2008 Rider Profiles
Full Tour Riders
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 Carl & Rita GrimCarl (57) has plied the roads and off-road trails of South Africa on his bicycles for the past 25 years. He is Chairman of Club100, South Africa's largest non-commercial cycling club, and has been CEO of an international construction group for the past 10 years. Rita (54) is passionate about dancing and is the owner of a premier Johannesburg-based dance studio. With the kids grown up and out of the home, we have decided that the time has come to do something different and to do it together. Riding our tandem 'Blue Bird One' from Paris to Istanbul on the 125th anniversary of the Orient Express seemed like a good idea... |
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 Berenice AeblyI'm always up for adventure.! Maureen talked about this trip 2 years ago when we toured the San Juan -Gulf Islands off Vancouver Island, and now here it is! Coincidence, I will be using the same bike that I rode on a smaller European trip in 1985. My old Myiata 1000 still performs well. I'm a dental hygienist from Edmonton and starting to take more time off for adventures such as this one. It will be great to get back to see Europe again. Most of my cycle touring has been with the Edmonton Bike and Touring Club. Winter is hanging on here and making training a little more challenging but we're trying to get in shape. Looking forward to meet and cycle with everyone. |
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 Garis AlexanderI am an Australian from Melbourne who has spent all my life living in Australia and seeing much of this great country. It is now time to explore other cultures, with my recent travel adventures including back packing across the USA and a few European countries. I have walked twice to Camino de Santiago (1,500 kms from Le Puy and 250 kms from Porto), cycled solo through 1,000 km in the south of France, and recently walked 800 kms solo through Ireland, England and northern France. The Orient Express tour has been highly recommended and seems the ideal way to touch a few more countries and their people whilst enjoying many more kms on one of my bikes. I recently retired from a career in transportation which gives me the chance to spend more time cycling along the famous Beach Road around Port Philip Bay. Looking forward to cycling with this varied group of people. |
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Luc Boulanger Québécois (Canada) d'origine, j'ai la passion du vélo depuis 1999, hiver comme été. A chaque année, je fais environ 6000 Km. En 2005, j'ai réalisé la traversée des Alpes Françaises. L'Orient Express représente pour moi un défi important que j'espère réaliser sans trop de difficultés. Au plaisir de vous rencontrer. Originating from Québec (Canada), I'm a passionate of velo since 1999 either summer or winter. Each year, I'm accumulating over 6000Km. In 2005, I did the crossing of Alpes Françaises. The Orient Express Expedition is for me a great challenge that I wish to achieve without problem. Looking forward to having a great time and meet you. |
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George Browes This gray beard senior citizen needs the excitement of adventure and the anticipation of learning experiences. I am an enthusiastic amateurish cyclist that enjoys the open road before me. Training is progressing and hopefully the desired level of fitness that I wish for will be achieved. |
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 Juerg BuchliOn my way cycling down to Italy, I met the Odyssey 2000 team near Rome. I learned that biking is a great way to experience the world. It became clear to me, that I would like to activate my passion for bicycle touring. Subsequently, I was following the tour reports of TDA on the internet. The time has come now, to go beyond reading reports and to participate in a tour myself. At New Year, I finished my career as consultant after almost 30 years in business. My new business activity is liked with reduced working hours which allow me (age 54) to spend more time on exciting cycling tours. Up to now, I was mainly active in sports as mountaineering, trekking, rowing, cross country skiing and ski touring, all in many parts of the world. To travel with a group of people from all around the world is fascinating but also challenging as there will be also some tougher times on the 4000 km to come. Besides touring on my own, I appreciate touring in a group and meeting many interesting people, i.e. cyclists with a common hobby who will inspire me for tours in other regions of the world. Last year I had the unforgettable opportunity to cycle in beautiful Tibet. With my wife and our three boys we cycled the part from Donaueschingen to Budapest. However, they decide not to go the extra mile to Istanbul with me. I look forward to an adventurous 50 day journey to Istanbul. |
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Jaco Cotter |
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Bernard Drolet I am a 54 year old public notary living in the North western part of the Province of Québec (Canada). This trip means to me a personal challenge and a break in my professional career. After cycling mainly in Québec, my wife Nycole and I went on a cycling trip around Morocco last year discovering a country and a new culture. This Orient Express trip is certainly an excellent way to discover new countries and meet new people with same cycling passion. |
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 Judy-Clare FrenchI'm a 66 yr old semi retired instructional aide for a school district's special ed program in far northern California. I signed on for the adventure because that's exactly what it sounded like - an ADVENTURE, plus I've always wanted to travel in Europe. I've done several cycling tours in the US and discovered the thrill of up close viewing from a bike and meeting wonderful people along the way. Curt Iden, who I met on a Colorado tour is one of these wonderful people, He shares my love of adventure so it didn't take much persuasion on either of our part to sign up for the O.E. I'm anxiously awaiting the delights of the unexpected. |
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Bill Garrett www.anchorhousenj.org/ I recall someone saying you need to be planning some major event/adventure every five years, and for the last 15 years I have succeeded in doing this: planning, preparing, and enjoying a year-long, round-the-world bicycle trip, trips to both summer and winter Olympic games, a second U.S. cross-country bicycle trip, and now the Orient Express. Between these adventures, I can be found during the week working as a proofreader for a social policy research think tank in Princeton, NJ. On the weekends, my feet work organ pedals as a church organist. I maintain my sanity by getting out on the bicycle. I'm looking forward to seeing wonderful, new places and countries and exploring the history and charm Europe has to offer. And there's no better way than to do it on a bicycle with friends both old and new. I am also riding to raise funds for ANCHOR HOUSE INC,a multi-service agency for runaway, homeless, abused, and at-risk youth and their families located in Trenton, New Jersey. |
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Jim Haile www.jimscrosscountry@blogspot.com It has been said that by traveling the world and experiencing its diverse cultures, one comes to see how much alike we really are. I have been blessed with a dear wife and family that support my urge for adventure and exploration. Through this I have found the world to be full of amazing people, fascinating histories, and spectacular sights - and, the more one travels, the more there is to see. I am a retired aerospace engineer living in Las Vegas. I took up biking four years ago because I had to give up running. Since then, I have biked across Kansas, down the Pacific Coast Highway, and last summer rode from Los Angeles to Boston. My Canadian biking partner from the last two summers talked me into this one, and even offered to make me a temporary Canadian citizen so as not to attract any anti-Americans hostility. So…let this European adventure begin! |
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Curt Iden I'm going on this adventure because it's really a dream come true. I've remained quite active thru the years(I'm 68) and cycling is one of my favorites, in fact I met Judy-Clare on a Colorado tour in 06 and we're doing this tour together. I've also done a month long self contained ride last May. I am looking forward to seeing the sites and interacting with the local people as we travel the roads of these fascinating countries. |
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Dan Kirby My working life is divided between analytical chemistry in bio-tech and conservation science in the world of art. I'm fortunate to be able to set these aside when I want to ride my bike. For me, biking began with a chance meeting with an on-vacation Backroads leader on a yellow bus going through Denali National Park. By the end of that bus ride, my seat mate had convinced me that not only could I bike tour, but that I would enjoy it. The first trip my wife and I took was Backroads California WIne Country--and we were hooked. Since then we have seen many parts of the world from a bike seat and plan to see many more. I will be riding the Orient Express solo and am especially looking forward to the challenge and excitement of following this historic route and seeing parts of Europe that I have missed in the past. |
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 Jos KunnenHaving been told the tour was mostly downhill and downwind and coming into winter at home, I'm joining my sister and brother-in-law (John & Liz Pfahlert) on this adventure. I'm looking forward to many wonderful sights and memorable experiences along the way. I've completed a couple of modest cycling tours in France before, but that was really just to work up an appetite between the superb cafés! I live in Wellington, New Zealand and between holidays, work as an executive in the IT industry. My wife and I also enjoy sailing and have travelled and sailed in many islands in the South Pacific and South East Asia. A bientôt à Paris! |
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Monique Laflamme Here are things I like in life: to bike, to travel and to have challenges. After having crossed Canada in 2001, I was looking forward to a new challenge. Here it is: the Orient Express Expedition. |
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Maureen Lanuke Hi and welcome to my life! I am a 59 year old secretary with the Public School Board in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and I plan to make the most of the holidays I have for the 6 years I have left until retirement – and then to take up travel and bicycle touring full-time (health and wealth permitting!) I’ve been commuting to work by bicycle since 1980 and started serious bicycle touring in 1987. Since then, I’ve participated in many bicycle tours – both supported and self support – over most of the Canadian Maritimes and Western Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, and the East coast of Canada from Halifax to Washington, DC. In 1997 I decided I needed a new challenge, so I took up marathon and triathlon, but bicycle touring remains my passion, and I’m looking forward to exploring new countries and meeting new friends who share that passion. |
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Daniel Longo “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver |
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Marilyn McCaig Following a 34 year teaching career Marilyn is now working in her high school as a half-time collegial coach. |
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Murray McCaig Murray is a retired dairy farmer, bravely facing new challenges as a school bus driver. An opportunity to hear Joe and Edwina Mattison speak about their adventures on the 2004 Tour d’Afrique was an inspiration and several years of cycle touring in Canada has given us the courage to take the next step. Our longest cycling tour to date was this past summer when we biked with two other couples from Vancouver to Calgary via the Crows Nest highway. The thought of cycling through Europe, with all of its history, is very exciting for us. We look forward to the adventure, friendships and education that this tour will undoubtedly provide. |
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Michael Niven I have returned to cycling the last few years . I have enjoyed the tours and commradary with the Edmonton Bike and Touring Club from which the concept of this trip came about. It will be my first trip to Europe . I work in the home health care business. This trip will be a practice for retirement. Excitement is building! |
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Don Oaks Well it looks like I'm the rookie in this group. A bit about me. I was a long time marathon runner but the wear and tear on my body has taken it's toll. After 54 years and a lot of kilometres it's time for my other passion. Always loved to cycle, from the daily commute to work or a few Golden Triangle rides through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. So looking forward the experience of discovering Europe on my bike. Hopefully this will be a discovery about life and myself on this journey. I live and work in the oil industry in Calgary Alberta. |
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John Pfahlert I've signed up for the trip because I feel the age has arrived where I need a big challenge! I'm 49 years old and have been cycling for about 5 years, although I did competitive cycling at university about 25 years ago. Liz and I live in Wellington, New Zealand - known as the windy city. I work as a lobbyist and advocate for the oil and gas industry. |
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Elizabeth Pfahlert Hi! I'm a "retired" school librarian. The kids have just left home and my husband John is dragging me along with him. I'm currently employed as a property manager managing building projects. Looking forward to having a great time and making new friends. |
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Fred Promoli www.sla-quebec.ca/en/tony_proudfoot_fund/introduction.php My sore butt memories have faded enough since the 2003 TdA that I am back for another cycling challenge: Paris to Beijing. My career in physical and outdoor education has kept me active in a wide variety of sports, presently in Toronto. I will be carrying an autographed football in support of the Tony Proudfoot Fund |
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Nicole Richardson I am a 27 year old Property Development Manager from Brisbane, Australia. I took up riding as a sport in February 2007 after I decided to do something worthwhile and sign up for a 400km charity cycling challenge through Mongolia…oh, and after having not laid finger (or bum) on a bike in over 7 years! The trip to Mongolia was an experience and personal challenge I will never forget and has convinced me beyond doubt that the best way to experience travel and the essence of another culture is from the seat of a bicycle through out of the way places yet to be overrun by mass tourism. So I intend to take time out in 2008 to do just that. I will be taking part in both the Orient Express and the Silk Road Expeditions and am really looking forward to meeting other like-minded people taking part in what I am sure will be an experience of a lifetime! |
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John Ross I am gratefully married to a very understanding and supportive wife, as I will be on this ride solo. I had the privilege of cycling across Canada with "Tour du Canada" in 2003, and now look forward to another wonderfully adventurous journey. |
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 Graeme Scrivener |
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Janice Simpson www.janicesride.blogspot.com I am looking forward to this adventure. It's going to change a few things for me, I'm sure. Last time I did anything similar (backpacking around Europe in 1992) I came back, resigned, moved cities and started a brand new chapter. I've been riding a bike for a couple of years and have participated in some of the really good rides and tours put on by Bicycle Victoria. I'm going to spend the next few months focusing on getting fitter, raising funds and brushing up on bicycle maintenance. |
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Stewart Sinclair I'm looking forward to a challenge riding across Europe and using this as a starting point to carry on the Beijing. It will be hard, I have no doubts about that but that is part of the challenge. It is about the mental and physical aspects and being able to put them both together to achieve my goal. |
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 Manon van Kleef |
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Neil Van Steenbergen I smile as I begin to write this! There is freedom for me in riding - freedom, independence, fresh air, adventure, discovery, challenge. There are worlds out there for me to explore! I rode a bike when I was a kid and then I stopped. Fifty-five years later I saw an ad for a year long bike tour around the world. I signed up for it and then I went out and bought a bike at age 69. That year I rode over 13,000 miles! I intend to ride off the edge of the world when I'm 102. I'm doing the Orient Express because it is there - because of the joy, challenge, freedom and discovery that I will welcome and grow from. |
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Joel Warnet |
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Glenn White RONA MS Bike Tour I am a 61-year-old male who loves to cycle. I am really looking forward to a great ride, the trip of a lifetime! I have cycled in France and thoroughly loved the back roads and countryside - oh and yes the wineries. My touring has taken me to several parts of Canada, including Jasper and Banff, as well as several trips to the United States, including the Oregon Coast and Arizona. I am looking forward to meeting new riders, sharing our stories and creating some new ones, not to mention experiencing some of the most beautiful and historic cycling opportunities. I live on Vancouver Island and work as the Human Resources Manager for Cowichan Tribes, the largest Aboriginal Band in British Columbia. On this trip I am riding to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of British Columbia |
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Terry Wiechert www.terrysspokereport.blogspot.com I am a 56 year old semi-retired petroleum engineer. I haven't ridden my bike around the world, written any books, have never been athletic or even athletically inclined and I am not riding all the way China. My story is much simpler, more the John "The Penguin" Bingham thing. About seven years ago I was a confirmed couch potato at 250 lbs I was well past fat and was well on the way to rotund. I was in serious need of physical exercise. Taking up a running program seemed like just the ticket. I believe I made the end of the driveway before I had to stop for a smoke. A couple of years later while training for a marathon, I fell and broke my leg. Due to complications I spent eight months on crutches, and this lead to my introduction to cycling. Since then I have run some marathons , and enjoyed lots of cycling trips where I have met lots of wonder people some of whom are joining this trip. |
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Al Young I am a 60 year old retired music teacher but still very active in the Jackson Hole music community. I direct the Jackson Hole Chorale, sing in a barbershop quartet, and play my trombone in the Jackson Hole Brass Quintet, JH Symphony Orchestra, JH Jazz Band and JH Community Band. I recently was a cast member in the musical production of HAIR. I am presently employed at Trail Creek Nursery near the foothills of the Teton Range and am a Certified Nursery Professional, a Certified Plant Diagnostician and an Advanced Master Gardener. I rode my bike around the world with the Odyssey 2000 Tour and wrote and published a book entitled SHIFTING GEARS: My Global Bike Odyssey. I am an avid cyclist, hiker, and backpacker and am looking forward the the Orient Express Trip. |
Sectional Riders
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Paul Davidson I am a 53 year old civil engineer who has biked with Tour d'Afrique Ltd. in Africa and Asia but I have not done much riding in Europe. After doing 2 of the more challenging tours, I am ready to try one with a few more comforts like hotels on the rest days. I'm looking forward to seeing Eastern Europe and finishing in Istanbul where we started the Silk Route last year. |
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Karen White-Smith This year, I will be back to finish what I started – the Orient Express. Last year I did Paris to Vienna and this year I will do Vienna to Istanbul. I am looking forward to another vacation of wonderful sights, lots of miles, good food and companionship. I really enjoyed last year, the cycling routes were fantastic, great bakeries and cafes (too many, I didn’t know that you could cycle 100km/day and gain weight) and of course the camaraderie of the group. Looking forward to meeting everyone in Vienna; my husband John will join us all in Bucharest for the final leg of the tour. ‘Til then. |
Staff Riders
