Name:Mathew Arnold

Age:30

Hometown:Boulder Colorado

Hobbies:Cycling, Science, Swing Dancing

What is your current or former occupation?Science and cycling

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:Seemed like the next logical step in self-actualization

Describe yourself in three words:No, too difficult.

Something that would surprise people about you: My love for swing dancing throws people

What would be your theme song and why?Waste by Phish. I believe that this song is all about making connections with other people.

Who would play you in a story of your life?I have been told that Christian Bale would be an excellent choice

What did you want to be when you grew up?Doctor

Best vacation you ever had:That’s too hard.

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?Coffee, Bike, Coffee, Reading, homemade dinner and dessert, then some kissing.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?The Tour Divide was a pretty wild experience.

What is your guilty pleasure?Man, I love The Jersey Shore

What is something that you are most proud of and why?There are a few things that I am passionate about, I work hard to do them well. Teaching, cycling and my relationships.

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?My first memory. I was probably 2-3 years old. I wonder if my memory of the event was anything like the original.

FoodsChips and cheese

BooksThe Stranger, Born to Run, Carey’s guide to Behavioral Genetics, A River Runs Through It, I read more articles than books

TV ShowsJersey Shore, Californication, Dexter

MoviesNever Ending Story, Cruel Intentions, Godfather, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Bands/ArtistsPhish, Radiohead, Elbow, Ronald Jenkees, Josh Turner

ActorChristian Bale, David Duchovny, Al Pacino,

ActressNatalie Portman, Scarlett Jo

QuoteThe only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commohplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across stars...Jack Kerouac

Name:Dave Preston

Age:34 (DOB 12/31/1976)

Hometown:Raised in Salt Lake City suburb, lived in Northwest last 11 years (currently Kirkland).

Hobbies:Cycling, Triathlons, Fitness, Wakeboarding, Mogul Skiing (coincidently this is M. Arnolds hobby as well:we plan to thump the bumps after Raam), Business

What is your current or former occupation?Finance Manager

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:Test my physical/mental/spiritual/emotional limits/abilities

Describe yourself in three words:Iron Will, Fun

Something that would surprise people about you:I have an 8(boy:Tychon) and 5(girl:Estee) year old.

What would be your theme song and why?Lady Gaga “Born this Way”, because I was born this way…

Who would play you in a story of your life?Me, cause there is only one me (just like Jackie Robinson played himself in the Jackie Robinson story).

What did you want to be when you grew up?Major League Baseball Player

Best vacation you ever had:10 day Caribbean cruise with my kids.

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?Wakeboarding with Friends/Family

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?Tour Divide

What is your guilty pleasure? Pay Day Candy Bars

What is something that you are most proud of and why?My children, they are smart, good kids.

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?Junior College Baseball, any homerun I hit, and trotting the bases.

FoodsGreek - Gyros, Pizza

BooksJohn Grisham Novels

TV ShowsThe office

MoviesAction

Bands/ArtistsHip Hop/ Dance/ Pop stuff

ActorPaul Walker

ActressNatalie Portman

Quote"90% of anything physical is mental" - Me

Name:Michele Pettinger

Age:41

Hometown:Freeport, IL

Hobbies:running, writing, reading,

What is your current or former occupation?Former Technical Writer, Current Running Coach and Personal Trainer

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:New challenges, new relationships, and going across country at 20mph.

Describe yourself in three words:Driven, Thoughtful, Independent

Something that would surprise people about you:That I'm writing a novel

What would be your theme song and why?Diamond Road

Who would play you in a story of your life?Gwenyth Paltrow

What did you want to be when you grew up?I had no idea, which has allowed me to be many things

Best vacation you ever had:Belgium, France, Italy

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?Trail running in Central Oregon

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

What is your guilty pleasure?Organic Kettle Chips with Sea Salt, Frans Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels

What is something that you are most proud of and why?Proud of my kind, creative, independent 7 yr. old daughter (Anika).

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?Moving to the West Coast

Foods:Mexican, Sushi, Thai

Books:Most recent read: Running on Empty by Marshall Ulrich

TV Shows:Top Chef

Movies:Shawshank Redemption

Bands/Artists:Eddie Vedder

Actor:Mark Ruffalo

Actress:Rachel McAdams

Quote: "Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." ~ Gail Devers

Name:Neal Arnold

Age:58 (will be 58 the day before the race starts)

Hometown:Evergreen, Colorado (in the foothills outside of Denver)

Hobbies:#1 Golf

Current or former occupation:Presently I am a Security Supervisor in a Casino. Previous career was in the printing industry where I was a sales representative and account manager.

3 word to describe self:Real, honest, fun

Something that would surprise people about myself:Don’t know. What you see is what you get.

Who would play me in my life story:DOG the Bounty Hunter or Owen Wilson (look a like)

What did I want to be when I grew up:I’ll let you know when I do.

Best vacation ever:Probably the 3 months that I spent travelling around Florida about 8 years ago.

Entire free day:Playing golf in the morning, laying out at the pool or beach in the afternoon and fine dining and dancing in the evening.

Craziest thing I ever did:Legal or illegal? I’ll get back to you on this.

Guilty Pleasure:Desserts- mostly chocolate

What is something that I am most proud of:This one’s easy. Matt Arnold.

What event would I re-live:Probably the births of both of my sons. You just don’t forget.

Foods:Mexican, Pizza, Hamburgers, cookies and ice cream

Books:Historical and autobiographical

TV Shows:Two and a Half Men; Forensic Files; History Channel

Movies:Man Movies like The Hangover and Pulp Fiction

Bands/Artist:Mostly listen to Country Music. Zack Brown Band, Toby Keith.

Name:Randell Meier

Age:49

Hometown:Boulder, CO

What is your current or former occupation?Repairman, mechanic

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:To see what the experience is like first hand

Foods:Anything vegan

Age:You guess

Hometown:Houston

Hobbies:Cycling . Adventure racing

What is your current or former occupation?I sell fun for a living

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:Best Race on I have ever been part of

Describe yourself in three words:Go, Enjoy, Go

Something that would surprise people about you:I grow my own herbs.

What would be your theme song and why?

Who would play you in a story of your life?

What did you want to be when you grew up?Firefighter

Best vacation you ever had:1 month free in Colorado

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?Doing what I want.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?Not PG

What is your guilty pleasure?A beer after a great race.

What is something that you are most proud of and why?Helping others reach there potential

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?More bag nights.

Foods:Baby backy ribs (once and a while)

Books:Walden pond

Quote: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -Edmund Burke

Name:Henry Flint Newton

Age:21

Hometown:Fort Collins, CO

Hobbies:Fishing, Longboarding, Golfing, Music

What is your current or former occupation?Massage Therapist

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:I want to be apart of this RAAM team because I want to help Mat and Dave in achieving their goal to bike across America in 6 1/2 days. Also, I want to use my skills as a sports massage therapist to ensure their health and safety throughout the race.

Describe yourself in three words:I am a "fun, loving dude."

Something that would surprise people about you:Sometimes I like to massage to bluegrass music. (Upon patient request)

What would be your theme song and why?Tinder Box by THE String Cheese Incident. That song is about each and every one of us that live on this earth, that finding the gems that are inside of us is enlightening. That no matter what happens, or could happen, or should happen, that we find the gem inside our heart and soul.

Who would play you in a story of your life?Jack Black, the movie would be called "Shoot Dang"

What did you want to be when you grew up?A pro golfer that could whoop up on Tiger Woods.

Best vacation you ever had:Rothbury 2009. It changed my life.

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?Get a six pack of really good IPA and go fishing with the best of friends.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?Jumped off a 60ft bridge. Bakers Bridge, Durango, CO.

What is your guilty pleasure?A combo of good music and good beer.

What is something that you are most proud of and why?Graduating Massage Therapy School. It challenged me and made me realize I can do anything.

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?The first time I shot under par in a round of golf. (Hasn’t happened yet)

Foods:Spaghetti and Pho

Books:Harry Potter series

TV Shows:The Office, Family Guy, Discovery Channel

Movies:Man on Fire, Its All Gone Pete Tong, any Quentin Tarantino movie.

Bands/Artists:String Cheese Incident, STS9, Lotus, Umphreys Mcgee, EOTO, Talking Heads, VibeSquaD, Tipper, MGMT, Skream, Praang, Zilla, Holikimoto, The Motet, Euforquestra, Yonder Mountain String Band, Head for the Hills, Kyle Holingsworth Band, Gorillaz, The New Deal.

Actor:Denzel Washington, Seth Rogan, Zach Galifinakis

Quote: "All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree." -Albert Einstein

Name:Dave Nevins

Age48

HometownSitka, Alaska

HobbiesPhotography, film making/directing, running a diabetes adventure group

What is your current or former occupation?Director of Visitor Services for the Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:Amazing event across an incredible country

Describe yourself in three words:not liking normal

Something that would surprise people about you:lots of interesting and terribly unique adventures

What did you want to be when you grew up?Physical Therapist

Best vacation you ever had:An almost spur of the moment, bicycle ride from Tucson, AZ to Yorktown, VA with a friend.

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?A long run in the mountains that loom above town, or a sea kayak trip with a friend amidst the hundreds of islands that dot Sitka Sound and our island (Baranof Island).

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?Bungee jump off the Royal Gorge Bridge. Worked on the bungee crew. Loads of fun at the Go Fast Games.

What is your guilty pleasure?Chocolate. Hey, I have my medical reason for junk food. Haha. Diabetes.

What is something that you are most proud of and why?Probably placing in the top 8 and the top 24 (another year) in the U.S. in my age group in a basketball shooting contest. Haha, I was a bench dweller on the JV basketball team.

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?5,4,3,2,1 moment at the edge of the jump platform at the Royal Gorge, CO (Go Fast Games Bungee Jump)

Favorites

Books:Over the Edge by Michael Bane

Books:Over the Edge by Michael Bane

TV Shows:Don’t watch TV

Movies:Alone on the wall (documentary)

Bands/Artists:Flyleaf, Red, Mad at the World

Actor:George Clooney

Actress:Kate Beckinsale

Quote:Life is not about the amount of breaths you take but how many moments take your breath away~Anonymous

Name:Alex Nguyen

Age:24

Hometown:Newport Beach, California

Hobbies:Golf, technology and online shopping

What is your current or former occupation?Social Media!

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:Bursting out of my bubble

Describe yourself in three words:Relax, loyal, and motivated

Something that would surprise people about you:I ran my first marathon when I was 12

What did you want to be when you grew up?Engineer

Best vacation you ever had:Vietnam 2009. Traveling from Hanoi to Saigon was amazing.

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?Exploring new food

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?Stayed out till 6am!

What is your guilty pleasure?Video games

What is something that you are most proud of and why? Graduating and not letting down my parents!

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?Graduating from college.

Foods:Hamburgers

Books:Autobiographical

TV Shows:The Office, Community, Scrubs, Reality TV

Movies:Happy Gilmore, Aladdin, The Dark Knight

Bands/Artists:Top 40

Actor:Brad Pitt

Actress:Jessica Alba (not for acting)

Quote:"Just do it" -Nike

Name:Justin Walsh

Age:30

Hometown:33°1'15"N 117°16'45"W

Hobbies:Gravity

What is your current or former occupation?Slanging cell phones

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:Fixation with driving at 20mph

Describe yourself in three words:Migratory snow slider

Something that would surprise people about you:Internationally published author

What would be your theme song and why?Ride of the Valkyries - have you met me?

Who would play you in a story of your life?The Incredible Hulk

What did you want to be when you grew up?Passionate

Best vacation you ever had:Every day I wake up

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?Going downhill

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?Got out of bed this AM

What is your guilty pleasure? Internal combustion engines

What is something that you are most proud of and why?Knowing the meaning of my life and pursuing it

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?Any day in the mountains

Favorites

Foods:Not fast food

Books:Let My People Go Surfing

TV Shows:Adult Swim

Movies:Deeper / 180° South / Blues Brothers / Anchorman

Bands/Artists:Shellac

Actor:Will Ferrell

Actress:Uma Thurman

Quote:"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

Name:Stephanie Wayt

Age:25

Hometown:Anchorage, Alaska

Hobbies:Volleyball, working out, hiking, scuba diving, rock climbing, reading, board games, etc.

What is your current or former occupation?Personal Training and Volleyball Coach

Best reason for being a part of RAAM:The opportunity to take part in another sport at a high level, and to be a part of a team that supports and ensures the best results for our racers, as well as to travel!

Describe yourself in three words:Hard working, self motivated, responsible

Something that would surprise people about you:im a quarter japanese

What would be your theme song and why?Independent woman? I'm independent?

Who would play you in a story of your life?Me!

What did you want to be when you grew up?Something in the health/medical field

Best vacation you ever had:2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Philippines, Japan, etc

If you had an entire free day, how would you spend it?Depends on where I was...

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?Rode a water buffalo or climbed a coconut tree...

What is your guilty pleasure?Eating cold stone creamery ice cream

What is something that you are most proud of and why?Getting the Gatorade player of the year award for the state of Alaska in volleyball and getting a full ride athletic scholarship

If you can re-live a particular event in your life, what would it be?Playing on an organized volleyball team

Foods:Ice cream, moose meat, mangoes, mashed potatoes, etc

Books:Maniac McGee, Kite Runner, Life of Pi, the book thief, etc

TV Shows:The office, Seinfeld, arrested development, its always sunny in Philadelphia, Spartacus, Parenthood,etc.

Movies:Life is Beautiful, it’s a wonderful life, meet the parents, etc

Bands/Artists:Nickel back, mumford and sons, enya, whatever!

Actor:Michael j Fox, tom hanks, denzel Washington, casey aflec, morgan freeman,ryan Reynolds, Gerard butler, etc

Actress:Sandra bullock, Julia Roberts, reece witherspoon, Jennifer Anniston, etc

Quote:"I have failed over and over and over again... And that is why I succeed."- Michael Jordan