Jeff Gelfand is an orthopaedic surgeon on staff at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD.  He is married with 4 children and got his first bike in 2005 when his brother asked him to join him on a bike trip through Maine.  Some 20,000+ miles and 3 bikes later, Jeff has become somewhat obsessed with cycling.  He began riding competitively in 2007.  

    Jeff is cofounder of The Helping Hands Foundation and he is honored that has teammates have decided to ride in support of Helping Hands as well The Wellness House.  He looks forward to training and riding with three friends and colleagues for two great local charities.

    Rich is a pediatric anesthesiologist practicing in Baltimore.  He lives with his physician wife, Karen, and his 3 kids in Bay Ridge.  His kids, although only 6, 8 and 10, are all accomplished endurance athletes.  They have competed successfully in numerous running, swimming and triathlon events.  Rich has not and they love to rub it in.  He has decided to one-up them and race across the country.  

    He started cycling to get fit 8 years ago and he quickly learned to love it.  Although clearly the 4th choice in the group, Rich is looking forward to training hard and finishing strong.

    Riding is its own reward but if you're going to do it 6 hours a day for a week, there has to be a bigger motivation.  Rich is very proud of his friend, Kelly Sullivan, who looked beyond her practice as a reconstructive plastic surgeon to see a need for supporting cancer patients in the community. She founded Wellness House in Annapolis and Rich is excited to ride for that organization.    It makes the many, many miles go a lot easier.

You can follow his training and weak humor on Twitter @4thchoice.

Garth is a devoted husband and is completely smitten with his wife, Mary Anne, and together they are raising three wonderful children -- ages 10, 12, and 14 -- in Annapolis.  Although Garth is a well-respected hand surgeon during the day (and at times during the night and on weekends...) his passion has become bicycling.  His older brother, Houston, introduced him to the world of "fine bicycles" ten years ago when he gave Garth a Colnago Master with Campy components.  Houston was ill with brain cancer at the time, and Garth is now very honored to ride in his memory in RAAM, and to raise awareness for the Annapolis Wellness House, as well as for the team's efforts for the Helping Hands Foundation (started by his friend and colleague (and teammate!) Dr. Jeff Gelfand.

    He really wanted to do this solo, investing alot of time and resources in that effort to better understand the boundaries of human suffering. That was another time. After a near fatal accident causing 8 broken bones, a head injury, and nearly a year of recovery away from racing, life is now more about proving that anything is possible if you stay fit and active.

    He had an invasive ear and brain tumor in childhood leading to 3 different surgeries to remove the tumor and repair his hearing.  His father passed away after a long bout with cancer. He can't be more motivated about the thought of putting in the hours on a bike to actually raise awareness and funds for the Annapolis Wellness House.

    His core belief: anything is possible if you set your mind to it . The true answer to health is staying active. Love life and embrace it!