Grand Slam for Zambia: Let’s Change 1000 People’s Lives
A Note from Fatty: If you already know how this contest works and just want to go donate, click here to see the official rules, and then click here to go to the donation page.
Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that I have started posting there pretty often. Perhaps more often than I ought. And it’s (almost) always a lot of fun when someone posts a tweet with my handle included.
And then, yesterday afternoon, I saw this one from Johan Bruyneel:
As you might expect, I was just a little bit intrigued. And then early this afternoon, while I was having some Twitter-free time, Johan posted this:
Yeah, as you can imagine, I didn’t waste a lot of time jumping over to the link, which I highly recommend you read, too.
No, it’s not an invitation to fill in for Chris Horner in the Tour de France, even though I’m roughly his height and have an identical hair style.
It’s an invitation for The Hammer and me to visit Africa to witness the good World Bicycle Relief (WBR) has done and is doing for children there — to watch how a bike can change a person’s life in very important ways.
And it’s also a challenge (Johan Bruyneel evidently loves to challenge people) to Team Fatty to raise enough money to buy 1000 bikes for kids there, with some amazing incentives to give you extra reasons to get on board.
I have to say: I’m amazed by this opportunity and challenge, and humbled, and very inspired.
And if we do this right, I’ll get to take one of you with me, and together we’ll put stickers on 1000 bikes, letting 1000 kids know that Team Fatty stepped up to help them.
Let’s go into some details, OK?
Why This Matters
Before we talk about how the contest works and what you might win (and there is definitely some cool stuff to win!) by donating, let’s talk about why this contest is important to me, and why it should be important to you, too.
$134 is not a lot of money, but it will buy a good bicycle for a kid in Zambia. That bike will make it possible for the kid to make what would otherwise be a prohibitively long commute to school. Which means a kid that couldn’t otherwise stay in school, now can.
And that means new opportunities. And a better life.
Think about that for a sec: $134 can change a person’s life. Permanently, and in a big way.
Wow.
And Johan Bruyneel, along with his friends at WBR, are giving us the opportunity to change a thousand lives.
And to make it fun, he’s made it into a cool game: the more we raise, the more awesome prizes go into the drawing.
Let’s look at those for a minute.
Prize-ageddon
Those of you who know my contests know that I like to give away some cool stuff. In this case, though, the coolness level and quantity has gone so far through the roof that it’s in danger of passing out due to lack of oxygen.
Really.
The thing is, though, the more we raise, the more prizes there will be.
So, no matter what, we’ll be giving away WBR casual clothing and bike kits, Team RadioShack kits, a Team RadioShack jersey, cycling cap, and botttle signed by everyone still in the Tour, Road ID gift certificates, Giro Aeon helmets, Strider no-pedal bikes, and a set of HED Ardennes SL Wheels.
But as we raise enough money to buy certain numbers of bikes, increasingly mind-blowing prizes get added to the pot. Like this:
- 100 Bikes ($13,400): SRAM Red Pro Gruppo – SRAM’s top-of-the-top road group. And — if I may say so — darn near close to a work of art, appearance-wise. Win this and you’ll want to get a new frame, just to be worthy of the components. [UPDATE: We've already hit this goal!]
- 250 Bikes ($33,500): A Team RadioShack Trek Madone Bike (Race Ridden). You can’t look more pro than riding on a pro’s bike. Who’s bike will you get? Well, that depends on what size of bike you need. One thing’s for sure, though: it’s gonna be as light and sweet as UCI will allow. Oh, and the saddle will be nice and level, too. Ha.
500 Bikes ($67,000): A yellow jersey, worn on the podium by Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France. Holy smokes, do you have any idea how much this thing is worth? Hint: enough that you might want to take good care of it.- 750 Bikes ($100,500): Trek Travel 2012 Tour de France Paris Trip, with airfare and accommodations included. You haven’t ever wanted to go Paris and see the finish of the Tour de France, have you? No? Me either. Why would anyone want to do that? But you know what? If you win you can give the prize to me and I’ll go anyway, just so you won’t have to. That would be really nice of me.
- 1000 Bikes ($134,000): 1000 bikes. 1000 lives changed. When (not if!) we achieve this Grand Slam for Zambia, one of you will get to join The Hammer and me on a trip to Africa, where we’ll report back on how the work we’ve done together has changed lives. We’ll put “Grand Slam for Zambia” stickers on a thousand bikes. I’m told it’s going to be the experience of a lifetime, and I don’t doubt it.
Check Johan’s blog for more details on and photos of all these prizes, and I’ll be describing them in more detail soon, too.
And you know what? These aren’t even all the prizes there will be. I’ve got more good stuff lined up, and will be announcing them soon.
How the Contest Works
You can find the full version of the rules here, though if you have done my contests before you already understand how this one works. So if you want, just click on over and donate.
Anyway, here are the basics:
- Click here to go to the donation page.
- Donate any amount, but at least $5.00.
- For every $5.00 you donate, you get a chance at a prize.
- If you donate $134 — enough to buy a bike — you get a bonus 3 chances. (If you donate in multiples of $134, you get a bonus 3 chances for each 134 you donate).
- You have between now and August 27, Midnight (MT) to donate.
- We’ll notify the winners by email and phone.
Questions and Wrapup
Got any questions? Post them in comments. Don’t email me questions; I won’t see them. I’m currently so far behind on email I’m thinking of just deleting the whole 650+ (really) unread messages and starting over.
And a huge “thanks” goes out to Johan and the WBR folks for giving us this challenge. I am still trying to wrap my brain around it, but I am incredibly excited to do something so big and good with Team Fatty. And to have one of you come along to Africa with me to help tell the story of what Team Fatty is capable of accomplishing.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.20.2011 | 4:52 pm
Elden,
Your influence never ceases to amaze. Personally, I think ‘who should join you’ is your kids, so they can see what a totally awesome dad you are. But, I suspect, they already know that.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.20.2011 | 5:15 pm
Oh, and Fatty, in Africa, I want to see you ride (race) the WBR Bike. (against a cheetah would be cool).
I guarantee I will get video of me going flat out on a WBR bike, racing someone or another. – FC
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.20.2011 | 5:53 pm
Is it wrong that all I really want is the signed jersey? We have a signed Levi Astana jersey but considering CAVENDISH came in ahead of him on yesterday’s TdF stage, I am dimming the spotlight on it for a couple of days in protest. LOL.
I am going to have make a separate bike donation than that of husband #1 (davidh-marin,ca) because I am pretty sure he’ll want the bike or the trip instead.
Not that either of us will win, we never do, but we sure do like playing! Thanks to Johan, Fatty and this amazing community for another incredible contest and chance for a lot of people to come together to make a big difference!
Oh GREAT – I just heard David mutter aloud “but who would I take on the trip with me?”
Thanks for continuing to donate! And for what it’s worth, I’m pretty sure I’ve never won more than a pair of socks in a drawing, either. – FC
Comment by Matthew | 07.20.2011 | 6:07 pm
This challenge reminds me- Fatty, you’ve been slacking on our weekly reminders to upload for +1 Network to earn bikes for WBR (and the +1 Network folks have been slacking on providing you a stats widget!)
In outrage, I’m going to go ride my bike good and far. That’ll teach both of you…
Comment by Liz | 07.20.2011 | 7:17 pm
Wow, this is an amazing contest, but what a lot of money to raise! Will the $18K + we’ve already raised through Plus3 count toward our total dollar figure? But don’t worry, I’ll make a direct donation and I’ll pass this along to others who would be supportive of this cause, because we might need some help.
Also, how will the drawing be conducted? Another one of Fatty’s famous spreadsheets?
Good questions!
1. The +3 money won’t count against the total; this is a separate program.
2. Yes, I’ll be doing another one of my spreadsheets. It’s gonna have a lot of rows!
- FC
Comment by Laura S | 07.20.2011 | 7:18 pm
Considering I’m a big fan of the charity beneficiary and I’ve ACUTALLY WON SOMETHING recently this proving it is indeed possible, count me in for a coupla bikes!
Thanks Laura! See you in France! – FC
Comment by Darren | 07.20.2011 | 7:41 pm
Is this contest open to your loyal Canadian followers? I am pretty sure I will donate either way…
Yep, this contest is totally international! – FC
Comment by Irony | 07.20.2011 | 9:51 pm
Does anybody else find a very sad irony in putting Fat Cyclist stickers on bikes for African kids?
It”ll actually be a “Grand Slam for Zambia” stickers, though the clydesdale-in-a-circle logo will probably be on that sticker, too. We haven’t finished designing it yet.
OK, actually we haven’t even started designing it yet. – FC
Comment by Jason | 07.20.2011 | 9:53 pm
I like how the link for the Trek Madone bike is a link to a comedy central site “Ten Tips For Trekkie Voters”
pure genius.
Unintentional genius, I’m afraid; I lifted the link from Johan’s site without even checking it. Fixed (even though I’m tempted to leave the other one there what with the hilariousness and whatnot)! – FC
Comment by JamesBrett | 07.20.2011 | 9:54 pm
i’m a long-time reader, but have never commented before. i live in tanzania, east africa, and work as a missionary in agriculture development. i clicked over to johan’s site and to world bicycle relief to read more about this program, but didn’t find as much information as i was looking for.
i’m torn about programs like this. it’s true that bicycles make life better in rural africa for those who have them. possibilities of money made by carrying cargo (or people) greatly increases, and the distance able to be traveled in a day is lengthened. but i’m wary still.
WBR sounds like they’ve got some great ideas regarding microfinance and training bike mechanics. but these bike giveaways concern me for three reasons:
1) it’s largely based on an untruth. “Due to the disconnection between suppliers and end-users, most bicycles available in Africa are not robust, and they fall apart almost immediately after purchase.” this is simply untrue. the bikes sold in africa are indeed cheaply made (in china and elsewhere?), but the local markets have found ways to improve these bikes greatly. they last a long time — they’re certainly used for far more miles than the average bike in the states (and over worse terrain, carrying more weight).
2) i can’t find what bikes are being bought for the africans, but it certainly sounds as if we’re sending bikes over. that means we’re undercutting the local economy so that we can spend (a great deal) more money to send bikes to africa. i’d argue we could (very) easily buy twice as many local bikes for people if we supported the local economy. and we’d be creating / sustaining jobs without forcing issues of suspicion and jealousy (which often end in witchcraft and black magic curses put on neighbors).
3) there’s a fine line between relief and development, and it’s difficult to strike a balance. but our charity (while making us feel great) often increases dependence on outside help rather than encouraging the local people to find and implement solutions on their own.
i’m not trying to be a complainer, but this is (perhaps more than anything i’ve read on your blog) close to my heart. and i just want to encourage others to think through all these issues. i’m not suggesting we don’t support WBR and their work in zambia. i’m only trying to raise some awareness concerning the complexity of issues like this.
i’m sorry if i’m come across as rude or disapproving. i think it’s great that you and your readers are so willing to help others in need.
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.20.2011 | 9:55 pm
@Jason – I think that link may have been hacked. I swear that used to go to the Trek bike site. Unless I clicked another link.
Comment by JamesBrett | 07.20.2011 | 10:04 pm
i should apologize. after further reading, i found that WBR does assemble bikes in country in order to help the local economy. i do wonder why we don’t use bikes already present (instead of trucking in 40-100 bikes as they do), but still WBR seems to be working hard to try and do what’s best in all areas. i should have read more than i did initially, before commenting.
Comment by salittle1 | 07.20.2011 | 11:39 pm
FATTY’s coming to AFRICA!!! WWHHHOOOHHHOOO!!!! now all i need to do is get up North, or get him to come down south… you said Autumn is when you are due to come? when in Autumn, hopefully around the October time, there’s a great road race in South Africa in October, I could totally get you and “the Hammer” (and the lucky Fatty winner an entry and accomodation, all you have to do is come south after Zambia…
Comment by Jenn | 07.20.2011 | 11:59 pm
Already posted this to my FB and Twitter. I’ve been donating to this great cause since the first time you and Johan mentioned it here. AND (!!!) after I’ve been diligently entering my mileage at +3 for awhile, guess who woke to find a Garmin 405 charging next to her computer this morning?! Hubby just winked and said, “It’s for the chirren!” Double kudos from here on out, plus fabulous gadgetry, plus a great contest! A morning full of awesomeness!!
Comment by Nic Grillo | 07.21.2011 | 12:03 am
So I was all ready to send $134 because I thought “hey, how awesome would it be to buy a bike for a kid in Africa to ride to school?”. But then I thought “hey, what happens if that bike gets a flat?”. So I added money for a spare tube and some tire irons. But you have to keep those somewhere, right? So I added money for a seat bag (banjo bros., of course). What about a way to fill that tube with air? Yup – added money for a pump. Bottom line – I’m going to round to $200. Come on Team Fatty, Join me!
Nic, I love the way you think. Thanks! – FC
Comment by World Bicycle Relief | 07.21.2011 | 12:13 am
Wow! What an incredible challenge that Johan and Fatty have laid out and what a truly remarkable response in just this short time. THANK YOU to everyone as you pull together to help share the power of bicycles!
@JamesBrett, your dedication to your passions is spot on and these questions are all important and worth asking. I’m glad you were able to read more about our work and see that our goal is to provide simple, sustainable transportation to those that need it most.
As you mentioned, we do assemble all of our bikes locally, providing jobs in the communities we work. The vast majority of our program staff in Africa is also comprised of local people. The value of local leadership and partnerships is critical to the success of our programs and is very important to World Bicycle Relief.
When it comes to WBR’s bicycle design, our philosophy has always been that, “all answers lie in the field.” Every adjustment or improvement we make to our bikes comes directly from user feedback as our recipients are the ones that know the terrain best and understand the challenges of traversing such harsh conditions day in and day out. It is always our goal to provide the most durable and culturally relevant bike available because we believe that even those at the bottom of the market deserve the highest quality.
Finally, we couldn’t agree more about the balance you speak of when concerning relief work. It is important to know that by donating to our cause, you are providing a hand up, not a hand out. Our bike is a tool for economic development, a tool to access healthcare and a tool to access education. Every bike recipient in our programs signs a contract stating that they agree to their commitment to use their bicycle to: build their business, reach their patients or in the case of our student recipients continue their education and arrive to school on time. Recipients are held to these agreements and what we’ve found is that not only is the WBR bike a tool to access these basic necessities, but particularly in the hands of our young girl students, the bicycle can quite literally provide, freedom, safety, opportunity, confidence, possibilities… previously unimaginable.
If you have further questions or comments we’d love to hear your thoughts, or better yet, if you’re ever able to come visit from Tanzania, we would love to show you our operations first-hand! You can email us at info@worldbicyclerelief.org and we’ll do our best to answer any questions you may have.
Thanks again James and thank you to ALL of you who are banding together to meet this truly awesome challenge! Good luck!
Wow, what a fantastic response. Honestly, I learned quite a bit here myself. Thanks WBR for taking the time to engage in a dialogue like this! – FC
Comment by JamesBrett | 07.21.2011 | 1:15 am
@WBR, thank you for your gracious response to my knee-jerk (or just jerk) reaction. i spent a half-hour on your website this morning after making the little apology above. i really appreciate what you guys are doing and would love to come see how some of this actually works in country.
our mission team is in the process of recruiting someone with some economics know-how to help us set up a micro-finance program of some sort. we’ve spent not a small amount of time discussing a program that would involve bicycles or — more likely — bike trailers for carrying cargo. there’s a whole lot we don’t know yet, but one big uncertainty is how we would decide exactly who qualifies for a trailer or loan, etc. i’d be really interested in learning more about how you guys do that.
someone at WBR will get an email from me soon. if there’s someone in particular i ought to speak with, please forward my email address (and even this little message) on: harrisonsingeita[at]gmail[dot]com
fatty, thanks for allowing me to over-post in your comments section. and thanks for bringing WBR to my attention. i appreciate it.
James, I don’t think anyone would ever accuse you for being a jerk in your comments. Your questions were sincere and your intentions are great. I love seeing discussions like this in my comments section. – FC
Comment by Mark Kynaston | 07.21.2011 | 3:06 am
Fatty,
Donation made
Kinny
Comment by Daniel | 07.21.2011 | 3:09 am
Hi
This is an excellent idea, and as an african I support it wholly. Having been to Zambia last year it is absolutely amazing how reliant people are on bicycles.
I know of a Zambian startup company funded by a Californian group that are already building specialised bikes and bike trailers, http://www.new.zambikes.org. One of their breakthroughs is what they call the Zambulance, basically a bed trailer to take sick people to clinics and hospital. They are also working on a few other projects.
I suggest this as maybe helping you to not re-invent the wheel, so to say.
I am not affiliated with them in any way, just suggesting a possible contact point in Zambia.
God Bless
Daniel
Comment by Ingrid | 07.21.2011 | 4:22 am
Great challenge, great cause.
Being from the Netherlands I am more than happy to support the use of bikes. Donation for a bike and spare tires (great idea Nic!) has been made.
Ingrid, you rock. – FC
Comment by Hannah Hawley | 07.21.2011 | 7:07 am
What I want to know is what happens when the goal has been met far ahead of schedule, as always seems to happen :-)
Well, this is a pretty huge goal, but if we hit it, I’ll either figure out a new goal (and new prizes) or we’ll declare victory and thump our chests over how awesome we all are! Or both. – FC
Comment by Sharon | 07.21.2011 | 7:58 am
I already loved the mission of WBR, but after reading the comment they posted here, I’m even more impressed!
Comment by rich | 07.21.2011 | 8:09 am
Wow, Fatty. You, your site and this group never ceases to amaze me…..thank you for continuing to provide us with the opportunity to do good things…
And thanks for your contributions, Rich! – FC
Comment by CBJ | 07.21.2011 | 8:29 am
I’m in x 3!!! It’s amazing how a guy on a bike with a blog can bring so many people from around the world together. This is a very small world that we live in these days…
And thanks to the most generous readership around, this small world is also a really awesome one. Thanks X 3! – FC
Comment by nh_joe | 07.21.2011 | 8:37 am
It’s too bad +3 won’t count, I’m up to $125 for June and July!
Oh, it counts — just not for this contest. The money you earned with “sweat equity” in +3 still buys kids bikes. Thanks for helping, any way you can! – FC
Comment by Justin L | 07.21.2011 | 8:58 am
I’m in, when i get paid in August, I’ll be buying someone a bicycle who i never met, weird. Great cause Fatty!!!
So cool of you. Thanks! – FC
Comment by Sara | 07.21.2011 | 9:02 am
Donated four bikes – one for each person in our family! We just feel grateful to be in a position to help others through bicycling. Awesome.
More awesome, though, was that on the donation page under the “Where did you hear about us?” question, I selected the most fitting answer “friend”. I feel like I know you even though we’ve never met in person. Thanks for everything you continue to do, Fatty! :)
And thank you for being so generous. Seriously, the quantity and quality of friends (including ones I haven’t met in person) I’ve made on this blog is mind-boggling. – FC
Comment by Kris | 07.21.2011 | 10:03 am
2 bikes on the way! Thanks for a great blog and for a chance to help a great cause too!
Thanks Kris! I’m amazed at how many people are donating a whole bike’s-worth of money! – FC
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.21.2011 | 10:37 am
$19,000 in less than 24 hours. amazing.
Yeah! – FC
Comment by Jenni | 07.21.2011 | 10:43 am
I’ve donated to WBR in the past and will continue to do so. My small problem was the incredible amount of paper, advertisement, and solicitations that came in the mail immediately after my donation and for some time since. I felt like so much of my donation went to this useless stuff, so please, WBR, keep my money! You’re welcome, and I don’t need notes, cards, etc (though I did like the sticker)
I’m excited to donate. And I really really REALLY want to go to Africa.
I totally agree with you, Jenni. I used to donate to Rails to Trails, but got so much print-mail spam that I got turned off to them. I know WBR is reading comments here, and hope they’ll take to heart that those of us donating here have already drunk the kool-aid; we don’t need to be sold and re-sold on doing the right thing. – FC
Comment by roan | 07.21.2011 | 11:26 am
WOW !, great project.
Glad to see the cut off day is August 27…that way I can donate more.
I like the idea of the “Grand Slam for Zambia” stickers, what I would like even more is a Twin Six jersey with ‘Ol Clyde’ and “Grand Slam for Zambia” logo.
I love that idea. I’ll talk to T6. – FC
Comment by Roger Whitney | 07.21.2011 | 11:27 am
I’m in for 10 bikes
WOW. I mean. Just. WOW. – FC
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.21.2011 | 11:41 am
@Roger Whitney – holy crap man, that is awesome.
Comment by Dave T | 07.21.2011 | 11:46 am
I love this organization I’m in!
@Jenni I total agree I don’t need all the mailing that comes after a donation I wish there was an opt out feature when you donate would save them some money.
Comment by Eric L | 07.21.2011 | 12:03 pm
This will make me smile all day thinking I just bought a bike for someone who really needs one. Having recently read articles about Eritrean and Rawandan racers, I think about the 1000 potential racing stars we might be starting out.
Thanks Fatty and John!
Comment by World Bicycle Relief | 07.21.2011 | 12:05 pm
A great big thank you to all of you who have contributed – we at World Bicycle Relief are blown away by your generosity. And thank you to all the thoughtful commenters and questioners; we appreciate your input, and we take it seriously.
@Jenni and @Dave T, we do our best to respect our donors’ preferred contact methods, and you’re right -electronic communication is much more cost-effective. I’d be happy to put you on the no-snail-mail list; email me at bhoward{at}worldbicyclerelief{dot}org so I can take care of this for you.
Here’s to the Power of Bicycles – and thank you again!
Comment by pgreen | 07.21.2011 | 12:06 pm
I am also happy to be able to donate 1 bike to this cause. I donated last year as well and this just takes it to the next level. Very cool stuff here! Who knows, maybe a new pro cyclist comes out of this!!
I was fortunate to meet you in Philly when you were here so I kind of feel like a friend too!
Comment by Eric L | 07.21.2011 | 12:06 pm
Derp.
I meant Fatty and Johan. …but you knew that.
Comment by KT | 07.21.2011 | 12:13 pm
1/2 Bike now, 1/2 bike after my next paycheck! Go Team Fatty!
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.21.2011 | 12:32 pm
I LOVE those folks donating a bike for each of their family members. What a great idea! That inspired us to pop for two more, on behalf of our own 2 kidlets. Plus David’s employer will match 100% so that’s 7 bikes from our household.
Now if we included our pets as family members, and donated a bike for each of them too…. you’d practically be done with the 1000 bike challenge!
That may be a slight exaggeration, but not as much as you’d think. ;-)
So Fatty…. can someone ask Chris Horner to donate some signed socks? Because if you say there is a chance I could possibly win socks at least, based on your own storied past as a contest winner, then Chris’ would be pretty cool! Of course a signed Tour of California jersey from him would be REALLY awesome. Hint hint @hornerakg!
I will get to work on getting some signed Chris Horner socks into the pile. – FC
Comment by nosferaustin | 07.21.2011 | 12:59 pm
Just bought my 1st bike (for this contest anyway!) bringing Team Fatty up to 167.8 bikes in 1 day. With over a month to go, we have this thing beat! Happy to be a part of this effort.
Steven
Comment by GJ Jackie | 07.21.2011 | 1:07 pm
For all of us who can’t make big donations right now, let’s buy 1/10th of a bike = $13.40 It will add up and make a difference.
Or round up to $15, so you get 3 rows on my contest spreadsheet, instead of 2! – FC
Comment by blair | 07.21.2011 | 1:13 pm
Check off another bike. I’m in.
Comment by ChristineG | 07.21.2011 | 1:47 pm
Another bike donated and hopefully with two more paychecks between now and the end I will be able to donate 2 more bikes.
Comment by Janneke | 07.21.2011 | 1:58 pm
It would be awesome to meet you guys in Africa, but knowing that some kid gets a chance to go to school because of just a few dollars is equally awesome. I’ll see if I can rustle up some more dollars to make it a whole bike instead of just the handlebars…
Comment by Roy Wiggins | 07.21.2011 | 3:05 pm
Yo fatty, ROY WIGGINS here, the guy who donated the Lance 2003 TDF Podium Tunic.
Don’t let me down,……blood sweat and tears earned that jersey, and I expect you to do the same for WBR. You know what you gotta do,……now go kick some ass!
Roy
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.21.2011 | 3:22 pm
@Roy Wiggins – You’re the man. Much appreciated that you are putting up such a desirable item. I don’t know that I could ever part with it if I had it.
also, @everyone – $25000!!!!!! We’re 1/5th(ish) of the way there! In 1 day!
Comment by Wife#1 | 07.21.2011 | 3:44 pm
@Roy Wiggins you do indeed ROCK! That is a truly fantabulous prize and bless you for being unselfish enough to give it up!
In the unlikey event that hell freezes over and we win it, it will have good company next to Levi’s…
Though I am pretty much just holding onto hope for those Horner socks. The custom framing would certainly be less expensive for the socks. LOL!
Whoever gets it, I am sure that Tour de Lance jersey will be treasured, so again, thank you so much for donating it as a prize. No doubt in my mind that giving level will be reached by this group!
Comment by Ri | 07.21.2011 | 7:48 pm
It’s inspiring that kids are involved in this biking movement. Finally some proof the rules are changing.
–Ri of changerules(dot)net
Comment by Evelin B | 07.21.2011 | 10:33 pm
I’m in for 1 bike. Thanks Fatty you are awesome!!! So is everyone else. I love this Team!!!
Comment by Eva | 07.22.2011 | 1:17 am
One more bike just sponsored by one of your Belgian fans… This challenge is just too awesome for words!
Comment by Liz | 07.22.2011 | 5:24 am
Liz again (5th comment above):
My 10-year-old son heard about this and is donating $80 from his saved allowance. I’m partially matching it so he’s donating a full bike.
Way to go Team Fatty!!
Comment by Pedalpink | 07.22.2011 | 6:08 am
I’ve donated a bike to WBR the last two years and intended to do so again this year. Now this year’s donation is part of the Team Fatty family’s. Great cause, much thanks to Johan and Fatty.
And remember to sign up at +3 and log your activities!
Jacqueline
Pingback by Waarom ik een fiets koop in Zambia « Doorzonwoning | 07.22.2011 | 7:41 am
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Comment by Salt Lake Bikes | 07.22.2011 | 8:17 am
My son also told me about this and is donating. Some great prizes being offered!
Comment by Roy Wiggins | 07.22.2011 | 10:48 am
@ NYCCarlos/@Wife#1…. its all about giving back, right?
@Wife#1… I may be able to help you out. Contact me at roy.wiggins@yahoo.com.
Comment by karen | 07.22.2011 | 3:54 pm
I was in the moment I saw this on JB’s facebook page. I knew I had to be involved.
What a great way to support a people and land that need a hand up so badly. I think it was great that @jamesbrett asked the questions as I think it is always right to check into the charities and organizations that we send money to. I loved the WBR response, very classy.
It’s exciting to see an international community come together but it is life changing for the recipients.
Well done Fatty and Johan.
Comment by Michele | 07.22.2011 | 6:23 pm
Our family already thinks WBR does great work, so we kicked in for some bikes… let’s push this a little closer to the goal.
Comment by Karen S | 07.22.2011 | 6:38 pm
The Shoup Family is eager to help out along side so many other “Team Fatty” folks. I am incredibly proud to be associated with this generous group.
We, too, commend WBR for the informative responses to the important queries of @jamesbrett.
Johan is awesome; you, too, Elden.
Sign us up for two!
Comment by Carl | 07.22.2011 | 7:57 pm
I finally got a minute to read what’s going on after seeing NYCarlos’ posts on our Team Fatty Philly facebook page. I will donate one bike right after I post this.
Comment by AK_Chick | 07.22.2011 | 11:30 pm
Unfortunately, I can’t donate an entire bike due to signing up for the LiveSTRONG Austin challenge and participating locally in an Bike MS event. I’m in for $25 and it’s not for the prizes cause I never win anything. I love this cause and I love that Johan is so generous to Elden, Lisa, and the Fatty family! So cool! Not to say I wouldn’t love a prize, but it’s not my main motivation.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.23.2011 | 12:59 am
How cool is that! I’m looking for a link to Phil Liggett’s blog through Google. I find the first link to be his Wikipedia, 2nd is TDF, and third….Fat Cyclist interview.
Google
Search Results
Phil Liggett – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Liggett – CachedPhil Liggett commentating at the 2010 Bay Cycling Classic … Cycle Show – day 1 , Witcomb Cycles’ blog (includes pictures of Liggett) – 11 October 2007 …
?
Tour de France 2011
http://www.tdfblog.com/ – CachedFreakonomics Blog – NYTimes.com | Doping in the Tour de France · VeloNews.com | Photo gallery: Tour de France ….. Phil Liggett: Tour De France For Dummies …
Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » An Interview with Phil Liggett
http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/01/17/an-interview-with-phil-liggett/ – CachedJan 17, 2011 – But interviewing Phil Liggett was different. About two hours before the interview began, I got very nervous. I got very sweaty. Distracted. …
Mr. Nelson you HAVE arrived!
Comment by Heidi | 07.24.2011 | 8:46 am
Add another bike to the pile!
Comment by Chris | 07.24.2011 | 9:14 am
Love the cause, I pledged a bike.
Fatty, keep using your super powers for awesome.
Comment by Jenni | 07.25.2011 | 10:00 am
Can we get a running total on the site?
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » The Fat Cyclist Explains: How Cyclists Expend Calories | 07.26.2011 | 11:21 am
[...] Hey, we’ve got artwork ready to go for the Grand Slam for Zambia: 1000 Bikes, 1000 Lives Changed project. Check it [...]
Comment by Jenny @ Fondant is Gross | 07.26.2011 | 12:03 pm
I’m working on it, and even though $134 is a lot for us right now, the second I get paid, a bike will be added to the pile. 2 if I can convince my husband. Keep up the great work, Fatty. You inspire me.
Comment by jessica | 07.29.2011 | 2:20 am
That’s a cool bike jersey! I got mine at http://www.cylcexpress.co.uk
Comment by sgd | 07.29.2011 | 12:18 pm
add another bike!
Comment by Nancy S | 07.30.2011 | 3:15 pm
Although I can’t afford to donate a bike for each member of my family (3), I’m really close to hitting the two bike mark on Plus3. Coupled with the one bike I just donated in this contest, that makes three. Sort of.
Thank you Fatty, for making this cause known to so many and giving us all a chance to be involved. Can’t wait to see Team Fatty amaze everyone with their generosity!
Nancy in Minneapolis (home of Twin Six, yeah!)
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Grand Slam for Zambia: More Prizes, More Awesomeness | 08.1.2011 | 12:18 pm
[...] On August 20, Johan Bruyneel challenged us to a tiny little contest. A “no-big-deal, we’ll take care of it before lunch” kinda thing: Raise enough money for World Bicycle Relief to buy 1000 bikes for kids in Zambia. [...]
Comment by Jamie | 08.4.2011 | 10:28 am
What a great cause! My hubby and I each donated a bike and I’ve sent the link out to all my friends… hopefully they’ll get in on the action! :)
Comment by not much further... | 08.8.2011 | 7:51 am
We are in for a bike each – Team Fatty from London – loved meeting you all in Davis.
PS FC shirts went down a treat at Vineman tri events on 30 July with lots of shouts out from spectators!
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Grand Slam for Zambia Update: Gizmodic Prizes Edition | 08.18.2011 | 10:01 am
[...] number of prizes you can win in the Grand Slam for Zambia contest. For details, you should read my original post on the contest my first follow-up post on the contest, and Johan Bruyneel’s description of the contest, but [...]
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » What We Have Done This Year | 12.26.2011 | 11:37 am
[...] Fatty’s most incredible success this year has to have been the “Grand Slam for Zambia” project, where we set the audacious goal of raising enough money — $134,000 — to [...]