I got Jim to promise to write up a story and take pictures once he got his bike, and he did not disappoint. So now, for your collective jealousy, Jim’s story of what it’s like to win this amazing bike.
We were on a family vacation in Lake Placid when Fatty had his WBR drawing. Our son, our niece’s husband, and a good friend of theirs had just competed in the Lake Placid Ironman the weekend before and we were all in recovery mode. Imagine my surprise when I opened my email that afternoon to read I had won the Trek-Enve-SRAM bicycle!
I spent a good part of that weekend on the Trek web site looking at the Project One options, and my brain was quickly saturated with the possibilities. I thought I had it all worked out and let it rest for a while.
Our first week back home was hectic, not only catching up on the work that accumulated while we were away, but also working with the great folks at High Road Cycles in Wayne, PA to figure out just what I would need in frame size, cockpit components, gearing, and so on. Pat and Isaac at High Road were absolutely great, and Isaac even set me up with a Madone to take out for a spin after a preliminary fitting, just to see how it felt.
About that time Fatty and The Hammer took off for Leadville, and the bike project understandably took a short break. On August 19 Fatty sent a message to Katie at WBR, Jake at Enve and Brandon at Trek with the subject line “Please help Jim (Project 1 Winner) with his Prize.” I was able to communicate with each of them very quickly and after a little more thought on the frame conveyed my choices. With my wife’s help (she is the artist in the family) I modified the color scheme of the frame a bit, and I have to say the final piece is really stunning.
Just about the time I was beginning to get antsy over when the parts would be delivered I heard from Isaac at High Road that (almost) everything was in and I could come in later that week to make the selections I would need to provide to make it a complete bike – you know, things like a saddle, tires and pedals. Here’s a picture of the frame in the shop last Friday evening:
I have to say I am really happy with the color scheme. And here is a picture of the final assembly, with my newest best friend Isaac, who along with ace mechanic Jude spearheaded the work in the shop:
I raced home from work this evening so I could get a couple of pictures with a clear background:
and
When I was surfing the trek site in preparation for placing the order with Brandon, I realized this bike would be in their signature series, so I had to come up with something appropriate. Here’s what I settled on, as a reminder of where this great bike came from:
Now all I need is a quiet afternoon at work or a weekend with some free time for a ride (wedding anniversary celebration this weekend with a short trip, so I am still waiting). This is one really wonderful bicycle, and the folks at World Bicycle Relief / SRAM, Enve, and Trek have been absolutely stellar in working with me to put this together. The bicycle is a far better machine than I am a rider, and I will do my best to live up to it.
Thanks to Elden for putting this great fund raiser together; thanks to Katie at World Bicycle relief, Jake at Enve, and Brandon at Trek for kicking in such great components to make this once in a lifetime dream a reality. World Bicycle Relief will remain high on our donations list for many years to come.
And special thanks to the great folks at High Road Cycles for working with me and putting this great machine together so well.
Yesterday, on their Facebook page, World Bicycle Relief put a photo up:
How much hyperbole was that? None. None hyperbole is how much hyperbole that statement was.
Because last month, World Bicycle Relief raised enough money to buy 1500 bikes for children, volunteer health care workers, and entrepreneurs in Africa. That’s a lot of bikes, which translates into a lot of people who are now going to have the means to stay — and succeed — in school. The means to take care of their neighbors in need. The means to launch and grow their businesses and take care of their families.
The Team Fatty Factor
World Bicycle Relief has never had such a successful fundraising July, and Trek needs to get about a million high-fives for their part of it. They pledged a dollar-for-dollar fundraising match during the month, up to $90,000. They also promised a Madone Series 7 Project One bike frame, an amazing fundraising incentive.
ENVE Composites also deserves massive credit for their participation, because I didn’t even have to approach them to help. They came to me, simply saying they wanted to help.
And SRAM, by donating top-of-the-line components, turned this from a prize for a nice beginning of a bike into a complete, true dream bike.
But more than anything else, I want to express gratitude for my readers — Team Fatty — for your outrageous generosity. I think a good case can be made that it’s you who made this World Bicycle Relief’s “Best July Ever.”
If you don’t mind, I’d like to explain why.
In July, World Bicycle Relief received enough donations to buy 1500 bikes. At $134 per bike, that means WBR pulled in approximately $201,000 in individual contributions in July.
Of that $201,000, Team Fatty raised $39,774. And of course, Trek donated their maximum of $90,000. When you take out those two numbers, the remaining donations come to $71,226. Without Team Fatty’s donations, in other words, the total amount raised would have come to $71,226.
Which means Trek wouldn’t have hit its matching ceiling, and instead would have matched that amount. So the total would have been around $142,452.
Which is — make no mistake — still a great number. But without you, WBR would be talking right now about having raised enough to buy 1063 bikes, instead of 1500.
So, whether you pre-ordered a 2014 Fat Cyclist jersey, or whether you donated money directly, thank you.
Thank you for being part of the most ridiculous, most generous group of people on the Internet.
You — along with a lot of teammates you’ve never met — have just made around 500 people’s lives immeasurably better.
I am the luckiest blogger in the world to have you as my readers and teammates.
And as my friends.
PS: The winner of the bike has been sent an email. I’ll post more once I hear back from him (yes, a male).
A Note from Fatty: Today at 1pm ET / 10am PT, I’ll be hosting a live interview / Q&A with James Huang, the CyclingNews and Bike Radar technical editor / god of bicycle knowledge. You can watch the interview below, though I suggest clicking here to Spreecast, where you can join in the chat and ask James questions yourself.
I’ve been a fan of James for — well, I don’t know how long. Years and years.
But I do know why I’m a fan of James. It’s because I’ve found I can trust him. He writes the fairest, most honest, and comprehensive bike gear reviews I’ve ever seen. His knowledge of bike gear runs as deep as mine runs shallow, and yet he writes clearly and cleanly, so even a dope like me can understand what he’s saying.
So I’ve invited him over for a chat, to talk about what it’s like to be privy to what’s coming next in the bike industry, to be paid to see and ride stuff daily that the rest of us can only dream of.
And to find out how and why he chose his Twitter moniker, @angryasian.
Best of all, James has agreed to answer questions. So if you’ve been wondering about getting a new bike or upgrading the one you have or are wondering about some other gear-related thing, this will be your chance to ask one of the very most informed guys in the business.
Join me today at 1pm ET / 12noon CT / 11am MT / 10am PT, either right here, or over at SpreeCast.
More Awesome Prizes In Grand Slam 2
Guess what? We’re down to less than a week in the Grand Slam 2 for Zambia: This Time It’s Personal. We’ve raised more than $111,111. Which means we’ve got just under $14,000 to raise in just under a week.
Now, just to refresh your memory, there are already a ridiculous number of prizes that will be awarded once this contest ends, including:
That is, I believe you will agree, a lot of amazing prizes. I believe you will further agree that the cause is as worthy as there could be: you are making it possible to give someone the chance to thrive, instead of just survive. You are giving them a way to stay in school, to get a better job. You’re giving them the chance to see what they can do if they have the power of a bicycle.
And you do all that good — and have a shot at all these prizes — by donating at my Grand Slam 2 page. Even $5 gets you a shot at all the prizes, with your chances improving as you donate more.
Just in case you come from some bizarre universe where I haven’t given you enough incentive to make a donation, though, today I’m going to reveal three more fantastic prizes.
Two Tickets to All Events at Chris Horner’s Cascade Gran Fondo
I’m going to be honest here: I’ve never been to Chris Horner’s Cascade Gran Fondo. However, I have been to Bend, Oregon (for the Leadman Tri 250), and can promise you this: Bend is beautiful, and the riding there is top-notch.
So I have a feeling that the Cascade Gran Fondo is going to kick butt. How could it not?
And the cool thing is, the winner of this prize will get to bring someone along, and you’ll get to go to not just the Gran Fondo ride and expo, but to all three events, including the VIP dinner and the evening of stories.
Hey, if you win this one, promise me you’ll take lots of pictures and write up the event for this blog, K?
Honey Stinger Smorgasbord
I don’t really need to tell you about how much I love Honey Stinger products, do I? I mean, I love pretty much every single thing they make. Their waffles. Their gels. Their energy chews. Everything. So I’m feeling no small amount of envy for the person who wins this prize. You’re going to be pretty much set for the season with this amount of Honey Stinger goodness:
1 box of each flavor Organic Energy Gel: Honey Stinger Energy Gels are absolutely my endurance food of choice. I relied on them pretty much exclusively this year during the Leadville 100, the Leadman Tri 250, and the Breck Epic. They are — without question — my favorite gels of all time. And you’re going to get three boxes of them: Vanilla, Fruit Smoothie, and (my favorite) Acai & and Pomegranate
1 Honey Stinger Cycling Cap
1 Honey Stinger Trucker Hat
1 Honey Stinger Sticker Pack
Signed Ted King Jersey and Swag Bag
You are — alas — not pro cyclist Ted King. And I am not either (alas).
However, you can console yourself by winning a signed jersey from Ted King, along with a very cool swag bag of “I Am Not Ted King” gear, like this T-shirt and other assorted things, at Ted King’s discretion.
From what I understand, the first step in accepting that you are not Ted King is wearing a t-shirt that states as much.
So. Add these three cool new prizes to the 13 listed above, plus the two we’ve already given away, and that’s 18 prizes in this contest.
And the thing is, I’m still not done announcing all the prizes in the Grand Slam 2. Seriously, I’m not.
My point being, the number and awesomeness of the prizes, combined with the outstanding cause, combined with the fact that every dollar you donate during this fundraiser gets automatically matched, I’m going to assert that this is in fact the perfect storm of fundraisers.
You’re going to have to excuse me for the tone — gushy — in today’s post. I simply cannot help myself and don’t intend to try. Cuz here’s the thing: I’m a total Rebecca Rusch Fanboy.
Every year for the past four years (including seeing her cross the finish line the year I crashed out) I’ve watched and been inspired by Reba’s incredible wins at the Leadville 100. Cheering her on as she flies down the Columbine road as I struggle up it.
And then, more recently, I’ve gotten to know her a little better, at Levi’s GranFondo this past summer. I really like the way Rebecca is willing to jump in and make a difference — whether it’s promoting women’s cycling with her Gold Rusch tour, helping raise money for good causes with my silly fundraisers, or spreading the word about World Bicycle Relief:
Racers like Rebecca — strong, smart, and community-minded — are exactly the kind of role models cycling needs.
So obviously, I was incredibly excited when Rebecca said she wanted to contribute a grand prize in my Grand Slam 2 for Zambia fundraiser, which she announced yesterday in our chat. You can watch that below, or over at SpreeCast. (Rebecca’s part of the interview starts at 38:00, though I highly recommend watching the entire thing.)
So now, let’s talk a little bit about what that prize is.
Rebecca’s Private Idaho
Rebecca’s Private Idaho (September 1, 2013) could maybe be best described as GranFondo meets gravel grinder. It’s 100 miles of timed — but not raced — beautiful backcountry riding. The purpose of this event will be to raise money for both World Bicycle Relief and the local IMBA chapter: Wood River Bicycle Coalition.
The course will be out-and-back, which means that no matter where you wind up in the pack, you’ll still see everyone on the ride (which is one of my favorite things about the Leadville 100).
The event is going to be awesomely supported, including, quite possibly, an on-course baked potato bar. Which could quite possibly be the most awesome aid station in the history of ever.
And while details are still being worked out on this, some riders will get the opportunity to take on the WBR challenge, where if they do the ride on a WBR Buffalo bike (the bombproof 45 pound singlespeed bikes World Bicycle relief distributes in Africa), you’ll get a special award. (I’d like to go on record as being the first person to accept this challenge, by the way.)
Since this will be the first year of the event, Rebecca wants to get it just right and will be keeping it small. It’ll be an invitation-only event, with just a few hundred of her best friends and VIP types (E.g., Tom Ritchey, Kristin Armstrong, Patrick Dempsey, Levi Leipheimer, The Specialized-Lululemon pro women’s road team, The Hammer, me) from the bicycle community.
In 2014, Rebecca will be scaling this event up and opening it to the public, but only a select few will get to say they were there when it all began.
Including — if you win this prize — you.
That’s right, as the newest Grand Slam 2 prize, Rebecca’s donating airfare, hotel and entry into the event.
So how do you enter? The same way you win all of the prizes in The Grand Slam for Zambia: by making a donation. Every $5 you donate gets you a chance, and any donation over $134 — the cost of getting a bicycle into the hands of a student in Africa and changing her life for the better forever — gets you bonus chances.
So if this — or if any of the prizes in the list — appeal to you, click here to make a donation now. Your money gets doubled, you’re making a huge difference in someone’s life, and you just might win an incredibly cool trip to go on an incredible ride set up by an incredible person.
What the Ride Looks Like
At a hundred miles and with 7000 feet of climbing, Rebecca’s Private Idaho is going to be a challenging ride. But the view is going to be so worth it. Here are a few pictures Rebecca captured while she was scouting out the course.
The Pioneer Mountains. The riders will see these peaks from the other side.
Trail Creek Road, heading out of town on course and into the mountains.
Copper Basin in the middle of the course.
Top of Trail Creek Summit.
Backside of Trail Creek Summit and dropping into Copper Basin.
Trail Creek Road on the return. This is the view of Sun Valley ski resort that will welcome you back to the finish.
This looks like an epic, beautiful day in the mountains. I’m stoked to try it out — and if you’re one of the drawing winners and choose this prize, I think you’ll love being able to say you were there right from the beginning of this amazing event.
The Hammer and I have been looking at the 2013 calendar a lot, lately. Trying to figure out what we’d like to do this year, versus what would be fun to do this year, if we have the time and money and everything works out.
And then there are a few events that we are absolutely, positively going to do. This year, next year, and the year after that. Events that we do every year and plan to, for as long as we are able to ride. The Rockwell Relay: Moab to St. George. The Crusher in the Tushars. The Leadville 100.
It’s quite simply our favorite event. And not just because of the ride (although the ride is pretty outstanding). It’s everything that goes on around it. And before it. And after it. And, in fact, during it.
It’s the gold standard of GranFondos. Ask anyone who’s been there.
And while a ticket to ride in Levi’s GranFondo would be an awesome prize on its own merit, this is so much more. This prize is a full-on freaking all-event VIP Pass.
Let’s break it down, shall we?
Airfare and Hotel
First off, the winner (you, I hope) will get airfare and hotel taken care of (if you’re outside the US, you’ll need to take care of your own travel into the US). You’ll want to make sure you bring several days’-worth of underwear and jerseys, though, because you’ll be arriving on Thursday (October 3, 2013), and will be enjoying the full-on awesomeness all the way ’til you go home on Sunday (October 6).
Here’s what you’re going to be doing
Thursday Night: Festa del Fondo
Bring something nice to wear, because you’ll be having dinner with Levi, Odessa, and a a pretty small group of other people who are nearly as awesome as you are. You’ll have an incredible dinner, a great chance to meet Levi, and an opportunity to bid in an auction for the charities supported by Levi’s GranFondo.
And I have an idea that maybe — since I’ll be there too, unless Levi’s bodyguard sees through my disguise — this might be a perfect opportunity for us to finally outnumber Levi and put him in a headlock, for once.
Hey, it could happen, you know.
Friday: VIP Ride
The next day, after you’ve slept off the Festa, you’ll get to join Levi and some friends in a casual ride around the outskirts of Santa Rosa. I’ve gone on this ride once before, and it’s fun, watching Levi and Odessa work the group, taking time to talk with everyone on the ride, and being totally cool about it when I tried (unsuccessfully, but not for lack of trying) to get everyone to start singing sea shanties.
The best part of the ride was when we stopped by the Forget Me Not Farm, which is the charity Odessa puts her time and heart into (the farm serves the dual purposes of giving a home to animals that otherwise might not have one, and to give children who have suffered abuse a chance to experience a loving, non-threatening relationship).
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they swing by there again. In which case you’ll have the opportunity to get a picture of you and Levi. Together with a cow.
And then you can make a big framed print of it and explain how awesome that actually is to all your friends.
Saturday, Very Early: The Front of the Line
One of the most astounding things about Levi’s GranFondo is the sheer number of people in it. More than 7,000 riders all line up, which means the line goes back for blocks and blocks and blocks.
And blocks.
But not for you, because you — along with the other VIPs — will go straight to the front of the line, where you’ll get to say hi to famous people like Chuck Ibis, and Levi, and Patrick Dempsey, and me. Especially me, because otherwise I’ll just be standing around there, wondering how come I’m the only one there with a muffin top.
The Ride and the Food During the Ride
The GranFondo is a big ride (you’re also welcome to do the medium- or short-distance versions of the course if that’s more your style), but every year I do it, I find myself forgetting about the distance, because the course is just so beautiful.
You ride through redwoods. And along the coast. And by vineyards. And up and down narrow forested roads. It is not a ride where you should spend any time at all staring at the pavement. It’s a heads-up, looking-around, smelling-the-forest, smelling-the-sea-air, stopping-and-taking-photos kind of ride.
Hey, you should check out the video I made of the ride a couple years ago:
Nice, huh?
And there are great aid stations along the route. Really, “great” is kind of playing down how good they are. We’re talking deli-quality sandwiches. An aid station by the ocean. Oreos and Nutter Butters.
As well as stuff that people who eschew those kinds of things will still enjoy.
Hey, it’s a rolling buffet and snack bar.
After the Ride: The Festival
Even with the great food along the route, you’ll finish the ride hungry. Furthermore, you’ll finish it tired. But save some energy, because you’re going to want to stick around at the festival going on at the finish line. Everyone has access to the free food, drink and music, and that’s an awesome thing on its own.
But you’ll have a pass to the VIP tent, where you can lounge, drink, eat, and hobnob to your heart’s content.
And if you’re like me, you’ll probably push right past that place of “content” and eat yourself into a full-on stupor.
As If That’s Not Enough
There will be a lot of people who ride in Levi’s GranFondo in 2013. Like, 7,500 of us. There will even be a few people who get to come to all the VIP events. But only the person who wins the Levi’s GranFondo grand prize in the Grand Slam 2 contest will get this:
Yep, that’s Levi’s jersey — one he wore in the 2012 Tour de France. It’ll be signed, and comes with his race numbers.
Which moves this prize from the “outrageously cool and I can’t believe I won it” category into the “totally one of a kind” category.
Would it take a trip to spend a week at a luxury resort, riding with Patrick Dempsey and Tom Danielson?
Or would it take this VIP package to the best GranFondo in America, with a signed TdF jersey and the race numbers as a kicker?
I think I’m getting pretty close to that irresistible fundraiser, don’t you?
So why do you think there are so many amazing prizes? Why do you think so many companies and people are stepping up to the plate and knocking it out of the park, prize-wise? I’ll tell you why: it’s because what World Bicycle Relief is doing is important, and good, and well-thought-out. So good companies — and good people, like Levi and Tom and Patrick (and I’m not even close to done revealing new prizes, by the way) — are surpassing my wildest dreams in donating amazing prizes, in the hopes that good people like you will say to yourselves, “Wow. The quantity and quality of this contest is making my eyes glaze over with sheer astonishment at the awesomeness of it all. I can’t help myself; I will donate with enthusiasm and alacrity!”
Yeah, that’s how I imagine your inner monologue. Strange, huh?
Donate any amount. For every $5 you donate, you get another chance in my magic spreadsheet, which is what an impartial third person will use for drawing prizes (although you get bonus chances if you donate $134+ — enough to buy a whole bike for a child in Zambia.)
Yep, it’s that easy. The contest goes ’til December 24 (Christmas Eve), at which point we’ll start drawing for prizes. So go donate now.
And (hopefully) Levi and I will see you in Santa Rosa this October.
And, above all: 
And there are great aid stations along the route. Really, “great” is kind of playing down how good they are. We’re talking deli-quality sandwiches. An aid station by the ocean. Oreos and Nutter Butters.
How and Why to Enter