Thankful, 2010 Edition
I am thankful for my family. I’m thankful for my wonderful kids — all smart, all healthy, and all have put up with an awful lot pretty much every year of their lives, but still have maintained their humor, their kindness, and helpfulness, while treating me like a better dad than I am. My family also grew by four this year: The Runner and her three kids, including her daughter joining the household (her two boys are on their own). I wouldn’t have ever imagined the Brady-Bunch-ization of my life would be so awesome.
I am thankful for a year that was crazy-busy, instead of crazy-awful. I got married. I got a new job. I did an Ironman. I did Levi’s GranFondo. I did Leadville. I did the Ride for the Roses. I did the New York City Marathon. I did Six Flags Magic Mountain. I hiked Zions. And a lot more. It’s been so nice to be overwhelmed with really exciting and new adventures, instead of new aspects of an ongoing tragedy.
I am thankful I inherited a big, friendly Malamute. The Runner’s dog looks like a wolf, acts like a princess. She lounges beside me most workdays, and is great company. I love having a dog.
I am thankful for carbon fiber. It’s light. It’s strong, it’s increasingly affordable. It can be any shape you want it to be. A new golden age of bicycles is upon us, and a big part of it is because a lot of smart people have learned to do amazing things with this material.
I am thankful for limes. I used to buy Diet Coke with Lime. Now I buy Diet Coke, and a big bag of limes. Twice as good. Easily.
I am thankful for sleep. The less I get of it, the more I appreciate it.
I am thankful for local singletrack. I have so much good riding I can do right from my house that traveling to go ride somewhere else feels like a waste of time. Why should I drive 45 minutes to go ride the — reputedly fantastic — trail in Payson when I can be riding the fantastic AF Canyon trails in fifteen minutes, or the Corner Canyon trails in five minutes? The problem of “too much awesome singletrack” is not a bad problem to have.
I am thankful for Team Fatty. So many of you have done so much in the fight against cancer this year. You inspire me to stay focused, and you honor Susan’s memory. Thank you.
PS: I am thankful for the 25%-Off Sale at Twin Six. My friends at Twin Six have created the absolutely best set of Fat Cyclist clothing ever this year. That’s not hyperbole, either. I really mean that this year the designs and kinds of cycling (and running!) gear they’ve put together for me is the best they’ve ever done. And today only, it’s all 25% off . I love my short-sleeve jersey, long-sleeved jersey, hoodie, tech-T, and wool socks in particular. Check out all the Fat Cyclist gear here.
PPS: Everything else at Twin Six is 25% off today, too. Which makes today an awesome day to do your Christmas shopping for your cycling friends…and for yourself.
Comment by Rob L | 11.24.2010 | 11:12 am
Great points Fatty. You forgot is between limes and carbon fiber on the list: Chamois Creme (Whichever brand you prefer).
Happy Turducken Holiday!
Comment by Erik | 11.24.2010 | 11:17 am
I’m thankful for looking damn good in my full 2011 Team Fatty kit as I wore it through Denver airport security this week
Comment by LISA | 11.24.2010 | 11:45 am
What a beautiful dog! My aunt had a malamute/huskie mix and he was gorgeous!
Comment by D n S | 11.24.2010 | 11:55 am
Nice list, love the dog we’ve got a Husky that loves to walk the mixed use trails with me. I’m also thankful for the 25% off sale because I have no excuse to not purchase a fine Twinsix Team Fatty jersey.
Comment by kellene | 11.24.2010 | 12:23 pm
I too am thankful. What started out as an extremely difficult year has turned out wonderfully. Thanks to you all for your support, donations and help through the kidney transplant journey. We are all well, thriving and are especially thankful this has passed!
We are thankful in the Fatty family for 4 new babies that were born during the last month too. Fatty’s sisters had 3 and a niece had 1. A great way to end a hard year.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all and thanks again for all of your giving!
Kellene
Comment by Clancy | 11.24.2010 | 12:58 pm
Just got my Team Fatty jersey last week. Figures. Maybe i can persuade the wife that a pair of bibs are in order. :-)
I’m thankful for the most awesome family in the world and the health we all have to enjoy it.
Comment by Cameron | 11.24.2010 | 1:03 pm
I am thankful that this country excludes skinny people from being able to buy properly fitting clothing. It saves me from spending $56 on a jersey. Of course, twin six only tells me it is out of stock after I put in my credit card information.
I guess other skinny riders are faster than me both on the bike and on the keyboard. Shucks.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 11.24.2010 | 2:42 pm
I am thankful for Fatty,(for Elden) who brings us all together under this big tent. Who makes us laugh and cry in equal measure. Who makes us thankful for our own friends, families, children, and the memories of those no longer with us. Who reminds us that together we can win.
Thank you Elden and Happy Thanksgiving (too all of you)
David Houston and Family
Comment by steventoby | 11.24.2010 | 3:39 pm
I too am happy for the TWIN SIX 25% off sale. I was going to forgo a 2011 Fatty Kit (money’s tight) but the sale made it irresitable.
Have a great Turkey Day Fatty! No matter how hard and busy we are just remember we are truely blessed!
Comment by Genaro | 11.24.2010 | 4:16 pm
I am thankful for my wife. Without her, I would not have been allowed to open OUR wallet and dive headfirst into the cycling phenomenon over this past summer. I am hooked and I owe it to her and bibs. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Comment by aussie kev | 11.24.2010 | 4:25 pm
i have just bought a long sleeve fat cyclist top for winter !
at the end of summer i am thankfull for winter !!!
aussie kev
Comment by Ian | 11.24.2010 | 6:36 pm
Thank you for your blog. Whilst being very amusing and slightly informative, you let me know that no matter how bad my day is, someone is having a worse day, and most likely with a richer outlook than mine.
Comment by AngieG | 11.24.2010 | 6:37 pm
I am thankful for my whole Fatty family. May you all have an amazing Thanksgiving!!
Comment by judi | 11.24.2010 | 6:45 pm
happy thanksgiving. hope you eat alot tomorrow.
Comment by Maggs | 11.24.2010 | 6:51 pm
I’m going to have to try the lime thing. I keep thinking I’ll like Diet Coke with Lime, but the taste just isn’t right. Thanks for the tip!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Comment by BamaJim | 11.24.2010 | 7:48 pm
So many things to thank the Lord for – His undeserved grace, great friends and family, some of whom are also good riding partners, the opportunity to go out and play on a bike… and deep fried turkey and apple pie.
Also appreciate the fatty gear discounts – my daughter’s been wanting a jersey, so Christmas shopping may be starting early
Comment by Paul Guyot | 11.24.2010 | 8:17 pm
Nicely done.
I am thankful for Team Fatty – for getting me through my first Century ride after I blew up going too hard too early.
I am thankful for Elden and this blog. Not only have you inspired me to ride more, get fit, but you have inspired me to take up the fight.
Sometimes the true meaning of this blog gets lost in all the fun and coolness. But then it never really does get lost, does it? We’re all here for the same reason.
I am thankful I have found cycling this year. Not only am I more healthy than anytime in the last 20+ years, but I have made new friends, and have become part of something – Team Fatty and the fight. I can’t wait to meet some of you in person in 2011.
Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Comment by dan | 11.24.2010 | 9:40 pm
Kit Ordered!
Comment by Dan O | 11.25.2010 | 12:57 am
I have no idea how you fit all that in – very impressive and awe inspiring.
I’m a family guy – 2 kids, wife, full-time job, the usual. So I know how busy it can be.
I also have nearby singletrack – and yes, that’s priceless. Ride from the house and hit dirt in minutes. Only thing better then that – sharing it with my 11 year old son.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 11.25.2010 | 7:00 am
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! You have been a blessing beyond description……enjoy the time with friends, family and loved ones and take a moment to reflect on what they all mean to your life.
Livestrong
Mike
Comment by Jenni | 11.25.2010 | 8:21 am
I am thankful for your happy year. I am thankful Philly Jen is happy and well. I am thankful for more than I can list.
Now, less typing, more TwinSix shopping. I hope you all have a blessed day.
Comment by Jenni | 11.25.2010 | 8:31 am
Hey, I’m trying to buy a Fat Cyclist hoodie and there’s no discount being given. Are these items excluded?
Comment by RANTWICK | 11.25.2010 | 9:51 am
I am Thankful for celebrating Thanksgiving a month and half ago instead of this close to Christmas. I am not Thankful to be at work.
Comment by AllisonH | 11.25.2010 | 10:51 am
Happy Thanksgiving Fatty, and to your wonderful family, along with everyone, everywhere that makes up Team Fatty.
My taller half just left the house for the infamous Marin-Fairfax “Appetite Seminar”. He’s all dolled up in the latest Fat Cyclist gear and looking quite fetching (if I do say so myself). However it is very cold for our area right now – low 30’s before the windchill, so I think the bib shorts need to come with an optional ’sleeping’ bag for the man part. Maybe a future enhancement? ;-)
Ride – Eat – Ride Some More – Then Have Dinner!
Comment by bubbaseadog | 11.25.2010 | 11:58 am
okay kid im thankful that im still alive after being hit by a car 500 yards from the finish line at tour de donut only elbow roadrash im thankful for this blog and you for sharing your most humorous and sometimes intimate details of your life and im thankful we live in a country that allows us to express our feelings but most of all im thankful for life. thank you susan thank you fatty and lisa happy thanksgiving everybody
Comment by Nurse Betsy | 11.25.2010 | 3:05 pm
Thankful for:
My friends and family
My house that is so beautiful and a place of creativity, joy and peace.
My bike where I feel free, powerful and at a place of bliss.
Thankful for this blog and all the people who inspire me to be a better person.
Comment by Kari Albano | 11.26.2010 | 5:59 am
I am thankful for the child doctors told me I probably would not be able to have after having cancer, he will be four in March. I’m thankful for the financial support I recieve from my parents when money is tight, I am thankful there areso many others out there joining the fight against cancer.
Comment by Kyle (aka slowcyclist) | 11.26.2010 | 11:52 pm
I am thankful that the power is back on and I can again be amused and inspired by Fatty’s blog. The runner has great taste in dogs. I have a pair of malamutes that offer endless fun and amusement as well.
Comment by Kim Serafini | 11.28.2010 | 11:20 pm
Thanks for sharing this post. Please also do visit our club, the I AM GR8FUL CLUB. Just join us if you like it. So here’s the link.
http://www.iamgr8ful.com/gr8ful_club.php.
Just join us, it’s not like your losing your life in here. Thanks!
Comment by Caleb | 11.29.2010 | 12:41 pm
I’m thankful for your witty bog that keeps me inspired to ride! :) Happy belated thanksgiving
Comment by Clydesteve | 11.29.2010 | 3:02 pm
Late Happy Thanksgiving, Fatty, Runner, and all Friends of Fatty on & off this blog.
Listen, Fatty – ‘dog people’ need to know – What is the Malamute’s name? ‘Runners Dog’ does not cut it.
“Runners’ Dog – Roll over!” See what I mean?
(I promise I will not be a creeper and cyber-stalk your dog if I know his true name, Lisa.)
Comment by Patrick S | 12.7.2010 | 1:47 pm
Ok, so I am on vacation in Sorrento Italy for a week. I weighed in last week at a hefty 267 (my highest ever). I somehow have managed to weigh in at 264.2, for a loss of 2.8lbs.
Comment by Lee | 12.7.2010 | 2:39 pm
End of week one weigh 221 – minus 3 pounds
Comment by Shawn | 12.7.2010 | 7:53 pm
Started at 264, now at 259. Lost 5 so far. Hooray!
Comment by Pete | 12.7.2010 | 11:05 pm
Starting weight 206.5 weight 12/7/10 202.5 down 4 pounds.