BOOM: The Fifth and Final Bike in the Grand Slam for Zambia: The Power of 5
Back in November 30, I introduced the Grand Slam for Zambia: The Power of 5, benefitting World Bicycle Relief.
And now, here we are, a month later. And it’s been quite a month.
Specifically, during this month, more than a thousand of you have donated, with the average amount per person donating being about five dollars more the cost of a Buffalo Bicycle ($134). Which means—in case you’re feeling a little groggy due to the holidays and are therefore not doing math especially well— that we’re really close to $140,000 raised.
And during that time, I’ve announced four amazing bikes and an amazing trip. I’ll recap exactly what those are a little later in this post.
But right now, I want to introduce the fifth—and final—bike in the Grand Slam: Power of 5: The Boom Carbon MTB.
That is a seriously good-looking bike, designed by a small family company that is absolutely fanatical about riding power and handling.
Hey, let’s take a closer look at that frame.
Yum. That is a gorgeous-looking bike, and you know that it’s going to ride like a dream. A very sexy carbon dream.
Or, more specifically, a very sexy carbon dream completely loaded up with top-end SRAM wheels and components and a Rock Shox fork.
Boom Is Outrageously Awesome
It goes without saying that a small bike company like Boom that would gladly volunteer to give up a frame for this fundraiser is awesome.
But here’s the thing.
Boom isn’t just giving up this frame to help World Bicycle Relief. In fact, for every single bike Boom sells, they donate $134—the cost of a Buffalo Bike—to WBR.
And they do it just because they love bikes and the vision WBR represents—not for PR or marketing. In fact, Katie at WBR tells me that it was a long time before WBR even knew why all these checks were coming in from this little company.
I love this kind of quiet generosity. Huge kudos to Boom for doing the right thing for the very best of reasons.
How to Donate and How You Can Win
It’s simple to donate and enter the contest for these five dream bikes and the dream cycling vacation to Italy (and yes, no matter when you donate, you’re entered for the drawing of all of the prizes). Just go to my WBR fundraiser page and make a donation.
For every $5.00 you donate, you’ll get a chance at winning these five bikes. So, please donate in multiples of $5.00.
As a bonus, though, if you donate the cost of a WBR bike — $134 — you’ll be given an additional (you guessed it) five chances.
And the really amazing thing here is — in addition to your donation possibly netting you an amazing bike or trip — your money is doubled. Which is to say, for every dollar you donate, a very generous group of individuals is matching you.
So your donations have twice the power they normally would. Which is completely amazing.
Time is Running Out
This contest goes through the end of December. That’s Tuesday. At that point Katie Bolling at WBR will do the drawing. She’ll draw the first name, contact the winner, ask her/him which prize s/he wants, and then move on to the next name and prize. This goes on ’til all six prizes are given away.
The key thing to note here is that the contest is almost over. It ends at the end of Tuesday. If you haven’t donated yet, you need to do that now.
Oh, I’ve Got a Semi-Self-Interested Reason I Want You To Donate, Too
As you may know, The Hammer has kind of been destroying the field in her single speed mountain biking pursuits lately.
For 2014, though, she’s interested in racing with a geared bike. And I’d like to support her in that endeavor. Toward that end, I have scraped together enough to buy her this:
Buying that pretty much cleaned me out.
SRAM, however, has told me that if we reach the crazy-lofty $155,555 goal I semi-jokingly set for this fundraiser, they’ll build up The Hammer’s frame in much the same way they’re building up the prize-winners’ frames. An XX1 drivetrain. RISE wheels. A Truvativ Noir bar and Stylo T40 Stem. And so forth.
So, in the end, by donating you’re not just helping WBR save the world. You’re not just getting a shot at one of five bikes or a dream vacation. You’re not just getting your money doubled.
You’re also helping The Hammer crush the competition in her MTB racing this year. So thank you for that.
A Recap of What You Can Win
So let’s review the five bikes you can win in The Grand Slam for Zambia: The Power of 5, shall we?
First, there’s the Ibis Ripley.
The Ripley is an extraordinary, innovative, and highly-sought-after MTB that is perfect for XC racing, endurance, or all-mountain. It may be the most versatile MTB ever made.
Next, there’s a Trek Madone Series 7, customized through Project One:
This is Trek’s best-of-breed road bike, and it is gorgeous, light and fast. And you can customize the look of the frame through Project One, meaning this bike is going to be beautiful in the way you want.
Third, there’s the Cannondale CAAD10:
Seriously fast and light. Nice.
Fourth, Specialized will let you choose between an S-Works Tarmac…
Which is the better choice? Well, I went with the Tarmac. The Hammer wants a Roubaix. Maybe you can help us break the tie.
And fifth, there’s the MTB we revealed today: the Boom.
But don’t forget, there’s the surprise prize: the cycling trip to Italy with InGamba.
Honestly, I don’t envy the people whose names are drawn; it’s going to be really difficult to choose which prize to take.
No, I’m just kidding, because actually I really really envy the people whose names are drawn.
But here’s the thing: You probably won’t win. Most of you won’t. Your odds are less than 1%, really.
But even if (when!) you don’t win, you’re still making life better for people who really need it. You’re making a different instantly, and in a huge way. And your money’s getting doubled, which is amazing.
And after all, somebody’s (six somebodies, in fact) got to win. Right?
So please, click here donate.
Thanks, and good luck!
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.29.2013 | 4:56 pm
Wonderful to hear that Boom has been making those donations – so very cool. And hearing what Specialized has offered the Hammer turned the final bike donation from David and me into a two-fer.
C’mon peeps, poverty loves company… donate another bike too and we can all eat pasta for the next month! :-)
Comment by BostonCarlos | 12.29.2013 | 5:10 pm
Want!!!!!!!!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 12.29.2013 | 11:06 pm
You are so UNFAIR! After all it’s EASY to say NO!, to you…and you know it. So, your answer, you play The Hammer card! Well played sir, well played.
Ok friends. Let’s win this one for The Hammer!
Comment by J | 12.29.2013 | 11:16 pm
Well, fine. My arm was twisted and I donated. Happy now?
Secretly, I know we both are.
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.30.2013 | 12:02 am
Just 100 bikes plus $40 left to go! Okay that’s my last post on all this since I have to go back to work tomorrow morning, so keep it going people! :-)
Comment by Jeff Bike | 12.30.2013 | 8:28 am
Ok I’m the sixth commenter so I will be very happy to take what ever prize is left to the sixth person.
Did everyone donate 5 times as much as last year? Remember friends of Fatty are upping the anti this time by upping the donation. If you didn’t do your last years donation X5= this donation you still have a few hours. Do it now!
Comment by Eva | 12.30.2013 | 9:55 am
Ok, Ok, Ok, I added a small extra donation, because of the great cause, because of Fatty’s great dedication to thoughtful fund raisings… and more than anything because Team Fatty rocks! You guys are amazing… Enjoy the pasta in 2013!
Comment by Mark J. in Dallas | 12.30.2013 | 11:08 am
Just donated one bike. God bless you WBR and Fatty and everyone supporting this goal. Good work you’re all doing.
Comment by Erik | 12.30.2013 | 11:46 am
Very Cool!
Comment by Kukui | 12.30.2013 | 1:15 pm
Wow $150,000! Almost there – way to go Team Fatty! I’m just about tapped out, but I’m donating as much as I can get away with.
Let’s get The Hammer’s new MTB set up right!
Comment by AKChick | 12.30.2013 | 1:22 pm
Thanks to the generosity of Wife# Ho Ho Ho, I was able to donate an entire bike (though I had to do it on an installment plan). I can’t wait to read about the winners!!! I hope that they are people who regularly post here or who are regular readers so that we can hear about how they found out, what bike they selected or the trip and I hope everyone reports back once they get bike/trip with photos! :) One of my favorite things is reading about the wonderful people who win the prizes. :)
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Comment by cyclingjimbo | 12.30.2013 | 1:29 pm
It just keeps getting better.
My wife’s birthday is tomorrow, and in her honor I have donated another couple of bikes. She’s a winner, I am a winner because she has put up with me for lo these many years, WBR is a winner because so many folks are ponying up, some six lucky folks are going to be real winners.
As for the rest of us – well, we are winners, too, for having the chance to be a part of this. We are going to get to enjoy some really great stories about how the lucky 6 made their choices and what great adventures they have. Looking forward to it. Let the prize cascade begin!
Happy New Year to all.
Comment by Steve La Chappelle | 12.30.2013 | 2:20 pm
What a great idea. Good luck. I wish i knew about this so i could have told my viewers. Next time you plan something please let me know.
Check it out
Thanks Steve La Chappelle
blamethebiker.com
Comment by eclecticdeb | 12.30.2013 | 2:58 pm
Another bike has been donated…..THANK YOU Elden (and Lisa) for all you do.
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.30.2013 | 3:25 pm
Only 21 bikes left to go! I love the countdown part of this it’s killing my work productivity! LOL!!!!
Comment by Kukui | 12.30.2013 | 4:33 pm
13 bikes left! I can’t believe how many people are coming together for this!
Thank you, Fatty, for bringing us all together!
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 12.30.2013 | 6:03 pm
So close now… so wonderfully close!
Comment by Debra | 12.30.2013 | 6:56 pm
Long time reader/admirer/non-commenter… really appreciate all that Fatty does and enjoy reading the exploits and heartfelt sentiments. It looked like you only needed another $11.00 so I contributed another bike…suspect others may have done the same.
Happy New Year!
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.30.2013 | 6:57 pm
I was trying to calculate what the donation needs to be so we would only have “pi” left to make goal…
155555 – 155136 – 3.14159265359 = X
Because all things Fatty should end with pi after all!
Hoping the rest comes in today so Fatty can take tomorrow off!
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.30.2013 | 7:51 pm
AWESOME JOB TEAM FATTY!
Comment by Mark J. in Dallas | 12.30.2013 | 8:03 pm
GOAL has been reached! Let’s see how high we can get it in one more day! Impressive effort.
Comment by Laura | 12.30.2013 | 8:23 pm
I just gave $10. It was all I could manage right now. Sure wish it could have been more. Love this site and everyone on it! You guys are great!
Comment by Marsupial MattC | 12.30.2013 | 10:01 pm
OK…just did my 2nd bike (which technically means that’s FOUR bikes!). You’re welcome WBR AND Hammer…enjoy those GEARS!
Way to go everybody! Team Fatty is AWESOME! Happy New Year to all of US! (and to all the people who will be getting new Buffalo’s too).
Comment by MattC | 12.30.2013 | 10:03 pm
Meant to slip this in my last comment…total right now is $157,491…should pass $160,000 by end of tomorrow…maybe 165? GO FATTIES!!!!
Comment by Kukui | 12.30.2013 | 10:51 pm
WAY TO GO TEAM FATTY!!!
Comment by rohit | 12.30.2013 | 11:35 pm
bought a bike plus a little. maybe i bought me a bike too!
way to go team fatty!
Comment by Eva | 12.31.2013 | 4:00 am
Waowwww…. just waowwww… for everyone who made this happen and contributed!!! What a way to ring the new year! Grateful to have been a small part of a huge generous project… Thank you, Team Fatty!
Comment by Heidi | 12.31.2013 | 10:13 am
GOOSEBUMPS!!
Comment by Kukui | 12.31.2013 | 11:28 am
Over $162,000! I wish I could donate more, but I’m so proud to be a part of this internet community. Yay, Team Fatty!
Comment by PNP | 12.31.2013 | 12:02 pm
I just checked the numbers. We’re up to 1218 bikes for Zambia! WOW!
Comment by Kukui | 12.31.2013 | 12:38 pm
We should aim for $171,110 so we can say Team Fatty gave 110%.
We’re at nearly $165,000 as it is!
Comment by Christina | 12.31.2013 | 12:53 pm
No bike I own weighs less than 30 pounds. At this point I think winning a Buffalo would be a weight improvement. I’d be afraid to sit too hard on some of these bikes.
Teachers in my son’s class received donations as gifts and they teared up. I think it’s really powerful to see that WBR makes it possible for girls to stay in school.
Comment by cyclingjimbo | 12.31.2013 | 1:02 pm
Just checked – as of 1400 on 12/31, the total is $165,476. That is just shy of 1235 bikes!
Way to go, people!
Awesome way to end the year, Fatty, and kudos to all your friends for pitching in and ponying up.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Comment by Katie | 12.31.2013 | 1:53 pm
@Christina – THAT just made my day hearing about the teachers in your son’s class! Happy New Year!
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.31.2013 | 3:01 pm
$2,829 more would get us to $170,555… which would be Fatty’s original goal plus the $15k donation from Specialized.
Not to detract from that extraordinary generosity at all, I just love the idea of all the “little people” from Team Fatty making the original goal.
And yes, we all know I am a giant, sappy dork.
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.31.2013 | 3:33 pm
Side note: Everyone think good thoughts for David! He is back on a bike right now for the first real ride since he broke his wrist before Levi’s GF. I know he’s bummed about having to build his fitness base back up, but I am more worried that his wrist is well and truly healed.
Oh and EVERYONE that donated… have your prizes picked out in ranked order – today! That way when you get the call from WBR, you will be able to quickly select your prize so they can go on to the next person on the list… which means we’ll all find out sooner who the winners are and what they chose.
I’m with AKChick – I get real joy in hearing about who won the prizes and their own stories. I’d love to see more of that this time.
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.31.2013 | 3:51 pm
I am so going on Fatty’s “3 comment rule” list! Is that like being on santa’s naughty list?
Last one for the day… if 85 of us donated a “piece of Pi”… or $31.41… we’d get to the 170,555.
As you were.
HAPPY NEW YEAR all! Have FUN and be safe if you are going out tonight!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 12.31.2013 | 3:54 pm
@Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho
Order picked. I’ll choose:
Specialized (a gift for the Hammer)
Cannondale (a gift for MattC)
Boom (for #1Daughter)
Trek (I need a back up bike)
Ripley (a gift to the bestest woman out there) that’s you by the way.
The Italy trip? I think Doug should get that.
How’s that sit with you? Too much? Mathematically improbable? I’ll leave that calculation to the Rocket Scientists.
Comment by Jerry | 12.31.2013 | 3:56 pm
This is shaping up for a spectacular sprint to the finish, GOOOO Team Fatty! #morecowbell
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.31.2013 | 4:06 pm
Okay this is REALLY the last one… and yes I know this image is too big but it’s on purpose to make it easy to read. GO TEAM FATTY!
Comment by Turn The Damn Cranks | 12.31.2013 | 4:14 pm
Happy to be able to celebrate a bit of good news to end the year by donating a bike. And even happier to see that the Friends of Fatty already had jumped the stretch goal. Way to go everyone!
Comment by Fred | 12.31.2013 | 6:36 pm
Would it be completely unacceptable to spec the Tarmac or the Project One with a compact double (or even a triple) ???
Is SRAM Red even available as a triple ?
It would be pretty cool to have a weightless road bike with some stupid-low gearing. I’ve never had a triple before, but I’ve also never been as old as I am now.
Comment by Anonymous | 12.31.2013 | 7:06 pm
@Fred. Never underestimate the power of a compact double! I’m older than Fatty, and giving ‘dirt’ a run for it’s money. Once you’re spinning that compact on super light wheels and frame, you start fantasizing why you didn’t just get the race gogset.
Good luck!
Comment by Wife# Ho-Ho-Ho | 12.31.2013 | 8:10 pm
CONGRATULATIONS & HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 12.31.2013 | 8:11 pm
Core FoF’s PLUS Specialized! Now that’s teamwork. Everyone go have some PIE!
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 12.31.2013 | 8:15 pm
Comment by MattC | 12.31.2013 | 9:51 pm
$171,861 as of 7:45pm California time, WELL DONE EVERYBODY!
(already gave Jeannie a list of my order of bike preference for WHEN the phone call comes in while I’m out on a ride tomorrow):
#1 Specilized Tarmac, #2 Trek Madone, #3 Ibis Ripley, #4 Cdale CAAD10 (already have a CAAD9), and finally # 5 the Boom MTB (no disrespect to the company or the bike, just not a HUGE need for a beautiful carbon hardtail… but I’m QUITE SURE I could find places to ride it over my ancient full suspension 29lb Blur).
Happy New Year Fatties!
Comment by Mark in Bremerton | 01.1.2014 | 8:33 pm
Happy New Years! No calls today (I verified that my phones are working, too). Be sure to post at least the first names of the winners at some point. Lucky dogs!
Comment by Doug (Way upstate NY) | 01.2.2014 | 8:37 am
@davidh. I don’t mean to quibble. I mean I appreciate you giving me the trip to Italy, but I want the Ripley. I need a FS MTB for 2014 :)
Happy Holidays!
BTW. I have Rune’s travel log. Hope to get it out early next week.
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Comment by alfa martino | 01.8.2014 | 5:59 am
I like the shape of the frame, looks strong and solid, it is suitable for kinds variety of roads, and the most important is the frame visible light
Comment by Shimul Parvez | 01.20.2014 | 10:21 pm
Very Nice