Talking With WORLD CHAMPION 24-Hour Solo Racer Madeline Bemis

03.10.2016 | 12:15 pm

A “Thanks, And There’s Still Fat Cyclist Gear Available” Note from Fatty: I’m incredibly thankful to all my readers who responded to my March 8 post by buying FatCyclist gear. At this point, a lot of it’s sold out (the hoodies, long-sleeve jerseys, and arm warmers are all gone, for example), but there is still quite a bit available — some in a few sizes, some in most sizes. Here’s what’s still around:

• Short-Sleeve Jerseys, both Relaxed-Fit and Race-Fit. The relaxed-fit jerseys are great for early season riding, the race-fit jerseys are flat-out amazing for summer riding. As you’d expect, the race-fit jerseys are closer-fitting than the relaxed-fit. To help you calibrate against the Twin Six fit, right now at 166 pounds, I barely fit into a large Twin Six jersey, fit comfortably into a Medium Relaxed Fit jersey, and fit comfortably into a Large Race-Fit jersey. Does that help?
• Vests: These are unisex, and most sizes are available. At this price, if you don’t already own a vest, you really ought to get one. If you do already own a vest you ought to get a good one. Like this one. 
• Race Bib Shorts: These were such a killer deal that most sizes sold out very quickly. However, there are a few sizes still available for men, and most sizes available for women. If you’re a woman and have never had a pair of good bib shorts, this is your opportunity to find out in a very inexpensive way why most serious riders stick with bibs.
• Ladies’ Shorts: These are the only bike shorts (as opposed to bibs) The Hammer will ever wear, and she (5’7”, 120-125lbs) wears a Small, while she wears a Medium in most women’s bibs. So you might want to calibrate down a size when buying these. (For what it’s worth, someone asked me if there is any reason a man couldn’t wear these shorts, so I tried a medium pair on. The legs were too short, and the chamois felt all wrong, so I recommend against it.)

On New Year’s Day of 2016, I posted a conversation I had with Madeline Bemis, a 17-year-old with a dream of racing in the 24-hour world championships in New Zealand. If you haven’t listened to it, stop. Before you listen to this episode of the FattyCast, you’ve got to listen to the first chat I had with Madeline.

Anyway, a lot of people, including FatCyclist.com readers, got behind Madeline’s dream, getting her to her fundraising goal and to the starting line. 

Now Madeline’s back, and this high school world champion has an awesome story to tell.

You should definitely not miss this episode of The FattyCast, on iTunes, Stitcher, FattyCast.com, or on my fattycast.com/rss feed.

Or just listen / download it here:

And while you’re listening, be sure to read Madeline’s race writeup, and to check out the cool video of the event.