! I got the e-mail about the dollar for dollar matching from WBR and almost donated yesterday, but then I thought surely Fatty is going to have something to say about this! I was right! (and I was right to learn HTML, so I can italicize within comments. Sometimes I’m so smart!) :)
Comment by Doug (way) upstate NY | 07.11.2013 | 7:54 am
Ok. Not fair. They are closing the plane doors and I have to turn my device off!
Comment by barton | 07.11.2013 | 8:07 am
Brent is so awesome (& dang funny) cannot wait to see what “how about this…” is about! Maybe a frame w/ FC stallion (and pie/brats) on it?
Comment by gemandsdm | 07.11.2013 | 8:12 am
Instead of Project One colors the Madone should be painted in WBR colors…
Actually “Project One” means the bike can be any color scheme you want! Including, for sure, WBR colors! – FC
Comment by MLB | 07.11.2013 | 8:18 am
The paint scheme could mimic the FC jersey..a little pie/brat action
I love that idea! – FC
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.11.2013 | 8:23 am
siiiiiiick…
Comment by Lonster | 07.11.2013 | 8:26 am
Totally awesome.
Comment by barton | 07.11.2013 | 8:35 am
Cool! was already contemplating the LS jersey (the cold will be here before I know it…). This is pushing me over the edge.
Fatty – you call it luck, I call it Karma. Keep up the great work!
Comment by MattC | 07.11.2013 | 8:35 am
ooohhh..I’ve been saving up for wheels…(can’t afford the Enve’s though…they’re WAY upscale!)
I guess I could possibly suffer thru having to win the entire MOST AWESOME BIKE ON THE PLANET just to get those wicked nice wheels…gosh..the things I do for you guys…I’m such a giver!
wow fatty…I’ve been trying to refresh the page for a while now…kept getting the “server busy” page..
must
have
this
bike!
drool……..
Comment by GeistOnABike | 07.11.2013 | 8:55 am
First, let me say that this, as all of Fatty’s contests, is awesome.
Second, for all those of us who already have more jerseys than we need…
…what about those of us buying bibshorts? Can we get in on the action? The bibshorts cost more than the jerseys. I’m just sayin’…
:)
I hear ya, but the fact is there isn’t enough margin on the bibs to do that. And while we’re willing to pretty much forego profits, we’re not willing to go upside down. Crazy, I know. – FC
Comment by Sara | 07.11.2013 | 9:08 am
So the only way to enter is to pre-order a jersey? Or is there a way to donate directly to WBR to enter this contest?… I would love a jersey, but living in Houston, Texas, the all-black color is pretty much a deal-killer.
Comment by Sara | 07.11.2013 | 9:10 am
Sorry, just saw the executive summary part about the direct-donation next week – Thanks!
Comment by DavisJason | 07.11.2013 | 9:10 am
Awesomeness. I live what WBR is doing and am proud to be supporting them while buying some snazzy riding gear. Keep it up Fatty!
Btw, guess I was on to something on twitter, huh? https://twitter.com/norcalgrinder/status/352640276189298688
Comment by DavisJason | 07.11.2013 | 9:11 am
Sorry, I LOVE what they’re doing. I wish I was LIVING what they’re doing.
Comment by Tom in Albany | 07.11.2013 | 9:12 am
Fatty,
You may have, or be nearing your PFE. I think, though, that you are still waaayyyyyy down the curve on your PFRE (Peak Fund Raising Event). Seriously, the shi.. errr, stuff you come up with to coax people to donate/buy are simply incredible! The fact that you’ve made the connections you’ve made and that they’re willing to kick in the kind of value shows the true power of your blogging/fundraising superiority.
Of course, you are a well-known blogger. However, you will also go down in the annals of fund-raising lore!
Chapeau á toi, Monsieur Nelson!
Comment by KenKoz | 07.11.2013 | 9:35 am
Wow – I was hedging on buying a jersey, but now I’m going to pull the trigger. If Twin Six is reading, I’d really like to have it before September 7, the date of Ohio’s Tour de Donut. If not, I guess I can wear one of my myriad of other Fatty jerseys. Great job with this fundraiser. I never win any of these prizes, but if I did, I would probably be afraid to ride a $15,000 bike…not that I wouldn’t give it a try.
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.11.2013 | 9:35 am
Thank Dog one does not need to buy the bibs to be entered. :-)
Well that sealed it, jerseys for the whole family! Rune can grow into the damn thing.
And let’s be clear, in the astronomically unlikely event I won the bike, I’M KEEPING THIS ONE FOR ME.
Not that I don’t love you honey. I do, I do! And if you win it sweetie, you of course do not have to feel like you would have to give it to me. *batting eyelashes*
And it will have pink as the part of the color scheme. Though I have to say – the idea of pie and brats on the paint job is pretty delectable! Though beer, pie and brats would be even better!
NICE ONE FATTY. Er I mean thinny. All the matching for WBR is just beyond AWESOME!
Comment by DaveD | 07.11.2013 | 9:36 am
Jersey ordered!!! It will look great on that sweet new bike!!!
Comment by Darrell D | 07.11.2013 | 9:37 am
I second the bid shorts counting as well.
Comment by Katie Bolling | 07.11.2013 | 10:06 am
Thanks for being such an awesome person and so generous with your time and voice for World Bicycle Relief. I’m truly so proud to be part of Team Fatty and the amazing community you’ve built! Buying my jersey right now. A HUGE thanks to all of you out there who make our work possible!
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.11.2013 | 10:10 am
Fatty, per MLB’s suggestion, would/could Trek actually paint the bike custom with the pies and brats? If I won, I would want that for sure.
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.11.2013 | 10:26 am
Wait @Katie! How about we buy YOU a jersey for all the amazing work you do (and put it in your name for the raffle!)? Did you already get one? If not, what size and do you want long or short sleeves?
Ship to WBR office on Chicago or Colorado?
Speaking of which – will the raffle use the “ship to” name in case we want to buy jerseys for others and also have their names be the ones entered to win the bike? :-)
Comment by Davidh-marin,ca | 07.11.2013 | 10:28 am
Super-light bike, super light wheels, super awesome event! Thank you Fatty!
I’ll tell you though (@KenKoz) intimidation is a large part of why Tax Penalty FSR Stumpy does not get out as much as it should. At 15 stone 4lb I continue to be a TRUE Fatty, not one of these pretenders like MattC, GregC, NYCCarlos-(though marriage may have affected him), and of course Elden himself (11stone-4lb). That said, should anyone win and not ride, the bike would look awesome as art: sort of like this(cat not included)
Lastly check out this WBR Story and Trek:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/stories/2013/03/bicycle_relief
Comment by SteveB | 07.11.2013 | 10:30 am
I don’t know about the truly custom paint job – I don’t see it as an option over at project1, but the green flames are awesome.
I already have a still pretty brand new bike, and it even has an Enve fork… but yep, I’d take this in the blink of an eye. Thanks for doing this Mr. not-so-Fatty, WBR is an awesome organization.
Comment by Davidh-marin,ca | 07.11.2013 | 10:35 am
@SteveB
Your bike has been ridden well over 100 miles, so it’s no longer ‘new’. Time to start looking forward….
Comment by yannb | 07.11.2013 | 10:52 am
Just ordered a jersey. Based on DavidH-Marin’s comment, the Sycip I won through Fatty a couple of years ago has over 10800 miles on it. I guess it’s time for a new bike. I would make it look like my Sycip.
Comment by T Foster | 07.11.2013 | 11:04 am
Awesome all the way around. I’m getting the jersey and bibs and am going to feel great about spending every penny.
Comment by Jenni | 07.11.2013 | 11:10 am
Is it improper to buy a Fat Cyclist jersey for your new boyfriend’s birthday before he has agreed he is in fact sexy AND self deprecating?
Comment by Carl | 07.11.2013 | 11:20 am
I ordered bibs and a jersey Monday morning… but this is a great surprise! Thanks Fatty!
Comment by DC in DC | 07.11.2013 | 11:26 am
Great contest!
Question: have I missed the postings about previous winners on the last few contests, or do you not post those anymore?
Comment by Katie Bolling | 07.11.2013 | 11:36 am
@Wife#1! This is such a nice offer! I was just reviewing my options when I saw your comment so if you want to gift me a jersey, I would be so happy and proud! I would absolutely, however, give you the tickets for the raffle! If you win, please just somehow include a donut into the custom paint job:) You can ship a Women’s Small to the Colorado office. Thank you so much! Again, I feel so fortunate to be a part of this awesome group!!
Comment by Heidi | 07.11.2013 | 11:49 am
Yay, another WBR fundraiser! I love giving to this organization, and will do just that next week.
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.11.2013 | 11:54 am
@katie Oh good! I’ll do that now, and done on the donut! :-)
Comment by Davidh-Marin,ca | 07.11.2013 | 12:11 pm
@Jenni. As an intelligent friend and follower of Fatty it goes without saying that the new boyfriend will certainly be self deprecating by September when the jersey comes. The question will be is he still sexy.
@DC in DC. LIke you I would love To hear the stories of past winners. How was the Spa Week in Malibu(pictures?) DaveT Sorry not to have time to her bout Moab while in Davis.
So many GREAT prizes, and so many stories. Then of course Wife#1 and I would have to talk about the WBR Stumpy, and I would be properly pilloried for the lack of miles ridden(believe me when I say I’m TERRIFIED of scratching it, or breaking a wheel). That said I’ll go out now and get some pictures.(not Noodle great pictures, but pictures none the less.)
Fatty, I hope we can see a “Fundraising Gauge” on this event.
Comment by Davidh-Marin,ca | 07.11.2013 | 12:18 pm
@Fatty. When do we get the next installment of the Rockwell Relay? It’s been like a week already
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.11.2013 | 12:25 pm
@David – get off the computer and go ride the Stumpy! Is your go pro charging at least. Flow trail baby – flow trail! Yes, I know I am commenting more than you for a change but I blame the abundance of conference calls that invite multi-tasking.
Comment by MattC | 07.11.2013 | 12:31 pm
@Wife#1 & Davidh…can I please be adopted into your family? I’m SURE Sage and Rune would just LOVE to have a (REALLY) older brother (who can hopefully retire in about 10 years)…just makin’ sure you know that I’m available…just in case.
Comment by Davidh-Marin,ca | 07.11.2013 | 12:42 pm
@MattC. No! ‘Cause you’d always be asking ‘Mom’ if you could ride ‘ Dad’s ‘ bike(s) when I’m not around.
Comment by MattC | 07.11.2013 | 1:33 pm
aaahhhhh David…we MUST be already related…cuz you were reading my mind!
Comment by MattC | 07.11.2013 | 1:38 pm
Gee Ma…is it ok if I take Dad’s pristine new wonder-stumpy out for a good thrashing? (I assure you that I’d have NO problem riding it!)…but you should also know that I’m not a ‘crasher’…my bikes (sadly) last a LONG time. (however, if my bro Greg tries to get in on this sweet ‘adoption’ deal, just know up front that he’s prone to go thru bikes kind’a fast).
Comment by Jacob | 07.11.2013 | 1:42 pm
Sweet. I was going to probably buy a jersey anyway. I think this seals it.
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.11.2013 | 2:03 pm
@MattC… son, your father is out riding his bike. He’ll be home later.
Hopefully with video of the new flow trail!
Comment by MattC | 07.11.2013 | 2:11 pm
Hope he doesn’t hurt my bike…er, I mean his bike….
Comment by Jamieson | 07.11.2013 | 2:30 pm
Ordered early and this is quite the surprise! Awesome work Elden!
Comment by Dave T | 07.11.2013 | 5:15 pm
New fatty jersey and a donation to WBR, Win, Win!
Comment by JB | 07.11.2013 | 5:56 pm
Does this contest apply to any donations to WBR or only through this site?
Trek is matching all contributions to WBR this month. However, this contest applies only to donations made via this site. – FC
Comment by Davidh-marin,ca | 07.11.2013 | 6:48 pm
Side Note: It’s ballot stuff’n time. Click on Dave T above at 5:15, or the following link to vote for Deirdre. http://www.herodogawards.org/vote/?nominee=72887261
With all this ‘voter id’ bs going on this may be the last place in America to practice that age old institution of vote early, vote often..
Plus Deirdre, Rob, Amy and Dave are just AWESOME Fatties!
Comment by Al Pastor | 07.11.2013 | 10:52 pm
bastard!!! Now I have to order the long sleeve jersey.
Comment by Clancy | 07.12.2013 | 6:17 am
Well, dangit – now I HAVE to order a jersey. It’s like donating to charity and getting a free jersey to boot! (And a chance for some beyond awesome swag!)
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 07.12.2013 | 6:32 am
@Davidh Been stuff’n the Hero Dog ballot box with two different email addresses daily since you first posted this contest. You excel at putting ideas into my head. Bon chance Dierdre!
@Wife#1 Ah, those darn bib shorts! Having a full zip jersey certainly helps, but another way around it is to skip the women’s bibs and pick up Twin6’s regular women’s shorts. They go with every T6 jersey! http://www.twinsix.com/gear/womens-bottoms/team-shorts-women
Meanwhile, if I ever road-test the GoGirl I’ll let you know… maybe I’ll blog about it! Rest assured, my GoPro will not be turned on during GoGirl rides!
Comment by MattC | 07.12.2013 | 7:19 am
Darn you Fatty…I just caved and made my order…jersey, hat, wind vest (a must around here) and new bottles. For those who haven’t yet tried the new Specialized Hydraflow bottles (that Fatty has raved about for a while now), let me tell you…I’ve been a big fan of the original Fatty bottles (the Camelback Podiums)…and had gotten 2 sets of them. However I’ve been whittled down to two in the last year or so. ANYWAY…up in Davis on the ride I sadly lost one of my remaining 2 out on the road…so I bought a set of the V8’s from last year (still in stock).
OMG! I didn’t believe a bottle could be better..yet they ARE! The bottle itsself is squishy (didn’t care for that at first, was wondering how it would do in my cages…turns out they are kind’a sticky and don’t budge, prob will stay i the cage far better than my podiums). That, combined with the SUPER-easy open/close top and it’s GINORMOUS valve-size means that when you take a drink, you get a DRINK! It’s like one of those race-car fuel-tanks that flash-floods the tank. I’m sold…and just bought a 2nd set. Now if I can just keep these for the next 27 years or so.
Comment by Doug (Way upstate NY) | 07.12.2013 | 7:47 am
Jersey ordered.
I guess its time to retire the first one that is now way too big. Or maybe……Fatty will you sign the old jersey for me so I can frame it ;)
Comment by Kukui | 07.12.2013 | 10:43 am
Yay! I love supporting World Bicycle Relief! Thanks to you, Fatty, I rode in the Red-Bell 100 in Washington, the proceeds for which go to WBR.
I’m so glad to learn about and give money to such a great organization and group of people!
AND… drool… I was going to order the new jersey anyway, but MAN that is an insanely nice bike…
Comment by New Zealand Ev | 07.12.2013 | 2:14 pm
Both LS and SS jerseys ordered and also vest and bibs. I am with @Nancy and @Wife#1 on the bib shorts as being also over 50 having to make frequent pee breaks can be a pain. But it is worth it in the end to be matched in full kit on the bike. If I win the bike and I am not eligible to win cause I am in New Zealand I will donate my winning bike to @Wife#1 cause I just love all the back and forth bantering between her and @David here. I feel so lucky to be able to connect with a group of like minded people who love all things cycling, not taking themselves too seriously and also helping out others as much as possible. If anyone ever wants to come visit NZ let me know and I can show you the awesome cycling in Christchurch.
Comment by MattC | 07.12.2013 | 2:19 pm
@ New Zealand Ev…HEY HEY HEY! Don’t forget about Wife#1’s soon to be adopted son who would walk to New Zealand to pick up that bike in person….just sayin.
Comment by MattC | 07.12.2013 | 2:20 pm
Well, ok…there’d probably be some rowing involved too.
Comment by MattC | 07.12.2013 | 2:32 pm
Hey Ma…I’m thinking if you win that bike you should get it in a size 58cm frame…that would be PERFECT!
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.12.2013 | 3:14 pm
Ahahaha – @newZealandEv I like the way you think! In fact, I even was playing with the Project 1 design options and saw they have a COOL “Sparticus” paint job that could be Girl Powered up nicely with some pink (see below), in the event-and only in that event-that Trek could not do the brats, pie (and single donut) design.
Speaking of being girly, hafta say I really miss Fabian in the TDF this year. It must be said, there simply is no hotter cyclist in the pro circuit than FC. And let’s be clear, in this case FC is Fabian Cancellara. LOL! The dirth of eye candy in the peloton is seriously depressing.
Can you all tell David has left town to do the Death Ride this weekend? ;-)
@MattC – in fact feel free to take Stumpy for the weekend. He’s just sitting alone in the basement and I promise NOT to tell your father you took him out for a spin. In fact you can take the Cannondale SuperSix too – heck what else do we have? A Turner 5 Spot, another 29er and probably bikes down there he bought without telling me. ALL the bikes are here since they are his stoker’s Calfee tandem for the Death Ride.
It’s a “Tall guys can borrow a bike partay” at my place!
Here’s the Sparticus Meets Girl Power….
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.12.2013 | 3:18 pm
OH I forgot the most important thing… turns out a 12 year old girl WILL wear cycling gear that says Fat Cyclist, but she wants the whole enchilada (jersey + bibs, socks, etc.) I had only ordered the jersey for her for the contest, so back I go to Twin Six.
She said “Of course I’d wear it. Hello, I’m not fat. But I only like complete kits, mom.”
Duh mom.
Comment by MattC | 07.12.2013 | 3:24 pm
@wife#1….Hahahahah! Little sist’a cracks me up! Sadly, I’m working all weekend or I’d swoop up there and peruse thru the stable…he didn’t hurt our stumpy on his ride yesterday, did he??
Comment by New Zealand Ev | 07.12.2013 | 3:24 pm
@MattC I would pay to see you walk on water across the ditch to come pick up the bike here in NZ. Why don’t we all become one big adopted family and if we travel to where someone else is then we can just borrow the bikes and try them out. I am actually originally from the states and moved here in 2006 as my partner and I did a bike tour of the s island and fell in love with NZ. I have a Carerra road bike, Trek 29er hard tail mtn and a Cannondale Bad Boy for my daily commutes to work. The roads around Christchurch are of course a bit dodgy in places after all the earthquakes and road works going on constantly, but you get used to it cause you just have to ride. Unfortunately today is a wet rainy Sat so am frustrated not riding as I hate rollers and to make it worse tomorrow is supposed to be worse with a southerly coming in. It is supposed to clear off this afternoon, so fingers crossed I might be able to go out for a short ride. Gotta love winters in NZ.
Comment by New Zealand Ev | 07.12.2013 | 3:28 pm
Very nice bike @Wife#1 If I win and can’t have the bike, then you get it and I will come and visit and borrow on my visit
Comment by MattC | 07.12.2013 | 3:57 pm
@New Zealand Ev…was just today reading the latest edition of BIKE (the 2013 photo annual, came in yesterday’s mail), and there was a beautiful 2-page centerfold shot of Andrew Shandro riding in Queenstown NZ that has me jonsing to visit. Just beautiful…looks like a cross between England and Norway (in the summer).
Last fall I was THIS close to doing 4 months in Antarctica (fell thru at the last moment). Had I gone I would have processed out of Christchurch. My plan was to vacation some in NZ on the way back in late Feb…I’ll keep U in mind if this should ever work it’s way back on the table. Never been to NZ (yet, nor Antartica for that matter…I hear they have Fatbikes down on the ICE!), but it’s on my short-list of places to see. Always best to have a local to guide you to the best rides (and it’s good to have friends all over the world…cuz it’s getting smaller by the day).
Stay warm & dry! Sometimes a nice fire, a glass of wine and a nice book are good too!
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.12.2013 | 4:15 pm
Oh Team Fatty peeps – another chance to win a Trek Bike! Jensie’s!
http://www.trektravel.com/13jens-bike.php
Okay now I really have to work for a while.
Comment by Davidh-Marin,ca | 07.12.2013 | 6:20 pm
@family. This is why parents set controls…but who controls the parents?
Out to find YannB, and DaveT, for dinner. There are at least 4 other tandems around so we won’t be alone…for long. Picked up course map and profile for the King and Queen, maybe next year they ‘ll come out and ride with other Fatties on A seriously deranged outing. http://www.deathride.com
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.12.2013 | 6:26 pm
Uh oh, guess you took the iPad honey. So, good trip? :-)
All I can say in my defense, is that no pool boys were (will be) harmed in the making of this weekend.
Comment by MattC | 07.13.2013 | 6:08 am
@ Wife#1….guess it all boils down to your definition of ‘harmed’…
And Good Luck Davidh, DaveT, YannB and all the other Deathriders…someday I should really try that beast. I typically try to avoid rides taking more than 10 hours.
I’ll go put my pink dress back on now…
Comment by Kabir | 07.13.2013 | 9:44 am
Definitely, It will look great on that sweet new bike!
Thanks for the update :)
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.13.2013 | 10:46 am
@MattC Not sure if i should take that as an insult or compliment! LOL!
David sent an email at 4:15am that they were out the door. Hope they have fun at least!
Comment by MattC | 07.13.2013 | 12:45 pm
@Wife#1…if it’s the “pink dress” part that you are wondering how to take (as a compliment or insult) that’s actually a private joke between me & Greg (a few years back we joked that when we ride together, the loser of that ‘race’ would need to wear a frilly pink ballerina-type dress the next time we ride…of course I haven’t beaten him since about that time, so if we WERE doing that I’d have been wearing it for a good 3 yrs now). And also it’s in ref to the simple fact of my NOT enjoying a good 10+ hr ride makes me kind’a wimpy (as compared to Greg). He certainly can endure a lot more pain that I can on the bike..I’ll give him that. He seems to relish it in fact.
Comment by tommy91 | 07.13.2013 | 12:57 pm
Can’t wait to make a direct donation and get it matched!
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 07.13.2013 | 4:24 pm
@Wife#1
Any word from the DeathRiders? Wish there was a way to see how it’s going. Or IS there?
Comment by wife#1 | 07.13.2013 | 6:20 pm
@mattc I was referring to harming the pool boy but thanks for the visual of you and Greg in pink frou frou dresses.
Nancy no word yet! No way to check either.
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.13.2013 | 8:43 pm
@Nancy Husband#1 is alive and headed home. No other details yet about how many peaks they bagged.
Comment by Davidh-marin,ca | 07.13.2013 | 11:18 pm
@Nancy in Mn and MattC:
Saw YannB heading back from Carson Pass so he’s in! He told me earlier at a midway stop that DaveT was just ‘crushin’ it so I can assume he finished. Saw Anthony from San Jose also getting ready to head up Ebbett’s Pass (the toughest) so we’ll look forward to hearing from him.
As for us? Anyone want to buy a tandem? (just don’t tell Jeffrey since technically it’s his and he might object)
Not a good day for me, and am not sure if physical or mental (no third chainring) was to blame, but 1 and done was our day.
Congrats to Yann, Dave, and Anthony. I hope they will share their stories because this is a BEAST! I also hope we can encourage Elden, Lisa, Kenny, and the Doctor, to come give this a try. Single Speeds have been spotted on route.(hint, hint) I’ll use the two pictures from the top of Monitor to tease:
I’m older than this rock and felt about the same.
Looking back from the top and towards Ebbetts to the West.
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 07.14.2013 | 12:09 pm
@Davidh
Very brave to climb a mountain pass on a tandem. So brave it’s maybe dumb? Ill advised? How about foolhardy? In any case, it’s more than I can imagine tackling.
I’m new to following your exploits, David, have you ridden other passes in this event? You are correct that it sounds like an excellent challenge for FC and The Hammer. Maybe they’ll want to buy Jeffrey’s tandem…
Thanks for the pics!
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 07.14.2013 | 12:39 pm
Yeah, I realize the wheels and drivetrain are all wrong, but it was fun designing the bike I plan to win. thanks for the idea @Wife#1!
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 07.14.2013 | 12:40 pm
Oops! The bike is nearly life sized. No idea how to shrink it!
Comment by Davidh-Marin,ca | 07.14.2013 | 4:50 pm
@nancy in mn
Looks like a very extreme case of davidh Marin,ca -itis
Comment by Justin L. | 07.14.2013 | 6:10 pm
I sooo did not need another jersey, but dang it fatty and twin six came up with a killer jersey and money goes a good cause. I am in, but of course i had to buy a a bib, socks, wind jacket etc to match, Dang it. I could really use a new bike though, my only question could i get the sparticus paint job, but have the fatty orange heavy weight horsepower logo painted in several spots. Now that would be sick looking……. a fat cyclist special trek madone!!!!! One can dream
Comment by ScottR | 07.14.2013 | 8:46 pm
Just when I thought I was out, you pull me back in!
Comment by Heidi | 07.15.2013 | 7:55 am
I kinda like the three comment limit concept – it keeps the focus on the original post. But hey, it’s Monday morning and I haven’t finished my first cup of coffee…
Comment by Tom in Albany | 07.15.2013 | 10:53 am
I bought the jersey. Nice play, Mr. Nelson. Nice play.
Comment by MattC | 07.15.2013 | 11:15 am
So Nancy (in MN)…what size frame is that…a 10,058cm? Looks like the Green Giant has a bike now (GRIN!) Cool paing job…love the flames (I’d be afraid to have flames, as I’m riding kind’a slow these days…maybe a little puff of smoke or something…very small, almost un-noticable). Flames would require me to step up my game some..kind’a like having neon yellow shoes or something.
Nnow Fatty AND Hammer…flames all over their bike would be fine. They’re riding so strong they prob need to keep a fire extinguisher handy so they can put OUT the fire (on their bikes) at the end of each ride!
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 07.15.2013 | 1:20 pm
@MattC
I thought the flames would make me LOOK fast.. A puff of smoke might be mistaken for some other emission. Think twice!
Funny about the Green Giant. MN is the home of the Jolly Green Giant. Le Sueur to be specific. I’m very worried about what’s going to happen here, but I’ll do it anyway:
And now I’ve doubled (at least) my infraction of the comment limit.
Comment by MattC | 07.15.2013 | 3:03 pm
@Nancy in MN…that comment limit is really more of a guideline (GRIN!..that was a REALLY funny line by Johnny Depp). My Mom lives in MN (Alexandria) in the summers (she’s a snowbird)…and they have a giant Viking. Who knew Vikings were in MN (and I mean that question to people NOT from MN)?? I’ve SEEN the Runestone w/ my own eyes…pretty cool actually! Lots of mosquito’s tho…I’d be dead in a week…they LOVE me. I think after 2 days of those voracious beasties eating me alive I had a hematacrit of about 12%.
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Comment by Campers Journal | 08.3.2013 | 6:30 am
Nice post. You put a nice twist to it. Well put fatty.