A Chance Encounter

Repack Rider · August 21st, 2011, 9:04 PM

Chris Chance now lives in California. Today I dragged him out on a ride, although he said he hasn't ridden on dirt in years. Joe Breeze and his son Tommy joined us, along with a couple of other friends. Chris was riding a titanium Fat Chance which he told me had been in a box for the last eight years. No matter, he hasn't forgotten how to ride a bike. The garden gloves were a nice touch.

We shredded singletrack for a couple of hours, then retired to the Iron Springs Brewery for suds and nachos.

Although Fat Chance bikes are not that common in California, out on the trail we met a rider on an old Team Fat Chance, with the exact logo that Chris had on his shorts. You might say that rider was thrilled! Some pix, we'll see how they come across.

rthomer · August 21st, 2011, 9:34 PM

He's looking pretty fit, thanks for sharing that!
Looks like beautiful Marin.

tvcreative · August 22nd, 2011, 1:22 AM

A virtual who's who...of what's what...

thank you for making it all happen...and starting my confounded obsession early.

Marc996 · August 22nd, 2011, 1:23 AM

awesome!!!!

does he know about this website ? i was always curious what his thoughts were about all the fat chance fans restoring old bikes

ti-fat-man · August 22nd, 2011, 4:52 AM

that's just relighted my Fat mojo...after a number of years sometimes the steeds in the garage seem a little 'stale' and love somewhat ebb's a tad...

but along comes a story like this and BAM, it's full on love story again....

Flipping ACE...

whats the story with Chris's ride, was it a stored frame, that he just cobbled together for the ride? did you manage to get the frame number, size etc.

Again does Chris know the love for his work?

Happy days...more of the same please

Alan

ti-fat-man · August 22nd, 2011, 4:55 AM

btw...

anyone got a set of red SID's for sale...i have an idea

yo-Nate-y · August 22nd, 2011, 10:05 AM

So so cool to see that pic! I smiled like a kid. I agree with the Fat mojo sentiment too.

jonsonneborn · August 22nd, 2011, 10:16 AM

Wish I had known! I would have joined in! I got 2 rides in over the weekend in Marin but didn't see any other Fat Chances or legends in Mt Biking for that matter. Thanks for the photos!

xprop1 · August 22nd, 2011, 10:40 AM

Quote " you might say that rider was thrilled" Quote

I think we all are...... thank you Charlie

rthomer · August 22nd, 2011, 10:53 AM

It's certainly inspiring to see him out there, and he looks happy!
I smiled too.
Great stuff and a big thanks to Charlie.

ranier · August 22nd, 2011, 10:59 AM

Very Cool!

Thanks for sharing!

Syborg · August 22nd, 2011, 12:54 PM

Great! And he is wearing Nike Pooh-Bah Shoes. Thanks for sharing Charlie

Kirk Pacenti · August 22nd, 2011, 2:53 PM

Last time I spoke to him, Chris was working in the "Healing Arts"... It looks like it was a good move for him. He seems happy and healthy; good for him!

Cheers,
KP

chefmiguel · August 22nd, 2011, 3:00 PM

Thanks for posting the story and pics, more importantly thank you for dragging him out. I hope he doesn't put the bike away for any period of time and restarts his love for cycling in general.

chainline · August 22nd, 2011, 5:04 PM

billyb · August 22nd, 2011, 7:11 PM

Awesome!! Glad that Chris is doing well and happy! Thanks for the update Charlie!!

smittylube · October 31st, 2011, 10:12 AM

>>>Chris was working in the "Healing Arts"...<<<

I would say he was doing that when building bikes also. I know riding my wicked 'heals' me. :-)

August 21st, 2011, 9:04 PM	#1
Repack Rider Member Join Date: May 29th, 2007 Location: Marin County, California Posts: 22	A Chance Encounter Chris Chance now lives in California. Today I dragged him out on a ride, although he said he hasn't ridden on dirt in years. Joe Breeze and his son Tommy joined us, along with a couple of other friends. Chris was riding a titanium Fat Chance which he told me had been in a box for the last eight years. No matter, he hasn't forgotten how to ride a bike. The garden gloves were a nice touch. We shredded singletrack for a couple of hours, then retired to the Iron Springs Brewery for suds and nachos. Although Fat Chance bikes are not that common in California, out on the trail we met a rider on an old Team Fat Chance, with the exact logo that Chris had on his shorts. You might say that rider was thrilled! Some pix, we'll see how they come across. __________________ Fat Tire Flyer: Repack and the Birth of Mountain Biking is in your bookstore and on Amazon

August 22nd, 2011, 1:22 AM	#3
tvcreative Senior Member Join Date: March 15th, 2010 Location: Naperville IL Posts: 716	A virtual who's who...of what's what... thank you for making it all happen...and starting my confounded obsession early. Last edited by tvcreative; August 22nd, 2011 at 9:57 AM.

August 22nd, 2011, 10:05 AM	#7
yo-Nate-y Global Moderator Join Date: March 12th, 2009 Location: Tucson Posts: 809	So so cool to see that pic! I smiled like a kid. I agree with the Fat mojo sentiment too. __________________ 1975 Witcomb USA, 1981 Chris Chance; 1984 Fat Chance, 1987 Team Comp, 1991 Yo Eddy, Monster Fat, and Wicked ....happy to have finally found a clean 80s Fat Team Comp with a box crown fork

August 22nd, 2011, 10:16 AM	#8
jonsonneborn Senior Member Join Date: November 17th, 2009 Location: San Rafael, Ca Posts: 317	Wish I had known! I would have joined in! I got 2 rides in over the weekend in Marin but didn't see any other Fat Chances or legends in Mt Biking for that matter. Thanks for the photos! __________________ '87 Kicker, '88 Wicked, '89 Team Comp, '89 Wicked, '90 Yo Eddy, '92 Monster, '94 Yo Eddy,'97 Yo Betty, '97 Chris Chance Road Bike '99 Yo Eddy

August 22nd, 2011, 2:53 PM	#13
Kirk Pacenti Senior Member Join Date: December 10th, 2004 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 114	That's great! Last time I spoke to him, Chris was working in the "Healing Arts"... It looks like it was a good move for him. He seems happy and healthy; good for him! Cheers, KP __________________ "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." Henry Ford

August 21st, 2011, 9:34 PM	#2
rthomer Senior Member Join Date: October 14th, 2007 Location: Sierra Madre, CA Posts: 143	He's looking pretty fit, thanks for sharing that! Looks like beautiful Marin.

August 22nd, 2011, 1:23 AM	#4
Marc996 Member Join Date: July 20th, 2004 Location: Frankfurt , Germany Posts: 49	awesome!!!! does he know about this website ? i was always curious what his thoughts were about all the fat chance fans restoring old bikes

August 22nd, 2011, 4:52 AM	#5
ti-fat-man Member Join Date: August 4th, 2005 Location: bedford, uk Posts: 73	that's just relighted my Fat mojo...after a number of years sometimes the steeds in the garage seem a little 'stale' and love somewhat ebb's a tad... but along comes a story like this and BAM, it's full on love story again.... Flipping ACE... whats the story with Chris's ride, was it a stored frame, that he just cobbled together for the ride? did you manage to get the frame number, size etc. Again does Chris know the love for his work? Happy days...more of the same please Alan

August 22nd, 2011, 4:55 AM	#6
ti-fat-man Member Join Date: August 4th, 2005 Location: bedford, uk Posts: 73	btw... anyone got a set of red SID's for sale...i have an idea

August 22nd, 2011, 10:40 AM	#9
xprop1 New Member Join Date: August 14th, 2009 Location: from NY, now London ('12) Posts: 5	Quote " you might say that rider was thrilled" Quote I think we all are...... thank you Charlie

August 22nd, 2011, 10:53 AM	#10
rthomer Senior Member Join Date: October 14th, 2007 Location: Sierra Madre, CA Posts: 143	It's certainly inspiring to see him out there, and he looks happy! I smiled too. Great stuff and a big thanks to Charlie.

August 22nd, 2011, 10:59 AM	#11
ranier Member Join Date: July 30th, 2011 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 17	Very Cool! Thanks for sharing!

August 22nd, 2011, 12:54 PM	#12
Syborg Senior Member Join Date: August 5th, 2009 Location: Grand Duchy of Baden/Germany Posts: 147	Great! And he is wearing Nike Pooh-Bah Shoes. Thanks for sharing Charlie

August 22nd, 2011, 3:00 PM	#14
chefmiguel Senior Member Join Date: June 12th, 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 307	Thanks for posting the story and pics, more importantly thank you for dragging him out. I hope he doesn't put the bike away for any period of time and restarts his love for cycling in general.

August 22nd, 2011, 5:04 PM	#15
chainline Senior Member Join Date: February 12th, 2010 Location: laconia Posts: 303

August 22nd, 2011, 7:11 PM	#16
billyb Senior Member Join Date: December 17th, 2006 Location: cincinnati,oh Posts: 113	Awesome!! Glad that Chris is doing well and happy! Thanks for the update Charlie!!

October 31st, 2011, 10:12 AM	#17
smittylube Senior Member Join Date: March 26th, 2009 Location: Santa Cruz CA. Posts: 215	>>>Chris was working in the "Healing Arts"...<<< I would say he was doing that when building bikes also. I know riding my wicked 'heals' me. :-)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode