The Short Version
Yeah, I know: I’m 5′7″ so everything I write is a short version.
Ha!
But I think before I start writing stories, it might be worth a little (ha!) recap of the real reason I quit blogging, what’s going on, and what I’m planning to do with this blog now.
Why I Quit and What Happened Next
In my “Thank You” post I wrote back in 2016, I said I was grateful for the 12 years I’d had blogging, which is true. And for all the good you’ve helped me do, which is true.
What I did not write is why I was ending the blog. The reason for that was simple: I was miserable and simply couldn’t handle everything anymore. I had made a huge mistake in taking a particular job and knew something had to give. I compounded the mistake by instead of giving up the job, giving up this blog.
By the time a few more months had come and gone, I was a wreck. And by summer of 2017, I was a disaster.
Finally, on the advice of a very good friend (who also helped me out in some very material ways), I quit. And went job hunting.
And then I got very lucky.
Last October, I got hired by Adobe. I’m the comms guy for the TechOps department. And I am without question the happiest I have ever been in my career. It is so great to be excited to come into work every day and be a part of a company you’ve admired for pretty much ever.
What’s Going On
This is not going to be a fast year for me. This is a year when I work on getting up to speed at my job, and ride for fun.
And yet, The Hammer and I are signed up for the Breck Epic — six days of glorious endurance mountain bike racing in Breckenridge, CO.
And the day after the Breck Epic, we’re racing the Leadville 100 (my 21st finish, hopefully!). So yes, that’s seven days of racing, with the seventh day being pretty danged hard. Luckily, however, the first six days of racing are also hard, so that should be good training.
What I’m Going To Do With This Blog
I’m going to do things I love in this blog. First, I’m going to tell stories — funny when I feel like it, serious when I feel like it. Absurd when I feel like it.
I’m going to fundraise, albeit less often. Like, one fundraiser per year, and it’s got to be easy for me to do. 100 Miles of Nowhere benefitting Camp Kesem, anyone?
I’m also going to go back to my roots: Tomorrow will be my first weigh-in as I try to get the “weight” part of my personal power-to-weight equation a little more to my liking. Will there be a contest? Probably. But I haven’t figured out the details.
And finally — and this is important to me — I’m going to podcast, and I’m going to ask you to listen. Specifically, it’s important to me that you listen and subscribe to my new Leadville Podcast.
Here’s the thing: You don’t need to be signed up for Leadville or any other race to enjoy this podcast, because there’s going to be a lot of storytelling in it. Like Season 0, Episode 1, for example, which is me recounting the first time I raced the Leadville 100:
Please, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe, rate, and review this show. I’m incredibly proud of it, and your rating and reviewing it helps it rise above the noise out there.
I’ve got two other podcasts I’m involved in — the GU Pinnacle Podcast, and the AF Canyon Run Against Cancer. I’ll be promoting those here too, because they’re both great shows. There are episodes of the AF Canyon Run Against Cancer podcast that will break your heart, and that’s WHY you should listen to it.
One Last Thing
I’m going to do more cliffhangers in my race reports than I ever have before. I love cliffhangers.
PS: I’m probably less than 5′7″ since most people shrink as they age. I’m unwilling to find out.
PPS: Here’s a photo of The Hammer riding some brand new singletrack accessible out the front door of my house. Feel free to express your envy in the comments.
Comment by Heidi | 05.24.2018 | 9:25 am
Your links aren’t working…
Comment by zeeeter | 05.24.2018 | 9:32 am
Good to have you back Elden. Just sayin’.
Comment by Barry | 05.24.2018 | 9:36 am
So glad to have you back Fatty and happy you’re in a good place in life now. All the best to you and your family.
Comment by sam | 05.24.2018 | 9:43 am
Welcome back! We have all taken that “Job” that was wrong, some of us more than once. Don’t cry about the 5?7?, I’m 5?2?, I would literally murder someone if I could be 5?7?. Your writing was missed!
Comment by Elder B | 05.24.2018 | 9:51 am
So good to hear you are going to be writing again. I’m just about to subscribe to the podcast. I probably won’t be listening to it a lot for the next little while but I’ll get caught up in 6 months.
Comment by Bad Dad | 05.24.2018 | 10:33 am
You’re going to make a podcast listener out of somehow! I am going to try. Really try to listen regularly.
So awesome that you are happy!
One of these days you really should have a blogged or podcast conversation with Dirty Biker. Maybe you already have. You both claim to be fat, yet you both rip like nobody’s business. You both quit jobs and got new jobs and found much inner peace. You both married Rad ladies who can out ride you most any day, and you met them mostly via cycling.
Besides all that you couldn’t be more different.
Comment by Peri | 05.24.2018 | 10:33 am
So weird that just out of the blue, I randomly thought – Hmm I wonder if Fatty is up to anything? I probably had not thought of you in at least a year. I used to check your blog daily to make sure you really were not writing. Eventually, I removed you from my Favorites. It was a very sad day. What a great day to be able to add you back! I can’t wait for the first cliffhanger!
Comment by BostonCarlos | 05.24.2018 | 10:36 am
Wait. Am I the certain tallish FoF? If so, you’re almost as short as this response! Are you on mobile too?
Comment by Joshua | 05.24.2018 | 11:18 am
So glad you are back! I was visiting the blog to just kind of reminisce and was shocked to see you came back just yesterday. I like to keep with with some cycling stuff here and there but your blog was my absolute favorite. When you stopped writing I just sort of stopped caring about bikes–in the online world of course!
Thanks for coming back, I hope that the return is everything you want and need it to be. We did miss you, just to stroke your ego a bit!
Comment by DaveT | 05.24.2018 | 11:24 am
So nice to see you staring up the blog. Glad you found a job that you really like nothing worse than a job you are miserable at I can attest to that. Looking forward to great stories and yet another great podcast.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 05.24.2018 | 11:27 am
@ BostonCarlos you wish.
@Elden you will all stand tall in my opinion, and I will do my best to always remember that.
Should I consider using you as a Leadville ‘pacer’, Doubtful, you’ll still probably go race pace.
100MoM Yippee!>/b> need new socks.
Welcome back friend.
Comment by Chicago Nick | 05.24.2018 | 11:28 am
I can’t wait to ride 100M2N again. Also please sell me a FC bike jersey for my triathlon.
Comment by berry | 05.24.2018 | 11:52 am
Let me add my voice to those who are really glad you’re back. I’m glad I never deleted the bookmark. :)
Comment by Chubby Elvis | 05.24.2018 | 12:39 pm
Thanks Fatty!
Does this mean the pace line is over?
Comment by Brian Keller | 05.24.2018 | 1:05 pm
Welcome back, Fatty! We’ve missed your writing. I left the link to my blog up hoping you’d come back. I know all about those jobs and it was only there to prepare you for this one, amigo.
Yay! we’ll have cliffhangers, again!
Comment by NZ Ev | 05.24.2018 | 1:16 pm
Welcome back!!!!! Best day ever to see that you are back and I can look forward to your stories!!!!!
Comment by WNC Biker | 05.24.2018 | 1:16 pm
Thanks for bringing the blog back. We enjoy reading it as much as you enjoy the free therapy.
Glad to hear you are blogging and podcasting. Many of us have come to enjoy your podcasts just as much as your blog posts. Even my nine year old likes listening to “that fatty guy”. People always ask questions about my fat cyclist jerseys.
Comment by Drewsnutz | 05.24.2018 | 1:35 pm
I would check redkiteprayer and here every month or so but it would bum me out. I follow you on twitter so I would still get a little fix, but yeah I missed you. Your writing always sucked me in and your fattycast was great too. Seriously great to have you back!
Comment by Tanner Lovelace | 05.24.2018 | 1:52 pm
Glad to see you pop up in my RSS reader again!
Your podcast looks interesting, but can I request more episodes of 30 minutes or less rather than ones closer to an hour? In general, if a podcast episode is around an hour long then I just won’t listen. I don’t have the time for it. If an episode is less than 30 minutes (and 30 minutes is pushing it) then I usually will.
Comment by JessF | 05.24.2018 | 1:52 pm
Thank god for RSS! This just popped up there, and I am happy to see it!
Looking forward to hearing about everything you do.
Comment by Scott D Gilbert | 05.24.2018 | 2:38 pm
He’s back!
Comment by MattC | 05.24.2018 | 2:49 pm
So glad to hear you found your “Happy” place Fatty! Living with stress (from whatever reason) is a real killer. It’s amazing how your life opens up when you are stress-free…really lets you spread your wings and FLY again! I certainly can’t speak for all the FOF’s, but I’d bet my bottom dollar that we pretty much ALL knew in our hearts you’d be back one day… and here we are…the wait is over! Welcome BACK!!
Comment by Jim Tolar | 05.24.2018 | 2:54 pm
Welcome back, Fatty! I’m glad I never removed fatcyclist from my bookmarks.
jt
Comment by Matthew B | 05.24.2018 | 2:58 pm
Welcome home! I never really got in to RKP, but enjoyed the Paceline. Glad to see you back here and back on good form! Happy times, quite literally!
Comment by Brooks Benson | 05.24.2018 | 3:08 pm
Welcome back, FC from a long time reader but first time commenter. I want to second Tanner Lovelace’s comment about keeping the podcasts to less than an hour. There are several podcasts I would love to follow but there are not enough hours in the day.
And cliffhangers work in podcasts, too!
Comment by Brad | 05.24.2018 | 3:50 pm
This news has made my week so much better. So happy to have you back here…you were missed and I am looking forward to reading your stories again.
Comment by Tim W | 05.24.2018 | 4:34 pm
Welcome Back. You have been missed the last 18 months. Glad to hear you are in a good place now. I have enjoyed the podcasts you did but definitely looking forward to your new ones.
Comment by Jill S | 05.24.2018 | 4:38 pm
I don’t ride bikes (I mean I can ride, but not endurance or races like you. Shoot I don’t even own a bike.) And I don’t even know how I found your blog years ago, but I missed your writing and I’m glad to see you back.
Comment by S. Salas | 05.24.2018 | 5:43 pm
I’d deleted the bookmark about four months ago, a definite pleasure to add it back. A loop around my block is .3 miles, so a 333 and 1/3 lap “100 Miles of Nowhere” seems to be in order.
Comment by The Flyin’ Ute | 05.24.2018 | 5:48 pm
Glad you are back! I never to you off my favorites bar. Still there. I am a fan. Share your gift. You can’t hide it under a bushel anymore.
Comment by Spiff | 05.24.2018 | 7:03 pm
Glad you are black – even more glad to hear you are happy at work. But most of all, I am gladest to hear…
I like cliff hangers too
Comment by Ed | 05.24.2018 | 7:10 pm
Fatty, it’s great to have you back!!! Looking forward to the blogs & podcasts!
Comment by Ken Kozlowski | 05.25.2018 | 3:44 am
This is great. I’m not a podcast guy, but I will give it a listen.
Comment by Terrybill | 05.25.2018 | 7:28 am
Such good news. Just spent an hour following up on what happened at Paceline and am so glad that path brought me here. FC is back in the bookmarks and L100 podcast will be notifying when a new one is available. 10, 30, 90 minutes, I don’t care, just don’t leave me jonesing for a fattie update. Really happy to hear you’re in a good place
Comment by Anonymous | 05.25.2018 | 8:43 am
I love 100 Miles of Nowhere! I even did mine last year although it didn’t officially happen! And it was my most awesome one yet. So glad you are back to tell stories with cliffhangers. Love your stories. Love (and hate) cliffhangers!!
Comment by Corrine | 05.25.2018 | 8:47 am
Just realized my comment posted as anonymous. I love Fatty! I love 100 Miles of Nowhere. I love cliffhangers.
Comment by A Dude Abikes | 05.25.2018 | 11:02 am
Guess my post was deleted but glad you’re back too. You were tThe first, well only, bike blogger to inspire and encourage me. I’d welcome advice about my blog http://www.adudesbikes.com. I’m also writing a book and would love input though that’s a big ask. Have not lost weight due to cycling despite doing a lot of it – the Austin paper did a profile on me – and radically changing my diet. Not fair! You’ve become a thin racer and I… have not. So slow and I suck at hills. Also have raised some money but nowhere near your levels. Not a big podcast guy, got to find a job and the blog is not a money maker with just 200 followers, but will try to give it a listen. Best wishes for your ongoing success, “Fatty.” – A Dude Abikes
Comment by Jeremy | 05.25.2018 | 11:53 am
My jealousy is very real! Once again, Welcome Back!
I needed more cliffhangers in my life…
Comment by Barb | 05.25.2018 | 11:54 am
Yay! You are my fav blogger! Welcome back! Still have the photo of you with me and friends in the middle of nowhere, Utah. Look forward to more adventures from you
Comment by Clay | 05.25.2018 | 12:15 pm
This is awesome – I’m glad you’re back. I happened upon your blog sometime in 2017 and went back and read through almost all of your posts. So I’m excited to follow along live this time! And I’m definitely in for 100 miles of nowhere now that I can actually participate.
Comment by keV | 05.25.2018 | 2:45 pm
This is so weird, the past month or so I’ve been randomly clicking on my FatCyclist bookmark, but today there are new posts!
I’m so glad you’re back and doing well! I’ll be subscribing to your podcast, and looking forward to your adventures!
Comment by Spiff | 05.25.2018 | 3:59 pm
Hooray! I wore my FC jersey (‘09, the classiest of the bunch IMHO) on my lunch ride today in honor of your return, Fatty!
Comment by Mike P. | 05.25.2018 | 10:57 pm
Welcome back! Perhaps this is the inspiration needed to get a bike down and put on some miles. For similar reasons, something had to give, but for me it was riding. I Need to get that part of my life back.
Comment by Matt | 05.26.2018 | 6:07 am
Seriously, what great news. When you “retired” the blog in late 2016, I set aside $300 for some Fat Cyclist kit and a 100MoN registration in case you ever changed your mind in future. I still have that money and am pleased that I’ll now be able to use at least some of it. Keep on trucking, I’ll be reading every post!
Comment by Bob in Denver | 05.27.2018 | 4:17 pm
Welcome back!
Just in time I have a new job so I can sign up for another 100Mon!
Comment by Nic Grillo | 05.29.2018 | 12:21 pm
So glad you’re back! I’ve really missed your writing. Looking forward to a weight loss challenge. These last 6 months off the bike recovering from ACL Surgery have carried me some distance from “racing weight”.
Comment by Joel | 05.29.2018 | 12:51 pm
Definitely do the 100 Miles of Nowhere!
I was just lamenting with my brother what I was going to do for new kit. I can only hope that there might be some new Fatty merch coming at some point. Pretty please?
Comment by UpTheGrade | 05.30.2018 | 10:16 am
Wow, new blog posts! You brightened my day with a near daily chuckle reading your posts but I thought you were gone forever. In withdrawal, I even took to re-reading your old posts. Glad to see you’re back and hope you continue.
Comment by MikeL | 05.31.2018 | 8:54 am
I am glad to see you back. I missed your stories and ‘adventures”. With all due respect to RKP and other sites I never really found a site or writing that engaged or interested me like yours does. I am glad I came across the QoP retweet that led me here.
Comment by Diana | 05.31.2018 | 10:47 pm
Welcome back! Very exciting. When is 100 miles of Nowhere 2018? I am thinking about signing. And I *might* have a tentative loop picked out.
Comment by AKChick | 06.1.2018 | 4:21 pm
How much Yay is this!!! Too much Yay for words!
So I am excited about 100 Miles of Nowhere. When do you think it will occur (this is important living in Alaska; though even if it’s in winter, I would still sign up and ride)?
So glad you found a job where you are happy. Life is TOO short to work at a job that you don’t enjoy.
I’m SO beyond excited that you’re back!
Comment by Jack | 06.5.2018 | 9:45 am
Fantastic to have you back blogging Fatty. You were an inspiration when I first started cycling and look forward to your many cliffhangers!
Comment by Snowcatcher | 06.9.2018 | 9:26 pm
I’m so thrilled to be able to read my favorite blog again!!! I’m glad things are going well with you and Hammer, too. I probably won’t get to listen to many podcasts because I just don’t have the bandwidth. But one day…
Meanwhile, once again, welcome back!
Comment by Tes | 06.13.2018 | 8:21 am
Subscribing to the podcast now! I’m so happy you are back, and quite envious of your position at Adobe (huge fan!) and your trails!
BTW, I argue with the nurse who takes my height every time I’m at the doctor’s office (BTW, why do they need to know my height when I’m there for allergies?), I am not the decreasing height she says. And my driver’s license proves it, damn it, regardless of what she says.
Comment by Tes | 06.13.2018 | 8:22 am
Oh! And, I would be among the first to sign up for 100MON.
Comment by Dave | 06.15.2018 | 2:32 pm
Glad you are back and doing better. Happy riding.
Comment by Eric Burgeson | 06.29.2018 | 3:44 am
Fatty!
I am so glad to hear that you’re back! I can’t wait to read what you write and hear your podcast. btw, PLEASE 100 MON, PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,PLEASE 100 MON,
Comment by Revelation Cyclist | 06.30.2018 | 8:46 pm
So glad to see your are back …. can’t wait to catch up on all the posts & continue to follow the blog like the old days … welcome back Fatty!