A Note from One of the WBR Bike Winners – BostonCarlos
A Note from Fatty: I am busy working on stuff that needs working on, plus it’s Winter and so I need to ration out my own bike-related observations ’til Spring. So today I’m pleased to give you a note from BostonCarlos, one of the winners in the Grand Slam for Zambia: The Power of 5.
I’m BostonCarlos – Formerly known as NYCCarlos. I’ve been a friend of Fatty since 2009. I even got a few honorable mentions in the blog way back when (“How to be nice“)!
First, I want to drop a HUUUUUUGE thank you on Katie and her team at WBR, and all of the awesome folks at Ibis, InGamba, Trek, Cannondale, BOOM, and Specialized. Without you guys, these Fundraisers aren’t quite as much FUN.
Second I want to say Elden, thank you SO much for putting this stuff together. Without you, I wouldn’t have even known what World Bicycle Relief is, let alone how incredibly awesome they are.
Why I Donate
WBR is such a fantastic organization. The saying goes – “Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for life.” – or something like that. WBR is teaching the men and women of Africa how to fish. The bikes are assembled, ridden, and maintained by Africans! They’re helping kids get to school, doctors get to patients, and small businesses get started.
I have been fortunate enough to have bikes in my life to make my days easier and more so much more fun… it just makes sense for me to give back to those who don’t.
My New Toy
If you hadn’t noticed, this year I moved to the outskirts of Boston. It turns out there are actually trails here! Because of this, I’ve been looking to build my own mountain bike over the winter so I could start ripping the new terrain this spring. When Katie e-mailed me on Tuesday I jumped up and down in my cubicle for a solid 10 minutes.
I couldn’t believe it was true… I had WON my dream bike! And I already knew exactly how I wanted to build it out. I wanted an awesome Mountain bike, so it was down to the Ibis Ripley and the Boom MTB. The Ripley is just so sexy. I had to have it.
Here’s how I’m planning to build it out: SRAM XX1 components, XX brakes, and RISE wheels with a Rockshox SID XX Fork (120 mm travel), Reverb seat post, and Truvativ Noir T40 flatbars. I’ve already been in touch with Scot Nicol (holy crap… I’ve been in touch with THE Scot Nicol!) and I can’t wait to get on my new Ripley and ride!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.15.2014 | 12:55 pm
Congratulations Carlos. Just remember to put some money aside for the tax penalty. It’s a good bike name WBR Tax Penalty but it’s already been taken by the WBR Stumpy FSR from last year. Looking forward to what you name your new beast, and to seeing you somewhere we can all ride. Sun Valley in September?
@DougBohl Invite Carlos up, down, across(?) oh,heck, just invite him over and show him what MTB’g is all about. I’m also willing to bet the Ripley might just fit you too.
Thanks again to Fatty, Katie, WBR, and all the sponsors for their support which makes it so easy to give ours.
Ride Happy Carlos!
Comment by New Zealand EV | 01.15.2014 | 12:55 pm
Congrats Carlos!!!! Enjoy your new ride!!!
I actually grew up just south of Boston in the Cape Cod area. I remember riding as a kid all over the place.
Thanks again to Fatty and WBR for the great opportunity to help others!!
Comment by MC | 01.15.2014 | 3:10 pm
Way to go Carlos! It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy! Just know that I’m drooling all over the place and will be totally fluorescent/neon green with envy at you and all the other winners. I likely won’t ever have one of these awesome top-flite bikes (unless I win one someday) just becasue they cost SO MUCH these days..(not that you aren’t getting a lot for your money mind you). But hey…my bikes are nice and are still above my abilities, so I can’t really complain much (and compared to the kids/people this entire contest was meant for, I’m outright lottery-winner lucky as it is). I look forward to the day we Fatties gather with BOTH road and MT bikes for a long fun weekend of roads and trails somewhere (such as Alpine Utah for instance…just throwing that out there as a potential fun-spot).
I think with Fatties superpower (of bringing in money, not the eating one) and WBR’s awesome mission, they should team up and hold a fundraiser/ride like the LIVESTRONG rides we used to do. Fatty/Katie?? Just a thought. I’d be there, wherever there is.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.15.2014 | 3:26 pm
@MC…can’t touch this
I second your group ride for WBR.
RedBell100 in Seattle,
http://worldbicyclerelief.akaraisin.com/Common/Event/Home.aspx?seid=8187&mid=8
or the WrigleyPark100 in Chicago.
http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/events/wrigley-field-road-tour
Chicago would get the eastern Fatties out and we could visit Sue, and Nancyfrom Mn
That’s not Nancy.(just being clear)
Comment by NancyJBS | 01.15.2014 | 3:46 pm
@BostonCarlos “When Katie e-mailed me on Tuesday I jumped up and down in my cubicle for a solid 10 minutes.” THAT was your first mountain bike training session right there! So happy for you! I KNOW you’ll love that bike, especially in Wicked green & black.
@davidh-marin,ca It took me a moment to figure out what “just being clear” was. Just got off the trainer from doing two back-to-back Sufferfest sessions and my mind is squishy. No longer am I interested in searching for the underscore key, so I’m sticking with NancyJBS, just to be clear.
@MC I really wanted you to wind a bike this time, really I did. One of these days, man! And I love the idea of FoFs having a special event, maybe for WBR. Keep dreaming and scheming!
Comment by Kukui | 01.15.2014 | 3:50 pm
West Coast Fatties –
Just throwing it out there – the WBR Red-Bell 100 was a blast! By far my favorite ride of the year (and that’s saying something considering I had a handful of really great rides last year).
Great cause = great ride =)
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.15.2014 | 4:18 pm
@Kukui
Do they have good pie up there?
Comment by SteveB | 01.15.2014 | 4:21 pm
@everybody, west coast-ish – the Red-Bell 104 (truth in advertising) sounds like a great idea… Plus I could bundle in a visit with my kids.
Elden, can we get your blessing to create ‘Team Fatty’?
Comment by Christina | 01.15.2014 | 4:23 pm
OH! I’m so excited it was Boston(neeNYC)Carlos! Congrats!
Comment by Kukui | 01.15.2014 | 5:50 pm
@davidh-marin,ca – The best pie! My daddy’s a pastry chef and makes a killer coconut creme pie… I’m pretty spoiled pie-wise. ;)
@BostonCarlos – Yay! Congratulations!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.15.2014 | 6:24 pm
@Kukui
You had me at “Pastry Chef”. Did you know that Fatty’s (and MC…can’t touch this…Chapek) are both VERY fond of Coconut Creme Pie.
This RedBell may just come together.
@SteveB would you tell your kids you’re coming, or would it just be Surprise!?
Comment by Tes | 01.15.2014 | 7:51 pm
Congratulations!
Comment by NancyJBS | 01.15.2014 | 8:10 pm
As a lowlander (elev 980 feet) I must say I appreciate the elevation profile of the RedBell ride:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/189075978
I see the ride is limited to 600 registrants… wonder if that means we should jump on it soon? And by “we” I probably mean you all, as it’s unlikely I could attend. Not for lack of desire, however.
Comment by TominAlbany | 01.16.2014 | 7:06 am
Congratulations @BostonCarlos!!! Enjoy rippin’ it on the Ripley! That’s the one I’d have chosen had I won.
Comment by Daddystyle | 01.16.2014 | 8:26 am
Good stuff
Comment by Dave T | 01.16.2014 | 9:05 am
Congratulations Carlos the Ripley sounds like a fantastic bike I’m sure you will really enjoy it.
Comment by BostonCarlos (formerly NYC) | 01.16.2014 | 10:04 am
Thanks guys! Can’t wait to ride it! You’re all invited to ride with me if you’re ever in New England.
@Davidh – If I have the bike by 2/28, I’m flying to SF on 3/1 with it and will be free 3/1, 3/2, and 3/6 to ride bikes. Let’s make this happen.
@Doug(wayupstateNY) – we should set up a catskills rendezvous this summer to rip, yes?
@anyone else New England – Let me know if you wanna ride mtb! I don’t know enough bike people in Boston. Let’s hang out!
Comment by Logan | 01.16.2014 | 10:17 am
Congrats on the bike Carlos! I would advise against the XX brakes though, go xtr, you won’t regret it, worth the weight penalty.
Comment by Doug (Way upstate NY) | 01.16.2014 | 10:25 am
@Carlos, this is where we should ride: http://www.kingdomtrails.com/
Northern VT. I’ve never been there but know people who have. They say its awesome.
Comment by Doug (Way upstate NY) | 01.16.2014 | 10:27 am
Oh, and Carlos, the Leadville lottery is still open….. Maybe you and Davidh could both get in :)
Comment by Davidh-Marin,ca | 01.16.2014 | 10:34 am
@DougB
That looks like a great riding area! But isn’t NE Vermont a euphemism for Canada?
@Boston Carlos. I’ll clear some days, and even if you don’t have the bike by then I can get you hooked up on something sweet.(and no, not one of my XL frames)
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.16.2014 | 11:54 am
@BostonC
If you are on Strava introduce yourself to the Team Fatty Club:
http://www.strava.com/clubs/team-fatty
Then seek out Fatty BruceT from Boston;
http://www.strava.com/athletes/594244
When you guys get together just remember to wear the correct hat.
Comment by Lulea | 01.16.2014 | 12:44 pm
I am intersted in the RedBell100 and I live in Seattle. Kukui I am curious what other cool rides you did in the area last year. Trying to plan out what events I want to do this year. I haven’t done many in the last couple years.
Comment by Doug (Way upstate NY) | 01.16.2014 | 2:08 pm
@davidh, No. Potsdam is a euphemism for Canada. Vermont is to far away from the border.
Comment by BostonCarlos (formerly NYC) | 01.16.2014 | 2:20 pm
@Doug – I’m in for the VT trails. Also, VT borders Canada…
@Davidh – not on strava yet… one day maybe. I’ll keep you updated on my trip. It’s not 100% solidified yet, but that’s the word.
Comment by GregC | 01.16.2014 | 2:36 pm
changing the subject: MC, MattC, Marsupial Matt, and at least a few I cant remember right now. Pick a signiture and stick with it already- sheesh!
Just kiding (maybe). Congrats to Carlos and all the other WBR winners (heck, we were all winners, just a few got merchandise/ travel out of it too!)
Comment by Kukui | 01.16.2014 | 4:08 pm
@Lulea – Hey, a fellow Seattle-ite! The rides I did last year:
- Skagit Spring Classic – May, Burlington-Bellingham loop course
- 100 Miles of Nowhere – end of May, Greenlake
- Flying Wheels Summer Century – early June, Redmond-Snoqualmie Valley loop course
- Red-Bell 100 – end of June, Redmond to Bellingham
- STP – mid-July, Seattle to Portland
- RSVP 2 – mid-August, Seattle to Vancouver, B.C.
- Bike MS – early September, 2-day Mount Vernon loop courses
I highly recommend all of them! Last year was my first STP and RSVP and I must say, I’ve got the bug. Those rides are a blast!
The Red-Bell 100 is super-cool because it’s still small; I don’t think I saw bib numbers higher than 500 last year. When riding with 6,000+ in the Flying Wheels, 10,000 in the STP, and 16,000 in the combined RSVPs, it’s kinda nice when a ride manages to stay small. And, the ride is just gorgeous. =)
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.16.2014 | 4:35 pm
@Kukui
The downside of the RedBell is the 600 limit. After we sign up the FoF’s there could be some blowback about lack of opportunity for others.
Also thank you for all the new rides to consider. Question: which of these rides historically is the driest?
@GreggC
Give your little bro a break. When one has multiple personalities you need to accept that ‘who is is’ can vary from day to day.
@DougB
I thought Potsdam had do do with the rocks, or the shale, or something like that. I also realize that editorially I should have used the word pseudonym rather than euphemism, but that’s why The New Yorker has sent all my submissions back.
@Carlos
You MUST be on Strava. How else will we have the proper documentation to mock and ridicule you. Oh, and to give you Kudos too. +Once the Ripley is in residence you will want to see those elevation numbers mount up. But mostly, it’s the ability to comment. (I’m running out of forums for that)
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.16.2014 | 5:38 pm
Since Fatty is involved this week and he says he’s ’short’ (his words, not mine) on riding material I feel compelled to share things I find.
Fellow Fatty; Nic Grillo has posted an incredible night time single track ride from SoCal. And he scored a KOM as well. (if you’re riding in your basement, garage, bedroom, or personal ‘pain cave’, you may want to skip this. This is riding, outside, at night, in February.) Great soundtrack as well.
http://vimeo.com/84349632
http://www.strava.com/activities/106676493
Comment by Kukui | 01.16.2014 | 7:04 pm
@davidh-marin,ca – Despite Seattle’s reputation, we’ve had some pretty amazing weather the last couple springs and summers. Bike MS is the most suspect because you never know what the weather will do in September. Rides in June/July/August are usually pretty dry.
Last year, both the Flying Wheels and Red-Bell started with the smallest amount of rain, but the weather evened itself out less than 5 miles in.
We had a weird heat wave at the end of June so the Red-Bell 100 was super hot. It was comfortably in the low 80s for most of the day and then by about 3 pm the temperature had swung up to 104… which is nuts – that never happens here, especially in June, so it kinda stands out.
Comment by Justin L. | 01.16.2014 | 7:04 pm
congrats Carlos, cool that it went to someone i have ridden with in Davis. I am happy for you. Congrats again, you will love it big time.
Comment by Kukui | 01.16.2014 | 7:12 pm
Also, I don’t know if the Red-Bell fills up or not. I registered in the middle of June and still got in. I doubt a few extra FoFs would skew the attendance. :)
Comment by Davidh-Marin,ca | 01.17.2014 | 12:15 am
More ideas for Carlos from NZ Ev:
http://flowmountainbike.com/post-all/video-ride-positive-a-mountainbike-manifesto/
Comment by cyclingjimbo | 01.17.2014 | 9:51 am
Congratulations Carlos! The Ripley was on the top of my list should lightning have stuck a second time. We want pictuers when you have the bike in hand, and stories about your first rides with it.
Anyone know when the Wrigley Field WBR event is occurring? I couldn’t find a date on the web page. Chicago could be a great sort-of-central location for a FoF meeting and joint ride. Schedule permitting, I will try to be there. I can bring pie and brats.
Comment by Jerry Pringle | 01.17.2014 | 11:20 am
Congrats Carlos! Enjoy!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.17.2014 | 11:38 am
@GregC
Cheeky of you to jump the wheel of the Cannondale Pro Team at Westlake Village this week. Hats off to you.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/01/news/road/gallery-cannondale-rocks-westlake-village_313690
Comment by Heidi | 01.17.2014 | 11:57 am
A hearty congratulations to Carlos!
@Kukui, Greenlake is a brilliant venue for 100 Miles of Nowhere! I grew up nearby, and spent loads of time swimming, running, and walking there (including ten times around in one day for a walk-a-thon). Good memories.
Comment by MC | 01.17.2014 | 1:41 pm
Ahhh Greg…the Greggster, Greggmeister, Greggavator, Greggy-boy…multiple names for my multiple personalities are IN! Besides…variety is the spice of life!
No they aren’t!
Yes there are, and shut up!
No, YOU shut up!
I’ll shut up when you do!
OK.
Comment by GregC | 01.17.2014 | 2:29 pm
@ davidh-marin,ca
you caught me- good thing I had on my green cannondale kit that day so I could blend in with the team! No one was the wiser. The team was in town for about a week riding the local roads and mountains, my LBS had a big event with the team but I wasn’t able to attend. My loss-
@MC (or whatever, pick one of like 12 screen names)- your just trying to keep my on my toes and force me to actually read every comment to figure out which ones you wrote (and in what personality). sheesh!
Comment by SteveB | 01.17.2014 | 2:48 pm
@kukui and others… I’m in for the Red-Bell 100. Pro tip: you can sign up now and join a team later. Hopefully we can get an official Team Fatty going, but if not we can form some ad-hoc team.
Comment by AKChick | 01.17.2014 | 3:37 pm
I’m in for the Red Bull 100 if we can get a Fatty team together!! That is about as close to Alaska as it gets for a bike ride and I have relatives I can stay with in Olympia to help with hotel costs (unless there are other FoFs who have a spare room that I could crash in). Who’s in? :)
Comment by Davidh-Marin,ca | 01.17.2014 | 5:52 pm
@AK Chick
Now you’ve made it really difficult to say no to this ride!
@All FoF’s. just the idea that AK Chick is coming should make everyone sign up. Having ridden with her at Davis there are few people more enthusiastic than her for a Fatty get together. She’s a ‘one girl’ party machine (in the nicest way), and if you get her talking about Chris Horner you might just miss the ride.
OK, need to talk to the boss, and reach out to his fatness, and see if we can get this officially sanctioned.
Comment by Kukui | 01.17.2014 | 6:32 pm
@Heidi – Yeah, it was my second 100MoN at Greenlake. 33 laps dodging happy kids, dogs, skateboarders, a ferret on a leash, and a rollerblader with a parrot on his shoulder… super crowded, super fun and a great community! I had a blast both years. =)
@SteveB @AKChick @West Coast FoF – Red-Bell 100-It will be really cool to see you guys there! I wish I could offer a room (my studio apartment can barely hold me and my four bikes…), but depending on who is SAGging for me, I may be able to drag one or two people + bikes back to Redmond from Bellingham.
Comment by Katie | 01.20.2014 | 12:45 pm
Geez, So sorry to be late to the @BostonCarlos and Red-Bell 100 party. I’m now jumping up in my cube (well, it’s not a cube but it’s 3 desks together overlooking main street in Golden, CO) at the idea of having a TEAM FATTY at the Red-Bell 100! Here are my thoughts:
Registration is right now $75 (through 1/31)http://worldbicyclerelief.akaraisin.com/Common/Event/Home.aspx?seid=8187&mid=8
There is also TEAM FUNDRAISING capability so it’d be really easy to create a Team Fatty. I’m obviously biased but we hear great things abou this ride: the route and community vibe are both great.
If someone would be interested in being “team captain”, I would work with you alongside my great colleague, Jen, to ensure Team Fatty wins the team title.
So happy to hear the enthusiasm for this idea!
Katie
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Guest Post from Nancy, Winner of the inGamba Cycling Trip | 01.21.2014 | 7:13 am
[...] the same vein as BostonCarlos’s recent guest post, I’m very excited to talk about the Awesomesauce (AKChick’s term, I believe) thing that has [...]
Comment by John | 01.26.2014 | 3:44 pm
Looking forward to riding and getting some much needed exercise. Can’t wait to try my new http://www.bikesxpress.com/Aventon-Road-Bikes_c_118.html from http://www.bikesxpress.com This will be some fun.