Good Things of the Weekend
I have no arc, no unifying story for today. Just lots of good things. Like I’m Martha Stewart or something.
Good Thing #1: Congratulations to Team Fatty-San Jose: Team Champions!
Tomorrow is the LiveStrong Challenge event for San Jose, and with $61,801 earned, Team Fatty is — for the second event in a row — the top-earning team. Congratulations to everyone in Team Fatty who worked for this. I consider it — in addition to a tribute and honor to all those you individually know who are fighting cancer — a very meaningful tribute to Susan.
Good Thing #2: Your Birthday Present Bought Me the San Jose “Individual Messenger” Award
If you remember, back on June 18, I asked everyone to buy me a birthday present — a $5.00 donation on my LiveStrong Challenge page. And more than 400 of you did. This was enough to make me (by a huge margin, actually) the person in the San Jose LiveStrong Challenge who had received the greatest number of donations.
So your present turned out to be two presents. Thanks!
Good Thing #3: A Video of Susan
I won’t be able to go out to San Jose to collect either the Team Champion or the Individual Messenger award — Matt Chapek, Co-Captain of Team Fatty-San Jose will handle that — but the LAF folks said I could send a video over, like I did in Seattle.
This time, I made Susan scoot over, and we made the video together. Here it is:
Good Thing #4: Congratulations to Team Pedalout: Team Messenger Award
Earlier this week, my good friends at Twin Six did an incredibly awesome thing: They donated enough to make sure that every Team Fatty-San Jose member had at least $100.66 (I love the “66″ at the end of each of their donations). This, they thought, would guarantee that Team Fatty-San Jose won the “Team Messenger” award for the San Jose LiveStrong event.
But then, right at the last possible hour, Team Pedalout beat us at our own game, donating $100 to their dozens of formerly-zeroed team members.
An excellent surprise sprint, you’ve got to admit.
Kudos to Team Pedalout, especially when you consider that between our tactic and their countertactic, we raised a couple thousand dollars to fight cancer that otherwise may not have been raised.
Of course, I’d also like to point out that Team Fatty-San Jose — with our smaller team — raised $25,000 more than Team Pedalout.
Good Thing #5: Today’s Ride
It’s become a tradition for a group of us to ride to the summit of the Alpine Loop each Friday morning. In the group email that circulates, yesterday Mark and I announced that we’d be making an attempt on doing a sub-hour climb (starts at the toll booth ends at the summit parking lot turnoff).
And we did it.
The group acted as incredible domestiques, pacing Mark and me past the Tibble turnoff, which signals the beginning of the climb in earnest.
From there we shed everyone but Sam, who continued to pace us like we were paying him or something.
Then, shortly before the Pine Hollow hairpin, I felt a surprising thing: like I could go faster. I rode forward from the back, figuring I’d pull for a while.
But Mark and Sam didn’t grab on. So my ride became a solo breakaway.
My gap was never more than thirty seconds, but I held it the whole way to the top, finishing first and alone at 57:45. Mark was right there, ten seconds behind. And then Sam — even after doing the lion’s share of pulling at the beginning of the ride — just 15 seconds behind Mark.
Aaron’s story was one of heartbreak: 1:00:09.
It felt good to be the fast guy today.
Good Thing #6: Susan’s Out of Bed Again
Susan continues to amaze me with her resilience. Wednesday afternoon she said she wanted to get out of bed, so we worked it out. I could tell it hurt, but she did it.
And everyone in the family was so happy to have her back in the family room, in the mix with all of us.
Susan and I watched stages 2-5 of the TdF together. Wow. I’ve been intentionally not following what’s been going on, so seeing a big chunk of it all at once has been astounding. Very exciting year.
Tonight, we’ll watch yesterday’s and today’s stage. Don’t anyone dare even mention today’s stage in the comments today. Not as a joke, not as false information.
Good Thing #7: We Have a Sidis Winner
Bert J of San Francisco is the very lucky winner of any pair of Sidis he wants. But there’s someone even luckier than Bert, it turns out: his wife (and fellow Team Fatty-San Jose member), Kathleen.
He’s going to get the shoes for her, as an early birthday present, thereby earning him Awesome Husband of the Month award. And no small number of brownie points, I’ll bet.
Congratulations, Bert and Kathleen!
Good Thing #8: We Have a Trip-to-Italy Winner
A huge congratulations to Ken H of Ohio, who will be taking a dream cycling trip to Italy.
And I have to say, I’m especially excited for Ken to go since I got his email detailing his plans:
“For the past two years my daughter and I have done the week-long Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, apparently it was training for this trip.”
“The Italian hotels look much nicer than tents in the middle of county fairgrounds.”
“This 2009 picture is right after we did 50 miles on a 90+ degree day. I’m beat, but my 11-year-old stoker is ready for another 50. She is the happiest girl in the world when we bike together.”
I seriously cannot think of a better team to go tour Italy together. Congratulations, Ken!
PS: [Late Friday Night Update] Good Thing #9: The combined total for Team Fatty just crossed $400,000. Yeah, I’d say that qualifies as a good thing!
Comment by bikemike | 07.10.2009 | 1:01 pm
quit makin’ me cry, man, dang it.
WIN SUSAN, ELDEN and KIDS.
Comment by BikecopVT | 07.10.2009 | 1:11 pm
Nice breakaway Elden.
WIN!
LiveStrong!!
P.S. Philly here we come, get ready for Team Fatty!
Comment by Angie G | 07.10.2009 | 1:15 pm
Yeah to Bert and Kathleen and Ken and his daughter. We are all green with envy which doesn’t really go very well with our Black and Pink Fatty attire. Kind of a creepy Dr Seuss thing.
A humongously big YEAH for Susan feeling better!!!!! She looks beautiful in the video and a little spunky too. Which just made my day to see.
I’m with Bikemike. My friends at the office are beginning to think I have a thing for Alice Cooper.
Best wishes from Cali and we’ll pedal are butts off on Sunday.
Comment by Linda | 07.10.2009 | 1:25 pm
Susan, if you can read this, you blow me away. Your strength and selflessness are amazing, as is your’s Elden.
Ya think I can read this blog just ONE day and not cry? Uh,…nope.
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Heidi | 07.10.2009 | 1:26 pm
There you go, making me all teary again. What a wonderful post filled with positive news and–best of all–the video with Susan!
Comment by Gillian | 07.10.2009 | 1:33 pm
Thank you for sharing Susan with us! I have to say, dear lady, that without that bed as background, I wouldn’t believe you were ill. You look like a million bucks – I would kill for your gorgeous skin.
Fighting with grace, the both of you – a beautiful pair. Go Team Fatty!
Comment by nosferaustin | 07.10.2009 | 1:36 pm
It’s official, I have to stop reading your blog at work. It’s one thing to get all teary eyed at home, it’s another to have to explain to my coworkers…
Congrats to San Jose!
Comment by MattC (Team SJ Co-Capt) | 07.10.2009 | 1:54 pm
Fatty, this is one of my favorite posts to date. Now I must go find out whats wrong with our ventilation system….pepper or dust or something coming out of it, making my eyes are water for some reason.
It’s been an HONOR and a PRIVILIGE to help you out with the team, and I hope we make you proud this weekend. RIDE ON TEAM SAN JOSE!
Comment by Mehera | 07.10.2009 | 1:56 pm
Gosh it’s nice to see you Susan! I’m so pleased you are able to get back into the family room.
Comment by Walt | 07.10.2009 | 2:13 pm
Always nice to see tandeming with kids, too. Congrats to all.
Comment by drKim | 07.10.2009 | 2:20 pm
Susan (and Fatty),
It was so great to see you on that video. Your eyes smile. WE will all keep fighting for you. And I’m sure I speak for many when I saw we will all strive to fight LIKE you, although at least in my case, I don’t even come close!
WIN SUSAN!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 07.10.2009 | 2:25 pm
Susan, you are beautiful.
What a treat to see and hear from the two of you together. Just made my day!
And yes, Bert gets bundles of brownie points for the gift of those fancy Sidi shoes…I’m going to have to become a more impressive cyclist to earn the right to wear them!
Can’t wait to meet my fellow San Jose team members this weekend!
WIN Susan!!
Comment by KanyonKris | 07.10.2009 | 2:34 pm
I liked the video. Good to see Susan, she looks great, despite the recent health issues.
Elden, congrats on the sub-hour Alpine Loop climb. Your training is paying off.
Comment by Pat in Oak Ridge | 07.10.2009 | 2:43 pm
Thanks, Fatty, for having a video of your wife. She is amazing and I am tearing up for you both. She looks great. thepioneerwoman.com is donating a camera for livestrong today, so go to her site and read the details, enter to win. Fatty will announce the winner on this site monday, which is my birthday, so I think I need to win!!!! Go Susan.
Comment by Just An Average Joe | 07.10.2009 | 2:48 pm
Wow, Stanley Tucci made a video with Susan!
Comment by Philly Jen | 07.10.2009 | 3:04 pm
Woo-hoo, Team Fatty San Jose! Go, Matt & Co.!
Ken H, your daughter reminds me so much of me what I was like at her age, right down to the glasses and the lovely summer tan — though I’m sure she’s a much stronger rider than I was. (And probably still am, especially on those hills.) While in Italy, please observe the following regimen for the sake of your health: eat gelato every day.
Kathleen is much too modest to mention this, so I will: She’s created terrific awareness for Team Fatty by sharing her century training experience online in a 3-part series the Athleta Chi website. There’s some wonderful training tips and helpful Q&A for newbie endurance riders there. Yay to her, and double-yay to Bert!
Susan — it’s so wonderful to see you. Kick Stanley Tucci out of there so we can all give you a big hug. WIN.
Comment by mark | 07.10.2009 | 3:13 pm
Elden, nice work today. Congratulations on sticking it to me. It was a fun time, like always.
Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 07.10.2009 | 3:19 pm
Philly Jen – aw shucks, you’re making me blush :-)
Ken, she’s totally right about the gelato. Every. Single. Day!
Pingback by OneCockerLady’s PackHouse | 07.10.2009 | 4:00 pm
[...] of all, today’s post by Fat Cyclist. I watched the video. I cried. You should watch it too and then get out and do something to fight [...]
Comment by LuckyLab | 07.10.2009 | 4:03 pm
Good on Team Pedalout. They defended their Team Messenger award admirably.
And good on Team Fatty San Jose! That’s 5 of 8 possible awards in the series so far. Let’s go, Philly! Go 4 for 4!
Nice ride, Fatty! It’s great to hear about a good day.
I can’t help but feel so privileged to be a part of Team Fatty. Thanks for letting us join in.
Comment by Janel | 07.10.2009 | 4:28 pm
It’s nice to see you Susan,,,keep going…..we love you and you and Elden are in our thoughts and prayers through out the days.
Comment by Wild Dingo | 07.10.2009 | 4:52 pm
i’m so touched to see your video and want to send my deepest admiration and respect to the both of you for your amazing, tireless fight balanced so gracefully with the ability to carry on with life as usual. You both set a wonderful standard and example for our country. Sending you my warmest wishes to your entire family for peace and wellness in mind, body and spirit.
Comment by Miles Archer | 07.10.2009 | 5:54 pm
Darn. I guess I have to buy my own shoes now. Looking forward to the ride on Sunday.
Comment by p.j. | 07.10.2009 | 6:08 pm
What a wonderful video. I got goose-bumps, and it wasn’t from the air conditioning. Thanks, Elden and Susan for talking with us in such a personal way.
So good to hear that Susan was able to get out of bed today. A big achievement, and a spirit raising one as well.
What Wild Dingo said. I’m not so eloquent, no way. But my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Take care, p.j.
Comment by Lisa B | 07.10.2009 | 6:23 pm
Yay Susan! Careful Fatty – she has a very mischievious smile there at the end!
P.S. Go for some flashy sheets on that there bed – Susan’s porcelain skin (how is that possible, in Utah?!) needs a livelier compliment than plain white hospital sheets!
Comment by Jodi | 07.10.2009 | 7:22 pm
Matt C – I have to say here in front of everyone that you have been an awesome team captain. THANK YOU for staying on it, motivating me, and putting so much time into this thing. Wish I could be there, seriously. So proud of team Fatty. We do rock.
Elden and Susan – great looking at you, hearing you and cannot wait to take your girls for a while. You guys look so much like you did when you met – you look at each other the same way. Lovely.
WIN!
Comment by bubbaseadog | 07.10.2009 | 7:27 pm
great to see susan…you are worth winning for….fatty have you lost weight…is that whats making you faster pretty soon you will have to rename the blog…skinny cyclist…..win susan ggo lance
Comment by Carl | 07.10.2009 | 7:27 pm
Thanks for letting us see and hear you guys… It makes this all even more real. One of the best posts ever. Thanks! Go Philly!!!
Comment by Amy Giampetroni | 07.10.2009 | 8:12 pm
WIN SUSAN!! <3
Congratulations on a GREAT day, and sending lots of continued well wishes for many more great days to come.
Comment by aadila | 07.10.2009 | 8:29 pm
Wow, Susan you are so beautiful! You and your family are always in my thoughts.
WIN!
Comment by NONA | 07.10.2009 | 8:49 pm
Susan and Fatty we are so proud of all the great things you have done and will continue to do! You look so good Susan, I agree with the new fun sheets!
Enjoy your weekend together!! Praying
Comment by Vyx | 07.10.2009 | 9:31 pm
I just found your site via PW, and I’ve just spent the last while crying over Susan.
But also laughing, Fatty. Laughter is the best medicine…
Thank you for a wonderfully written blog.
Love wins.
Comment by @PeckishCyclist | 07.10.2009 | 9:38 pm
Leaving for San Jose tomorrow–can’t wait to actually meet my thus-far “virtual” team members. Thanks, Fatty and Susan, for bringing us together. Bless you both.
WIN Susan!
(Hope everyone’s wearing Fatty jerseys to dinner…)
Comment by snapper | 07.10.2009 | 9:44 pm
Wonderful video and great to see Susan. And to see her smile. And to hear that she can be out of bed again.
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Tiger | 07.10.2009 | 9:50 pm
Susan, you’re simply beautiful. She oozes (in a good way) strength and courage. We’ll keep fighting. Glad you were able to get out into the house!
Thanks for the Video!
Comment by Hilslug | 07.10.2009 | 10:17 pm
Congratulations Team Fatty!
Susan, your goodness shines through in the video. I will be wearing the bracelet you made for me while I ride the esteemed Tour de Donut (which is a few miles from your home).
Fatty, great job on the Alpine Loop. I am too chicken to try it. Also, I agree with you, I can’t think of better winners of the Italy trip.
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by jenjen | 07.10.2009 | 11:28 pm
Great video Elden and Susan. Love you guys!!!
XOOX
Jen
Comment by Lissee (formerly known as Bitter) | 07.10.2009 | 11:31 pm
So happy to hear that Susan was able to get some family time out of her bed today! Happy day. :)
And congrats for crossing the $400k mark!
Comment by Susie | 07.10.2009 | 11:42 pm
I think you probably have no idea how much a part of your lives we all feel. You have become like family, and it was SO good to see and hear from Susan today. Thank you for inspiring us, amusing us, sharing with us!
WIN!
Susie
Comment by buckythedonkey | 07.11.2009 | 4:54 am
Susan, thanks for making the video. I think that is the first time we’ve heard your voice. Lots of love to you.
Well done Team San Jose – all those prizes and a total of > 400K. Amazing.
I lovve the way Fatty’s prizes find their way to the right winners. Happy Birthday Kathleen and, to Ken and his stoker, buon viaggio!
Enjoy the Tour action and…
…WIN SUSAN!!
Comment by Mike Roadie | 07.11.2009 | 5:13 am
Great to see you Susan!!!!
Remember all, we have the overall title to win at Austin!
WIN!!!!
Comment by the weak link | 07.11.2009 | 5:14 am
If that video doesn’t light your fire, then your wood’s wet. Very well done.
Comment by Mary | 07.11.2009 | 9:54 am
wow wow wow and yay yay yay!
I love you Susan!
Comment by Clydesteve | 07.11.2009 | 12:28 pm
Fatty & Susan – This post made my day! What an upper.
The vieo you sent to Seattle, Elden was a blockbuster – that just got topped, simply & beautifully. Well done.
Philly Jen – I actually wondered what your little sister was doing in the picture with Ken H.!
Comment by Nancy | 07.11.2009 | 1:15 pm
So nice to see you again, Susan. Your smile lit up my screen. Win every day, big and small wins. Getting out of bed seems like a nice big win. Keep it up!
Comment by Jonathan Smith | 07.11.2009 | 7:14 pm
Fatty,
Congratulations to you and your team. I didn’t know about your site until your team members started coming by the village today. You guys are the toughest of competitors and absolutely vicious fundraisers. I Hope I have the opportunity to shake your hand, and I am going to be wearing a Honor card for Susan myself.
We all raised a lot of money to help in the fight and that is what it is all about!
Congrats to you and your team, and only the best of wishes for your family!
Livestrong,
Jonathan Smith
Captain Team Pedalout
Comment by El Gato | 07.11.2009 | 8:36 pm
Tomorrow we shred Metcalf Hill in honor of SUSAN and all the other Fighters!
WIN Susan,
WIN Fatty!
Comment by Janneke | 07.12.2009 | 5:42 am
Sooo good to see you both talking to us out here! And even better to hear Susan was able to get up out of bed for a change. Agree with the fun sheets, helps cheer you up when youre down… Win Susan and Win San Jose Team!!
Janneke from the Netherlands.
Comment by Cyclin' Missy | 07.12.2009 | 4:25 pm
Awesomely good things! I can’t say enough.
I’ve been thinking lately about how touched I am by your story, what Team Fatty and the LAF have accomplished and how many people around the world are fighting this fight. I sometimes wonder why it means so much to me, since I haven’t lost anyone close to me to cancer. There have been other diseases that have affected the people in my life – lupus, muscular dystrophy, kidney disease – but fortunatly not yet cancer. I think fighting cancer touches me so deeply because it really can hit anyone. Healthy, weak, young, old. And it doesn’t just affect the person who gets it. The wave of effect spreads so far. But I also think the fight against cancer has become so meaningful to me because of you and your family. Your passion, your frustrations, your joys, your openness have made the fight mean so much more than just writing a check or doing a charity bike race.
And in that light, it was really beautiful to get to hear from Susan on the video today. Thank you!
WIN!
Comment by Wine Dog | 07.12.2009 | 6:45 pm
Good things indeed. I hadn’t seen the video until the dinner last night. I think I might have gone on one of your tickets. We rocked it for you. I think Matt may have some photojournalism and maybe even some video.
Win Susan.
Comment by aussie kev | 07.12.2009 | 10:51 pm
Aaron’s story was one of heartbreak: 1:00:09.
just call it a 59:69 , i did when i couldnt get under the hour for 40km !!!
allez cadel
Comment by midwestmom | 07.12.2009 | 11:00 pm
Love the video!
Win Susan!
Comment by Kirsten | 07.14.2009 | 11:38 am
I passed along your website to a friend of mine back when Susan was making her chain bracelets. He donated and has one, but it broke soon after. I sent him a link (he’s not a regular FC reader) to the video here of you and Susan and he just sent me a text message I wanted to share with you:
“btw I fixed Susan’s bracelet. I’m going to wear it for the rest of the tour in her honor.” — Brad in Spokane, WA
I did the Seattle To Portland ride this last weekend and kept my eye out for Fat Cyclist jerseys. There was one bike with a Win Susan! sign on the back. :) Going to keep my eye out for more at RAGBRAI in Iowa next week! WIN SUSAN & ELDEN!
Comment by Kt | 07.14.2009 | 12:12 pm
That is a GREAT video. I’m glad Stanley Tucci decided to drop everything and get in on it.
Susan, you’re beautiful, your strength shines through, and you are an inspiration. Keep fighting, we’re here with you.
WIN, Team Fat Cyclist! WIN, SUSAN!!!!
Comment by Greg | 07.15.2009 | 9:46 pm
Your team fatty passed me in the canyon Friday morning. You guys really were cruising. A few notes:
1- nobody in the fatty group is fat
2- I would guess that about $200,000 worth of equipment passed me…nice gear guys
3- I could not even hang on when drafting – does that make me the Fat Cyclist?
Nice job boys.