October 3, 2005 РA cheque for US$10,323.99 was presented at Interbike, last Wednesday, September 28, 2005 to the Challenged Athletes Foundation at Interbike 2005. The money was raised from the sale of Peaceful Tribe branded apparel through the combined efforts of the members of the Slowtwitch.com triathlon forum, Cerv̩lo Cycles and Headsweats.

Last January, forum participant Stephen Perera, made the suggestion online that the forum attempt to raise money for a charity. That idea met with a positive and enthusiastic response from the forum’s worldwide membership. Forum members, also known as the Peaceful Tribe for the friendliness of their debate (by internet standards anyway) cast a vote online as to which charity Peaceful Tribe might support. The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), www.challengedathletes.org, which has international ties and is athlete-centric, was voted the beneficiary.

When told of the results his initial suggestion had yielded, Mr. Perera said, “I am deeply touched that the opportunity to help out and give back was greeted with such enthusiasm by our online community. It restores one’s faith in people when you experience the groundswell results one small suggestion can make.”

When it was decided that the Peaceful Tribe would sell apparel to raise money, Mr Perera designed a logo for the Tribe. At the same time another forum member stepped up to the plate. Gerard Vroomen is the co-owner of Cervelo Cycles, a leader in triathlon bikes and apparel, and he offered to have Cervelo’s apparel manager Heather Travis, coordinate the production, ordering and shipping of the apparel with all proceeds going to the charity.

“Years ago when my former competitor Dan Empfield started Slowtwitch.com, Cervelo was one of the first to support his new venture and I was one of the first forum members,” comments Gerard. “It is pretty amazing to see how the forum has grown since, and what a nice community it has become.”

Alan Romick from Headsweats agreed to produce running heads with the Peaceful tribe logo and once all apparel was sold to the Peaceful Tribe members, the initial goal of US$ 10,000 was surpassed.

The presentation to CAF board member Bob Babbitt was the culmination of that initial suggestion. The money raised, which we are extremely appreciative of,” said Virginia Tinley Executive Director, CAF, “will be used to provide funding for one or more of our athlete grants.”