Favor for a Friend of a Friend of a Friend
Chucky’s my friend. We don’t ride together much, because he’s right on the cusp of being a pro. I have enough trouble keeping Kenny in sight, thanks.
But still, a friend.
And Chucky’s got a friend: Shannon. Shannon (a dude) is an actual pro, so I’m sure we’d have a lot of fun riding together.
But still, a friend of a friend.
And of course, you’re my friend, which is why you’re reading this blog.
And so today, I’m asking you to do a favor for a friend (Shannon) of a friend (Chucky) of a friend (me).
Yes, I agree: it’s all very confusing. Still.
Team Shannifer
Shannon and his wife Jennifer want Race Face to sponsor them as they do the Trans Alp this year. To do this, they need our help. I.e., you’ve got to vote for them, based on their videos.
Basically, you’ve got to watch their video and the other Race Face sponsorship hopefuls’ videos, and then vote for the team you like the best.
This will not be easy, I’m afraid.
I can verify that I have, in fact, watched all the teams’ videos, and each and every one of them was embarassingly goofy, to the point where if I had a gong, I would have used it. A lot.
Maybe that was one of the stipulations Race Face made: “If you want to be a finalist, your video is going to have to be off-the-charts cornball. Don’t fight us on this; we’ve made up our minds.”
Is Team Shannifer’s video any goofier or any less goofy than the other videos? No, I don’t think so. But I’m not asking you to vote for them based on the merits of their video, I’m asking you to vote for them based on the following:
- They’re an actual married couple who could do a good job on this race. I find that cool.
- Their video — goofy as it is — was filmed on a trail I immediately recognized as one I ride. I do not recall, however, anyone throwing red balls at me when I rode it.
- That whole friend of a friend of a friend thing. That’s the compelling part.
What to Do
Here are the simple (ha) steps for placing your vote:
- Go to the Race Face site and enter your email address and a password. You’ll get an email in a moment with a link. Click on the link, and then watch the videos.
- Yes, I agree: this is beginning to feel needlessly complex. Hey, don’t blame me.
- Once you’ve paid the ultimate price — i.e., watched the videos – go vote for Team Shannifer, which is what you would have done even if you hadn’t been subjected to all this nonsense.
- Celebrate. You have now done a favor for a friend of a friend of a friend, and can claim that you are in fact a ridiculously good person.
- Return to this site and give an honest assessment of the videos you have just been subjected to.
And of course, when Team Shannifer actually gets the sponsorship and wins the race, you can claim full credit and demand they repay the favor. I know I intend to.
When to Do It
You’ve got to do it today. Now, in fact. This is the last day you have to vote. And you wouldn’t want to disappoint your friend of a friend of a friend, would you?
PS: Today’s weight: 154.2.
PPS: B7 challengers, remember: weigh-in and TT this weekend!
Comment by turnonthejets | 05.31.2007 | 7:08 am
Done!
Comment by Noshki | 05.31.2007 | 7:21 am
Hmmmn only because they’re your friends, found the Bavarian Betty’s rather tempting.
Comment by Amy | 05.31.2007 | 7:32 am
The Bettys were pretty funny, but I voted for your friends of a friend’s cousin’s former mother-in-law who was almost a professional cyclist. Or something like that.
Comment by Brewinman | 05.31.2007 | 7:44 am
That was painful to watch. It’s a good thing they are friends of a friend of a, oh never mind!
Comment by dug | 05.31.2007 | 7:49 am
i have just gone out and purchased a gong. they’re harder to get home than you’d think.
Comment by The Neil | 05.31.2007 | 7:54 am
Uh, that’s weird these are friends of my friends (and sister) too!
I gave Shannon and Jen my vote, make us proud.
Note to team Shanifer: If you see the Bavarian Betty’s on the trail, please give them my number.
Comment by linn34 | 05.31.2007 | 7:57 am
Will they be wearing Fat Cyclist jerseys if they win?…then again if they’re that cornball,maybe they shouldn’t.
Comment by Pista Largo | 05.31.2007 | 8:02 am
watched vids and voted! The “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge” thing was hilarious.
…
and
…
154.2 ???
Good Grief! !!!
Comment by Wayner61 | 05.31.2007 | 8:07 am
Done. I already had a gong handy though….
Comment by bikemike | 05.31.2007 | 8:18 am
what the heck did i just watch. this was HARD to do at work with no pause button, but i voted. still, what the heck. chuck barris would be proud, or not.
Comment by LanterneRouge | 05.31.2007 | 8:20 am
I have voted as instructed but only because Gene Gene The Dancing Machine was not an option. And also I too have a pet turtle.
Comment by JEB | 05.31.2007 | 8:25 am
I thought it sounded really good to do something for a freind of a friend of a friend of a friend (whatever), something really easy that I could feel really good about, so I followed the instructions. Only, it turns out that the voting is closed! And my friends of friends (whatever) didn’t even win!
Now I feel really bad about myself. What if I checked in on this blog earlier? What if they only needed my vote to win? How can I face the rest of today with all of this guilt and sorrow?
Thanks Fatty.
Comment by Jynical | 05.31.2007 | 8:37 am
Consider it done. :)
Comment by mocougfan | 05.31.2007 | 8:44 am
That was painful to watch.
Comment by TidusBlue | 05.31.2007 | 8:48 am
I was just able to vote… and I don’t see anywhere that it shows who won, hmm…
Comment by chtrich | 05.31.2007 | 8:53 am
The things we do for friends………
Comment by eclecticdeb | 05.31.2007 | 8:54 am
Another vote for Team Shannifer. However, the Betty’s were hysterical. I like their kind of training.
Comment by JEB | 05.31.2007 | 9:04 am
I get two different results when I use the two methods of getting to the site contained in the confirming email.
When I use the “Please click here to activate your account.” link, I’m brought to a page that says the voting is closed. And the “Teams” page shows the three winning teams.
When I use the URL, I get the page that has the videos. And the “Teams” page shows all the teams. No mention of voting closed or winners.
Ummm… Is it just me?
Comment by JEB | 05.31.2007 | 9:11 am
Yup, it appears that it’s just me. Looks like my first method brings up pages from last year or something. A cross-check of the team names proves that the “winners” I see aren’t the teams in the videos.
What a relief! I still have a chance to have a good day! I’m sure my vote will make all the difference.
My faith in you is restored, not-so-Fatty.
Comment by Jose | 05.31.2007 | 9:42 am
Website: “Thanks for voting. If you’d like to watch the videos again, please click on the link below.”
Jose: “No way! I did it, I admit it”
I think they should play those videos as a psicological torture in Guantanamo, I am sure anybody would talk after watching them several times.
Comment by Clydesteve | 05.31.2007 | 10:03 am
Voting is still open. One more for Team Shannifer. But the Bavarian Bettys really had the best vid, graded on over-the-top silly content. I especially liked the scenes dancing with beer steins.
Comment by Mehera | 05.31.2007 | 10:10 am
I actually liked the Shannifer video the best! But that’s not saying much….
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 05.31.2007 | 10:21 am
Your weight loss has been steady. It has been reasonable. It has been long-lasting. It has been so unlike you.
It was way more entertaining when you were on The Stunt Diet ™ and the Raisin Juice Diet ™.
Comment by mark | 05.31.2007 | 10:31 am
I voted for Shanifer too. I don’t think videos are the right medium for choosing a winner. Works for the Ultimate Freeride Challenge. Not so good for the XC challenge. BTW, I’m pretty sure that was Wade Simmons that the Bettys ran off the trail.
Fatty, what is your secret? This weight loss is unbelievable. Please post in detail what you have been doing to drop so steadily. I’m jealous!
Comment by Novafrk | 05.31.2007 | 10:34 am
Happily done! Anyone that obviously watches and enjoys MXC is alright in my book. I have to agree with the other Bavarian Betty fans… mee ow baby!
Comment by DOM | 05.31.2007 | 10:51 am
I feel like a senator. Now in exchange for my vote…
Comment by DeitySteve | 05.31.2007 | 11:25 am
Voted for Team Shannifer.
I must admit that voting beer-swilling Bettys in short skirts and thigh-highs was very tempting, though.
Comment by Seph | 05.31.2007 | 11:27 am
I’m afraid that my patience ran out before I even finished reading the instructions.
Comment on weight, however. My weight today is 144 lbs. 6 weeks ago it was 156. My secret? Try crashing at 20+ mph on a SC road. At least that’s what I am told happened.
After no eating for two weeks, I had achieved remarkable weight loss. I think the subdural hematoma I have may have influenced my loss of appetite. My biking career (I’m 65) is likely over.
On a positive note, I received my Fatcyclist jersey today and it is only marginally too large. The jersey is superb, the bag is just right and I look forward to the energy bars. I was also discharged from PT today.
About the only thing I can say in favor of a major closed head injury is that I am now encouraged to eat as much as I want.
Which brings me to a serious comment. Bicycle helmets (although rated effectve by the ASTM/ANSI) are far from what we need. They protect well against catastrophic injury (skull fracture etc.) but do no protect against concussion and other closed head injury. There is limited discussion about this in the literature and the NFL is studying ways to prevent concussion in football. We need bicycle helmets that reduce the G forces a head experiences when it is bounced off the asphalt.
Comment by LanterneRouge | 05.31.2007 | 11:37 am
Since I’m too lazy to google; what is a ‘closed head injury’?
Comment by MTB W | 05.31.2007 | 11:40 am
Voting is done but had to resist voting for the babe-a-liscious bettys.
Comment by Den | 05.31.2007 | 11:41 am
154.2?! Dude, you’re really doing great on the B7 challenge! You’ll have to change from the Fat cyclist to Phat cyclist.
Umm, that is said in an non-alternative lifestyle sort of way. Not that I have anything against said lifestyle… you get the idea…lol.
Anyway, what Botched said!!!!!
Comment by Seph | 05.31.2007 | 12:21 pm
For LanterneRouge:
Closed head injury occurs when the there is no outward sign of damage after trauma to the head. The brain is banged against the skull causing concussion injury to the brain. Blood vessels within the head can be broken during the ttrauma resulting in bleeding which frequently requires surgery to drain the accumulated blood. Riddell has a football helmet that is marketed to help prevent concussion. Helmets may prevent skull fracture but do no reduce the blow that one’s head takes in a crash. Saul Raisin, I believe, had a major closed head injury that required several trips to the operating room.
Comment by LanterneRouge | 05.31.2007 | 12:22 pm
Fatty, my FC jerseys arrived today. The pictures you took, even of Tasha, don’t do the real thing justice. Perhaps you could arrange a modeling session with the Bettys, you know, just for comparison purposes.
Comment by Al Maviva | 05.31.2007 | 12:27 pm
Watched the videos.
I’m speechless.
Record the date please, friends. It’s a first.
Comment by Lowrydr | 05.31.2007 | 12:32 pm
Score another vote for Shannifer, may the Force be with them. (insert diabolical music)
Comment by Tim D | 05.31.2007 | 12:33 pm
Voted Shannifer, really wanted to vote Bettys
Comment by Boz | 05.31.2007 | 12:49 pm
I voted. Now, where’s my damn money?
Comment by BIKEMIKE | 05.31.2007 | 1:12 pm
girls in skirts on bikes, priceless.
Comment by Big Boned | 05.31.2007 | 1:46 pm
Fatty,
Someone owes me big for not voting for Betty’s! Also received my FC Jersey in the mail today! I’m still not back on my bike from the accident with the truck that tried to finish off what the bus had started. Doc said that I’ve got to give it another week or two. Does not bode well for me and the B7 challenge, though before all this happened, I plugged in my April numbers and was at something over 105.
I guess I’ll just have to wear the Jersey to church or something on Sunday…
BB
Comment by Born4Lycra | 05.31.2007 | 4:16 pm
Well that was an experience. Due to the fact that we in Oz are way ahead of you lot over there time wise I was not sure just when fatty’s today finished. So accessed the site from work. No video broken up soundtrack got half way through the first video less video voted Team Shannifer and it was all done – vote was accepted. Any friend of a friend of somebody that Fc’s got something to do with is a good chance of being quite possibly reasonably okay in my book so I have no problem voting.
Having read the messages I see I might have missed out on the Betty’s experience big time.
Good Luck Team Shannifer
Comment by KeepYerBag | 05.31.2007 | 4:18 pm
The fix is in.
I was into gongs in the late ’70s but kinda grew out of ‘em. There’s probably a few of them boxed up here somewhere.
Wait. GONGS. Never mind.
Comment by Accident Prone | 05.31.2007 | 4:45 pm
And I just thought the Bettys were funny. Apparently I sorely underestimated the combo of knee high socks, fluffy skirts and bikes. Thanks for the tip. I’ll be breaking out the St. Pauli girl outfit and taking my beach cruiser to the boardwalk this weekend. I’m guessing I’ll get some attention…
Comment by Rokrider | 05.31.2007 | 5:05 pm
Boy! be thankful I’m such a good friend of a friend of a friend or the Bettys would have gotten my vote in a heartbeat. A very rapid heartbeat.
Comment by City of Angles | 05.31.2007 | 5:50 pm
I’m a lurker usually, but I voted. I did it for your better half, Fatty!
Comment by Mike | 05.31.2007 | 6:01 pm
Honestly, I wanted to vote for Shanifer, but the Bettys were impressive. But then I had to go back and register 2 more emailsto vote for Shanifer twice to overcome the Betty vote. Besides, the MXC reference was worth it.
Whew……….I’m tired………… http://austin07.livestrong.org/mlevin
Comment by walter | 05.31.2007 | 6:19 pm
Done. If they win, did you extract a commitment for them to wear the pink FC jerseys on the ride? Just got mine (the muted orange/brown version) in the mail tonight, and promptly debuted it on my evening ride. In a word: awesome!
Comment by Tim D | 06.1.2007 | 1:41 am
Keep yer bag, I’m partial to a bit of Gong as well. Radio Gnome, flying teapots, Zero the Hero
Comment by mrlee | 06.1.2007 | 1:47 am
I voted for Shannifer……..boy was that painful
Comment by SpikeBlue | 06.1.2007 | 6:05 am
I voted. A married couple surviving a long race together. Inspiring. Worth the pain of watching the video.
Fatty – you’re buffed! You are officially lighter than me. I think my scale is broken.
Comment by BorisTC | 06.1.2007 | 7:10 am
Long-time listener, first-time caller. Love your show *ahem* blog. I almost had to vote for Team Raven, as their subtle reference to Prince George’s other attribute as Canada’s leading glaucoma treatment center was quite humorous.
Voted for Shannifer.
Comment by Eic | 06.1.2007 | 9:19 am
I did it. I have been Shanniferized. Now come home with your shields or on them.
Oh yeah, and have fun.
Comment by R | 06.1.2007 | 10:19 am
the ‘ifer’ part of Shannifer is the daughter of a coworker…so I’d already voted for them. Still…short skirts, knee socks, bikes…lucky; the betty’s were tempting.
Comment by Shannifer | 06.1.2007 | 10:24 am
Thanks for the votes! Looks like voting is still open today (June 1st), so keep them coming. We will not disappoint!
Jen (the shorter of Team Shannifer)
Comment by Aaron | 06.1.2007 | 3:36 pm
Looks like the friend of a friend of a friend pulled it off:
From raceface: “OFFICIAL WINNERS Jennifer Hanks and her husband Shannon Boffeli [a dude] are both off to compete in the Trans Alp!”
Good luck team Shannifer!
Trackback by Dog love. | 07.27.2008 | 7:52 am
Dog love.
Dog love.
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Analdrilled video….
Analdrilled video….