Congratulations, Frank!
The most recent FatCyclist.com fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation exceeded my expectations in a huge way. When we started the contest for this beautiful bike — an Orbea Orca with the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group and PRO components — I assumed we’d raise at least triple the amount the bike would retail for, but hoped we’d actually raise $50,000.
Instead, we raised more than $136,922. This is just phenomenal.
And then came my favorite part: giving the bike away. Out of nearly 30,000 chances, random.org selected #10,639 — which belonged to Team Fatty Philly Member Frank W, of New Jersey.
Frank will be riding in the Philadelphia LiveStrong Challenge this weekend. In fact, he was at the Team Fatty Philly training ride when my email notification arrived.
So, for the first time ever, I’ll get to meet one of the big contest winners! (I doubt the bike will have been shipped and built by then, so Frank will still be riding his old bike.)
Here’s what Frank had to say when he won the bike:
I almost fell off my chair when I read your email this morning. I must have read it 10 times and still can’t believe it! Thanks so much.
What can I say; I love cycling! From my childhood rides in Germany, to my frequent trips around the Jersey shore, I couldn’t imagine being without my ride. Being a graphics designer, I’m basically chained to a desk all day long and cycling is a great way to relieve some stress afterwards.
As most of you can relate, cancer has affected me in several ways. The disease claimed the life of my aunt and tried the same with my dad; but he kicked its butt!
I discovered Fatty’s blog about two years ago and he inspired me to get involved and to fight back. I look forward to the 100 mile ride in Philly next weekend.
And I will keep on fighting to beat cancer.
I love that someone who’s engaged in the fight against cancer and loves cycling won this bike, and I’m excited to hear about how much Frank loves his new dream bike.
Congratulations, Frank!
Comment by Marla | 08.17.2009 | 8:05 am
Congrats!!
Comment by MOCougFan | 08.17.2009 | 8:21 am
Can I borrow your bike Frank?
Comment by SaraSpin | 08.17.2009 | 8:22 am
So excited for Frank! He ain’t no German imitation! Met him this weekend at our Philly training ride – such a great guy and REALLY LONG LEGS!
Looking forward to seeing all my new buddies: Philly Jen, Chris (I’m gonna prank you at 2AM!), Frank, Dave (who’d I miss! there were 7 of us!).
And especially Fatty!
Comment by brian chasm | 08.17.2009 | 8:22 am
what an ass. what a totally-deserving-of-a-killer-bike ass.
of course i speak 100% out of jealousy. way to go frank!
Comment by Lana | 08.17.2009 | 8:25 am
Way to go Frank! I am SOOO looking forward to meeting all the Team Fatty people in Philly, even if I don’t get to do the ride (bike plane fare > 2x(my plane fare))… but I’ll be out there cheering (after my 5k)
Lana
Comment by Powerful Pete | 08.17.2009 | 8:26 am
Obviously a cheater. I should have won that bike. ;-)
Congratulations Frank!
Ride like the wind!
Comment by Jenni Laurita | 08.17.2009 | 8:31 am
Congratulations Frank!
Looking forward to Philly!!
Comment by Philly Jen | 08.17.2009 | 8:32 am
WOOOOHOOOOOO!
On Sunday, just after the 70-mile pre-ride, Frank was referring to his current bike as a “Frankenbike.” His (soon-to-be) old bike is already a gorgeous baby (black Storck carbon frame, acquired secondhand from a Velonews editor) with brand new wheels.
Congrats to the highest-Qualität German-engineered rider on Team Fatty Philly.
Comment by asmathews | 08.17.2009 | 8:39 am
Congrats Frank!!! Hopefully I’ll get to meet you at the Philly Livestrong Challenge. I’ll be one of the many Team Fatty Philly members doing the century.
Comment by BikecopVT | 08.17.2009 | 8:42 am
Way to go Frank! See you in Philly. You will be the envy of many (even if you don’t have the bike yet).
Fight Like Susan!
LiveStrong!!
PS. Fatty you are killing us here what happened to the Singlefly?!
PPS. Hope you’re feeling better today.
Comment by Linda | 08.17.2009 | 8:47 am
Yay for New Jersey! Way to go, Frank! Great job!
Comment by Jamieson | 08.17.2009 | 8:57 am
Congratulations to you Frank!
Congrats to you Elden for getting that kind of money raised in this give-away.
Really counting down to the ride on Sunday. The weather forecast looks promising at this point for the ride.
Comment by KP | 08.17.2009 | 9:02 am
Surely there was some mistake! What Frank didn’t say is that he’s a graphic designer for random.org…
Congrats – enjoy the Orca!
Comment by GenghisKhan | 08.17.2009 | 9:04 am
Congrats to Frank. I’m always amazed that all the FC prize winners seem to be 100% deserving!
P.S. Love the name–Fraaank!
Comment by Julie | 08.17.2009 | 9:04 am
Congrats Frank!!
Comment by Born 4 Lycra | 08.17.2009 | 9:05 am
onya Frank.
Comment by Heather @ runfastermommy.com | 08.17.2009 | 9:09 am
not gonna lie, I’m incredibly jealous it wasn’t me, haha! congrats Frank, I’m sure the bike will get lots of good love and use!! LIVESTRONG! :)
Comment by Philly Jen | 08.17.2009 | 9:15 am
@SaraSpin — Don’t forget Jason and Ray! (And who is this “Dave,” BTW? My bike’s name is “Bud,” not “Dave”…)
Comment by Cyclin' Missy | 08.17.2009 | 9:19 am
Awesome fund raising total! Woo hoo! Keep it up! Thanks for running the contest, Elden, and congrats, Frank!
Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 08.17.2009 | 9:52 am
Way to go Frank! I’m with MoCougFan can I borrow your bike?
Comment by buckythedonkey | 08.17.2009 | 9:54 am
Huzzah! Well done Frank!
Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 08.17.2009 | 10:10 am
Congrats Frank!
This is karma telling the world to get onto the LiveStrong cancer-fighting bandwagon and good things will happen.
Go Team Philly!!
Comment by ChefJT | 08.17.2009 | 10:15 am
As a PhillyTeam member, the only way I could be happier would be if I’d won the bike.
Way to go, Frank!!
….and, Fatty, how’s the SingleFly??
Comment by sandy | 08.17.2009 | 10:27 am
Geez Louise! I guess if it couldn’t be me I’m glad its a guy like Frank. Happy ridin Frank! Glad you raised a ton of dough Fatty.
Comment by bikemike | 08.17.2009 | 10:35 am
Yay, Frank!
Comment by Mark Kynaston | 08.17.2009 | 10:47 am
I demand a re-draw! It must have been fixed becuase I did n’t win it! I was supposed to win the bike, it’s not fair. I am going to scream and scream until I am sick unless you give me the bike.
Seriously though – well done to Frank and to you Fatty for raising such a wonderous sum. Your anonymous donor must be more than chuffed by the result
Comment by Auggie61 | 08.17.2009 | 10:49 am
Couldn’t have been a better winner! Fatty, hope you are recovering well from your crash.
Comment by Flying Ute | 08.17.2009 | 10:50 am
Can you please auction two bikes next time? Killing me.
Comment by Clydesteve | 08.17.2009 | 11:21 am
What a great fund-raiser! And Frank – Way to play the odds! Congrats.
Comment by TigerMouth61 | 08.17.2009 | 11:24 am
Wonder if the guy in pink was wearing a FatCyclist jersey?
from VelowNews.com:
Rebecca Rusch (Redbull-Specialized) won the women’s race in about 8:15.
She was not getting time splits on her position relative to the other women.
“I was pretending the guys were women and I got a scare near the end when I came up on a guy wearing pink,” she said.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 08.17.2009 | 11:49 am
Darn it to heck,,,,,,with my bent frame I needed a new dream bike!!!!
Comment by Mike Roadie | 08.17.2009 | 11:49 am
Congratulations, Frank…..
FLS
Comment by chad | 08.17.2009 | 12:24 pm
sonofa@#$%&*&$%^#$!!!
congrats on your ride Frank.
Guess I’ll keep entering (and donating to the best cause) till I win something!
enjoy it.
Comment by Gene | 08.17.2009 | 12:43 pm
WOW! Outstanding donation amount for this contest. JEALOUS!
Comment by Haven (used to be Kt) | 08.17.2009 | 12:58 pm
I’m jealous of ya, Frank, but I gotta be honest: I knew the odds were stacked against me from the start. But who cares, look how much we all raised for this one contest? I’m feeling pretty good about being a part of that!
Congrats, Frank! Enjoy that bike!
FLS!!!
Comment by Haven (used to be Kt) | 08.17.2009 | 1:02 pm
Hm… I think your totals are off in your Livestrong tallies up to the right. I get only 587,458, not 613,858. Where’d the other 26,127 come from, or go to?
Team dues. – FC
Comment by Kerstin | 08.17.2009 | 2:14 pm
Congrats to Frank from a fellow Graphic Designer/Illustrator whose bike frees her from her desk and worries! Sounds like it was a well deserved win!
Comment by MattC | 08.17.2009 | 2:25 pm
I think there must have been some mistake…I am SURE that I sent that ’special envelope’ to the people at random.org WEEKS ago…crap…thats 2$ I probably won’t ever see again!
Anyway…way to go Frank…everybody is jealous I can assure you. And so I continue looking for a new bike frame…that I will actually have to BUY! ACK!!! That stinks. Such is life…you should go ahead and sign up for Austin and come over…hopefully you will have the bike by then so we can all oogle and drool over it. Lucky dude…that is SO cool..and WAY TO GO FATTY to come UP with this…it was the most amazing raffle/giveaway I’ve ever seen! And did it ever KICK BUTT for the LAF!!! You are THE MAN (as always)!
Comment by SaraSpin | 08.17.2009 | 2:38 pm
@PhillyJen – RAY AND JASON! Who is Dave? Must have been one of the two who left without us!
So can’t wait to meet everyone on Sunday at the Doubletree! I’m still working on getting John to join us and switch out that yellow jersey for Black and Pink!
Comment by Onan the Barbarian | 08.17.2009 | 2:53 pm
Hmmm… This Frank guy sounds like a foreigner. i thought this was only open to natural born citizens of the US. I’m afraid until we see actual proof of his citizenship via an actual birth certificate (and not one of those fake ones that our current President has shown), the bike will have to remain in a true American citizens garage (namely mine).
Please let me know where I can pick up this bike for safe storage until Frank can come up with the correct paperwork.
Wish I could join my Philly teammates for the ride, but alas, I am stuck in the middle of the continent.
/Congrats Frank!
Comment by Jouni | 08.17.2009 | 3:40 pm
Reading this made me really happy.
Way to go Team Fatty, and congrats Frank!
FLS!!!
Comment by Tim K | 08.17.2009 | 3:52 pm
Just because of all that stuff in the news recently, and just because the guy who won the Gary Fisher Single Fly a while back, and the guy who won the Orbea are from New Jersey – don’t go thinking something fishy is going on ;P
Congrats on the win, Frank. Ride it like you stole it!
Comment by aussie kev | 08.17.2009 | 4:15 pm
allez frank !!!
Comment by Gibbles T. Chimp | 08.17.2009 | 4:41 pm
Congratulations on the new bike Frank!
And woweewow, that is a lot of cash raised in a short time. Pat on the back to everyone who donated.
Hope you’re healing well from your crash Fatty.
Comment by Claire | 08.17.2009 | 6:22 pm
Congratulations Frank!! do you think you could take some Kellene style posed photos (see FC favourite post “difference between boys and girls” http://www.fatcyclist.com/2007/06/07/the-difference-between-boys-and-girls/) with your new bike when you get it?
I think we would like to see them?
Comment by Frank | 08.17.2009 | 7:15 pm
Thank you everybody! Claire, I certainly will send Elden some images when the bike arrives.
Comment by MiSzA | 08.18.2009 | 3:40 am
Congrats Frank! We now await some nice Fatty / Frank report form the first ride :)
Comment by Susan Tomlinson | 08.18.2009 | 5:03 am
Cool.
Comment by Mike | 08.18.2009 | 9:52 am
Awesome! Rock on Frank!!! I’m a little jealous!
Comment by Jay | 08.18.2009 | 6:17 pm
#10,639? *I* HAD #10,639!!!!
Wait, wait, just a sec….hmmmm….okay, it was #4,277, I just got confused…dirty dog Frank…fighting cancer and all, like THAT’s random?
Seriously, congratulations Frank on an incredibly sweet ride, and Go Frank and Go Fatty at Philly!
Comment by Jay | 08.18.2009 | 6:20 pm
Good point Onan, not ONE of President Obama’s so-called ‘birth certificates’ convinces me that Frank is eligible to win the bike. But, because I’m highly gracious, I decline to demand a recount of the random numbers.