What time is it? It’s time for World Bicycle Relief! If you’re not familiar with my favorite non-profit charity organization, click HERE to learn more. In a nutshell, they provide rugged bicycles to those in need, making a huge impact on recipients’ ability to travel to school, work, obtain food and water, and generally have a better life. Providing bicycles may seem like a simple mission, but it is simply powerful in providing a leg up for many around the world.

For the past four years, World Bicycle Relief has aided me in running a Charity Challenge to raise money and subsequently buy bikes. For information on last year’s fundraiser, you can click on the article links at the bottom of this page. Being a professional athlete certainly requires a lot of ‘me’ time, and this event is one of my favorite ways to turn the tables and bring people together to give back to a very worthwhile cause.

How does the Challenge work? Traditionally, I’ve paired the fundraiser with one or two races towards the end of my race calendar. This year, the Challenge starts now, in conjunction with Ironman Canada in Whistler, BC. While I’m not participating in the race this year, I am attending to spectate and work closely with the expo efforts of WBR. Similar to last year, the Challenge ends at the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (the race date this year is October 12).

Last year, we raised over $71,000 for WBR, including all of the last-minute donations. Our total for the past four years is over $175,000, or over 1,300 bicycles! That’s a LOT of bikes, and deserves one heck of a pat on the back for everyone that contributed. Our lofty goal for this year is to raise $100,000 (746 bicycles)!

As you will see below, many of my sponsors and other supporters have been VERY generous in donating several awards for the challenge. The challenge awards will be done electronically, on a roll-down system. The first winner will get first pick of awards, second place gets second choice, etc. We will roll out the awards in several waves over the coming weeks – stay tuned!

You can donate ANY amount, but ONLY donations of $134 or more (the cost of one bicycle) will make you eligible to earn some of the great fundraising awards. For every multiple of $134 that you donate, you get another chance at an award. $268 earns you two chances, $402 earns you three, $536 earns you four, etc.

Donations made on your behalf will also be tallied towards your total (and then divided by $134). If you get 10 people to donate $13.40 in honor/recognition of you, then that earns you another chance as well. Anyone donating for you must make a notation in the "Donor Info" section with your name - i.e. Name - "John Doe (for Jordan Rapp)".

To enter the challenge, you can donate online at the URL below. Like last year, the Ironman Foundation has been very generous in hosting and handling the donation site for us (Thanks, IMF!!!).

Link: http://www.crowdrise.com/RappstarCharityChallenge

NOTE: There is a separate site this year that is for Canadian donators ONLY; all other nationalities should use the standard site above.

Canadian donation site: HERE.

You can also submit donations via traditional mail at this address:

World Bicycle Relief
Attn: Development
1333 N. Kingsbury Street
4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60642

Award drawing tickets will be assigned automatically from the donations, so please make sure to give us an email or phone number (or both) where we can reach you.

For my part, I will be donating 10% of my prize money from the Ironman World Championship, rounded up to the nearest whole bicycle amount. For example, in 2009 I donated 10% from my win at Ironman Arizona, and the prize money amount was $8,500. Ten percent of that is $850. $850 divided by $134 is 6.3, so in that case, I rounded up and donated seven bicycles - $938.

100% of your contributions are tax deductible and will be directed back to World Bicycle Relief.

Thanks for your support and commitment to WBR!

Jordan "Rappstar" Rapp

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Now, what can you get? Like the past few years, it’s great stuff! Below I've listed each company and what they have provided. I will be adding to this list as I collect more items, so please check back to the Slowtwitch home page often for more articles.

NormaTec: Complete NormaTec Pro Recovery System (machine, 2 boots, hosing, power). (MSRP $4,850)

Your legs will thank you for using the NormaTec compression boots, whether it’s before a big race or after an intense training session. NormaTec’s patented massage action (called Sequential Pulse Technology) will help enhance your athletic performance and significantly speed up your body’s natural recovery process. The NormaTec MVP is the recovery tool of choice for the best endurance athletes on the planet. Train Harder. Recover Faster. Perform Better.

First Endurance : *TWO* (separate prizes) $555 gift certificates… to celebrate their fifth year in the Challenge! Also comes with an initial consult to determine best breakdown of products (bars, gels, etc.). (Total contribution $1000+)

First Endurance integrates the latest clinical research with the input from the best cyclists, runners and triathletes in the world to provide the ultimate endurance-specific sports nutrition. I have personally relied on the First Endurance system of products for all of my Ironman wins. Their complete system of products takes the guesswork out of endurance nutrition for me. A $555 package is a perfect way for you to try a variety of their products and stock up!

Zoot : *TWO* (separate prizes) running shoe packages; one Men’s, one Women’s. Both include the TT Trainer, Kalani 3.0, and Kiawe in the size of your choice. (MSRP $780)

Zoot Sports, a global leader in endurance sports, is 100% focused on providing the athlete with the ultimate in performance apparel, wetzoots, footwear and accessories. For 25 years, we have been pioneering innovative product solutions that cover the athlete from start to finish and head to toe. Zoot continues to draw on its history in the sport and its athletes to deliver the most comprehensive, technologically-advanced and complete multisport product line in the world.

TT Trainer: Neutral running shoe with low to the ground feel and smooth ride.
Kalani 3.0: Neutral running shoe using lighter, fast and cooler technologies, high mileage trainer.
Kiawe: Racing flat developed in conjunction with Javier Gomez and Jordan Rapp. CarbonSpan+ shank and 6mm drop for ultimate performance.

Highway 12 Winery & Vineyards : *TWO* (separate prizes) – Cases of Highwayman red (MSRP $42 per bottle, $504 per case of 12 – total donation $1,008)

Proprietary from Highway 12 Vineyards and Winery, and cultivated in our Sonoma Valley wine corridor, our 2010 release is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Cabernet Franc (30%), and Petite Verdot (20%). The composition of this elite ‘Bordeaux-influenced’ blend showcases vibrant berry notes that make way for a rich, lush experience. The core varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc work like a symphony when blended together. You’ll find a dense core and firm, yet inviting tannins with a velvety-soft finish leaving an elegant impression. As we say, even our Man in Black has an elegant side to him - though HIGHWAYMAN remains a bold and robust wine that will age easily for 10 to 15 years.

Ironman Foundation: One Ironman Foundation entry in to any 70.3 event except Las Vegas, Eagleman, and Vineman PLUS one entry in to any 140.6 event except Kona (two separate prizes). (MSRP $1950)

Ironman Foundation provided a wonderful pair of prizes for us in 2013, just like last year. They’re providing one entry into any North American 70.3 event and one entry into any North American Ironman event, except for the locations noted above. I have a feeling that these awards will go quickly!

Kiwami USA: TWO (separate prizes) $200 gift certificates. (Total contribution: $400)

KiWAMi was created in 2003 by triathletes Craig & Hélène Watson (nee Salomon). After ten years of international competition, and nearing the end of their own careers, Hélène and Craig decided to embark on providing future generations of triathletes with something that had not been readily unavailable in top quality during their racing careers: quality garments that are purposely designed and produced for triathlon competition.

They are long-time supporters of my Challenge, and have continued to increase their donation amounts over the years – Thanks, Kiwami!

David McColm: Prize pack: Five 12”x18” Whistler art prints. (MSRP $100 total)

Whistler-based photographer David McColm writes on his site, "Again this year, I will continue to photograph Whistler's stunning landscapes, it's unique and amazing people as well as many of its outstanding events. I know how fortunate I am to live in and be surrounded by such a limitless wealth of photographic opportunities, so you will notice that my photography is very much Whistler-oriented. At the same time, I also enjoy "getting out" and experiencing other people, places and events. One sport that I love to photograph (and, all too infrequently, DO!) are triathlons. Accordingly, I will continue to photograph a number of triathlons away from Whistler including Ironman Canada as well as the "original" Ironman - the World Championship in Kona.

The award winner gets to choose from David’s images at davidmccolm.smugmug.com

Personal Best Nutrition: One Month Nutritional Consult & Product. (MSRP $499)

Brian Shea has been working with athletes ranging from beginners to World Champions for over 15 years, to help perfect their training & race-day nutritional strategies. This consultation package includes:

- Extensive review of race history, including in-depth break-down of nutrition & hydration
- Analysis to determine caloric & electrolyte needs
- Extensive product testing, including everything PBN carries at your disposal (Test different products, flavors, concentrations, etc.....), with up to (4) product demo shipments included.
- Detailed nutritional outline for subsequent workouts (Example: You tell Brian what workouts/races you have on a subsequent weekend & he will outline EXACTLY what needs to go into your bottles & how much).
- Exclusive discounts on all PBN products.
- Weekly follow-up to be sure the newly implemented strategy is working*.
*Initial consultation includes consultation up to 'A' priority race - TBD with Coach Brian.

Exposure Lights: Light combo: Diablo Mk5 headlight and Blaze taillight. (MSRP $460)

This donation is from Ibex Sports, the US distributor for Exposure Lights. They’re generously providing a pair of lights (one front and one rear) – their wonderfully bright 1,100 lumen Diablo, and the compact/convenient Blaze. Slowtwitch reviewed both lights - HERE. This is a great light combo that can add to your cycling safety day or night. Thanks, Ibex and Exposure!