Mike is an ultra-distance adventure racer and triathlete who also likes to mountain bike and kayak race.  He attended Penn State and Johns Hopkins, works as an economist, served as president of the Annapolis Triathlon Club, and continues to serve on the ATC board. Mike is very excited to support team Doc2Doc, see the country, and be a part of a truly amazing race.  He looks forward to crewing RAAM 2010 and plans to compete himself next year. 

RAAM caught Mike’s attention two years ago after learning that it would finish in Annapolis for the first time.  He volunteered to help the riders as a bike escort, and was extremely fortunate for the opportunity to ride the final four miles talking one-on-one with a solo finisher.  The encounter was so inspirational that he wrote an article* about it and began bike commuting from his home in Annapolis to work in Washington, DC (and back).  Mike credits that experience with fueling his desire to live an adventure in life and he has never been happier.       

* Tri DC, “Something happened at 1,500 miles”… and other tales from The World’s Toughest Bicycle Race, Winter 2009

    Michael is expecting to do a lot of driving for the team, as he has no other applicable skills (aside from a kickin' ipod).  He is an actor and director living in New York (you can check out his work at michaelhardart.com).  

    While he is fairly certain that brother Rich had secretly drugged him when he agreed to do this, he is pretty darn psyched about being a part of the team.  To train, he is planning on driving around at all hours of the day and night at 21mph while screaming words of encouragement.

    Rich, a native Annapolitan, lives about 100 miles upriver near Harrisburg, PA.

    He is an energy engineer, having worked in this field for about 20 years.  He loves the fact that his profession finally has some social relevance after toiling many years in a field that would typically only elicit a yawn from the average person.

    Rich is married with two daughters ages 11 and 5, and loves to spend time with them.  In addition to this he loves to play golf, snowboard, and ride his bike to work. He is active in his church and is excited to be on the RAAM crew.

    Cliff has lived in Florida for the past 10 years.  He served in the Army as a Sergeant, spending 3 years in Korea.  He then worked as a factory production mechanic before retiring.

    Importantly for us, Cliff is the only team member with RAAM experience.  He crewed last year’s RAAM for a 4-person team.  We will rely heavily on his knowledge.

   Margo is an operating room nurse at AAMC where she has endured many a conversation about bikes, racing, training, blah, blah, blah…, when suddenly one day other words like team, RV, “in need of crew” piqued her interest. The next thing she knew she volunteered to help the docs. After all this would be a great opportunity to finally see this group of highly enthusiastic cyclist in action.

     All kidding aside, this is a great team of docs who I’m looking forward to supporting and taking care of during RAAM.

     Other stuff, I live in Annapolis with husband Dave who is in the Navy at USNA. I have worked at AAMC for 10 years and have been an RN for 20 years. I have had the pleasure to assist with many of the helping hands cases Dr. Gelfand has brought to AAMC from abroad and therefore feel very happy to support such a great cause. I love to travel, going to the beach and being outdoors.

    I'm an athlete with many passions including triathlon, long-distance cycling & running, rock climbing & mountaineering.  I got involved with endurance sports through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program & it made me realize that there's really no goal you can't accomplish if you put your mind, body & dedication into it 110%. 

    Last year, Mike berry & I started tossing around the idea of putting together a team for RAAM, so I'm super excited to crew for this year's team!  I'm a firm believer in having fun & keeping a lighthearted attitude in even the toughest situations (as you can tell from my picture!). 

    My career as a professional firefighter & paramedic for Anne Arundel County makes me keenly aware every day that I have to live life to the fullest, as none of us is guaranteed tomorrow.  Smiles & fun to all!!

    Alexa is the owner/operator of Even Keel Wellness Spa, a therapeutic massage and skin care center in Annapolis, Maryland, specializing in Thai, Sports and Rehabilitative Massage.    Zaledonis is a certified Lotus Palm Thai Yoga Massage practitioner,  a Certified Personal Trainer through the  National Strength Professionals Association and is currently completing her Yoga Teacher Training (RYT200).  She also teaches Thai Massage and is the Chair Elect for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.  

    Alexa's passion includes sports massage, yoga, running and cycling.   She is looking forward to caring/crewing for the team from mile one to their victorious arrival in Annapolis! 

Dick is a retired Marine and has worked locally as a communications Analyst and Project Manager at the Joint Spectrum Center. His last position prior to retirement was as the Congregational Care Minister of the Annapolis Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He is married with three grown sons and seven grandchildren.

     He is currently serving as a board member of the Helping Hands Foundation and remains active in his Church. Dick enjoys a challenge and the opportunity to support two worthwhile organizations in the community. He looks forward to being part of the support Team for the RAAM and to making our Team of Riders the best they can be.

    Without Parker, we probably wouldn’t have a RAAM team.  RAAM probably wouldn’t be finishing in Annapolis.  And you wouldn’t see nearly as many people riding bikes around town.  A native Annapolitan, Parker is a passionate advocate for cycling in our community. 

    Parker is the owner of Capital Bicycle here in Annapolis.  He is a master bike mechanic and has been for 30 years.  He is a BG (Body Geometry) Certified Bike Fitter.

-R