Meet Up-and-Coming MTB Superstar…17yo Madeline Bemis (And Help Her Get to NZ)
Madeline Bemis — and people like her — are exactly the reason I started the FattyCast — because I love talking with people who are doing amazing things with bikes.
See, Madeline is a high school Junior and a racer on her local NICA team.
And on its own, that’s great. But she’s also a 12-Hour Solo race winner:
And has…get this…Rebecca Rusch as her mentor:
I got a chance to talk with Madeline recently in my podcast (available on iTunes, Stitcher, by direct download, and on FattyCast.com):
To say I was impressed is an understatement. She’s an amazing racer and person.
Help Madeline Race in the 24-Hour World Championships
And here’s the thing: Madeline wants to step up her game to the next level and race in the 2016 World 24-Hour Solo MTB Championship, in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Yeah. I know: awesome.
But it’s expensive to do this race. As in, Madeline needs to raise $6000 to cover getting her father, coach, and self to the event.
Madeline’s already done the lion’s share of the fundraising necessary: as I write this, she’s raised $4610. She’s more than 3/4 of the way there.
I’d like to ask Friends of Fatty to get her to the finish line of her fundraising now…so she can concentrate on the getting to the starting line of the race itself.
Check out the video she’s made for her fundraising campaign:
Pretty impressive, eh?
Let’s Get the Fat Cyclist Logo on Madeline’s Jersey
During the conversation I had with Madeline, I had an idea: what if we got Madeline to her $6000 goal in one day? Would she put the FatCyclist.com logo on her jersey?
Yes, she in fact would.
So I say, let’s do this. Let’s help an amazing young woman do something incredible. Go to bit.ly/teambemis and donate what you can. For what it’s worth, if you donate $50 (that’s what I donated) or more, you’ll get a tech-T showing your support.
And if we get Madeline across the $6K goal, that tech-T will include the FatCyclist logo on it. Which I can’t help but imagine would be hugely embarrassing for a teenager to wear. So that’s a good reason to make the donation right there.
I love that more and more kids are racing, and I love that they’re stretching themselves (and this is a major hint as to where my fundraising efforts are headed in 2016).
Go make a donation, and then join me in anticipating the best race report ever.
[A Followup Note from Fatty: Within six hours of my posting this, Friends of Fatty hit Madeline’s fundraising goal of $6,000.00. Moments like this are incredible reminders that I have the best, most generous readers on the Internet.]
Comment by Madeline Bemis | 01.7.2016 | 12:38 pm
Wow Fatty thank-you so much for helping make my dreams come true! It’s a big goal, but I know that with the support of my family, friends, my coaches, team and the cycling community behind me, ANYTHING is possible. I will continue to train hard, and would be honored to wear the Fat Cyclist logo on my jersey during the 24 hr solo world championships in New Zealand. Thank YOU for joining Team Bemis ?
Comment by Tom in Albany | 01.7.2016 | 1:23 pm
Just dropped some $ in. Good luck!
Comment by Kevin Carlson | 01.7.2016 | 1:42 pm
Awesome podcast! Thanks for this its amazing to see the motivation that Madeline has. Hoping we will have a few more young guns being promoted soon.
Comment by Dave T | 01.7.2016 | 2:17 pm
These programs are great wish they were around when I went through high school. Glad this is going to be part of your 2016 fundraising plan fatty count me in.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.7.2016 | 5:51 pm
@DaveT
if these programs existed when you were in high school the stories you tell on the way to Rebecca’s would not have the same draw dropping reaction and sense in incredulity.
I’m sure they would be good stories just more beliveable.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.7.2016 | 5:52 pm
Oh and Fatty. Count me in.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 01.7.2016 | 6:54 pm
Well that’s annoying.
First Leadville and now PayPal doesn’t like me. Could it be the three entries to The Tushar last night. or is just me?
Comment by Ken | 01.7.2016 | 9:44 pm
I am excited that I was able to donate the remaining amount to reach the $6k mark. It’s a pleasure to support young talent. My brother has lived in NZ for about 10 years now and it is a beautiful place and will be a wonderful place to race. Best of luck, Madeline.
Comment by NZ Michelle | 01.7.2016 | 9:51 pm
Wow Madeline you are an inspiration! I hope you have a great time here in NZ and all the best for the race. Cheers Fatty for another neat podcast.
Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 01.8.2016 | 9:32 am
Hard to imagine there being a better community–online or not–than Team Fatty!
Comment by Anonymous | 01.8.2016 | 9:57 am
Congrats!
Fatty…..you never stop doing the right thing.
Thanks!
Comment by Kevin M (oldmanutah) | 01.8.2016 | 12:01 pm
Great job to everyone for helping to get Madeline to the U-23 24 Hour Solo MTB World Championships!
#GoTeamBemis #GoTeamFatty
I am blessed to be a part of this group and that you all never cease to amaze me.
Comment by Rebecca Rusch | 01.8.2016 | 11:44 pm
GO TEAM BEMIS! Thanks Fatty and the whole crew here for getting behind Madeline. She’s a real gem and it’s so fun to be part of her 24 hr Worlds campaign. It’s amazing to be part of such a great cycling community and see people step up and support her. I feel like a very proud big sister!
Comment by Shugg McGraw | 01.20.2016 | 10:34 am
My maths (math to you) isn’t the best but I think that Madeline can compete in the U23 World 24 Hour Championships for the next 6 years.
Comment by Matt | 02.8.2016 | 6:50 pm
Hi Fatty,
I’m new to your blog but i have been following others for some time and i have never seen anyone helping someone else out like that. I think it’s great.
And thumbs up for Madeline ofcourse.
Comment by Shugg McGraw | 02.29.2016 | 6:42 am
Spoiler alert: She won.
Comment by Rick Hendrick | 03.2.2016 | 10:11 am
She got $6,925. Not bad. Thanks fatcyclist for sharing)
Madeline in 2015 traveled more 7k miles…by veloviewer.