Winners Now, More Winners Soon
A Note from Fatty: The Twin Six guys wanted me to let you know that due to a production delay, the 2011 Fat Cyclist gear will begin shipping October 11. You (and I) should be seeing it soon after that!
Everyone, meet Sandra of New York:
Also, meet Sandra’s bike, affectionately known to Sandra as “Billie.”
I’m afraid that Billie is about to become a little bit jealous, because Sandra — a Team Fatty member who has raised $2105 this year — is the winner of the latest Shimano / Orbea giveaway, and will shortly be riding this:
Yeah, Sandra’s had a pretty good day. And after reading a little bit about who she is and why she’s involved with the fight against cancer, I think you’ll be as glad as I am that she won this bike.
A Little More About Sandra
Sandra was good enough to send me a little bit of information about who she is and why she’s joined the fight against cancer. In her words:
I started the LIVESTRONG challenge fundraising because in 2009 one of my closest friends, Drew Olanoff, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Immediately he, instead of adopting a ‘woe is me’ attitude, found a way to put his misfortune to good use.
After getting diagnosed he started a twitter trend called #blamedrewscancer and a website that is partnered with LIVESTRONG where you can “blame cancer” for anything you want, whether its your bad hair day or your own cancer.
He also put his twitter name @drew on auction to the highest bidder and all $$ goes to LIVESTRONG. Who bought it? DREW CAREY!
So Drew Olanoff has been a HUGE source of inspiration to me long before this, but this made me redirect all my efforts for fundraising and charity into LIVESTRONG. We’re such good friends that he, our friend Rachel and I all got matching tattoos!
I did the 45 mile LIVESTRONG ride in 2009. It was hard because at the second rest stop about 21 miles in I got stung in the eye by a bee and the medic tent gave me Benadryl that made me nauseous the rest of the way.
There were so many times I wanted to flag down one of the vans to have me brought back to the finish line but every hard hill I climbed I said to myself “people with cancer don’t give up, neither should you,” and that powered me through. So even though it took something like a total of 6 hours to complete I still completed it because I felt it was important to throw my body in the ring for the cause.
A Note from Fatty: Drew was the MC at the awards dinner in Philly in 2009, so I got a chance to meet him. I — like a lot of people — was impressed with his creative energy and desire to find new ways to do good things.
Meet Jerry Pickering — The Winner of the Trip to Ride for the Roses
Sandra wasn’t the only winner in this contest, though. Remember, while the guys from Twin Six raised enough money for LiveStrong to get to the coveted “Yellow Jersey” level ($30,000!), they wanted to share the experience, and so they gave me the perks of their fundraising — a trip to Austin to join Team Fatty at the Ride for the Roses — to me to include as part of this latest fundraiser.
And I’m happy to announce that Jerry Pickering is the winner of that trip!
Here’s Jerry at the finish line at this year’s San Jose LiveStrong Challenge:
Here’s what Jerry has to say about why he’s involved in the fight against cancer:
I’m a software engineer (casualty of company lay off last week, ironically enough), and a Special Forces vet.
In the last year, I’ve had four very close friends and former Special Forces heroes diagnosed with Cancer.
Two have already passed away.
It is monumentally unfair after all they have done to secure our freedom and the freedom of others. It is very hard to watch my teammates suffer quietly, never surrendering. So I picked up the LiveSTRONG challenge in San Jose riding with Matthew Chapek and Team Fatty.
A Note from Fatty: I want to point out that I’m constantly amazed and impressed with the stories and reasons to fight cancer Team Fatty members have. Big thanks go out to Jerry for his service to his country, as well as his reasons for taking up the fight against cancer.
More Winners Coming Soon!
As you may know, I’m going to Santa Rosa this week to ride in Levi’s Gran Fondo. Tomorrow, I’m going to tell you a little bit about what I’ve learned about Levi Leipheimer — the kind of person I’m learning he is, and the kinds of causes he supports.
And I’m also going to be firing up a contest where you can win some pretty awesome things. I won’t reveal what they are, but here are a few clues:
That video isn’t perhaps very informative, so here are some pictures.
PS: Apart from that first video, I’m not very good at giving difficult-to-decipher clues, am I?
Comment by NYCCarlos | 10.4.2010 | 10:12 am
My guess is that it’s a trip to levi’s gran fondo, and yes, I would like to win that.
Congrats Sandra & Jerry!
Sandra, let me know if you wanna put some miles in on the new whip… I’d love to meet some more NYC fatties and ride with you!
Comment by Roger Whitney | 10.4.2010 | 10:20 am
Congrats Sandra and Jerry!!!!
THANK YOU FATTY and your Fantastic Fatty Friends that are so generous.
Comment by Luc | 10.4.2010 | 10:31 am
Fatty,
I’m a bit disappointed that the 2011 Team Fatty Kits are not shipping this week. I was looking forward to riding in the new kit at the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival in Central Florida this weekend.
Comment by drew olanoff | 10.4.2010 | 10:43 am
Sandra is one of my bestest friends, and she would do anything for anyone. When I was diagnosed she stuck by my side and I’m so proud of her that she keeps doing good for others, even though I’m technically cancer free.
Fatty, we met at the LIVESTRONG event in Philly and you’re an inspiration. Keep up the amazing work <3
Comment by Sandra | 10.4.2010 | 11:03 am
Thanks everyone! I am beside myself with excitement for winning this bike! <3
Comment by Leigh Anne Dennis | 10.4.2010 | 11:24 am
See you in Santa Rosa, in last years kit but a fatty kit nonetheless. It is a great event and I am looking forward to 103miles with 8000+feet of climbing ( not really the climbing part)
Comment by MaineMTB | 10.4.2010 | 11:29 am
Hey Fatty-
Had the chance to meet Levi at the Dempsey Challenge this weekend. He’s a really nice guy, not to mention The Real Deal of competitive cycling.
Maybe we’ll see you out there next year? http://www.dempseychallenge.org/
And no, I don’t watch Greys Anatomy
Comment by Chuck | 10.4.2010 | 11:49 am
All too often Jerry Pickering’s story of his Special Forces brethern falling ill with cancer is a familiar story. My father, also a Special Forces hero, was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. He tells me stories of him being so wet with Agent Orange, it was like he bathed in it. So many have sacraficed, but so many continue to fight. I guess, that’s what it’s all about!
Comment by Squirrelhead | 10.4.2010 | 11:52 am
Congratulations Sandra and Jerry. Enjoy your awesome prizes! I am glad that they went to a good home.
Comment by Clydesteve | 10.4.2010 | 2:27 pm
Seriously??? Levi wuld come clear up here and jump his MTB onto my new black Giro helmet? WOW O WOW!
I’m in!
Comment by Jenni | 10.4.2010 | 2:29 pm
Wait, is Sandra from the NYC area? Well honey, you will have to debut your new darling at the NYC marathon! Come cheer with us!
Comment by Bryan (not that one) | 10.4.2010 | 2:29 pm
Congrats Sandra! Enjoy your bike! You’ll have to let us know if you enjoy the Di2 as much as Fatty does. :-)
Congrats, Jerry! Enjoy your trip!
Comment by Daniel | 10.4.2010 | 3:16 pm
Super disappointed about the Fatty gear but happy for the winners. Congrats!
Comment by AngieG | 10.4.2010 | 3:21 pm
Congrats to see Sandra and Jerry!!!! I am so jealous of that bike. Jerry- you will have a total blast at the ride for the roses. Matt and his brother Greg and I went last year and fell in love with Austin!!
FC- can’t wait to see you and The Runner at the fondo. Let me know if there is anything you need. angie@bikemonkey.net
Comment by Jesse | 10.4.2010 | 3:43 pm
I missed the entire ordering period for the team fatty kits b/c of a hospital stay. Not that I have any use for a bike jersey now, either, but I’m going to be eagerly anticipating NEXT year’s order!!
Comment by T Foster | 10.4.2010 | 5:29 pm
Congrats Sandra and Jerry!
Curious to learn the new name for the Orbea…
Comment by Charisa | 10.4.2010 | 5:57 pm
Super awesome readers of fatty winning super awesome stuff while fighting cancer. Love it!
Comment by kellene | 10.4.2010 | 6:36 pm
Is that Lance chasing Levi through the trees with a camera? Who else might be able to keep up with him to film the ride?
Comment by MattC | 10.4.2010 | 8:02 pm
Way to go Sandra and Jerry! I’m literally dripping with envy at the Orca…and Jerry..it was awesome meeting you and your wife up in SJ…really glad you joined our team this year! You will have a FANTASTIC time down in Austin…As Angie said, she and my brother Greg and I went to represent SJ last year…we were on our own dime though (cuz I haven’t yet figured out how to earn 15 grand or more..still working on that)…it was flat out fantastic, and I wasn’t even involved in ‘the good stuff’ of which you are going to get…the ‘yellow’ carpet treatment…be safe and enjoy! And hope to see you again next year up on SJ!
Comment by AK_Chick | 10.4.2010 | 9:43 pm
Woot! Congrats to Sandra & Jerry! That is so awesome. I love all these contests and I can’t even be jealous (okay, maybe a smidge) because the winners are so deserving of their handsome prizes. So cool that Sandra is good friends with Drew. I follow him on Twitter – love his tweets! Can’t wait to hear about the next contest.
MattC – I’m also trying to figure out how to raise enough $$$ for next year’s Livestrong event. Poor planning, or lack thereof, meant I’m unable to attend Austin this year. Very disappointed in myself. I’ll be there in spirit though!
Comment by Brandy | 10.5.2010 | 9:05 am
I didnt win?? well then I #blamedrewscancer !! =)
Congrats to the winners !
Fatty the weather is beautiful here in Norcal. Might need a jacket or arm/knee warmers for the morning, but warms up nicely for the afternoons. You are going to have a blast out here! Enjoy!