The Speech
Over the next couple of days I’m going to post photos and text from the whole Austin LiveStrong Challenge thing, but for right now I’d like to just put up one thing that will take up a gargantuan amount of time: my speech at the awards ceremony.
Thanks again to the 2009 Team Fatty, as well as anyone who contributed to any of our contests. Thanks to you, we raised within a hair’s breadth of $790,000. And thousands upon thousands of people got off the fence and did something — whether it was ride a bike, ask others to join the fight, or make a contribution themselves.
Team Fatty’s been a wonderful part of my life in 2009. I’m looking forward to joining with you to continue the work in 2010.
Comment by Bruce Bebow | 10.25.2009 | 9:34 pm
I had a blast. Definately coming back next year. Good work, Fatty.
Comment by NoTrail | 10.25.2009 | 9:43 pm
Great to meet you this weekend Fatty. And we loved your speech! Keep up the good work.
Comment by Jenni | 10.25.2009 | 9:44 pm
On behalf of me, Jamieson, and Pat, thank you Fatty for helping make this weekend one of the best ever. We’re in for next year, absolutely.
Comment by T.J. | 10.25.2009 | 9:48 pm
Gears??? Shocks???
Comment by adam | 10.25.2009 | 9:56 pm
Fatty -
I was really hoping to run into you this weekend here in Austin and say thanks. Some family problems kept me away from Dripping Springs when I’d have had a chance to simply tell you thanks. Thanks for inspiring me to be better at lots of things not least of which is cycling. You’re a great man Fatty.
-a
Comment by Rob M. | 10.25.2009 | 10:03 pm
Great speech Fatty. I’m glad it was recorded and posted.
You really do have super powers. Somehow you managed to get me to laugh and to have tears of sadness at the same time.
Thanks for all you’ve done and for all your co-captains have done, but especially for Philly Jen’s effort and support. I look forward to next year’s ride.
Comment by Sasha | 10.25.2009 | 10:07 pm
I hope to be there next year! Can’t wait for your blog about the trip!
Comment by Chris | 10.25.2009 | 10:07 pm
Awesome speech Fatty, the perfect blend of fun and serious. You’ve done something very very special and I look forward to being part of Team Fatty in next years Livestrong Challenge.
Comment by bobbie | 10.25.2009 | 10:46 pm
Wonderful speech, Fatty ~ thank you for giving me an opportunity to help ‘build the road’~
Big hugs to you and yours ~
FLS
Comment by twbagby | 10.25.2009 | 11:02 pm
Nice speech. Keep up the great work you do. Are you going to ride the LiveStrong Seattle Challenge next year?
Comment by Jeff | 10.26.2009 | 1:39 am
Fatty, thank you. Incredibly inspirational.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 10.26.2009 | 4:07 am
What an oration! That was quite brilliant, Mr. Nelson.
Comment by aussie kev | 10.26.2009 | 4:16 am
i am going to try much harder in 2010 to raise money – i am a bit embarrassed when i see how little i have raised
allez fat man
Comment by Jessica @ How Sweet It Is | 10.26.2009 | 4:38 am
Kick ass!!
Comment by Mike Roadie | 10.26.2009 | 5:46 am
Elden:
As I said to your sister the other night, this experience has helped me take a small personal project that was about my grieving over my parents and turn it into something much more meaningful!
Thank you for supporting my vision to raise money for the Foundation and to turn this into the biggest, most successful team they have ever seen!
Thank you also for opening up to us all about your family, your emotions, your journey. That has made it so much deeper for us all.
It has been my pleasure to serve you…..all of you. And I look forward to making the Team Fatty experience a “must do” part of the Global fight against cancer in the coming years.
It was great spending time with you. I am proud to count you among my friends!
FLS
——Mike
Comment by Veteran Sculler | 10.26.2009 | 6:19 am
FCFCRC – Fat Cyclist Fan Club Rowing Club.
Although I was 4900 miles away, I was with Team Fatty in spirit, racing at the Weybridge Silver Sculls.
If you look here
http://events.birdmanphotography.com/?Action=VF&id=3187291250&ppwd=tb2598mf
you can just about see my FC water bottle, but not my lucky FC socks.
‘My other bike is a boat’
FLS indeed !
Comment by AngieG | 10.26.2009 | 7:33 am
Fatty- It was twitteriffic to finally get the “Full Fatty Experience”!! You and Kallene are absolutely amazing people. Watching you wait at the finish line and greet every Team Fatty member, until the absolute last rider crossed, was another demostration of your comittment and gratitude.
Its hard to express how full this experience has made me feel. Being involved in Team Fatty and meeting so many wonderful people has also made 2009 a very good year.
I heard thru the Austin rumor mill that Lance left 6 minutes ahead of the Team Fatty Mass because he was concerned you would blow his doors off. He didn’t have the Team Fatty Domestiques on his side and knew any man that can organize 600 people to raise $787,000 bucks is in fact a very powerful man. Throw in the superpowers and you would have been a force to reconed with.
I’m thinking next year you can challenge him to a race of sorts. In the Fatty flare of the radical, fun and non tradtional… Big Wheels. A Big Wheel race between The Fat Cyclist and Lance Armstrong. I better leave for home soon, the Austin weirdness is rubbing off! :-)
Thanks again for everything Fatty. You are truly the Best!!!!!
Comment by Marilyn | 10.26.2009 | 7:35 am
Great job “Fatty”. Wish I could have been there and bank account is set up to do the Phila and Austin rides for next year and with much more in meaning in my heart because of you to get out there and do massive fundraising for this great cause. Even though I was not there I did donate this weekend at the hershey bears hockey game in which they had lots of events going on that raised money for breast cancer.
Comment by Tyler | 10.26.2009 | 9:02 am
Excellent speech Fatty, was a great experience to be part of Philly event.
FLS
Comment by Heidi | 10.26.2009 | 9:35 am
Planting a big ol’ internet smooch on top that bald Stanley Tucci head of yours.
Comment by Parker H | 10.26.2009 | 10:00 am
Hi Fatty – I was so pleased to be able to attend the awards dinner as part fo Team Fatty. What a deal – almost $1,000,000 for the LAF!
I was not able to ride this year due to a recent mountain biking accident that yielded a broken arm, but I can’t wait till next year! WIN!
Comment by TimRides | 10.26.2009 | 10:15 am
Fatty, Mike Roadie, Philly Jen, and everyone else -
What a great speach, what an inspiring event! I really can’t put into words what this weekend feels like: all those people with one very focused goal is very inspiring and very emotional.
I really enjoyed meeting everyone. It was great to have your friendly face at the finish line, Fatty, especially after what was (for me) a beat-down of a ride (please,sir, may I have another hill!). Team Fatty is indeed a great group of folks, and you have always set the tone.
Despite the pain, I’ll be back to continue the quest next year.
FLS
Comment by El_Animal | 10.26.2009 | 10:21 am
Flying of Joy! I had a blast.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11538517@N05/4046945400/in/photostream/
Comment by Kathy McElhaney | 10.26.2009 | 10:23 am
Another incredible speech! Thank you so much for sharing the video, your heart and mission!
My twin nieces were 11 when my Mom died of breast cancer. They are now 22. I’m with you on not wanting our twins to have to worry about that battle for themselves.
Fight on!
Comment by mike | 10.26.2009 | 10:52 am
Fatty,
great speech. I admit, I had to google Stan Tucci, and yes, quite a resemblance. Were you aware that Stan’s wife died of cancer in May 2009? Livestrong!
Mike
Comment by Accident Prone | 10.26.2009 | 11:26 am
Way to go Fatty and The Team! Truly inspirational, truly wonderful. May we all continue to Fight Like Susan!!
Great speech Elden… admit it, for a second there you were worried you took it a little too far? Loved it! Hope Lance has a healthy sense of humor.
Comment by Kathy | 10.26.2009 | 11:55 am
3 things that sucked at the Livestrong Challenge in Austin:
1. the hill that caused me to get off my bike and walk
2. the deer that crashed into the cyclist and left her with a bill from the ambulance co- I hope she’s ok!
3. not sticking around and meeting Fatty. :-(
It was still a great experience and I can’t wait to do it again. Thanks for inspiring me to dust off my bike and fight cancer. It was awesome!
Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 10.26.2009 | 12:41 pm
I love how jazzed Angie G is in her comment…gives me a good sense of what an awesome weekend she – and I’m betting all of the FC Team – had!
Great speech Fatty!
Comment by sarah | 10.26.2009 | 12:49 pm
nice speech, fatty! thanks for posting the video for all of your supporters who weren’t there. hugs from oakland.
Comment by Joel P. | 10.26.2009 | 1:54 pm
Big Fat kudos on an excellent speech. Thanks for posting it so we all could hear it. I am proud to have been a Team Fatty supporter for Philly and Austin, but disappointed I was not a participating member. I plan on that changing in 2010 in Philly.
Joel P.
Comment by BuzzLiteBoy | 10.26.2009 | 2:20 pm
Elden-
Although each of us could have accomplished some of what we have accomplished together, your sense of mission and leadership is truly inspiring. You have helped all of us, whatever our circumstances, look beyond ourselves, to make a commitment to serving, which is just awesome and awe-inspiring!
Austin was great, already thinking about next year!
FLS
Comment by Charlie | 10.26.2009 | 2:26 pm
Well done!
Comment by Andrew P | 10.26.2009 | 3:38 pm
Elden,
I was at the dinner where you gave your speech.
It was a great speech enjoyed not only by me but also my 5yr old survivor princess. :-)
LiveStrong,
Andrew
Comment by Joe Rosario | 10.26.2009 | 4:02 pm
Great speech! Thanks for waiting around to meet us (me) at the end of our rides. It was good to finally meet you and get to shake your hand. See you again in 2010!
Comment by Peter | 10.26.2009 | 4:25 pm
Elden,
It was great to finally meet the man under the shaved dome. I think it’s awesome that you stuck around the finish to meet all of us as we crossed the line. Count me in for next year…just have to decide which one to do. I’m with you for bringing one to the Mountain West. Maybe we can just do our own!
All the best to you and yours.
Peter
Comment by Chris | 10.26.2009 | 4:38 pm
Fatty,
It was great meeting you yesterday. Thanks for being a great inspiration. Look forward to more next year!
Chris
Comment by sllym | 10.26.2009 | 6:20 pm
OK – someone help me out. Right after Fatty says the bit about Garmin-Slipstream donating, he says “Nothing from ….., that’s weird.” Does he say Astana there? I couldn’t understand what he said. Thanks!
Yes, I said “Nothing from Astana. That’s weird.” – FC
Comment by Claire | 10.26.2009 | 7:02 pm
Great speech, I would have loved to see Lance’s reaction :) can’t wait for the weekend reports!!!
Comment by Mike | 10.26.2009 | 7:11 pm
Great speech, thanks for posting it
Comment by Greg M | 10.26.2009 | 7:29 pm
Fatty,
Thanks for making the trip to Austin and riding with us yesterday. I’m sorry I did not get a chance to meet you (I was a few rows back at the start but did not want to push through the crowd to reach you) but hopefully I will see you at next years Austin ride.
Thanks to the guys from North Carolina and Ben from San Antonio for keeping me company and giving me encouragement on those long hills… someone suggested the ride be moved to the Texas “flat country” next year!
Fat For a Reason!
Greg
Comment by Lissee (formerly known as Bitter) | 10.26.2009 | 7:42 pm
Loved the speech. Loved the way your voice went up on motor. *grin*
Thanks for all you’ve done.
Comment by Clydesteve | 10.26.2009 | 7:42 pm
Fatty – It was great to meet you, ride with Lance with you, do the 90-miler with my bro, Tim & my son, see you at the finish, etc., etc.
And yes it was a moving speech.
It really hit me as we chatted a bit after the ride – I am very proud to have had a part in an undertaking that is big and good. Thanks for asking.
Steve
Comment by Kim Bradley | 10.26.2009 | 8:19 pm
Your speech was such a great part of Saturday night. I had my 12 year old with me for the RFTR. Her comment after your speech was “WOW,a dad doing all that, his daughters must be proud of him…” I’m sure they are..
Comment by Jamieson | 10.26.2009 | 9:16 pm
Elden –
It was great to spend time with you and Kellene this weekend in Austin. It was a special and emotional time there in the city and an event that deserves repeating.
Your inspiration and motivation made it so that I wasn’t at home thinking how great it would be to go share a ride and the experience 1600 miles from home.
Having Philadelphia and Austin done, I have to figure out what ride to add next year to make it to 3 rides.
Comment by Philly Jen | 10.26.2009 | 11:29 pm
What an amazing weekend! I was so happy to finally meet all the other co-captains. Clydesteve, MattC, Mike Roadie, you guys are the best.
It was great to finally meet Kellene and AngieG (Gibson Grrrl!), two women whose radiant beauty may distract you from the fact that they are taking names and kicking Assos. Angie was my guardian angel the whole weekend — thank you, sweetie!
Brent and Ryan of T6, you are two truly awesome and talented guys. Proof that Minnesota is the cradle of cool.
Kudos to all the awesome Austin Fatties! Way to represent!
And huzzah for our Fatty-in-Chief. I’m very grateful to be your friend, big guy.
Comment by hubcityrob | 10.26.2009 | 11:46 pm
Even after riding yesterday, driving all day today to get home (plus a small stop off to pre-ride the course for this weekend’s race), and catching up around the house, I am still too keyed up to sleep.
Thanks to all of Team Fatty, especially to Fatty himself, for inspiring me to get beyond myself and do something worthwhile. You guys rock!
I am already making plans for 2010!
Comment by Philly Jen | 10.26.2009 | 11:55 pm
P.S. Check it out, Philly Fatties! According to the latest FAQ from the LAF, in 2010 you’ll be able to ride AND run at Livestrong Philly. (Yes, I can hear the jubilant tri yelping from all the way down here in Texas.) The 5K will be on Saturday (8/21) while the ride will be on Sunday (8/22).
Fellow Fatty Cindy blogged about our Livestrong Austin run this weekend, and I’m hoping to see dozens of Fatties pounding the pavement next year for Livestrong Philly 2010.
Allez, Fatties!
Comment by Aprilia Motorcycle | 10.27.2009 | 12:02 am
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Comment by Born 4 Lycra | 10.27.2009 | 5:47 am
Fatty you nailed it. Well done Team Fatty proud to be a member.
Comment by Jenni Laurita | 10.27.2009 | 7:13 am
If there was a registration sign up at the finish line, I would’ve signed up right then.
Working on my write up right now. Best. weekend. ever.
Comment by scullingcyclist | 10.27.2009 | 8:53 am
Hey Fatty,
Great speech and thanks tons for sharing it. You and Team Fatty rock. full stop.
Hey Veteran Sculler..saw your post earlier. How do I join the FCFCRC – Fat Cyclist Fan Club Rowing Club? ;-)I scull at Oxford City RC.
“My other bike’s a boat”
Cheers,
UK Emily
Comment by bikerchick | 10.27.2009 | 1:03 pm
Fatty,
BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!! How you manage to be funny, graceful, moving and self-deprecating all at the same time is beyond me. But there you were. You truly are an inspiration– keep up the good work!
Comment by kmb | 10.27.2009 | 6:11 pm
excellent,inspiring