Big Day for Team Fatty
I just sent an email to the winner in the “Win An Ibis, Take It Anywhere You Want, and Ride it With Andy Hampsten, Chuck Ibis and Fatty” contest, and have heard back from the winner: Kyle, of Evergreen, CO. Here’s what he had to say:
I just got into to work through the muck and snow, opened up your blog and read your description of the winner and my heart started pounding.
Wow! I’ve never won anything. Thank You! I was sitting at dinner last night and telling my wife that I felt really confident. I said it was for a good cause and winning wasn’t important so that’s usually when good things happen.
I’m 39 years old and live in Evergreen CO, in the foothills west of Denver. I’m an operations manager for a small steel company in Wheat Ridge in the suburbs of Denver. I’m married and have a 6 year old girl and a new born baby girl (5 weeks tomorrow). My wife and I were born and raised in Pittsburgh and that’s where I started mountain biking in 1993. I bought a Paramount hardtail with my first real paycheck when I got my first real job out of college. So I’m a mountain biker through and through so it will definetly be one of the mountain bikes. (I’m scared of cars so I don’t ride on the road much.)
I’m thinking California for the trip since I’ve never really ridden there ( I rode the Kamakazi trail at Mammoth and then the Flume trail in Tahoe, but that was 15 years ago) and Colorado and Utah are so close that I can ride them anytime. Maybe we can hash out between your guys expertise the benefits of both So Cal and No Cal.
Anyway, I am stoked! I’m looking forward to meeting you.Thanks for letting us all be a part of your journey as it’s affected the way I approach my own life.
Kyle seems like a great guy; I’m excited to meet and ride with him.
So What Have We Accomplished?
With the final LiveStrong Challenge of the year happening this weekend and the last big Team Fatty fundraiser push behind us, now seems like a good moment to consider a few facts about what we’ve accomplished:
- There are nearly 600 of us. 596 people have joined up to be a part of Team Fat Cyclist: Fighting Like Susan. No LiveStrong Challenge Team has ever had that many team members.
- We have raised more than 3/4 million dollars. As of the check I just did — which does not count membership fees — we have raised $761,968. No LiveStrong Challenge Team has ever raised that much money. And when you consider the economy we did this in, I think this achievement is doubly huge.
- We have gotten thousands of people to donate to the fight against cancer. Just looking at the number of people — who aren’t even signed up as part of Team Fatty — who have donated to my LiveStrong Challenge pages is hard to comprehend. Close to 7,000, I believe (which may or may not be a new record; I don’t know). And while I have definitely dangled a lot of carrots as incentives, I don’t believe anyone was making the donation simply because they thought they were going to win something.
And as far as this weekend goes, we’ve done pretty well, award-wise:
- Austin LiveStrong Challenge Team Messenger Award
- Austin LiveStrong Challenge Individual Messenger Award
- Ride for the Roses Team Messenger Award
- Ride for the Roses Individual Messenger Award
- Ride for the Roses Team Champion Award
So, um, wow.
Apart from these numbers and awards, though, there’s something Team Fatty has done for me: It’s allowed me to convert something random and evil into something meaningful and good.
So, to everyone at the LAF, to everyone in Team Fatty, and to everyone who ever donated as part of my contests: Thank you.
Seriously, Thanks
I have asked, so many times this year, for people to donate money. And now it’s time, I believe for me to give something away without asking for anything. As a “Thanks for sticking with me through one helluva year” kind of thing.
I don’t know exactly what this is going to take the form of, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be giving away a bike.
And if you’re local (or willing to make the trip), I daresay bratwurst will be involved.
Comment by cece | 10.21.2009 | 7:32 am
I haven’t cried reading your blog for a while Fatty, but you got me crying this am….sitting right here at my computer. You are so right. You and many others have taken the dark thing called cancer and put a positive light and healing energy to it…by raising money to fight for the cure! AND you have done that big time…and I thank you. I so respect you and the way you are able to motivate people. YOU ROCK!
cece
Comment by BellaBike | 10.21.2009 | 7:33 am
You’re welcome! And thank you for providing the incentive I needed to get back on the bike, get back in shape and put part of my life back together – all for an honorable cause! Philly LiveStrong was a great experience. I simply never would have considered it had it not been for this blog, and Susan.
Comment by south | 10.21.2009 | 7:40 am
Congrats to the winner you lucky dog. And if you don’t hear back from them, I meet two of the three above if you’re looking for a runner up.
Comment by Scott Joy | 10.21.2009 | 7:55 am
You embody the meaning of LIVESTRONG!
Comment by Julie | 10.21.2009 | 7:59 am
Congrats to the lucky winner.
Check out the trailer for “Race Across the Sky”
http://www.raceacrossthesky.com/
In the first few minutes there’s a guy standing behind Lance and Dave Wiens (sp?) wearing a FC jersey.
Pretty cool!
Comment by Russell | 10.21.2009 | 8:00 am
Thank you Fatty! I was proud to be a member of the team this year. I look forward to being apart of next years effort, as well as many, many more.
Comment by MojoRider | 10.21.2009 | 8:00 am
Congratulations Fatty on a great contest. And congratulations on Living Strong this year. You are an inspiration. I daresay his Lanceness has a competitor on this front.
and by the way, please please please let the winner be a non-cyclist who wants to give the prize back…I’m in for 2nd chances!
Comment by buckythedonkey | 10.21.2009 | 8:05 am
Congratulations to you! Team Fatty, your team, has done something quite extraordinary in 2009.
Comment by sllym | 10.21.2009 | 8:06 am
Simply awesome.
Comment by Annie | 10.21.2009 | 8:14 am
Incredible. I know Susan’s proud.
Comment by Heather | 10.21.2009 | 8:16 am
That is so AWESOME!! Thank you for inspiring so many…none of this would have happened with you. Remember that… How Amazing!! GREAT WORK!!
Comment by Dan O | 10.21.2009 | 8:30 am
Oh well I didn’t win the bike, but, I will be riding an Ibis in Austin on Sunday
See you in Austin
I’ll be the one on the OLD Ibis
Life is good
Comment by Heidi | 10.21.2009 | 8:35 am
Elden, you seriously rock.
Hooray and congratulations to the winner! I don’t ride, so I figured if I won, I’d take the trip and wave merrily while you boys set off to ride, and then donate the bike back to you. This way, you’ll probably have someone a lot more entertaining than me along for the ride, so to speak.
Comment by Bill | 10.21.2009 | 8:38 am
Cancer Fears Fatty – You did an awesome thing with your battle! The battle continues but you took a big bite of it with the campaign you fronted this year.
Politics possibly in the future :)
Comment by OldManUtah | 10.21.2009 | 8:50 am
Fatty,
You have done an exceptional job, in a very tough year, keeping up the motivation for everyone. Just think if EVERYONE got behind this idea of fighting cancer what we could do. How do we as a group inspire the rest of the country and the world to fight this crappy disease? 596 people – $761,403 – Amazing!!! By the way I live in Utah and I love bratwurst.
FLS
Comment by Rob L | 10.21.2009 | 8:59 am
Thats sooooo awesome Elden! It’s pretty amazing what you’ve done with your blog!
Comment by Jazz000013 | 10.21.2009 | 9:01 am
Are you sure the winner wasnt in Brooklyn?
Congrats to the winner. And thanks for getting us all together to help support each other and people fighting cancer!!
Comment by Adam | 10.21.2009 | 9:14 am
Fatty,
I look forward to hopefully making it down to the greater Dripping Springs area on Sunday to cheer on Team Fatty. While I may have not been a team member, some moral support could be useful around mile 50 or 60 of those boring Texas Hill Country roads (complete with cattle guards!). Oh, and if I get lucky and run into you around town, the bratwurst is on me.
-a
Comment by Charisa | 10.21.2009 | 9:23 am
Bikes & Bratwurst? Sounds like an Oktoberfest ride might be in order too!
Comment by Seattlegirlz | 10.21.2009 | 9:26 am
Go Fatty!
Thank you for reminding us of why we do this. It’s not just about the bike. We love you in Seattle. You rock! See you in Austin.
Comment by Kathy McElhaney | 10.21.2009 | 9:27 am
I entered the contest, not because I’m a cyclist, but because it gave me a chance to donate to a great cause. My husband would have received the bike if I had won, and I’d win “Wife of the Year!”
Thank you for giving all of us the push we’ve needed to give to a cause that is bigger than us all.
Comment by NoTrail | 10.21.2009 | 9:41 am
Congrats to ALL of Team Fatty! Looking forward to meeting a bunch of you on Sunday.
Comment by Frank | 10.21.2009 | 10:10 am
Congratulations to the winner, Team Fatty and of course Elden for accomplishing something amazing. Y’all have a great time in Austin :) And for yummy Bratwürste I might even make the trip from NJ to UT.
Comment by Eva | 10.21.2009 | 10:11 am
Seriously…. Congratulations!!!… big time!!!
I am amazed, moved and in tears, contemplating what you and your team have achieved.
Susan is beyond proud of you and we all are… also in Belgium, and far up in the stars.
Comment by Charlie | 10.21.2009 | 10:14 am
Congrat’s Kyle – it was close (I live in Evergreen as well). I’ll keep my eyes open for a new IBIS!
Great job, Elden!
Comment by Philly Jen | 10.21.2009 | 10:14 am
Thanks to all the wonderful members of the Eastern wing of the squad, Team Fatty Philly 2009. You rock, people!
I hope you’re ready for more. Registration for next year opens in a little over a month, and we’re looking to be more Fatty than ever in 2010.
There will be get-togethers, training rides, giveaways, and (of course) lots of food.
Come join us as we continue to Fight Like Susan.
Comment by MOCougFan | 10.21.2009 | 10:21 am
FC… I’ll make the trip. Having brats at your house for your Triathalon was awesome. With or without winning a bike I’ll come. Your a good man.
Comment by RachelGio | 10.21.2009 | 10:38 am
Great job, Team Fatty!!! Eldon, if you’re in Austin, please say hello to us in blue and white “Team Colleen” kits. And we thought we were doing good to raise $48,000. Ah well, all for a good cause, eh?
Comment by Rob | 10.21.2009 | 10:46 am
Only stumbled across your blog at the start of the year and have been an avid follower ever since!!!
You are an amazing guy doing something really wonderful on the back of a really sad time.
Most people would have curled up in to a ball and still be in said position…….Not You!!
You demonstrate the ethos of “Fight Like Susan” with everything you do and thus is why you have so many who are right behind you as you lead the fight!!
Awesome!!!!!!!
Comment by Mike | 10.21.2009 | 11:03 am
Congrats to the winner! And Great Job Elden and Team Fatty on all your accomplishments. I look forward to meeting you in Austin.
Mike in Houston
Comment by GJ Jackie | 10.21.2009 | 11:20 am
Should I be the first to say it? WAAAAAAAHH! Kyle, you are one lucky dog.
Congrats Eldon, on the hosting the coolest fund raiser in history. Well done!!!
Comment by yeagermeister | 10.21.2009 | 11:23 am
To Kyle “Colorado and Utah are so close that I can ride them anytime.”
Just rub it in why dontcha?
Also, congrats (and you suck)!
But I think since you are so close to CO and UT, you should win a rusty 1970s Huffy 10 speed and have to ride solo in Nebraska. ;)
Comment by Ethan | 10.21.2009 | 11:27 am
I was so sure I was going to win that I came very close to putting my old road bike on craigslist yesterday. Might I propose a new direction for your blog? Please do a high-end bike auction/raffle/lottery EVERY WEEK. I’ll play every time, I promise!
Comment by KanyonKris | 10.21.2009 | 1:07 pm
Congrats, Kyle.
Awesome contests, Fatty.
Brats? I’m intrigued.
Comment by ChefJT | 10.21.2009 | 1:09 pm
Fatty:
We are the ones who should thank you. Many people want to become involved in something so big, it touches the soul, but never get the chance. Your family’s courage throughout Susan’s ordeal, created a community of like-minded citizens. People who wanted to make a difference, but maybe felt “what can one person do?”
You’ve shown what one person can do. Unite thousands to stand up and say enough! to cancer. to fight with the resources that they have, however small those resources may be, and proven the small efforts of thousands CAN make a difference.
As the husband of a cancer survivor, I’m proud to have been a member of Team Fatty (Philly)this year, and you can count on me for as long as you keep the team running. Thanks for giving so many of us a way to help.
Comment by Lowrydr | 10.21.2009 | 1:18 pm
Congrats on the win Kyle. I had to miss this chance as my sweetness maxed the card and couldn’t get a donation in.
So fatty, could maybe this bike be the next giveaway:
http://www.utahtrikes.com/ARTICLE-48.html
It would really fit with my aero belly and some tasty brats.
I’d even drive there to haul it home.
Comment by FNEditor | 10.21.2009 | 2:02 pm
I just think its amazing that such a large group of strangers have been brought together for one cause just because of this one blog. Not that the world wouldn’t be better off without cancer, but it has certainly given people the opportunity to give and serve and make this world a better place.
Not to mention this blog got me on a bike, where my husband’s prodding failed too. Now I think he probably wishes I didn’t like riding quite so much!
Comment by Bill | 10.21.2009 | 2:06 pm
The fat cyclist contests are probably one of the few contests I enter that I actually appreciated poor odds of winning. It just means more money raised.
Incredible! Congrats. As a survivor, all I can say is that I feel like I won anyways.
Also, you’re lucky I didn’t win the bike / trip. I would have made you ride in Wisconsin. I can be quite convincing. ;-)
Thanks for your commitment. It means a lot.
Comment by Dan O | 10.21.2009 | 2:44 pm
Congrats to the winner Kyle – you lucky bastard!
Killer job on the fund raising – amazing response and numbers.
Be sure to post the winning ride, wherever that may be.
Thanks.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 10.21.2009 | 2:51 pm
Fatty….You Rock!
We Rock!
Kyle????
Wow, I am overwhelmed with what we have done.
FLS
Comment by Michael in TN | 10.21.2009 | 3:10 pm
Thank you Fatty for everything you’ve done this year for the fight against cancer while going through the hell that you did.
I was honored to wear the Team Fatty Jersey in Philly and had a great time!
FLS
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 10.21.2009 | 3:58 pm
Wow, truly amazing.
Fatty and Team Fatty and readers of this blog are awesome.
I am proud to be part of Team Fatty (San Jose) this year and I hope next year too.
Congrats to Kyle too.
FLS
Comment by Joel P. | 10.21.2009 | 5:24 pm
Fatty, like so many have already said, you are the one who deserves the BIG THANK YOU. You have given us all a forum and a focus to come together to fight and hate cancer. I’m proud to be a contributor to Team Fatty in ‘09 and will be a full fledged Team Fatty member in Philly 2010. So Philly Jen you better have some extra food because I have a healthy appetite.
Joel P.
Comment by Carl | 10.21.2009 | 6:22 pm
All this talk of bikes and bratwurst is making me think of a LIVESTRONG Milwaukee Challenge… But seriously, you did great Fatty and the 3/4 of a million mark we discussed before the ride in Philly has been eclipsed! I am so proud to have been a tiny part and next year will surpass your goal of raising a million. Fight Like Susan Austin… if you have never done a challenge before, it will be a ride of your lifetime – especially when you get to meet Mr. Fatty!!!
Comment by Anonymous | 10.21.2009 | 6:32 pm
Congrats!
SoCal mountain ride suggestion: The Cannel Plunge in Kernville.
http://www.mountainbikebill.com/CannellPlunge.htm
About a 35 mile day. Pay for a shuttle ($40?) up to Sherman Pass at 9200 feet, climb to Sherman Peak (9800 ft.) then drop down into town at 2700 feet. This is in no way a downhill ride though, several sizable climbs to be had, and the first twenty-five-ish miles are all up and down without much serious descending. That means though, that the last eight miles drop 5000 feet-nonstop except for one fifty foot uphill section- on buff singletrack. My favorite mountain ride of all time. Lined up to do it for the fourth time this November.
Comment by Clydesteve | 10.21.2009 | 7:28 pm
Congrats Kyle!
Way to go Team Fatty Seattle (my peeps) San Jose, Philly & Austin!
See y’all in Austin!
Comment by Gmoney | 10.21.2009 | 7:35 pm
Congrats to the winner! Woot!
Oh well… didn’t win the bike. Sure I would have been very happy with a new bike but for some reason I’m getting the same satisfaction out of doing my (albeit little) part… Don’t thank me. Thank you for putting pen to paper and inspiring us all.
(As a Wisconsin cheddar head, we know all things bratwurst!)
Comment by stuckinmypedals | 10.21.2009 | 9:13 pm
Congrats, Kyle and way to go Team Fatty! If you wind up riding in Nor Cal, let me know and I’ll fix dinner. Having said that, you should know I’m a clumsy cyclist and my cooking is even worse.
Comment by LuckyLab | 10.21.2009 | 9:58 pm
You know, Fatty, it is I who should thank you. It has been wonderful to be a part of something so grand in scope and power. Thanks to you bringing this team together, I have met some great people and been able to start conversations about cancer I never thought I could.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Comment by Douglas | 10.22.2009 | 6:02 am
Was my first motivation to actually get off my wallet, (won’t be my last). Really like your blog, as for the next give-away you really don’t need that Superfly SS do you?
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » My Plan for the Austin LiveStrong Challenge | 10.22.2009 | 7:37 am
[...] « Big Day for Team Fatty [...]
Comment by Kindred | 10.22.2009 | 11:54 am
Just a thought,
The 1st annual Fatty Fat Tire Festival.
Comment by Sean | 10.22.2009 | 3:43 pm
Sad I didn’t win the bike…very glad I donated! Congrats to the winner and to Fatty. Keep up the incredible work!
Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 10.22.2009 | 9:02 pm
Honored and happy to be part of Team Fatty!
Comment by Beast Mom | 10.22.2009 | 10:47 pm
Very fun! Your contests are the best.
-bm