Buy Gear, Make a Donation, Win the Ultimate Dream Bike and Vacation

04.7.2015 | 7:16 am

A TL;DR Note from Fatty: This is the synoptic version of today’s contest-launch post, cuz it’s a doozy. Just be aware that this is full of spoilers.

  1. The first part of the prize is the dreamiest of dream bikes: any Specialized S-Works frame, paired with any ENVE wheels and cockpit, paired with your choice of SRAM components.
  2. The second part of the prize is a trip. Either to Utah to ride the three mesas in the St. George area and stay at the Gooseberry Yurt; or to Santa Cruz, to stay on the beach and ride the road. Or to Santa Rosa and do a private version of Levi’s Granfondo.
  3. You enter by either buying Fatty gear, or by making a donation. Either way (or any combination), each dollar gets you an entry. The contest ends at the end of April and the drawing happens soon after.

Want more details? Read the post I just spent four hours writing, smart guy.

Buy Gear, Make a Donation, Win the Ultimate Dream Bike and Vacation 

I have put together a huge prize to help raise money for World Bicycle Relief. 

Huge.

But more importantly — oh so much more importantly — than the fact that it’s a big prize is the fact that it’s a big prize that is going to be really truly customized to the winner.

So what the big prize will be depends on what kind of riding you like, and how you’d want your dream bike customized, and where you would want to ride it once you got it.

And of course, along the way we’re going to raise a fantastic amount of money for World Bicycle Relief. I’m going to talk more about the cause and how the contest works in a minute.

But first, let’s talk about the prize. Because I am so excited about it — both for what the ride is, and how it came together.

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The Frame

The first question the winner of this contest is going to need to ask is, “Which of all the absolutely top-end bikes Specialized makes do I want?

That, however, may be too narrow of a question to start out with. You may want to broaden it to, “Do I want a mountain bike, or a road bike?”

If you want a road (or Tri bike), your answer might be the S-Works version of several amazing frames: The Tarmac (my choice), the Roubaix (The Hammer’s choice), or even the Shiv (both The Hammer’s and my choice).

Screenshot 2015 04 06 21 44 51

Or maybe your answer is “mountain bike.” In which case maybe you should get  the S-Works version of the Epic. Or the Stumpjumper (on which both The Hammer and I have had our respective fastest Leadville times). Or the Enduro.

Really, you couldn’t go wrong with any of these; the “S-Works” version of their frames means it’s the lightest, strongest, best version of that bike that exists. (And also, these are just examples; maybe you want a Crux or an Amira or something else…and that’s just fine.) 

And now, for just a second, I’m going to ask you to join me in patting my own back. Because the Specialized frame you’ll be getting…well, I’m giving that to you, in a way.

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How? Well, one of the really amazing perks WBR Ambassadors get is a bike from Specialized. But, between the two of us, The Hammer and I already have eight Specialized bikes. (And we love each of them. A lot.)

So I checked with WBR and asked if they’d check with Specialized and see if we could convert the bike I’d be given into an awesome prize for someone reading the contest. 

And Specialized, being an incredible WBR supporter, not only said “yes,” but  upgraded the bike donation beyond what I would have been given to the top-end S-Works version.

Nice.

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The Wheels and Cockpit

In my most recent post, I talked about how much I love ENVE wheels and components. This is not even remotely hyperbole. My Tarmac SL4 has ENVE wheels, bar, and stem. And it is — and has been — the most perfect bike I have ever owned (the wheels have not needed to be trued even once in the two-plus years I’ve ridden them). It’s simply my own true dream bike. 

The same goes for my Specialized Stumpjumper singlespeed, with ENVE XC wheels, stem and bar: it’s just a perfect bike. Beautiful, light, and incredibly strong wheels. 

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Seriously, I don’t believe there are better bike wheels made anywhere in the world.

You are going to love them as much as I do, whether you get super aero road wheels (like the SES 6.7s) or all-purpose racing mountain bike wheels like the M50 Fifty. Or something else.

ENVE has you covered.

And if you need a little help and conversation picking out wheels, I will be happy to spend countless hours on the ENVE website, obsessing over matching your bike to the perfect wheels for you. 

And I bet we can get Jake at ENVE to weigh in with an opinion, too.

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The Components

I don’t even know where to start with SRAM. For one thing, they are outrageously generous with their support of World Bicycle Relief, and that wins them quite a few brownie points. 

But more importantly, have you seen how freaking amazing the XX1 drivetrain is? It’s changed everything about how I think about shifting gears on mountain bikes. Specifically, I no longer think of it as a dark art that sometimes works, but only if I’ve been a really good little boy. 

Here’s my point. SRAM is going to hook you up with a world-class, top-of-the-line drivetrain, and brakes, and everything else you need to go with your incredible road or MTB machine. 

You are going to be in bike heaven.

But we aren’t done yet.

 

Where Do You Want to Go?

What’s the point of having an amazing new bike if you don’t have an amazing new place to take it out for your first ride?

Oh, I think we can help you there. And — like with the rest of this contest — what you like is going to factor into what the prize is.

Suppose you choose a mountain bike, and you’d like to ride some of the most amazing trails you could ever imagine, against a beautiful desert backdrop.

In that case,  we are going to fly you to Salt Lake City, where your built-up bike will be waiting for you at Bountiful Bikes.

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There, Taylor Felt is going to spend a couple hours with you fine tuning the fit of your new bike to you, using Specialized’s Body Geometry Fit System. And as someone who has had a bike fit using this system (as has The Hammer), I assure you: your bike will fit perfectly after Taylor is done.

Then we’ll swing by ENVE HQ, to show off your bike and get a tour of the place.

After that, we’re off to Hurricane, UT for a weekend at the famous Gooseberry Yurt, where my friend Kenny will act as your guide, mountain biking the three most amazing mesas you can imagine.

NewImageAnd you’ll have company: me (of course), and Dave Thompson, a Best Friend of Fatty, grillmaster extraordinaire, and fellow 2015 WBR Ambassador. 

And that’s not all Dave is contributing to this fundraiser. He’s the one who’s buying your plane ticket. 

Yup, we’re teaming up for this contest. We’re each giving up a little something to make this the most amazing contest we can.

And we are not done yet.

Because we understand that maybe you will want a road bike. And while you’re still welcome to come to Utah to pick it up and ride (in which case I will be happy to show you some of the best of what the Tour of Utah covers), maybe you might like to spend your first few rides on something a little more…coastal.

Like Santa Cruz. Or Santa Rosa.

Yes, if your preference is to get a road bike (or if you’d rather MTB in CA than in Utah), we will have your bike built close to one of these cycling meccas, get you fit there (in Santa Rosa, the top-notch NorCal sport will build your bike and fit you for it), and meet you there for a couple days of riding.

Here’s Dave, taking in the amazing scenery midride in Santa Cruz:

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Oh, and here’s the view from the spot Dave’s got picked out to stay, should we go riding in Santa Cruz:

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I have to say, he makes a pretty good case for that place.

Here’s the bottom line: I am going to work with Specialized, ENVE, and SRAM to get you the bike of your dreams. Then Dave and I are going to make sure you get it built and fit, and then take you on some incredible rides — whatever kind of riding you like. Mellow, fast, technical, relaxed, whatever sounds awesome to you.

Basically, we are going to set you up with the most amazing bike plus vacation we can, using all the resources we have.

So. To me it looks like the total prize value for this trip is around $15,000-$20,000, between the bike, the trip, the fit, the place to stay, and incidentals.

Have we got your interest?

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Why This Matters

Here’s a set of questions worth asking: 

  • Why am I willing to give up a bike? (Trust me, I’ve been dreaming of a Specialized Crux for a looooong time)
  • Why is Dave willing to buy plane tickets or rent a cottage on the beach?
  • Why is Specialized willing to give me one of their top-end frames, at a value between $3500 and $6000?
  • Why is ENVE willing to give me around $7,000-worth of wheels and components?
  • Why is SRAM willing to open the doors to their candy shop, setting you up with around $2000-$4000-worth of parts and components?

The “why” is pretty simple. We’re cyclists and bike companies; we love bikes and what they can do for anyone. Every single one of us is a believer in what World Bicycle Relief does and how they work.

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I’ve been to Zambia and seen how a bike, given to a schoolchild, makes it possible for that child to stay in school. To get water for the family. To get a better job. To have a better life.

A Buffalo Bike in the hands of a healthcare volunteer means the ability to see more patients, to get them the attention and meds they need. To literally save lives.

These bikes — these tough, black, strong, beautiful, heavy, black bikes — improve people’s lives instantly. These bikes change the trajectory of their lives permanently.

If you’re looking for a charity that uses what you love to make a real difference in the world…well, here it is.

How The Contest Works

In keeping with the theme of choice in the rewards contest, how you enter is up to you. 

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The first way is by buying any FatCyclist.com gear from my catalog site. You can buy a jersey, shorts, a vest, arm warmers, socks, a hoodie…anything and everything.

Each dollar of your purchase automatically gets you an entry into the contest.

So yes: If you buy a Race Fit Short Sleeve Jersey, Race Bib Shorts, and a pair of socks, you not only get an amazing kit that shows your support of Team Fatty and WBR, you also get 238 entries in the contest (237.85 actually, but I round up). 

So, if you’ve been kinda on the fence about pre-ordering Fat Cyclist gear this year…well, this might help nudge you in the right direction.

The second way is to simply donate at my Donation page. There, you can donate in the following increments:

  • $10 Donation
  • $25 – 1 Wheelset
  • $50 – 1 Mechanics Toolkit
  • $147 – 1 Bike
  • $735 – 5 Bikes
  • $1,470 – 10 Bikes

Of course, you can buy multiples of each or any of these options…so if you wanted to donate $100 (and get 100 entries in the contest), just get two of the $50 option. Easy!

And yes, you can mix and match: If you buy a t-shirt ($19.95) and donate $25 (enough to buy a wheelset), you get a total of 45 entries in the contest.

The third way is free. You can have an entry into this contest by sending me (email fatty@fatcyclist.com, subject line: Ultimate Dream Bike Essay) a 200-word essay on your favorite three things about me. You may enter as often as you like, because I love hearing people’s favorite things about me.  However, each essay must be unique, topical, and in reasonably-formed English. In other words, no auto-generated text. And don’t think I can’t tell. 

And be sure you get the subject line exactly right, or the email rule I have to gather these entries won’t work on your entry. And that would be sad.

Questions You Might Have

I don’t know for sure whether you might actually have these questions, but it seems possible, because I had these questions, and figure you are exactly the same as me. 

Q. When does this contest end?
A. It ends the last day of April, at the end of the day. I’ll do the drawing in the first week of May.

Q. I purchased Fat Cyclist Gear before this contest started. What happens to me?
A. Your purchase is automatically retrofitted into this contest. Congratulations, you may have won and you didn’t even know you were playing!

Q. I purchased Fat Cyclist Gear before this contest started…and now it looks like you’re extending the pre-order. Am I going to have to wait longer to get the stuff I ordered?
No, you won’t. We’ve ordered everything from the pre-order, and just did a bunch of multiplication-style math, adding on additional stuff in the proportions we think are smart.

This means that your pre-order stuff will still get here in late May as originally promised. And since we added stuff on speculatively, there’s a very good chance that if you order during this contest you’ll still get your stuff in late May (but it may be later if we have to extend the order again). 

Q. What if I win, but I am more of a casual cyclist and don’t want / need a super-nice high-end bike.
When we did a contest similar to this last year, it turns out that the winner, Heidi, liked hiking more than biking. And so we turned the prize into a weekend of hiking in Zions National Park.

If you don’t want the bike, I’ll bet you know someone who does. Or if you don’t, Dave and I will give NICA a call and we know for sure there will be someone there who can put it to good use. Either way, you’ve still got a great trip to a beautiful spot. Our objective is not to impress you with our riding skill and tear your legs off (unless that’s what you want).

And if you’re a woman and don’t really want to spend a weekend with a couple of smelly men, we can arrange to have you ride with The Hammer and / or Amy (Dave’s wife) instead. 

Our objective is to give you the bike / vacation combo that is what you want. And we’ll tweak and twist what the prize is ’til it’s perfect for you.

Q. You and Dave are working on this fundraiser together, but you each have separate fundraising pages for WBR. Where is the money earned by this fundraiser going — to Fatty’s page, or to Dave’s page?
To Dave’s page. I expect to do the fundraising for my page in July, when I kick off the Grand Slam for Zambia. 

If you have any additional questions, post them in the comments and I’ll be happy to get to them, either right in the comments or by amending this post.

Thanks very much for your help. I know that Dave, Specialized, WBR, SRAM, ENVE, and I are all very excited about this contest. It was an exciting project to have so many companies and people come together and give something toward something we all truly believe in.

Click here for Team Fatty gear, or click here for the donation page.

39 Comments

  1. Comment by Jim Tolar | 04.7.2015 | 8:05 am

    Kicking it off with one bike donation. Now, I just need to decide, mountain or road?

    jt

  2. Comment by Doug (Way Upstate NY) | 04.7.2015 | 8:08 am

    Dear Universe,

    I believe you owe me right now. Full suspension mtb.

    Thanks
    Doug

  3. Comment by davidh-Marin,ca | 04.7.2015 | 8:18 am

    @Doug. You know in your heart it’s not meant to be. Besides Carlos already knows where Dave keeps the BBQ Gear so.its a ‘fait accompli.’

  4. Comment by Paul Guyot | 04.7.2015 | 8:48 am

    If the Dream Bike was offered with Shimano, I’d enter…

    ….

    ….

    Oh, crap, I’ll enter anyway, jeez, it’s WBR… but I really like Shimano…

  5. Comment by Paul Guyot | 04.7.2015 | 8:51 am

    Road components, I speak of. Not mtb.

    So, there you go.

    Years later, Guyot is still an idiot.

    Good to know.

  6. Comment by Andrae McConnell | 04.7.2015 | 9:34 am

    Thanks in advance to all the sponsors. I’ll see you all in Santa Cruz when I come out to pick up my new Tarmac! :)

  7. Comment by MattC | 04.7.2015 | 9:45 am

    Fatty, so you’re saying we can STILL order the new FC gear until the end of April? That is AWESOME! (and boy oh BOY could I use a new set of wheels, let-alone an entire new BIKE!) What great news! Way to go Dave and Fatty!

    Yep, you can order the new FATCYCLIST.COM gear through the end of April! – FC

  8. Comment by AKChick | 04.7.2015 | 10:01 am

    How about if I want to ride with you, Dave, Amy, their son AND the Hammer? :)

    That’s…a lot of plane tickets! – FC

  9. Comment by BostonCarlos (formerly NYC) | 04.7.2015 | 10:49 am

    I feel like I won already since I got to bring the bike I won last time to Santa Cruz and ride with the whole Thompson clan last month! I hope I win again so I can go ride Gooseberry and get my wife a proper bike!

  10. Comment by Doug (Way Upstate NY) | 04.7.2015 | 11:09 am

    @davidh…. You ok. Carlos? He’s out until the rest of us wins a dream bike :) Still right now I am owed, so I pick me.

  11. Comment by Dave H | 04.7.2015 | 11:46 am

    I’m getting a cool cycling cap out of this either way, but I also get a shot at a great bike and permission to feel a little better about myself today! Woot! What a deal!

    That’s the kind of attitude I like to see! – FC

  12. Comment by Skye | 04.7.2015 | 12:34 pm

    I just figured out why there’s a horse on all the FC gear!

  13. Comment by Susie B | 04.7.2015 | 1:10 pm

    I’ve been to Tanzania and know how important bikes are in that part of the world (even saw someone pushing one down the side of the highway with a couch tied on top). You posted a photo of my neighborhood (Santa Cruz), so I’d be happy to recommend some rides if you come this way. Oh, and there’s great mountain biking here, too.

  14. Comment by darrin | 04.7.2015 | 1:12 pm

    How about an Sworks Crux and meet up with Fatty for a ‘cross race in the SLC? The world needs to see the Fatty dismount and run over the barrier technique.

  15. Comment by Amy thompson | 04.7.2015 | 1:28 pm

    We are so excited for this contest and so appreciative that Fatty is generously supporting team thompson’s wbr fundraising. Thanks Fatty. Of course Rob and I would love to ride with the winners if they would like.

  16. Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 04.7.2015 | 1:41 pm

    Riding with the entire Thompson Clan is an occasion not to be missed. If for no other reason than to hear Rob serenade the ladies, and comment on his father’s efforts. (you’re a ‘good man’ DaveT.)

  17. Comment by BW | 04.7.2015 | 3:02 pm

    You might want to check on the legality of this. In Minnesota this would be considered a raffle since you are requiring someone to make a donation or buy something, and you are not giving an opportunity for a ‘free entry’. Along with a raffle comes a host of rules, none of which are being followed. Your local laws may be different, and I am not passing judgement as I too donate and fund raise for causes, I’m just saying learn from my experience ;)

    I generally include a “Free Entry Method” but forgot to include it in yesterday’s contest. That has now been updated. Thank you! – FC

  18. Comment by leroy | 04.7.2015 | 4:30 pm

    Dear Mr. BW – My dog informs me that a simple disclaimer “void where prohibited” should suffice.

    Of course, that has never stopped him from voiding where prohibited.

    And he says he’s borrowing my credit card no matter what.

  19. Comment by Susie H | 04.7.2015 | 4:36 pm

    i hope i win! and i want to ride with Amy and the Hammer! but on a mountain bike. on the road. not the mountain. to be clear. :)

  20. Comment by BW | 04.7.2015 | 4:48 pm

    Mock if you must. Check to make sure it’s legal in your state, or you are taking a chance of legal action. That’s not fun, nor is it going to be welcomed by sponsors. Good luck in your fundraising endeavors!

    Actually, I really appreciate your input. Thanks! – FC

  21. Comment by leroy | 04.7.2015 | 5:16 pm

    Dear Mr. BW –

    Not mocking. Just making a suggestion.

    Neither my dog nor I claim any expertise in MN law.

    Neither my dog nor I claim any expertise in whether MN law applies to a blogger in Utah not soliciting MN residents.

    In fact, I claim no expertise in anything. My dog would back me up on that.

    Even without a contest, he’d still use my credit card to make donation.

  22. Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 04.7.2015 | 5:37 pm

    Disclaimers aside, Leroy has one smart dog.

  23. Comment by David Frost | 04.7.2015 | 6:11 pm

    I think if you were to offer multiple jersey a year I would still find an excuse to order one. New kit ordered and wheel set donated. Now the true question is will I be faster in a race cut? Time will tell.

  24. Comment by Amy Thompson | 04.7.2015 | 7:05 pm

    Susie H, I love that you want to ride with the Hammer and me. Understand that I am in no way at the Hammer’s level. Who is? I don’t even know if she could make it out for the contest prize. In a perfect world yes, she could. And we would all ride together for a nanosecond before she shot out in front, thinking she was taking it easy on us. :)

  25. Comment by Doug (Way Upstate) | 04.7.2015 | 8:27 pm

    @David Frost….Yes WAY faster in the race cut. A cut like that helps to keep the stomach in, much like a corset. That in turn will reduce the knee/stomach contact and aerodynamic drag. While you may experience a reduction in breathing capacity, you will net a faster time. Something on the order of 0.0001% faster.

    Remember I am a rocket scientist who specialized in aerodynamic drag, so do not doubt me.

  26. Comment by Fat Bike Racer | 04.8.2015 | 6:44 am

    Need leg warmers!

  27. Comment by MLB | 04.8.2015 | 9:49 am

    Mr/Mrs Thompson-Any chance of a roadbike ride up Mt Diablo in the Eastbay? Last time I rode that mountain was 1978 on Schwinn Varsity at the ripe old age of 18. Still about killed me. Bike probably weighed 35+ lbs!

  28. Comment by AKChick | 04.8.2015 | 10:03 am

    Hmmm, I didn’t think about all the plane tickets that would be needed to ride with everyone… :) I don’t usually win so I don’t think we’ll have to worry about a lot of plane tickets, and even if I did win, I wouldn’t make everyone do that.

    I can’t wait to see who wins! Fingers and toes crossed for another lady!

    I think if you win, we’d probably all want to spring for tickets and visit you for some riding in AK. I know I’d want to! – FC

  29. Comment by Will Benton | 04.8.2015 | 12:23 pm

    Dave Thompson looks just like Anthony Bourdain!

    Poon

  30. Comment by Ben | 04.8.2015 | 2:17 pm

    Congrats on putting together such a great prize and generously donating “your” bike! Is the contest also open to non-US residents?

    Yes, unless it’s prohibited in your country. Also, if you’re outside the US, you’re going to get hit with a hefty customs fee; that’s your responsibility to pay. As a show of solidarity, you won’t have to pay the incredible shipping cost. – FC

  31. Comment by AKChick | 04.8.2015 | 11:16 pm

    Oh my gosh! I hope I win so you can all come visit Alaska! :) How totally awesome and mind blowing would that be?!?

  32. Comment by Emily Aldridge | 04.9.2015 | 12:26 pm

    I hope i Win!

  33. Comment by Jared Verbeke | 04.10.2015 | 1:01 pm

    First time entering in a Fat Cyclist fundraiser/contest after reading the website for a while. Love what you’re doing here fatty, keep it up :)

  34. Comment by Duane | 04.10.2015 | 11:28 pm

    If your winner convinces you to move their vacay to our backyard in the Nor Cal/Tahoe region/s, Tour of Nevada City (a proud Specialized, SRAM & ENVE dealer) offers to do the custom bike build and BG Fit. As a WBR supporter, thanks for what you’re doing…

  35. Pingback by ENVE Road And MTB Wheels On Sale For 25-32% Off | 04.13.2015 | 6:58 am

    [...] But … if you want a pair for FREE (mounted to a Specialized S-Works). Well, you’re in luck. [...]

  36. Comment by Sem rgpv results | 04.14.2015 | 5:47 am

    I’m so excited for this contest and so appreciative to Fatty.
    Thanks Fatty.
    waiting for the winner

  37. Pingback by 3 Things Fatty Loves | Pro Cycling Reviews | 04.16.2015 | 1:15 pm

    [...] see, my fundraiser where you can buy FatCyclist gear or make a donation to WBR in order to win the ultimate dream bike and vacation is still going on (get details here, buy >> READ MORE [...]

  38. Comment by Monte Hall | 04.17.2015 | 9:15 am

    Another legal question (yes, so boring but…); is this contest open to *anyone*, that is, any/all resident/s outside of the US 50 states?

    Yes, as long as it’s legal where you live. That said, if you win, you’re responsible for customs, which will be considerable. And you’ll need to pay to get you to the US for the trip, we’ll pay for the flight once you get to a US airport. – FC

  39. Comment by BIKELEPTIC | 04.23.2015 | 1:58 pm

    what do I have to do to just win a fork?

 

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