After coming to the realisation that a gal can only ride so many bikes, and my one bedroom flat could do with less bikes and more space, I made a half heartened attempt to sell my Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 2020. I say half hearted because I took one picture, and posted a couple times on FB about how I’m gonna be selling the bike and I’ll take more pictures soon.
I don’t wanna use the likes of eBay – too risky and I got a quote from a bike seller which was pretty crappy. Then I figured, heck, why don’t I do a raffle so someone can WIN this awesome bike – it is awesome – and I could raise some money to support a charity close to my heart.
A little background incase we’ve not met; I’m Elle, and I’m an ambassador for Liv Cycling UK. It’s not a paid role, but I love working with them to do what I do anyway – ride my bike and get more women on bikes.
I was lucky enough to get my dream bike to ride for 2021 – a Langma – after riding various models of the Avail for a couple of years.
About My Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 2020
The Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 2020 is a pretty special bike. It was the year that the Avail got a bit of a makeover. In my opinion, it’s a highly versatile bike. It comes with 700×32 tyres which are perfect for UK roads and saw me through Red Bull Timelaps when the rain was non stop, with no punctures whatsoever.
Note: although I’m riding the same model in the 2019 picture above, the bike I have now I got in 2020 as the previous one had gotten damaged during transit. Anyway, moving on.
This was my first bike with electronic shifting (SRAM Force eTap AXS) and it has a carbon frame with disc brakes. If you were to buy it new today, it cost you just over £4,000.
She does have a name – Aria the Avenger – but of course, you can name her whatever you like.
From epic solo adventures to group road rides, Avail Advanced Pro is light, comfortable and engineered for female riders.
Light and lively on the climbs and supremely confident on the descents, this versatile endurance road bike will help you cover miles with confidence and ease.
Liv Cycling UK
You can check out the full specification here.
What Size Is The Bike?
So. it’s a SMALL, which is a pretty common – and hard to come by – bike size right now. Check out the size chart on the Liv website but it typically is suitable for anyone 5’3 – 5’7 depending on your inside leg measurement if you’re at either end of that range. I’m 5’5 for reference.
How Can I Help If I Can’t Enter?
Well, I’m glad you asked as your support is appreciated. Firstly, you could share this post with friends, family, on social media – that would be a massive help and you’d have my gratitude forever.
Secondly, even if the bike isn’t your size, maybe you could buy a ticket for a wife / daughter / sister / cousin as a surprise?! Imagine if you won!
And by all means, you have the option to sell the bike on should you desire.
Any other questions? Leave them in a comment below or get in touch via Ko-fi or one of my social channels. You can also drop me an email too.
How Do I Enter?
Firstly, have a good read through the terms & conditions at the bottom of this post and if you’re happy, buy your raffle tickets via my Ko-fi shop.
Each raffle ticket = one entry and is priced at £5. I did a poll on Instagram a couple weeks ago to decide if they should be £3 or £5 and overwhelmingly the result was a fiver.
Can I Sweeten The Deal?!
I’d love to encourage as many entries as possible so I’m gonna throw in as many other deals or spot prizes as I can. Here are some:
- First 50 raffle tickets will be entered to win a KISE Ridepac – COMPLETED
- All entries will be eligible for free access to my live classes during June 2021 (max 100 places available, first come first served, code provide upon purchase of raffle tickets)
Milestones & More Prizes
Update: After my first big donation, I figured I could say thank you with a ridepac for anyone who buys raffle tickets totalling £150 or more. I don’t have a ton of these left, but happy to use them to support this project.
07.06.21 Update: to celebrate when we hit 350 tickets sold (minimum half way), I’ve got 2 x Bike Kits from Quadlock to giveaway. Each kit consists of a case, bike mount, poncho and coloured lever of the winner’s choice – COMPLETED.
14.06.21 Update: when we hit 400 tickets sold, I’ve got a £30 voucher for cycling & multisport brand For Every Adventure to giveaway. This British, ecocentric brand just launched this week! I got so many compliments when I went riding in a FEA jersey and shorts combo – COMPLETED.
22.06.21 Update: Just added to the prize pot are 2 pairs of SunGod sunglasses and a foldable cycling helmet from Tier Mobility. I might just add some Personal Training sessions into the pot too!
Ticket holder number 600 will automatically be a winner of their own pair of SunGods and the other pair, I will draw from numbers 1 – 599.
29.06.21 Update: We hit 500 tickets today! This means we’re half way to my bigger goal of 1,000 tickets sold. Although I don’t think I will hit 1,000 I’m not giving up! With just over one week to go, I’ve taken some fresh pictures and will be sharing everywhere to spread the word!
07.07.21 Update: At some point over the past week we surpassed the 700 ticket mark! This was helped massively by the support of Velovixen who shared the raffle in their newsletter. With less than 24 hours till the raffle closes, I honestly can’t believe the time has flown by so quickly.
I’ve let ticket holder number 600 know they’ve won one pair of the SunGod sunglasses and will be drawing for the second pair tomorrow (8th July 2021) along with the helmet, to wrap up the raffle and get ready for the BIG DRAW.
When Is The Prize Draw?
Exciting!! I’ll be doing the prize draw live on my social channels (probably instagram) on Friday 9th July. Entries close on Thursday 8th July so providing there isn’t a ton of admin to do to log last minute entries, I will do the draw as early as possible.
If we hit maximum ticket sales before 8th July, we can do the price draw sooner. I’ll keep everyone update via my Ko-fi page, Instagram and email if you pop your email in after buying your ticket. I do have your email from your ticket purchase, but I’m using that data only for the purpose of contacting the winner.
So, Who Won Elle? I hear You Ask!
After working so hard on running this raffle for just over a month, the day came where the short press of an online button decided on the lucky winner. After the live raffle, I was sooo tired, I jumped into bed for an early night and some Netflix.
I’ve had a number of people ask me who won so I’m updating the post with some info post raffle. Here is Melissa Sargent – ticket number 681 – collecting the Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 2020!
You can watch the whole raffle on catch up here.
Which Charity Will I Support?
This Summer, I will finally start my journey to becoming a cycling coach through the British Cycling Level 2 Award and that’s thanks to the Women of Colour Cycling Collective.
They’re a support network for minority ethnic women and non-binary cyclists in the UK and they championed me to get on this course from the minute I said I wanted to do it.
The Collective is packed full of amazing individuals doing great work and I’d love to support them as they build up a bigger voice to represent.
Here’s a quote from fellow WCCC member Vera who 6 months ago, won an Ultra Distance Scholarship aimed at increasing representation of Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in ultra distance cycling:
“The reasons that we see few women of colour in cycling are varied and complex, but one that I hope to contribute towards solving is that of representation and providing role models that many can identify with. If we want our black and brown friends and families to get serious about cycling and experience the multiple benefits that it provides, we’ve got to start somewhere!”
Vera ngosi-sambrook
You can follow Vera’s journey to the to the Pan Celtic Race this Summer via Instagram, and you can find out more about what WCCC do on their website and make a donation directly, should you wish.
Even if this isn’t your dream bike (who are you?!) or it isn’t your size (I’m sorry), I’d massively appreciate it if you could share this post, or tell a friend to tell a friend!
So get entering, and best of luck!
Elle
Full Terms & Conditions
- The prize is one (1) Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 2020 – size SMALL pre-owned and maintained by Elle Linton
- You need to be able and willing / able to collect the bike in person from Loughton, Essex, United Kingdom
- You are happy for a picture to be shared on social media of you collecting your prize
- Pedals & water bottle cages are not part of the prize
- Aged 18+ only
- Each raffle ticket is equal to one entry
- You need to buy a minimum of 1 raffle ticket to enter
- This competition is not associated with Liv, Giant or any other brand / company
- A minimum of 700 tickets must be sold for the bike to be provided as a prize
- If less than 700 tickets are sold, all monies collected (minus fees) will be split between one prize draw winner (50%) and the charity of my choice – WCCC (50%)
- No other alternatives will be provided
- A maximum of 1,000 tickets will be sold
- Prize draw will take place by 21:00 on Friday 9th July 2021
- Entries will be open until 23:59 Thursday 8th July
- Winner will be notified via email and will have 7 days to respond
- By purchasing a ticket, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions
- No refunds are available
Hi Elle. Have you tried posting this raffle on the following FB groups. Re-cycle/pre-loved cycling gear fir women. Liv Cycling Community (think this is worldwide but could state for UK only). Liv Cycling Community. Liv Bikes Owners Group
Great tips Ruth, Thank you! Have indeed shared in those groups… find with FB not everyone sees everything so resharing when I can without spamming them! hahaha! The Re-cycle/pre-loved cycling gear for women was harder as it’s for selling, but I edited a post when I was considering selling and shared the raffle link so hopefully that works! Will comment on the post if it’s still in the group to bump it to the top now though!!
Great stuff. Hope it gets some sales for you. How about the GCN Network – i think there is a women’s site and men’s site. Depends if allowed I guess….
Ah yes forgot about the GCN groups! I left them a while back 👀 …might need to rejoin temporarily to check them out! Thanks Ruth!
So who won the bike? I’m not on Instagram and seen nothing on FB. Obvs its not me…..😂 just checked my inbox….
Hey Ruth! Awww sadly, not you 🙁 Winner was Melissa (details here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRHcIMaHUbC/)
Hi Elle, I love the idea of a raffle and love the bike, please could I ask what % of the raffle monies will go to the charity if enough tickets are sold to raffle the bike. Thank you and I hope you are successful in hitting your target, it will be a great prize.
Hey Carol, if I sell the max 1000 raffle tickets, after fees and costs (advertising only) I would be able to donate a minimum of £1000 (more likely closer to £1500 once I know exact costs) to WCCC. The minimum I’ve stated I need to sell (700) covers the cost of the bike after fees and costs so my donation would be closer to £500. As long as I reach close to the 700 tickets, I will raffle the bike as I’d rather take the loss than not give the bike away!
Just entered what a great idea,, love you page lots of great advice. I’m looking for an upgrade this would be fantastic
Thanks Tammy! And good luck for the competition! …how did you come across it? Elle 🙂 x
Hello Elle, I bought a ticket yesterday and forgot to mention that: Although I live in the Pyrénées, I will be able to pick the bike in person from you in Loughton, Essex. My daughter, Lindley, who lives in Leeds and I are meeting up in July so I will be in the UK. Importantly too, I am completely vaccinated with the Moderna so all clear on that front. I bought the ticket for my daughter who is 32. Thank you this great opportunity. Warm regards, Debbie Kennedy
Hey Debbie, thanks for the info and no worries. I’m thinking to change the wording of that part… so people can be located anywhere as long as they’re happy to road trip (which would be cheaper than a new bike anyway, unless they’re gonna private charter a flight hahaha) to collect the bike here in Greater London. Good luck!!!