Elisa's Eye on the World

Happy 50th Birthday Dan O!

Followers of posts here on Elisa's Eye are familiar with "Dan O's contributions and comments over the years. Holy cow it's his birthday today and I had to give a shout out.

Photo by Hubs:  "Taz" adorning the cockpit of his Saratoga Titanium FAT Chance atop Mt. Constitution in May.

Decal Details on the Saratoga Ti FAT Chance

Hubs just finished some maintenance on "Friday" in preparation for the annual ride and campout at Moran State Park.

The sun was shining and I got a few close ups of the nifty decals:

Saratoga Ti FAT Chance at Cutthroat Pass

Here's Hub's Titanium ("Ti")  FAT Chance "Friday" along with A's trusty ride at the summit of Cutthroat Pass ~4,855' elevation; July 19, 2010.

Saratoga Ti FAT Chance at Cutthroat Pass

Team FAT Chance Hat from the 1990's

This has was scooped up a west coast bike expo in 1995 or so - a nice brushed twill, but the "Made in USA" stamped plastic adjustable band is broken so it's for display only.

Ti Fat Chance Cockpit

Here's a good up-close look of the cockpit on Hub's Titanium Fat Chance along the trail at Kettle Crest.

Ti Fat Chance on the Trail

Here is Hub's Titanium Fat Chance along the trail at an elevation of over 5,000'.

Studded Tires on the Saratoga Ti

Last week Hubs got in more than a few rides to the park and over to the bike shop rolling on his homemade studded tires.

Phil and Friday Mug Shots

Drop me a line if you want to know any of the specs.

Phil and Friday Profiles

Love the flat pedals from Rivendell Bicycle Works.

Ride and Snap along Trail Shot 3

Rader Creek trail.

Ride and Snap along Trail Shot 2

Cabin Trail.

Saratoga Ti Extreme Closeup

"Taz" makes sure no one gets too close to Hub's mountain bike; a yummy Titanium FAT Chance frame, that he's taken on over 9 year's of fantastic rides.

Two FATs along the trail

After zipping down the Radar Creek trail and before the Patterson Lake trail at Sun Mountain in Winthrop, WA.

Nice Photos of FAT Chance Frames

Using the Technorati search engine, I found a post about FAT City Cycles on a Canadian Blog About Bikes featuring some great photos of models such as the Team and Wicked FAT Chance. I'm not sure if these are Somerville or Saratoga FATs so I've put this under both categories to be safe.

 

1998 Saratoga Titanium Mountain Bike

Here's Hub's mountain bike "Friday" which he built up piece by piece after buying the frame direct from FAT City, shortly before they closed shop.

Saratoga Ti and Somerville Steel

Hubs 1998 Saratoga Titanium FAT Chance and my 1989 Somerville Wicked FAT Chance between rides at Sun Mountain, Winthrop, WA.  If you bring a tarp, most places let you keep the bikes inside.

2002 Interview with Chris Chance

Here's an interesting backgrounder on the legendary Chris Chance posted on Inspired Ink by writer Brion O'Conner who notes:

"Initially written for the now-defunct Mountain Biking, this piece on Chris Chance's Fat City Cycles, and the wonderful trails surrounding his shop on the outskirts of Stowe, Vermont, finally saw the light of day in Dirt Rag."

 

Fan Site from Holland

FAT Chance owners tend to be smart and funny,  and this fan site  from Holland is a good example. In 2003 the owner purchased his Aquafade Saratoga FAT on ebay from a seller in the US. You can read all about it (in English) from the point of view of the bike "YOM1075",  including his specs  in this charming site. There's also a FAT Chance Yo Eddy! review from 1990, and photos taken on various rides and excursions.