Riding With the Shack, Part II – The Morning Before the Ride
One of the cool things about last weekend was that I had two people following me around most of the time — Glenn with his monstrously enormous camera for taking stills, and Daniel with his monstrously enormous video camera.
Thanks to them, I’ve got great pictures and video of the whole event, and didn’t have to worry about taking any of those pictures myself.
Daniel is now editing the video down into a couple segments, the first of which I received last night. And while I die a thousand deaths anytime I see and hear myself talk on video (do I always talk out of one side of my mouth? Does my voice really sound like that?), I expect that you’ll enjoy it.
By the way: Brad, you owe me another $50 for being a billboard for CarboRocket.
How to be Popular
Here’s an amazing fact: I was able to sleep the night before my ride with Team RadioShack. Seriously, I was. Sure, I woke and checked the clock about every hour, but I slept. Didn’t even take an Ambien.
I think it’s important to celebrate life’s little victories.
Around 7:30 the next morning, I came down to breakfast with the team. I brought along my secret weapon — a big box of t-shirts Twin Six had sent me for the occasion. “Here are some shirts,” I said, “that you can wear without making your sponsors mad.”
I was immediately mobbed.
And then it was time to get fitted on my new Trek Madone.
Getting Ready for the Ride
The mechanics area felt like home. Not that I’m a bike mechanic — far from it. But I do hang around with and talk with bike mechanics whenever I go to a shop.
And the mechanics there were terrific. Really, they were just like your favorite mechanic at your favorite LBS. But with a much greater likelihood that they speak Belgian as their native tongue.
Within a few minutes they had unboxed the bike I had brought for the trip and measured it so they could set up the new Madone to the same specs.
And then I got to check it out.
You know, I don’t even know how long I stood there, ogling my new bike. The Runner, on the other hand, very likely is painfully aware of how long I stood there, ogling.
Team Meeting
With my sexy new bike ready to go, I went upstairs and got changed. It was time for the pre-ride meeting.
It was as I got dressed — shorts, short sleeve jersey, armwarmers seemed like plenty; it was nice and warm outside — that I started getting serious butterflies, and a major case of “What am I doing here, I have no business riding with these guys.”
It’s a common thing for middle-aged guys with a gut to get when they’re about to go on a monster climbing training ride with a top-tier pro team.
I came downstairs, walking back toward the bike room with The Runner. Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer were a little bit ahead of us, further down the hall. “Those guys have no butts at all, observed The Runner.
It’s good to get the female perspective from time to time, because while this was a fair observation, I do not believe I would have ever made it myself.
Most everyone was gathered in the bike room, making last minute adjustments to their rides. Lance was sitting, ready to go. Twittering.
I noticed that a lot of the riders were wearing considerably warmer clothes than I was. “Well, they don’t have the walrus blubber,” I thought, counting on my subcutaneous layer of fat to keep me warm should the need arise.
While waiting for Johan to begin talking to the team, I affixed a Fat Cyclist sticker to my new bike.
Yeah, I could have done a better job applying it, but it gets the point across.
Johan then got up and told the team that I’d be riding with the team today, and — I will love Johan forever for this — asked them to take it easy on me. Since there is no way in the world I would have ever been able to stay with these guys for even one minute if they chose to leave me behind, this was a very nice gesture.
And then it was time to get out the giant checks.
Together, we raised more than $135,000 for LiveStrong and World Bicycle Relief. In just a few days. And believe me, I never lose sight of the fact that it’s all of you who are doing this incredibly generous thing — for LiveStrong, for World Bicycle Relief, and for me.
I don’t think there’s any way I can thank you enough.
Then, giant checks put away, it was time to ride. Time to do what the whole trip was about.
And that — finally! — is the story I will tell tomorrow.
PS: Bicycling.com has a nice article / slideshow about my ride with Team RadioShack. Check it out here.
PPS: Again, thanks to Glenn Kasin for the use of all these photos.
PPPS: And thanks to The Runner for the “giant checks” photos, as well as for following me around the whole weekend.
Comment by John | 12.16.2009 | 8:55 am
Loving it, Fatty! Looking forward to the next installment!
Comment by GenghisKhan | 12.16.2009 | 8:55 am
Just read “Part II” and somehow the rest of my day seems a lot less exciting! I loved the photos of TR swarming around you for free t-shirts!
Comment by Carly | 12.16.2009 | 8:56 am
Fatty, I sit here reading your stories from the weekend and I am SO PUMPED for you!!!
I’m glad I could be a small part of this incredible fundraising effort and think you deserve every single moment of glory with the Radioshack team-
Way to go man, way to go.
Comment by bikemike | 12.16.2009 | 9:00 am
jealousy is a cruel mistress…or maybe it’s chocolate.
we’re very happy and proud of you, Elden.
Comment by Jennifer Nelson Kemp | 12.16.2009 | 9:02 am
Fatty, I’m so happy that you got to ride with team radio shack and you got to ride here in wonderful Tucson. Sorry about the weather changes…the desert does have weather especially on Mt. Lemmon.
And wow, the bike, wow. Hope you come back to the Old Pueblo sometime soon.
Comment by tom | 12.16.2009 | 9:05 am
Glad that you got to enjoy this, and that I got vicariously as well. Keep up the good work.
Comment by KitC | 12.16.2009 | 9:07 am
I know the jerseys weren’t as big of a prize as the bikes; just the same it would be nice to know who won those. Are you going to post the winners?
Also, loved the “Are you serious?” reaction to Johan when he told you about the Madone.
Comment by Weiland | 12.16.2009 | 9:13 am
I wouldn’t think of it as blubber lining, think of it more as you’re from the Rocky Mountains, you’re seasoned for the colder weather.
Comment by cheapie | 12.16.2009 | 9:17 am
did you put the sticker on with your elbows? lol. btw, please tell me you have a good chris horner story. that dude is hilarious and probably the person i’d most like to hang out with on the team.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 12.16.2009 | 9:19 am
Brilliant! Allez Fatty!
Comment by buckythedonkey | 12.16.2009 | 9:28 am
I know, a double posting, but I’ve just seen your shellshocked face when JB tells you about the 2nd Madone…that is absolutely bloody fantastic!
Comment by Marla Gnarla | 12.16.2009 | 9:29 am
Awesome! Any of us would have loved your weekend. It’s cool to see the pros dig Twin Six as much as the rest of us:)
Comment by RachelGio | 12.16.2009 | 9:29 am
I’m super jealous, but you so deserve it. You’ve done an amazing job in fundraising. Maybe you should chuck your day job!
Sad you didn’t come and stay in our trailer…we are just down the street from the Loews where you all stayed. The trailer is pretty cool and you coulda borrowed a dog if you got lonely. Next time… ; )
Comment by Tomingeorgia | 12.16.2009 | 9:30 am
Very very Green with envy…but you deserve it!! You do sometimes talk out of one side of your mouth…I’m just saying….
Comment by justrun | 12.16.2009 | 9:34 am
As usual, proud to know you through your blog and be a little part of it. I’m so excited that you just went for it! Can’t wait to see the rest.
P.S. You sound completely normal on the video.
Comment by NYCCarlos | 12.16.2009 | 9:36 am
this brightens my morning every day… I can’t wait to hear about the ride and everything else!!!!!! Were the T6 shirts all “Win” shirts? It looked like there were others mixed in there.
Comment by XLHammy | 12.16.2009 | 9:37 am
still very cool….still uber jealous!
Comment by Leslie | 12.16.2009 | 9:42 am
It has been so fabulous to follow all this–you’re doing a great job of making us feel like we were there, too.
Comment by Cyclin' Missy | 12.16.2009 | 9:58 am
You looked great out there on the bike! How awesome is everyone at Team Radio Shack.
Comment by dodey | 12.16.2009 | 10:00 am
loved the two random people walking behind you in robes at about the 7:20.
Comment by 100poundsago | 12.16.2009 | 10:05 am
Just plain freaking awesome!
Comment by Michelle | 12.16.2009 | 10:06 am
This is so awesome Fatty! Living vicariously through you! Couldn’t have happened to a better guy!
Comment by VeloLoser | 12.16.2009 | 10:07 am
Congratulations, Elden. You deserved this.
You’ve endured so much over the past few years, and the job you’ve done of taking something awful and turning it into something good for so many people is nothing short of heroic.
You deserved every minute of that amazing weekend and everything that came with it.
You’ve earned it.
Comment by Brandon | 12.16.2009 | 10:08 am
Elden, Is the helmet cam the same camera your brought to Fall Moab, Tibble, White Rim, etc. on the rides or did you get another kind? I didn’t see the cords coming off the camera.
Comment by Rob M. | 12.16.2009 | 10:15 am
“I don’t think there’s any way I can thank you enough.”
Elden, just keep sending these posts. I love them and that will be plenty of thanks for me.
Comment by Frank | 12.16.2009 | 10:18 am
Your post lifts my mood yet again. Thank you for that!
I really look forward to the ride report tomorrow :)
Comment by Steve | 12.16.2009 | 10:24 am
Hearing your story just brings a huge smile to my face. Much of cycling focuses on the bad, but when teams do things like this, it can easily overshadow.
Comment by Rica | 12.16.2009 | 10:25 am
My only disappointment was to learn that these guys have no butts. :(
But I’m blown away by your story! Truly! Gives hope to all of us “fatties” out there!
Comment by Rudi | 12.16.2009 | 10:26 am
Congratulations Fatty! Great stuff! Looking forward to your next installment!
Comment by Claire | 12.16.2009 | 10:27 am
Thanks so much for sharing that (brilliant) video, Fatty, as well as the pictures. Congratulations on managing to both eat and talk to the team. The minute I get anxious I can do neither, so I have to add this to the list of reasons I have the utmost respect for you.
Comment by Philly Jen | 12.16.2009 | 10:29 am
So, did Johan write out those supersized checks himself, or did some other helpful European do it?
Because those are some seriously Continental digits there. Check out the overhang on every “1″ and the tails on every “9″. I’m bummed there were no sevens to cross-hatch.
More cowbell, more helmet-cam…
Comment by Frank | 12.16.2009 | 10:33 am
Great pictures, fantastic video. It appears you had a great time and who wouldn’t? Look forward to the next installment.
Comment by John Cushman | 12.16.2009 | 10:33 am
Fatty,
That was so damn cool.
A regular Walter Mitty dream come true.
[IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb61/jhcushman/WalterMitty.jpg[/IMG]
Best,
John
Comment by John Cushman | 12.16.2009 | 10:34 am
Comment by Darwin | 12.16.2009 | 10:36 am
Awesome, Team Six got some business from me after reading this and I also sent a gift certificate from them to my brother in Madison. I’m in Phoenix, used to live in Tucson. I’m Moots Titanium and Dura-Ace, he’s Campy and Colnago..imagine the conversations.
Comment by Heidi | 12.16.2009 | 10:36 am
Happy, happy, happy. For you, for the memory of Susan.
Comment by gmac62 | 12.16.2009 | 10:38 am
I love this story! Absolutely makes my day to follow it. This has everything that is right about the world. Fatty for president!
Comment by KanyonKris | 12.16.2009 | 10:42 am
I got butterflies just reading about you getting butterflies.
Comment by Lizzylou | 12.16.2009 | 10:47 am
So where does a person go to get a giant check made?
And what is on those T6 shirts?
I’m just full of questions. And I’m slightly miffed that you are going to tease us for another whole day! I’m the kind of person that reads an entire book in one day, I don’t like to drag out the joy, so this is really killing me here. The suspense is unbearable!
Comment by Rich Wielgosz | 12.16.2009 | 10:48 am
AWESOME!!!!!!!
Although I am SO confused! The blog entry says part 2, and the video says part 1! ;-) ;-)
Trackback by Serving Humanity Since 1966 | 12.16.2009 | 10:49 am
Fat Cyclist Goes To Camp…
If you followed any of the Fat Cyclist saga that I posted about last week, then you already probably know that he met all of the goals that Johan Bruyneel put before him, and had the opportunity to go ride……
Comment by Clydesteve | 12.16.2009 | 10:54 am
Yeah, yeah, all hail to the chief & all.
But on a more serious note: Fatty, that sticker you put on – those wrinkles have way to much wind resistance. How could you ever think you could keep up with the pros with such a wind brake?
My favorite part of the video was when you said: “I’m not acustomed to people giving me free bikes in an offhand manner…”
Really?
Comment by Clydesteve | 12.16.2009 | 10:55 am
too much wind resistance..
not to much. It matters too me.
Comment by Tom | 12.16.2009 | 11:00 am
so so very cool! What a great weekend you had.
Comment by Tom | 12.16.2009 | 11:03 am
Fatty, just noticed – that wasn’t a straight block on that rear wheel….did they set you up as a pro or give you some bailout gears and if so did you have to use them?
Comment by Don | 12.16.2009 | 11:13 am
Totally cool dude !!! Totally cool :)
Comment by bradk | 12.16.2009 | 11:16 am
Coolest video I have ever seen, you look dashing in that stylie t-shirt! And yes, you always talk out of one side of your mouth.
Comment by Lowrydr | 12.16.2009 | 11:23 am
What a great second stage. Can’t wait for the third and maybe final stage to this fantastic week-end getaway. Hanging with the Pros and your own posse too, what could get better than that.
So next time you make one of these trips and you need the extra help. I’m available to schlep bags, wipe down your new bike heck I’d even do the laundry. And of course call room service for you too. Does the bus run by your place? I am broke right now though.
Keep up the good work Fatty.
FLS
Comment by Da Murf | 12.16.2009 | 11:25 am
Fatty, Huge congrats to you. Thank for sharing with us your awesome adventure.
Comment by CAGunslinger | 12.16.2009 | 11:32 am
Elden,
You said that Johan is one of your heroes. He’s one of mine too and now you can add your name to my list as well. Great job and I look forward to your next update. Please consider me as a member of Team Fatty in Sonoma County, CA.
Kelly
Comment by JJBean | 12.16.2009 | 11:33 am
Both sides of the mouth wouldn’t look right. Love the simple Santa joy on your face at the shirt-for-all. Shiny happy people in every shot. Heroes everywhere. It’s too much, too much! (giggle)
Comment by DWGriffin | 12.16.2009 | 11:33 am
The mechanics did not speak Belgian. . .no such language. If they are from the same part of Belgium as JB, they speak Flemish.
Izegam is en blijft vlaams.
Comment by Mark W | 12.16.2009 | 12:49 pm
I am very happy for you, and proud that we slow overweight middle aged cyclists have representation in front of the pros. And that the pros actually notice us.
Comment by Jodi | 12.16.2009 | 1:06 pm
YAY!!!
I love it all big bro – the video the pics – very very cool. I think the way you speak is kind of Sly Stallone-esque which is also awesome. Or kind of Drew Barrymore-ish. Anyway.
Love it.
Comment by anonymous | 12.16.2009 | 1:13 pm
you totally deserve this! you are truly an inspiration to us all!
Comment by Haven (KT) | 12.16.2009 | 1:19 pm
That’s so awesome… I too loved the jaw-drop, moment of shocked silence after Johan casually mentions he’s got a bike for you. Priceless!! :)
You look very happy in the video– think, kid on Christmas morning looking at the shiny glittery tree and huge colorful mound of wrapped presents. Very awesome.
And The Runner– thanks for the female perspective!! The pros always look like they have something back there when they’re hunched over the bars, but I guess it’s all illusion. :)
Can’t wait for the next installment!!
Comment by Accident Prone | 12.16.2009 | 1:19 pm
So cool! Keep it coming. I’d be interested to hear what Johan had to say about the logistics of managing the team. I’m sure you got all sorts of cool information. Which T6 shirts did they like best?
Comment by AngieG | 12.16.2009 | 1:27 pm
Kelly,
Please join Team Fatty San Jose!! We would love to have you. If you want to train together, send me an email, I live in Mendocino County. amg2@pge.com
FC-Reading about your experience at camp is so exciting. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. And, I don’t think you talk out of the side of your mouth. It just looks that way because the camera has you at an angle rather than head on. Although Jodi would know better, being your little sis and all. :-)
Can’t wait for tomorrow!
Comment by Kent | 12.16.2009 | 1:28 pm
Man, great write up. It’s like watching a kid at Christmas, enthralling.
Comment by Carolyn | 12.16.2009 | 1:54 pm
Fatty,
It is incredible what one person can do. You deserve every minute of that weekend. Can’t wait for more.
Comment by Midge | 12.16.2009 | 2:03 pm
This entire series is so much fun! It’s like we are there, as well. And after seeing the mystery Twin Six shirts I had to check out their website again (and made another purchase). Anxiously awaiting the next installment. And I can hardly wait for the Tour of California – it’s like we have front row seats! Thank you for letting us all participate.
Comment by Sasha | 12.16.2009 | 2:09 pm
Thank you for sharing! I can’t speak for anyone else, but the best part of this is being part of a group that can give you something in return for all that you have shared with us. It can’t make up for losing Susan – nope, no way. It can give you something that you truly deserve and help bring her fight and other’s to the forefront. Also, super cool to help another very worthy cause. I’m honored to be a part and to have helped send you on such a cool and unique experience. :)
Comment by Lowrydr | 12.16.2009 | 2:15 pm
Man that’s rough, you’re sister just called you a girl. Well that you talk like one anyway.
And Jodi’s site is a great read, it runs well in the family, blogging that is.
Comment by Kathy McElhaney | 12.16.2009 | 2:15 pm
Silly grin still stretching across my face… the video did that to me! So many fun parts. The jaw dropping was priceless. The Twin Six t-shirts look a little large for those skinny pros… Female XS might have been about right.
Comment by VT_Rob | 12.16.2009 | 2:25 pm
Fatty for President!
Comment by Doping Control | 12.16.2009 | 2:34 pm
OK Mr. Fatty cyclist…we have the results of yesterdays testing. It appears you eat WAY too much Nutella. And Shot blocks. And giant cookies. Especially giant cookies. WAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much. And there was one more thing showing up that we haven’t yet identified. Very suspicious though.
You should know that the moment you showed up at the team dinner, about half the team slipped out and made ‘anonomous’ phone calls to us, reporting on your ‘larger than could possibly be natural’ quads. Even Lance did a double-take…(remember that picture on the bikes?) Just so ya’ know…we’re onto you. You won’t get away with it.
Comment by Joel P. | 12.16.2009 | 2:56 pm
As always a great post. I (as in everybody) can’t wait to read about the ride itself. Hope you didn’t overwork your face muscles with all that smiling and jaw dropping.
Joel P.
P.S. Couldn’t resist posting that giant check/nipple picture again could you?
Comment by Tim | 12.16.2009 | 2:57 pm
Still can’t believe this….. But I am happy for you.
And BTW, there is no Belgian….. with Johan in command, I guess they all speak Flemish (or Dutch like we call officially).
Comment by Marilyn | 12.16.2009 | 3:10 pm
Just love seeing the pro’s getting there t-shirts and being just as excited as I am when I get a new one in which I should have a new fatty t-shirt here anyday now that I ordered. I also loved seeing them giving you a nudge to keep you in the group so now I do not feel bad that I get a helping hand every now and than being the only girl that is brave enough to ride with the guys.
Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 12.16.2009 | 3:50 pm
It’s true! Serious cyclists have no butts. One of the many reasons I’ll never make it as pro – not willing to (a) give up my butt or (b) have scary quads.
Love the photos of the guys digging through the box of T6 shirts! Like kids in a candy store :-)
Comment by Saso | 12.16.2009 | 3:54 pm
Well you deserved this. There is justice in the world at last.
Comment by Doping Control | 12.16.2009 | 4:21 pm
Oh, and one more thing Mr. Fatty. It appears the hair follicles we extracted during yesterdays doping control (I’m sure you fondly recall that we used your eyebrows) were insufficient in length to provide the proper historical reference that is needed.
An associate will be along shortly to collect NEW hair samples. We will be needing approx. 100 hairs (root balls intact). Being as you have a “conveniently” clean-shaven scalp, we can use either arm-pit or, ahem….snipe-region hairs. It’s your call.
And if you should somehow become ‘unavailable’ for collection, we can, at our discretion, add 100 hairs per day to the tally needed until you comply.
Comment by soraya | 12.16.2009 | 4:40 pm
FATTY!! Do you know howmany people lived vicarioulsy thru you that day???
I DID! This is awesome!! YEAH!! FATTY FOR PRESIDENT!
Comment by MikeL | 12.16.2009 | 5:11 pm
This whole storyline has been way too cool.
There is a good slide show on bicycling.com about “The Ride”.
You might have finally been dropped but I assume you were TSTQ and finished?
Comment by Slowtrain | 12.16.2009 | 6:01 pm
What an awesome chapter this will be in your book! When life hands you lemons, make Mount Lemmon-ade! Thanks for letting us “regular guy” middle age cyclists and average Joes (and Janes) live the dream through your eyes. Proud to be a part of Team Fatty.
Comment by Kevin Mynatt | 12.16.2009 | 6:34 pm
Elden, you talk of heroes. Lance, Johan, Levi, Horner, all men to be admired and looked up to. But for me, You are truly a hero, someone who stands above the rest, for all you have shown us, through your humility and humor, your strength, and your willingness to lead us on this journey.
I have three heroes in my life- my dad, my brother, and you. Thanks for being the human being you are.
And thanks for the great video and report!
Comment by kentucky joe | 12.16.2009 | 7:41 pm
As we all knew, besides our donations going to some great causes, your representation of Team Fatty is nothing short of great. I watch the video with a big smile and a sense of pride. You represent Team Fatty with such class and humility and all while having fun…Your energy to create such a positive out of such a negative in your life reminds me how lucky I am and how to work to put my energy toward creating the positive!
Comment by Spiff | 12.16.2009 | 8:36 pm
For a video that consisted almost entirely of you (Fatty) talking to the camera, it was surprisingly entertaining. Well done, Daniel, Glenn, and Fatty!
Comment by ChefJT | 12.16.2009 | 10:10 pm
Sincerely happy for you. Must have been an incredible experience. Can’t wait until the next “stage.”
Comment by Larry | 12.16.2009 | 10:10 pm
This is one of the coolest, most enjoyable tales on the internet. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Comment by HB Jeff | 12.16.2009 | 10:13 pm
It is amazing that the joy of riding bikes can do so much good.
Thanks Fatty
Comment by Lynn | 12.16.2009 | 10:27 pm
Just watched the 2nd video..what a class act JB is.
I cannot WAIT for the helmet cam video!!
Comment by Dan O | 12.16.2009 | 10:29 pm
Wow – what a day. Pretty amazing….
Comment by Jase | 12.16.2009 | 10:41 pm
Fatty,
My fiance and I were thrilled to find out you were going to be able to ride with Team Shack.
Sadly, she’s not able to read about your adventure. She died in a tragic accident late last week, and I’m just now catching up with your story from training camp.
Thanks for following through on posting your story, it’s providing a much needed diversion. I admired your story before, and more still after you lost Susan.
Now I’ll be looking to you for examples of how to soldier on after the loss of a spouse. Thanks again.
Jase
Comment by Ginger | 12.16.2009 | 10:47 pm
You are an amazing person. Reading your blog is always a delight. It makes me so happy that you had this crazy incredible experience.
We all can feel like we were there through these videos and pictures; through your words and story.
I can’t wait for more!
Comment by blair houghton | 12.17.2009 | 12:32 am
just plain cool, fatty
and jase, words can’t express…
Comment by Sean | 12.17.2009 | 2:26 am
OK, anybody good at face surgery? I just ripped my face from smiling too hard
Comment by olej | 12.17.2009 | 3:40 am
Fatty. I am hoping I am not spoiling things too much but Johan has just come up with another vid on his FB page and I bet I am not the only one who wants to see it asap :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI9wDzay8YI
Comment by Born 4 Lycra | 12.17.2009 | 3:58 am
Jase so sorry all the best from Oz stay stong mate.
FC as a matter of interest which bike did you take with you to ride …….I hope it was the Orca.
I got JB’s autograph in Adelaide this year while wearing a fat cyclist t-shirt which he commented on but I’m sure that’s not where he heard about FC first or was it?
Comment by Doug (WAY upstate NY) | 12.17.2009 | 5:45 am
It is a wonderful thing when successful people are also friendly and caring. Cudo’s to Johan for taking up your letter and running with it.
I am hugely jealous that you even got to ride! It is -1 (F) here at my house today and there is snow on the ground. It is going to be a while before I get to ride again. Then you put on top who you were riding with. Speechless. Enjoy the time. You certainly deserved this as well.
Comment by Guy | 12.17.2009 | 5:46 am
Great post, cant wait till the next update! Looks like you had an amazing time, really enjoyed the video!!!
Comment by Chris R | 12.17.2009 | 7:11 am
I can’t get over how good the NEW Fat Cyclist kits look. I can’t wait to break mine out in the spring (I live in Pittsburgh PA…so not much riding outside until March or April). Team Fatty – Philly
Comment by Marilyn | 12.17.2009 | 8:35 am
Jase,
Sorry to just see your comment about your finance. My thoughts and prays are with you!!
Comment by Cold Fatty | 12.17.2009 | 8:45 am
Screw this Johan or Lance stuff…
Fatty, you are MY hero!!
Can’t wait to hear about the ride, eh.
Comment by Cold Fatty | 12.17.2009 | 8:48 am
Jase,
Our heartfelt sympathies from the Great White North…
Comment by Erik | 12.17.2009 | 10:09 am
Jase,
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. You will be in our prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Comment by DOLPH74 | 12.17.2009 | 11:14 am
Good things happen to good people
Comment by DC | 12.17.2009 | 11:29 am
Chris R – email me if you want to get together on some rides in preparation for Philly.
Jase – sorry about your loss
Comment by Devery | 12.17.2009 | 11:34 am
Has anyone ever mentioned that you and Levi look alot alike? Maybe you could stunt double if the need ever arises! How about a side by side shot for fun?
Comment by Mike in Houston | 12.17.2009 | 12:30 pm
FC – Brilliant! So jealous! but you are deserving. I can’t wait for the next installments, the suspense is killing me.
Jase, So sorry to hear about your fiancée, I’ve been there too, 6 years ago. Soldier-on on the days that you can. Admit it and rest on the days you can’t and surround yourself with friends and family. It won’t be easy but you will make it.
Comment by Geoff | 12.17.2009 | 5:25 pm
What a fun weekend- happy for you, Fatty.
Comment by Derek | 12.22.2009 | 4:29 pm
Fatty, I am not sure about anybody else but for me you are an inspiration. Second only to LA (for me at least).
Your hardship through the past year or so has shown you to be a truly inspirational person. The positive Karma that you give out has returned. To me this is what the true Cycling Community is all about. Livestrong, mate and have a really Happy Christmas.
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