Bash for Bikes
The first Bash for Bikes event took place on December 8th, 2011 at Colorado Multisport in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder has long been known by cyclists, triathletes and runners as the Mecca of endurance sports. The city boasts a plethora of professional cyclists and triathletes that call Boulder home; however, despite their common interest in cycling, these athletes generally remain divided. So it was a very special event when four World Champion cyclists and triathletes sitting at the top of their sport – Taylor Phinney, Mirinda Carfrae, Danny Pate, and Tim O’Donnell – came together to benefit World Bicycle Relief. The event included a gourmet meal, athlete panel, and both a silent and live auction.
The idea for Bash for Bikes was sparked by an unsuspecting event this past summer -- a lemonade sale hosted by two six year old girls: Amelie Panaccione, the daughter of Colorado Multisport’s co-owners Celesta Howe and Chuck Panaccione, and Lucy Alexander, daughter of Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander. At their lemonade sale, Amelie and Lucy spent the day chasing down customers around their neighborhood, begging people to buy lemonade as a way of supporting World Bicycle Relief and those it benefits -- girl students just like themselves in Africa. The passion of these two young girls inspired Bash for Bikes--an exquisite event hosted by world renowned sports physiologist Allen Lim.
Bash for Bikes guests enjoyed a five-star, gourmet meal catered by Team Radioshack Chef, Biju Thomas, including empanadas and fresh tostada bar, and delicious Colorado-crafted Ritual Chocolate. The meal was followed by a lively athlete panel discussion led by the ever-enchanting Lim. Cyclist Taylor Phinney told stories of his grand tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana, his off-season adventures and his plans for racing the 2012 Giro d’Italia. Danny Pate recounted leading out Mark Cavendish at this year’s Tour de France and offered advice to Phinney for the Giro: “It is such a hard race, way harder than the Tour--I feel sorry for you, Taylor!” Triathlete Tim O’Donnell talked about his Ironman debut this year, winning the US National Champion crown, the intense heat of Kona, and his path to professional triathlon in light of his extensive education. Mirinda Carfrae exuded nothing but confidence when talking about her quest to become the queen of Kona’s Ironman competition once again.
Funds raised at Bash for Bikes were due in large part to the incredibly successful auction which featured items generously donated by the full spectrum of the cycling industry, listed below. The evening’s top prize was a home cooked dinner for four with Chef Biju that saw athlete panel members Phinney and O’Donnell dueling for the win! As bids reached the $2,500 mark, Chef Biju kindly offered up a second dinner prize and both parties agreed to pay $2,500 each for the dinner! Needless to say, the athletes all went out of their way to ensure the evening’s success. Overall, the event raised approximately $17,000. Thanks to a match made by World Bicycle Relief board members through December 31st, all donations made to WBR are matched dollar for dollar, making the Bash for Bikes event a $34,000 success!
A huge shout-out out to Celesta Howe and the entire staff of Colorado Multisport, Allen Lim, Chef Biju, Anna Davies and Robbie Stout of Ritual Chocolate, Danny Pate, Tim O’Donnell, Mirinda Carfrae, and Taylor Phinney, the events’ donors, and all of our industry supporters for their outstanding roles in Bash for Bikes!
Silent Auction donors included: Zipp, Pearl Izumi, Specialized, CatEye, Secret Drink Mix, Newton, Ritual Chocolate, Enduro, Cascade Gran Fondo, Rotor, BMC, Retul, Velo Bling, New Belgium, the Bowhaus, Road ID, and Active at Altitude.
Live Auction items included: An autographed Thor Hushovd World Champion jersey, Zipp Firecrest 404s, Shimano C50s, a SRAM Force TT group, a Cervelo S2 frameset.
