One for the Women: a Grand Slam Grand Prize from Juliana Bicycles
This Monday, I’ll be starting my writeup of the 2015 Crusher in the Tushar race, which, I’m pleased to note, will include this picture of some sweet potato fries I ate the night before the race:
Today, however, I want to give you a little sneak preview from a moment I experienced during the race. Because it’s relevant to the next big grand prize I’m announcing in the Grand Slam for Kenya, that’s why.
It happens as follows:
Just one more mile ’til the top of the climb. I was in my element, racing like I had never raced before. Climbing like a man possessed. Possessed by something that likes to climb, that is.
I saw my next carrot: a woman wearing a “Juliana” jersey.
I stood up, began rowing my bike. I wanted to see this woman’s bike. I had my reasons.
It was not easy to catch her. Not easy at all. But I managed. Barely.
I did not speak once I had caught her. I needed a minute for the tunnel vision to recede. As I tucked in and tried not to get dropped, I looked at her bike.
Yes, it was as I suspected: a gorgeous Juliana Nevis hardtail. Outfitted with the incredible RS-1 fork and an XX1 drivetrain. A dream bike.
This woman was killing me. Killing me on a dream bike…a lot like the one I’d be announcing the next week.
I had to take the opportunity to ask, “So, how do you like that Juliana?”
“It’s amazing,” the woman replied. “Really great in the descents, really fast on the climbs.”
I would have asked her more about this bike. I wanted to ask her more about this bike. I wanted to say, “Hey, I have a very particular interest in that bike!”
But I couldn’t say any of these things. Because she had already dropped me.
Later, after the race, I would discover this woman I was talking with was Kelli Emmett, who podiumed in the Pro division at the Crusher.
This One’s For the Women
As you no doubt realize by now, the Juliana Nevis is a Grand Prize in the Grand Slam for Zambia. Check it out:
The all-new Nevis heralds the introduction of a race-ready carbon hardtail to the Juliana range, meeting the demands of riders like Juliana-SRAM Pro Team rider Kelli Emmett (check out this video of her and the others in the team) and the NorCal High School Cycling League teams, who want a low-slung lightweight carbon hardtail for racing.
This is a serious — and seriously gorgeous — bike, designed by women, for women. As such, this prize will be given to a woman.
One very, very lucky woman.
Here are a few details:
- The 69-degree head angle makes for a geometry that’s nimble on the ups, stable on the downs, and pretty darn perfect everywhere else!
- 27.5 wheels and compact chainstays strikes the balance between efficient rolling dynamics and a wickedly playful ride.
- 100mm RS-1 fork with 15mm thru-axle (Note from Fatty: The RS-1 fork is without a doubt the best fork I have ever used)
- Flexes naturally to boost long-ride comfort on those 100 mile punishers without sacrificing efficiency.
- Low standover height: At 28” on the smallest size, the aggressive sloping top tube leaves plenty of room to maneuver on the bike and put a foot down.
- Internal cable routing: Simple internal cable routing gives the Nevis a clean, polished look worthy of its purpose.
- Matte Carbon: Raw carbon saves a 1?4 lb in paint weight and visually asserts the Nevis’ serious endurance intentions. Weights from 2.1 lbs (size M, frame only).
- Juliana Dot Grips: Designed by Juli Furtado herself, taking her palms to podiums since 1990.
- Juliana Mountain Saddle: Designed by women, for women, to ensure a day in the saddle won’t feel like one.
These features will all be complemented by top-shelf SRAM components, making this exactly the bike I would buy and build for The Hammer, if I were buying and building a racing bike for The Hammer this year.
Trust me, that is a significant endorsement.
Perfect Fit
It makes terrific sense that Juliana Bicycles is supporting World Bicycle Relief and the Grand Slam for Kenya, especially when you consider that both Juliana and this fundraiser really focus on women. Here’s what Anka Martin, Juliana-SRAM Pro Team Rider and WBR Ambassador, has to say:
“The best thing about bikes is that they keep on giving. For most of us, bicycles are fun tools, but in many parts of the world, bikes truly have the ability to change peoples lives and I feel really proud to be a part of a company who supports that and charities like World Bicycle Relief: Women empowering women.”
Heck yeah. This sounds like something you ought to be a part of, doesn’t it?
Let’s Recap Here, and Drop a Few Hints
We’re approximately halfway through the month of July, and approximately halfway through announcing what all the prizes are in the Grand Slam for Kenya. Here’s what we’ve got so far:
- Juliana Nevis
- 12-Day Cycling Trip to Italy with InGamba
- Trek Project One Bike of Your Choice
- Yet Another Trek Project One Bike of Your Choice
- A dream bike — Road or Mountain, your choice — from an extremely well-known bike company
- A dream Mountain bike — your choice from two extremely hard-to-get models — from a high-end bike company with an obsessive cult following
- A dream road bike that looks a lot like something you’ve likely very recently seen on television
- An incredible, money-can’t-buy trip to meet a cycling icon, get an amazing behind-the-scenes tour with him, and go on a ride with him. We’re talking Willy Wonka-level prize here, folks.
Also, I will be there too, because I simply refuse to miss this.
Yes, that’s right. Four dream prizes announced, four yet to be announced. And every time you donate, your money is matched, dollar-for-dollar. And your money changes a life, hugely and permanently.
In closing, I can’t oversell this fundraiser. It’s the hugest I’ve ever done, and is likely the hugest I will ever do. As far as I know, no other person or company has ever done a fundraiser with this level or quantity of grand prizes.
Click here to donate. And good luck; I hope you win one of these.
Comment by Josh in Ohio | 07.17.2015 | 7:21 am
Alright, I’m going to revise my guess on the “Willy Wonka-level” prize. First, I thought it might be a Cinghiale tour in Italy with Andy Hampsten (definitely a cycling icon I’d love to meet). But Fatty’s already giving away one trip to Italy with InGamba. So, I’m going to slightly revise my earlier guess – still a ride with Jensie, but instead of the Jensie Gran Fondo, I’m going to guess it’s a trip to the 2016 version of the Trek Travel Tour de France Alps ride with Jensie (next year’s version since the 2015 version happens next week).
I know there’s no prize for guessing correctly, but I’m still motivated to try.
After the last thrilling, multi-part race recap, I couldn’t wait and looked at the Crusher results. Won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t; definitely interested in seeing the full race report.
Comment by Cheryl | 07.17.2015 | 7:25 am
That’s one sweet bike!
Comment by BostonCarlos (formerly NYC) | 07.17.2015 | 8:01 am
Fatty, if you pull my name, Can I pick the Juliana for my wife?
Comment by Corrine | 07.17.2015 | 9:15 am
WOW!! I think even I might get faster with this bike! Did you mean starting from 21 lb weight, not 2.1 lbs?
Comment by AKChick | 07.17.2015 | 10:39 am
What a beautiful bike!!! @Corinne it’s a carbon frame so I do believe 2.1lbs is the right weight. Wonder if the bike in my size would be under 20lb?
Fatty, you and your sponsors have completely outdone yourselves this year! Please thank them for us!
Comment by AKChick | 07.17.2015 | 10:40 am
Thanks under 20lbs built up with all the components. :)
Comment by Katie Bolling | 07.17.2015 | 12:29 pm
I proudly ride a Juliana Joplin! Great brand and great bikes! Ladies, I wish we could have one for each of you:) This will be one lucky winner!
Comment by PNP | 07.17.2015 | 12:35 pm
Okay, now I want a mountain bike and some sweet potato fries. At my house, that’s a problem because if I eat the fries, I can’t ride the bike.
Comment by GenghisKhan | 07.17.2015 | 12:47 pm
Sweet ride. I like that the glamour shot in the forest doesn’t use a kick stand – it uses a stick stand! Ha!
Comment by Ann | 07.17.2015 | 1:14 pm
It’s a good day to be a girl!!!!! Does an order sweet potatoes fries come with the bike?
Comment by StaCee | 07.17.2015 | 2:21 pm
The race results make it look like you beat Kelli by ten minutes. Are you sure it was her who dropped you?
Comment by AKChick | 07.17.2015 | 3:46 pm
Okay. I’m in for one bike by my own donation and another bike thanks to @Wife#1!!! Super excited to see who wins this bike! And get a report!
Can we get reports from the winners, if they agree and are okay with it? I love reading about them and reading about their bikes!
Comment by Kate | 07.17.2015 | 4:48 pm
you do know that this is just a santa cruz highball marketed as a “women’s specific” bike, right? I mean, it’s not even small enough for someone of my short stature (5′2″) to ride comfortably.
Comment by foldable helmet | 07.18.2015 | 2:25 am
Love this blog!
Comment by AKChick | 07.18.2015 | 8:20 pm
@Kate checking the stats on the Nevis, the bike should fit riders 5′ and up. I don’t know about it being the same bike as another, I just know that it’s really nice of a company to donate such a nice bike.
Comment by john | 07.19.2015 | 1:15 pm
eager to see the next race report and one on the Cedar City gravel event as well
Comment by Kukui | 07.20.2015 | 12:19 pm
WHOA! Trek Project One or Juliana Nevis??? That would be a tough decision!