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Coast-to-coast action with 19 of the coolest people you'll ever meet. We're riding to raise monetary and social capital for clean blood and water initiatives in Africa. http://www.ridewelltour.org http://www.bloodwatermission.com
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Josh McNeilly
Josh is one of the last additions to the 2009 R:WT, and we’ll take him! Josh is an outdoors enthusiast and
art maven who hopes the R:WT will bring a little piece of “heaven to earth” through love and sacrifice.
“My heart for this tour is that we would change first ourselves into people who are willing to do anything for
the poor, for the oppressed, and then that others would catch our love and it would spread, and that love
would result in generous giving, and in immediate action, and in radical change.” –Josh McNeilly
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
School: Colorado Christian University
Reading: The Cost of Discipleship
Favorite eats: Italian
Special talent Photography
When not in Ohio Surfing
R:WT in one word: Intenselyworthwhile
Lisa Ralph
With snow blanketing where Lisa lives, “between blueberry fields
and the Atlantic,” this biology major likely will spend more miles on
a stationery bike than her other R:WT cohorts, but she takes a light-hearted approach to training.
Graduating this Spring, Ride:Well will be Lisa’s post-grad “tour-de-l’amor”— i.e. “tour of Love.”
“I want to live dangerously. I want to live a well-lived life.” –Lisa Ralph
ometown: Graymont, IL
School: University of Maine at Machias
Currently reading: Jesus for President, Samson and the Pirate Monks, What Now, Last Child in the Woods,
Into the Wild, The Imitation of Christ, A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates, Bike for Life
Hometown: Graymont, IL
School: University of Maine at Machias
Reading: Jesus for President, Samson and the Pirate Monks, What
Now, Last Child in the Woods, Into the Wild, The Imitation
of Christ, A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates,
Bike for Life
Favorite eats: Steak
Special talent: Making things
Likes: Small towns
R:WT in one word: Love
Anthony Catalano
R:WT helps Anthony connect his desire to ride across the
country with his heart to help others. A USC classics and
biology double major with a big heart for adventure, Anthony
brings collegiate cycling experience to the R:WT. Once his
ankle heals from a very untimely basketball tweak, Anthony is
going to assault the grades of the Sierra Nevadas to return to
top form.
“I have a huge heart for Africa, and I am so excited to be able to pour into people and change lives through
the summer.” –Anthony Catalano
Hometown: Clovis, CA
School: University of Southern California
Reading: Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach
Favorite eats: Anything that comes out of Grandma Catalano’s
Kitchen
Training music: Worship music and sermons a lot of the time, but
also the greatness that is the "Awesome Songs
Playlist" featuring the likes of Enrique, the
Backstreet Boys, and Kelly Clarkson
Fav time to ride: Afternoon
R:WT in one word: Ridiculous
Lisa Rudzik
Lisa came to us well-recommended by an ’08
rider, and after interviewing the Tallahassee
native, right away we knew she would be
R:WT material— adaptable, enduring and
adventurous. Lisa was with us in ’08 for the
R:WT Nashville City Ride, and she’s got
triathlon experience as well.
"There are only a couple times that I can recall
seeing rapid growth happen in my life, and I
know without a doubt this will be another one
of those times. I couldn't be more excited." -Lisa
Rudzik
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
School: Florida State University
Reading: The Shack
Favorite eats: Anything Italian
Favorite ride 32-mile loop- St. Mark’s Trail
Off the bike Lunch at Moe’s with friends
R:WT in one word: Intense
Erin Morris
A recent graduate of Union University, Erin is making an
“easy” transition to post-college life with a 3179-mile bicycle
tour. Since coming aboard, Erin’s passion for Ride:Well has
been contagious. Just ask R:WT cyclist and friend Bethany
Stallings, who joined the team not long after Erin did. Go Team
Union!
“I hope to learn how love and pain and life go together.” -Erin
Morris
Hometown: Nashville, TN
School: Union University
Reading: Textbooks
Favorite eats: Sushi, apple pie, ice cream, art
Special talent: Ice skating
Fav time to ride: Afternoon
R:WT in one word: Exciting
Jacob Childerson
Jacob is another “northern son” of Ride:Well. Originally
from Illinois, Jacob spent the “gap year” after high school
in Honduras working with Mercy International. Now, he's
majoring in international business and Spanish at
Southern Illiniois University-Edwardsville.
“I know that I'm going to have to push myself in ways I
never have before and I can't wait to see the outcome.” –
Jacob Childerson
Hometown: Altamont, IL
School: Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville
Reading: The Last Lecture
Favorite eats: Chili-cheese dogs, soups and salads
Special talent: Spanish
Pets: Geckos
R:WT in one word: Inspiring
Cody Henderson
Cody is a bit outgoing. Really outgoing, in fact, and that’s good, because R:WT will be connecting with a
multitude of people from small towns and big cities and everywhere in between. Cody says he misses his
own small town upbringing and hopes R:WT will satisfy his unending curiosity and passion.
“We Americans have such a lax outlook on living, that troubles facing anyone outside of the states are often
ignored when we have a tremendous ability and responsibility as a global social community to help when
and where we can.” –Cody Henderson
Hometown: Richland, MO
School: Evangel University
Reading: The Field
Favorite eats: Pizza, Mexican, Chinese
Recent adventure: Hawaii
Special talent: Growing an afro
R:WT in one word: Inspiring
Erik Pelttari
Erik is a trip leader who will focus on day-to-day
operations and heading up the “guy time”. As long as Erik
is in the United States, we’ll use him! Erik has lived in
Istanbul, Turkey, and hopes to return there someday. He
teaches math at a high school in Huntley, IL. On this trip,
he wants to visit small towns, see the countryside and “get
a feel for the size of the continent.”
“The things about cycling I am looking forward to are seeing the country side and trying to get a feel for the
size of a continent.” –Erik Pelttari
Hometown: Many Midwestern towns
School: North Central University
Reading: How to Prove It, The Absolutely Tru
Favorite eats: Italian, American, Turkish, sweet curries
Likes: Math
Seven years since: Erik owned a bike, and the tire popped.
R:WT in one word: Indefinable
Brady Miles
A math teacher from Waxahachie, Tex., Brady looks to be an excellent ambassador for the Dallas area and
R:WT’s large event there. The R:WT will reunite Cody and Brady—both members of Evangel University’s
Class of ’08—and two of the nicest guys you will ever meet.
“I want this experience to help deepen my faith, be content with my circumstances, discover my future, build
perseverance, and to build a selfless love for people.” –Brady Miles
Hometown: Waxahachie, TX
School: Evangel University
Reading: Fahrenheit 451
Favorite eats: “Anything my mom cooks”
Special talent Slacking on a
Likes: Finding new challenges
R:WT in one word: Epic
Deb Go
Deb is a sophomore civil engineering student at
CalPoly and a fan of triathlons. Ride:Well will push to
the limit her passion for bringing clean water and
HIV/AIDS relief to Africa. One of two Californians on
the team, she’ll be training for the ride in the rolling
hills and canyons of San Luis Obispo and California’s
Central Coast.
“I definitely have a passion for bringing clean water to
and fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa, I love God, and I love to work out, so I'm super excited to have all three of
these collide in one amazing summer.” –Deb Go
Hometown: Lake Forest, CA
School: Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo
Reading: Searching for God Knows What
Favorite eats: Chinese
Off the bike: Basketball
Trains with: The Calypoly Triathlon Team
R:WT in one word: Crazy
Bethany Stallings
“Grassroots organizations are really important to me,” says Bethany, who met us through fellow Union
classmate Erin Morris, who also is riding this summer. Having lived overseas for much of her life,
Bethany gained from her time abroad an international viewpoint and several languages—beginning with
the Phillipine dialects of Tagalog, Cebuano and Ilongo. She also speaks Spanish and, from residence in
Seoul, a little Korean. Now, she’s taking French, and later she’ll study Arabic in Amman, Jordan. If you
speak anything else than what’s listed, she’d probably be happy to try!
“This summer is a time to meet people here in the U.S., get the word out, and play a role in affecting the lives
of people from the continent of Africa.” –Bethany Stallings
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
School: Union University
Reading: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the Language Instinct, Pillar of Salt, Everyday Theology
Favorite eats: Asian & anything with cilantro
Not-so-secret passion: Collecting leaves
Trains with: Fellow ’09 R:WT teammate Erin Morris
R:WT in one word: Challenge
Brian Elliott
Brian is a graduate nutrition student from SFASU in Nacogdoches, Tex. With a strong commitment to
fitness, a growing love for Africa and goal to run a marathon a month this Spring, Brian probably is more
like the R:WT than either of us would ever admit. He’s quite eloquent when discussing his aims and
hopes for the R:WT, so if you can catch him, he's all yours.
“People say I have more miles on my legs than on my car.” –Brian Elliott
Hometown: Hurst, TX
School: Stephen F. Austin State University
Reading: Love and Respect, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, The Five Love Languages of God, The Bible
Favorite eats: Any authentic ethnic food, sushi, raw, or vegan cuisine. And definitely smoothies!
Alter ego: Batman (but only when running certain marathons this Spring)
Get a wrench: Because Brian can ride a bike with no handlebars
R:WT in one word: Blessing
Seth Willard
Seth comes from the quiet, rural places north of the Twin Cities and calls Alexandria home. For Seth, the
Ride:Well Tour is about doing “something more” this summer, and if it benefits others, Seth believes he
has no reason to “shy away”. Seth is new to road biking and is persevering through the kind of backroads
and stationery training that makes the mind tough and the body able.
“Cycling forces me to get fresh air, and with that comes a renewed perspective. When I consider my problems
while pedaling on the open road, suddenly all my stress points become far less intimidating.” –Seth Willard
Hometown: Alexandria, MN
School: Regent University Distance Education
Reading: Ethel Herr's An Introduction to Christian Writing, Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, Rick Warren's A Purpose Driven Life, and Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Favorite eats: Mexican
Side gig: Writing a motivational book with his brother for young people (19-21)
Pets: A flock of hens
R:WT in one word: Exhilarating
Jen Tyler
A member of last year’s support staff, Jen has already earned a R:WT jersey. Yet, this year, she’ll be joining
the team as a cyclist. Like many of our riders, Jen is fluent in the language of social movements. She
studies theology at Garrett Seminary in Chicago, IL. We welcome Jen as a former team member as she
learns a new way to contribute to our cause.
“I have done a lot of crazy things in my life, but this is the first time I’ve paired my passion and energy with a
physical challenge. This is going to be huge, as I know that it isn’t something I can do on my own.” –Jen Tyler
Hometown: McCook Lake, SD
School: Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
Reading: Textbooks
Favorite eats: Hummus, falafel
Workout mix: Anything upbeat to keep me going. I recently rediscovered (and love!) the old 90s Jock Jams!
Likes: Finding new challenges
R:WT in one word: Epic
Aaron Smith
Aaron is the go-to guy for all things Ride:Well. He serves as director and co-founder of Venture
Expeditions, and he has organized and promoted the R:WT for the past two summers. A lover of outdoor
pursuits, travel and bicycling, Aaron’s passion first found its lodging place in 2002, when he and a few
college buddies completed a cross-country bicycle tour that began in Washington and ended in New York.
Since the first big trip, Venture has guided young adventurers through 17,000 miles of international
travel on foot, bicycle and canoe, with humanitarian aid providing the thrust for motion.
Hometown: Green Bay, WI
School: North Central University
Reading: The Internet, The Bible
Favorite eats: Thai Unofficial title: The Ironman
Likes: His wife and daughter
R:WT in one word: Sacrifice
Drew Nelson
Drew is a veteran of Venture trips and a 2nd year Ride:Well Tour leader. This year, we’ve tapped him to
lead the entire Tour, from start to finish. He’s got “megatrip” experience to spare, good leadership know-
how and considerable cycling acumen. Plus, he’s not afraid of public speaking. Perfect.
“I consider it a beautiful day, when I ride my bike, drink coffee, and hang out with wonderful people!” –Drew
Nelson
Hometown: Eau Claire, WI
School: North Central University
Reading: Death by Love
Favorite eats: Hamburger steak Unofficial title: Original gangster
Likes: Venture Expeditions
R:WT in one word: Lifechanging