The Crew

The Sea 2 Sea challenge is just that, a very real challenge at a number of levels.The endurance and fortitude needed to cycle almost every day averaging around 70 miles is not easy to imagine. We are to be in DC on July 3rd, this isn't an option, it's non-negotiable as they say. Well fine if you are driving a car but by bike a whole new world.

For a group of riders to do this the problems are magnified by some margin, add bad weather, hills, breakdowns, fatigue, well you get the picture.


To make this to happen is a team effort on a formidable scale.

We are now, quite literally, in sight of the Atlantic and the numbers speak for themselves, 3,997 miles ridden over 56 days of sitting on a saddle and cycling.
So today I thought it was about time, Dear Reader, that you could see who some of these people are.
Well, and I hope this doesn't sound too old fashioned, but ladies first:




Tricia runs the Social Media side of the operation. Thousands of people can view the Facebook and Twitter sites thanks to Tricia. Its whole now world to the rest of us and one that is demanding and, done well, highly sophisticated.

Tricia lives near Atlanta in Georgia with her husband and two children. In addition to working, sorting us out on the above areas she also studies. Super Woman 2012.



Marj, is the 'housekeeper' or RV keeper, she does a great job looking after the inner needs of us all. I can say without any fear of contradiction that Marj is invaluable on the trip, food and drinks always available when needed and whenever posible a change and variety brought to the table. Marj came out at the start and returned to the UK for three weeks but thank goodness returned once again and is now back in charge of all the stuff needed to keep the show on the road.

Marj has two children if you can call 30 to 40 year olds , children. The apples of her eyes are her 4 grandchildren. Carlo, Rosie, Eva and Luca. Marj lives in the centre of the UK with husband Bruce who has the same two children etc!



The newest member of the team is Chip. Chip lives in Germany and went to school with Tom and Alvon in Clemson. After 20 years in the US forces he now works in the world of finance. He is still is very fit and is a great addition to the riding team.



John is the head of the US arm of the Sea 2 Sea organisation in the US. John has had over 20 years experience in various management consultancy roles in industry. John graduated from the West Point and was a class mate of Tom's. John is married and his wife and he have a daughter, they live near Atlanta, Georgia.




Of course for many, no introduction for Alvon is required, he has a following generated in part due to his penchant for standing on his head and then being photographed.  Alvon is a very strong biker and leads the biking each day. Alvon's day job is as an engineer, he has been incredibly skilful in keeping all the machines alive and well. His home is in California, he was at school with Chip and Thomas at Clemson. Alvon is married to Maureen and has three children as well as one grandchild



Bruce (C'est Moi) I am the Blogger, driver of the RV and the recently appointed Commis Chef to wife, Marj. I also take photographs. Readers of the blog will know that I had my 65th birthday on the 22nd June. I have to call myself a pro-photographer now, I do get paid for taking photographs but this trip is 'pro bono', In a previous life I worked as a financial advisor.



Tom Von Kaenel, Tom is the founder and Chair of the Sea 2 Sea foundation both in the UK and US. Tom lives in Oxfordshire in the UK, he was at school with Chip and Alvon. Tom was a professional soldier for 20 years following his time at the army's West Point Academy. Tom is married to Jackie and their son, Dan has followed his father into the army.



Dear Reader, a note at the end, so to speak. We've had a bit of trouble with the blog formatting this morning. Its now fixed so it is able to be read, but our usual high standard of text formatting... is well... not up to our 'usual' standards. A good read anyway though, I think.