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Bike Auction Benefits Africa

11.13.10

Auction of one-of-a-kind “dream” mountain bikes will raise money to donate hundreds of bikes to families and individuals in developing nations.

Can a bike change a person’s life? Two of the major names in the cycling industry think so, and they have signed on to a legendary cyclist’s mission to transform the lives of people in developing countries by giving them bicycles.

Performance Bicycle®, the country’s number one specialty bike retailer, and crankbrothers, makers of high-end bicycle components, have teamed up with Wheels4Life to create and auction off a high-end line of custom-built mountain bikes. 100 percent of the proceeds from the auction will put life-changing bicycles in the hands of people who need them most.

Since its founding in 2005, Wheels4Life has provided more than 2,000 bicycles to people in more than 20 countries, including Afghanistan, Nepal, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. Wheels4Life is a non-profit organization founded by legendary extreme mountain biker, Hans Rey. Rey and his all-volunteer team have made it their mission to deliver bikes to remote towns and villages in Africa, Central America and Asia. In pockets of these regions, bikes provide much-needed transportation to schools, work, clinics and hospitals, which are often more than 20 miles away.

“A bicycle in the hands of the right person can work miracles,” said Rey. “If you consider that one-sixth of the world’s population lives in poverty, a bike can make all the difference in whether a person gets access to education and healthcare.”

Rey added that Wheels4Life partners with local institutions and organizations to identify people who need bikes most. When it can, Wheels4Life purchases bikes in the country where they are distributed, helping the local economy, making it easier to find replacement parts and saving on shipping, import taxes, duties and storage costs.

The dreambikes that will benefit Wheels4Life consist of a fleet of impeccably spec’d, high-end mountain bikes created by crankbrothers to showcase their new line of components. Using the best frames and components, and coordinated color schemes, crankbrothers worked with partners including Ibis, Titus, Focus, Tomac, SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, Fizik and Continental Tires, to create the kind of bikes enthusiasts dream of owning. Each dreambike is valued at more than $5,000.

Crankbrothers and Performance will auction off a total of ten dreambikes. To see the complete group, visit the dreambikes page at [url=http://www.performancebike.com]http://www.performancebike.com[/url].
Performance Bicycle will provide access to the dreambikes auction on its website and will auction off two dreambikes a week for five weeks. Proceeds of every sale benefit Wheels4Life, with the goal of raising $50,000 to purchase 500 life-changing new bikes.

The auctions start November 15th. “Wheels4Life is one of the most compelling and creative humanitarian causes we’ve seen, and we are proud to support it,” said Jim Thompson, CEO of Performance, Inc. “By the simple act of giving bikes to people in underdeveloped nations, we can give them access to opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have. It makes you realize how much we take for granted in our own lives.”

To take part in the auction, visit the auction page  through  the Performance Bicycle website.

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20qs

Jerrod Blandino

11.12.10

1. If you had to begin a different career, what would you do?
Television host or handbag/accessories designer.

2. What’s your most prized possession?
My Chihuahua baby London, my diamond ring, and my orange Birkin.

3. Favorite drink?
Champagne darling! Really, really good Champagne!

4. What are you cutting out because of the economy?
I’m definitely trying to be more thoughtful or conscious of what I’m buying. I’ll still buy what I want, I just ask myself “Do you really need this?” before I throw down my credit card.

5. Fantasy purchase?
Private jet!

6. What can’t you live without?
1. Being creative. 2. Love 3. Heather, my assistant!

7. What’s next on your “to do” list?
Apply more sunblock. I’m doing this interview from a cabana at the Four Seasons Maui. Career wise? Continue to develop the absolute best quality, innovative, and stylish beauty products on earth for my Too Faced girls. They inspire me every day!

8. Biggest regret?
It’s corny, but I don’t have any regrets! I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that God’s lessons come in both our successes and failures. The great thing about failure is that it isn’t permanent! Focus on what you learned and apply it to making your life more successful.

9. Cause that you’re most interested/involved in?
1. Finding a cure for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. It’s the fastest growing cancer and one of the most lethal. My sister Lisa has been successfully battling it for over seven years. She’s a miracle and the inspiration behind our “Love Lisa” grant for the MRF (Melanoma Research Foundation). 2. Animal rights. Protecting and helping the defenseless against the unthinkable atrocities some humans so cruelly inflict.

10. Your dream day in OC?
Because I’m so busy, and travel so much, I like it real simple. Breakfast at Zinc Cafe in Corona Del Mar (my hood). John the owner makes the most delicious egg whites with beans and rice with a nice side of veggie sausage; it’s called the “Healthy Breakfast”. Next, a nonfat chai latte at the Coffee Bean and off to shop. First stop would be my good friend Michelle’s shop Juxtaposition to see what’s hot in home design, then off to Fashion Island or South Coast for some fab fashion. I’m like a shopping animal; I love Lanvin, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta, Vuitton and more! Oh, I adore Miu Miu for Too Faced inspiration! For me the Miu Miu girl and the Too Faced girl are so similar. Fun, fearless, and fabulous! I’ll end the day with Champagne cocktails and dinner at the Montage. A perfect day.

11. Favorite place for breakfast?
Zinc (see question 10).

 12. What was the best day of your life?
My wedding day. I married the love of my life, my soul mate Jeremy on Nov. 1, 2008 after 13 years of being together. Mindy Weiss (now a dear friend) created the wedding of the century at the Hotel Bel Air for 64 of our closest friends and family.

13. Last concert that you went to?
Gwen Stefani invited us to a friends and family only show that No Doubt played. There were only 250 people there! It was incredible! That counts as a concert, right?
14. Favorite vacation spot?
The George V Paris.

15. What do you love and hate about Orange County?
I adore the relaxed luxury that so effortlessly exudes from everything here. However, I detest the out of town traffic on PCH during the summer!

16. Favorite books?
I hate to admit this, but I became obsessed with Twilight! I know, don’t judge me. It’s good, people! And I love any books on fashion or interior design.

17. Favorite restaurants in Orange County?
True Foods, Sabatino’s, Zinc, La Fagota, Pelican Grill, The Ritz, and A Restaurant.

18. Biggest accomplishment?
Being in a healthy, fulfilling, loving relationship for over 15 years. Starting a company together at 21. And raising my nephew from 13 to 18 and surviving those teen years!

19. What’s your biggest fear?
Losing those I love and getting old.

20. Secret most people don’t know about you.
I’m a bit of a clean freak; I love the “Golden Girls”, and got expelled from Catholic school for taping a naked pic of Madonna from Playboy to my Pee Chee folder and passing it around class. Oh, and that I’m a total rebel. I hate rules and find them limiting emotionally and creatively.

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