The Fat Cyclist’s best posts are his open letters. Last Thursday, he wrote to Johan Bruyneel eloquently articulating the case for his employment as a professional cyclist with Team RadioShack. On Friday, Johann responded on his blog, inviting the Fat Cyclist to attend the team’s training camp this week end if he could raise US$10,000 for each of two charities: Livestrong (naturally) and World Bicycle Relief Fund. Furthermore, if he could raise US$25,000 for each charity, the team would sign and donate a Trek Madone.
By Sunday, Fatty had his fundraising strategy in place. Donating in multiples of US$5 to either charity would give the donor the chance of winning either a custom painted Fat Cyclist Gary Fisher Superfly (donated by Gary Fisher Bikes) or a Team RadioShack signed Trek Madone.
Within 24hours, and less than three days after Fatty had written the letter, Team Fatty had raised US$50,000. Johan upped the stakes by doubling the target and offering one lucky donor the trip of a life-time to the last day of next year’s Tour in Paris. That ceiling was broken through on Tuesday. The amount raised now stands in excess of US$115,000 and it closes tomorrow noon (MST).
I am always amazed at the generousity of Americans to good causes. The cynics amongst you might say that it’s tax deductible and that they’re only in it to win something. However, I suspect that if the only prize on offer had been getting Fatty to the camp, his loyal readers would still have raised the money. I hope he has a blast. It couldn’t happen to a nicer chap.
Postscript: Team Fatty raised an amazing US$135,000
