STIHL Tour Des Trees

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Name: Doug Anderson
Hometown: San Jose, Ca.
Profession: Arborist
5th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I need to commune with the Toaster.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: I was a novice cyclist in 2003 (some would say I still am……..!) and remember riding down the St. Lawrence river into a headwind by myself that first day wondering what the hell I had gotten myself and how would I ever make a 600 mile plus trip? Three days later I was with a group 6 or 7 other riders who stuck together all day and did our longest day that week – 125 miles – that was way more fun that I could have ever imagined. I went on to ride every mile that year, including the optional trip up Devil’s Notch, and was hooked for life.

Name: Tom Armstrong
Hometown: The Plains, VA
8th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: It is a joy to be able to participate in such an event. It combines my love of trees with my love of cycling, then throw in an unbelievable group of dynamic fellow riders. It is like a one week long extended family reunion every summer. As Timmy would say, my tree family. Can't wait to hit the road.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Jake Brandspigel
Hometown: Elizabeth City, NC
Profession: Territory Manager
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: My employer is the title sponsor, and I am proudly representing Team STIHL.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Harry Banker
Hometown: Florham Park, NJ
Profession: Arborist
9th or 10th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: Hi tech told me to

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Downhills

Name: Jeffrey M. Carney
Hometown: Enfield, NH
Profession: Utility Forester
6th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: To reconnect with old Tour friends, make new Tour friends, always wanted to be a "Hammerhead" and
enjoy being a "Repeat Offender"!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Riding on Chuckanut Drive somewhere in Washington State

Name: Doreen Crenshaw
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Profession: Accountant
2nd Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I love trees and bicycles and the passionate people.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Jason and Stu singing to me on the final night; heading out on the last day in the rain, because I had to finish--500 miles in five days;

Name: Stuart Crow
Hometown: Dallas, TX
9th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I miss Warren really badly

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Fixing Mark Hartly's rear derailleur

Name: Hallie Dozier
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Profession: College Professor
5th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: it’s one of those things I just have to do. For me, it’s all about trees and bicycles. And the other riders, of course.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: On my first tour, on the first day I am climbing (o.k. walking) my bike up a steep incline somewhere in western Pennsylvania. I am wheezing and wondering what the hell I had gotten myself into when Jim Allen rolls by me with a huge grin on his face. And he’s singing, damn it! He was singing at the top of his voice! And the song was something about being born to be wild.

Name: David Galwey
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Profession: Arborist
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: Firstly, I love riding in new places. I’m looking forward to seeing New England. Secondly, I want to get to know everyone as part of our effort to get Tour des Trees to the 2011 ISA conference in Australia.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Reading about them.

Name: Steve Geist
Hometown: Aurora, CO
Profession: Plant Pathologist, Swingle Lawn Tree and Landscape Care
12th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: It is my way of giving back to the tree care industry that has taken care of me these past 26 years. I have seen a lot of advancements in tree care that are the result of good research. Much of this research was funded by the TREE Fund. During Tour week, I'm working for the tree care industry making our industry better. Then, there’s the tour family. It’s just like Christmas - only you don't have to put up with the relatives. A passionate tree care family you won't find anywhere else.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: My favorite memory is the first day of my first tour in England. Tour des Trees VII, started in Guildford going to the Goodwood Marriott that night. By morning break I already found the group that I would ride with the entire tour. Steve and Julie Ruffalo and Charles Owen. We were known as Team Navigator because Steve Ruffalo had this uncanny sense of direction that always trumped the route notes. The four of us trudged along often asking townspeople how to get from place to place. Some never heard of heard of our landmarks while others told us we were mad. Surely there is a better way to get to Birmingham we were told. Undaunted we pressed on. The lunch hour came and went, we were cold and hungry and not yet to our destination. An hour after we were to be at the lunch location - we spotted it, although there were no cyclists there. As we pulled up, the caterer came to life as we asked "do you have anything left to eat". He replied anything left? Why you are the first blokes here sit down let us bring you some warm tea. We asked where are the others? Bloody lost! How is our tour director Karl? Poor Mr. Parker - I believe he is beside himself! We ate and finished. Just as we pulled out the hammerheads arrived.

Name: Al Gilens
Hometown: Gladwyne, PA
Profession: Photographer/writer
6th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I'm riding this year because I want to see friends, support trees, and I have nothing better to do - literally!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: My favorite memory is riding through the forests of Pennsylvania with John White - a photo of which sits on my desk.

Name: Phil Graham
Hometown: Vernon, British Columbia
Profession: Utility Arborist
5th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: Riding because the voices in my head keep saying "Ride Phil, ride. Ride for the trees"

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: It might have been shaving my legs in the parking lot of the motel in Vermont, might have been starting 2005 at my forestry school in Thunder Bay, might have been the 40 extra miles Jim Zwack and I put in to go back to see a missed covered bridge. But I think it is watching Tim Womick bring the kids - big and little - to life in the Trail of Trees.

Name: Jeff Hamilton
Hometown: Falmouth, MA
Profession: Arborist
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: To promote tree healthcare and have a week away!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Dave Hein
Hometown: Vernon, BC
Profession: Electrical Engineer
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I am riding this year because of encouragement from my friend Phil Graham and my wife Christine. I also spent a week in Boston this year and found the history very interesting. When Phil showed me the Tour route I was excited to cycle through the New England States.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Greg Hill
Hometown: Milton, Ontario, Canada
Profession: Arborist
10th+ Tour des Trees

Riding Because: Research is the foundation and the future of our Industry….. we wouldn't be where we are today without it. The Tour des Trees is the perfect event to encourage fund raising and raise awareness of the Urban Forest.
Besides all that, cycling with a well organized support group, sharing the road and the sights with tree lovers from around the world and the camaraderie are also big motivators....

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: There have been so many over the years so I’ll start with the first one…….the beginning of my first Tour from Stowe Vermont to Halifax Nova Scotia in 1994. I was checking in at the hotel…..like a deer in the headlights…. when Wayne and Karl Parker came striding up to me. Wayne, in his kilt, bellows out "Hey Laddie....have ya come to ride" and gives me a great slap on the back ....their excitement and leadership got me through that ride because I was ill prepared.....what a great introduction to the TdT and a pair of great men!

Every Tour since has been unique and no one every walks away from a Tour without having experienced and accomplished something amazing….beyond their expectations. What you can personally accomplish in a week on the road is a testament to what can be accomplished when you approach any challenge as a TEAM!

Name: Warren Hoselton
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Profession: Parks Supervisor – Toronto Island
7th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: The Tour combines 2 of my top passions; Trees and Cycling

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: The great sense of accomplishment that it gives you when you cycle into the Field days. Having knocked off hundreds of miles and leaving behind untold amounts of influence and outreach along those miles. A TREEmendous feeling through participating.

Name: Andrew F. Kittsley
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Profession: Urban Forester, City of Orlando
13th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: It's part of my Probation

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: The beer at the end of the day's ride.

Name: Tammy Kovar
Hometown: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Profession: Biologist
2nd Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I want to educate people about the importance of our Urban Trees

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: The corn fields in Southern Indiana

Name: John Sanford Leffingwell
Hometown: Berkeley, CA (now living in Oakland, CA)
Profession: Consulting Arborist
2nd Tour des Trees

Riding Because: It is the right thing to do, it is in NY/RI and I had such an amazing time in 2007

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Stopping for fresh oysters in Tamales Bay at 11 am, bombing down Hwy 1 with a tailwind at 50mph and watching one of the Collier boys fly by me at 55mph, partying with SambaMonterey on the last night and letting it all hang out- oh yeah!!!

Name: Dave Leonard
Hometown: Lexington, KY
13th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I am riding because I want to give back to the industry that has given me so much and I want to help with the research effort.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: My best memory is riding with my daughter on the Rocky Mountain tour.

Name: Marian Makar
Hometown: Richmond HIll, Ontario, Canada
7th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: This year looks like yet another spectacular route and I love riding with all of my "TREE buds".

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Training for, fretting about but then conquering the mountains of California in 2007.

Name: Shaun Malady
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Profession: Technical and Field Support Specialist for Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I am a passionate supporter of our environment and urban forests. I enjoy physical challenges, experiencing new places, and meeting like-minded people. The Tour des Trees is the perfect event that puts all of these together in one week. I am especially excited to see Central Park and Boston Commons, two of the most historic parks in the United States.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: I haven’t experienced the actual Tour yet, but receiving donations from people I don’t know has been very fulfilling.

Name: Dick Maloney
Hometown: Liberty Corner, NJ
Profession: Arborist
8th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I love bikes and trees.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Seattle

Name: Steve Masterson
Hometown: Oak Bluffs, MA
Profession: Arborist at Polly Hill Arboretum
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: What a great way to raise money for a noble cause !!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: John McNeil
Hometown: Burlington, Ontario
2nd Tour des Trees

Riding Because: the camaraderie

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: the camaraderie

Name: Scott McPhee
Hometown: Millis,MA
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I am riding because maintaining urban forests and encouraging careers in Arboriculture are important, health and exercise are important, making
new friendships is important, and the Tour des Trees ties all of these together in the beautiful Northeast.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Shari Medley
Hometown: Bradenton, FL
Profession: Teacher
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I'm riding because I love trees and riding my bike, I'm up for the challenge, and riding a long distance on my bike has been on my "bucket list".

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Thomas E. Meyer
Hometown: Branchville, New Jersey
Profession: CEO of Montague Tool & Supply Co. Inc. www.montaguetool.com
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: The confluence of my two passions, cycling and trees is definitely the Tour des Trees. Upon the invitation from fellow Sussex County Tree Commission member, Jeff Picher, an employee of Bartlett Tree Experts my 50 year cycling career and 30 year volunteer career on several Shade Tree Commissions, will now include this great event. My competitive cycling career began at 91st Street in Central Park in New York City with the French Sporting Club in 1959. By the time my competitive cycling career ended, I had ridden most national road events as well as in Canadian races like the Tour of St. Laurence. In 1967, prior to my tour of duty as a convoy commander in Vietnam, I was the Captain of the US Army Cycling Team which was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Since then many miles have been ridden throughout the Midwest, Northeast and Canada, if a little slower, I have been able to look at the trees and plant more than a few. The start of this years Tour des Trees brings me full circle, like the path of life, right back to Central Park in New York, the city for which I also have much passion. Looking forward to meeting you all at Central Park and sharing pedal action!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Thomas Ordway
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Profession: N/A
5th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: It's just the right thing to do

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: The push and pull to Falling Waters in 2004.

Name: Dan Patterson
Hometown: Dallas, TX
9th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: Fun, Fellowship and Fitness

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Blackberry pie and espresso at the coffee shop on Pacific Coast Highway in Sonoma County

Name: Frazer Pehmoeller
Hometown: Poughquag, NY
Profession: Arborist representative Bartlett Tree Experts
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: As a national ranked shot put and discus thrower for most of my life and a world record holder in Strongman competitions my make up was always one of being the biggest and the strongest. I never had any desire to even think about an endurance type sport. As the years grew so did my body. A few years ago I backed off throwing and started to work on trimming down, a task at the time, which felt overwhelming. Health concerns, energy levels and my overall attitude was suffering and I knew I needed to push the weight loss to another level while I was still young enough to enjoy my life and my family. With the support of my coworkers at Bartlett, my family, my doctors, nutritionist and my wife of almost 25 years I have managed now to lose over 180 pounds at this point.

My life is much different now as I have eliminated all health concerns, My energy level is now better than it was as a teen, My business continues to expand and my overall attitude is much more positive. My Manager, knowing that part of my exercise routine was riding suggested the Tour De Trees. I’m not sure he really thought I would take up the challenge, but I have and am looking forward to riding with so many dedicated riders. I feel blessed to have my new life and this opportunity. As my daughter shared with me "Trees and riding are two things you love…. sounds like a great match". I believe that on our walk through life there can be many obstacles that block our paths some require redirection, some require reflection and some possess people to just blow the obstacle out the way. I look at my former weight as a big tree that crossed my path, the support from my friends and family as a big chainsaw that has now cleared the path and the Tour De Trees and other exciting developments in my life as the path now to follow.

And to all the other "Big Guys" out there, and you know who you are, when you’re ready…you can do it too.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Hearing about it and never thinking it would ever be doable for me.

Name: Jeff Picher
Hometown: Branchville, NJ
Profession: Sales Rep/Arborist for Bartlett Tree Experts
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I’m riding this year because: I want to meet the challenges of helping the Tree Fund reach its goal to support tree research and education, but also to challenge myself physically and mentally by putting forth my best effort to complete the 7 day event. I’m excited to tour the east coast countryside at a much slower pace than driving in a car so I can appreciate the scenery.

I plan on recording my trip on a pocket camcorder so I can share the experiences with others that might consider doing the trip next year. I’m also looking forward to riding with fellow Bartlett reps and also to meeting new fellow arborists so we can share ideas.

I’ve been enjoying my road bike training by climbing the hills of Sussex county, NJ and also consuming lots of Clif bars. As an avid backpacker and skier, I’m anxious to get on the road and experience the Tour des Trees !

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Yolanda Retes
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Profession: Administrative Assistant for PTCA of San Diego, Yoga Instructor, student of Ayurveda
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I am riding to raise money for trees, travel/adventure, comeraderie, exercise.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: My favorite memory is listening to Brian and Bob talk about the rides before.

Name: Dick Rideout
Hometown: Madison, WI
Profession: State Urban Forester
7th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: 7th Tour, 7 states, 7 days, could I get any luckier? Actually yes, because I'll be with good friends in beautiful country with big gorgeous trees and mountains to climb.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: 2002 - Seattle to Seattle: Realizing I could actually ride with the Hammerheads, taking ferries from island to island, standing inside a hollow tree trunk with 15 other riders, and riding 30 miles off course (Hammerheads miss turns) and loving every mile of it.

2003 - Ottawa to Montreal via NY & VT: Breaking way away from the pack with two young bucks half my age (but then paying for it big time the next day), a tailwind through the Adirondacks up to Saranac Lake and then coasting down to Lake Champlain the next day, climbing Smugglers (OMG I'm gonna die!) Notch, and meeting all the wonderful French Canadians passing through Quebec.

2004 - Philly to Pittsburgh: Riding with my buddy Doug, 29,000 feet of climbing, the spur trip to Falling Waters, playing chicken with the mining trucks, riding through a mountain on the old Penn Turnpike, did I mention 29,000 feet of climbing?

2006 - Thunder Bay to Minneapolis - 92 degrees in Thunder Bay and the natives were melting, 95 degrees in Duluth and we were all melting, Blue Bullets in Hayward briefly cooled us off, Jim Zwak pulled my sorry butt to the Hickley Fire Museum where it was 100 degrees, 75 miles in a thunderstorm the next day but it was a glorious 68 degrees, until we hit St Paul where it was 95 degrees again. Did I mention it was hot?

2007 - Sacrament to San Jose: Riding through every imaginable crop to eat or drink, desert to rain forest to desert in 30 miles, 1800 feet of switchbacks, seeing the ocean with Phil Graham and Clem Desjardins (dragging my sorry butt again), casually cruising Hwy 1 at 33 mph with Phil Baker and Andy Kittsley and hitting my land speed record of 54 (OK so there was a downhill tail wind)

2008 - Indianapolis to St. Louis: The only week of cool summer weather in Indiana's history (take that MN!), circling the Speedway, they actually have beautiful trees and hills in Southern IN and IL!, natural refrigerator caves along the Mississippi and 515 miles in 5 days!

Name: Gary Rohrbach
Hometown: Emmaus, PA
Profession: President of Gary’s Tree and Shrubbery Service, Inc.
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: The Tree Fund is a very worthy cause. It provides major funding for arboricultural research and education.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Don Roppolo
Hometown: Pleasant Prairie, WI
Profession: Arborist
5thTour des Trees

Riding Because: It is an awesome cause with the bonus of spending a week on your bike with no worries and great people!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Proposing and getting engaged to my wife in beautiful Northern Wisconsin at a rest stop after lunch in Cable on the ride to Hayward on the 2006 tour!

Name: Laura Sanagorski
Hometown: Deerfield Beach, FL (originally from Middletown, PA)
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I am riding because I am a passionate supporter of our environment and urban forest. I have devoted my career to greening our communities and educating the public about tree care and the environment. I am also riding because I hope to find a great job in our field. The "green" field has been hit very hard by the state of the economy, and I lost my job when positions were eliminated due to budget cuts. I hope that this intensive week puts me into contact with an organization that is in need of my skills and experience.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Peter Sanford
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Profession: Social worker
6th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: fun, trees and bicycles

Favorite Memory of Past Tours:trying to keep up

Name: Sara (Mullen) Sankowich
Hometown: Providence, RI
Profession: Utility Arborist
5th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I miss it (the ride) and I want to show how great National Grid, New England, and my hometown of Providence really are.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: One of my favorite memories is seeing Anne-Marie Moran, doing support, at the top of a never ending hill, jumping up and down and yelling to me that I can make it to the summit. The tour brings so many wonderful people together, and that is just one example of many, showing how much people really care.

Name: Courtney Schumm
Hometown: Akron, OH (Pittsburgh is home)
Profession: Arborist/GIS Coordinator, City of Aurora
6th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: The New England route & events look spectacular and also because there is nothing more therapeutic than laughing through 500+ miles of Jimmy-jabber.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Top 3; Flying through the mountains of British Columbia on the back of a tandem, the enthusiastic cheer from a WWE wrestler (Stu?) that greeted us upon arrival in Wisconsin, and riding with EVERYONE at some point during the tour.

Name: Paul Sellers
Hometown: West Falmouth, MA
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I did not want to miss out riding in New England

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Working on one

Name: Mike Skivington
Hometown: Scottsville, New York
Profession: Retired Arborist
11th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: Trees are the answer

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Bonking after 175 miles in Bar Harbor, Maine

Name: Helen Stone
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Profession: Publisher
3rd Tour des Trees

Riding Because: This year I resolved to care for my health. I was telling my trainer about my past Tour efforts and she talked me into it!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: The *one* day that I completed the entire day without riding in the van in 2003 (I'm always last), when I rode into the hotel parking lot, the entire Tour was there cheering for me!

Name: Benjamin G. Tresselt III
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Profession: ISA Board Certified Master Arborist
Owner & President of Arborist Enterprises, Inc.
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: Tour des Trees combines of my passions, arboriculture and athletic accomplishment. The knowledge gained by the monies raised for the TREE FUND research allows arborists, such as me, to more effectively and successfully care for trees

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: None yet although I have heard many great memories from past riders.

Name: James Urbanowsky
Hometown: Fredericton, NB, Canada
2nd Tour des Trees

Riding Because: The "Tour" has a simple message - that trees have considerable value, are important to our environment, and as Arborists, we are sincerely interested in promoting the health and benefits of trees. The "Tour" contributes to the well being of "Everyone's Community" in a great and quiet way, and is a unique opportunity to promote the value of trees more widely than just to our own industry. For me, this event is about re-connecting with an AWESOME organization...and planting trees on SOMEONE ELSES lawn.

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: How can you not love chasing 14 guys headlong down a road at 35 miles an hour, screaming to their next destination to plant a tree!

Name: Rex Webber
Hometown: Holland, NY
Profession: Arborist and owner of Bradley Tree & Landscaping in Holland, NY.
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I enjoy God's creation and want be a good husbandman (help care for his creation). Also looking forward to this ride because my oldest daughter, Deanna Zoerb, will be biking with me (our 2nd over 500 mile ride).

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: N/A

Name: Kristin Wild
Hometown: Lansdale, PA
Profession: Writer/Editor
10th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I love the characters I’ve met on the ride and experiencing a different part of the country at an open-air-two-wheeled pace each year is always fascinating. Of course, the profound value of the cause and the sense of accomplishment at the end of each Tour keeps bringing me back, too!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: When you’ve been on as many Tour des Trees as me, there are too many to choose from!

Name: Dave Wells (Punky)
Hometown: Princeton NJ
7th or 8th Tour des Trees (too old to count)

Riding Because: Who else is going to keep jimmy in line

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Too many to count

Name: Paul Wood
Hometown: I split my time between Charleston, SC and Asheville, NC
Profession: Tour des Trees Coordinator
5th Tour des Trees

Riding Because: Haven’t had the pleasure of riding the tour yet but I plan on joining the band on my bike in Australia in 2011!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: wow, I have so many wonderful memories but I have to say my favorites are both from the California Tour – 1. the sheer beauty of that tour; Coastal Hwy 1, the marvelous stands of Redwoods…and 2. the unforgettable night at the Black Box!

Name: Deanna Zoerb
Hometown: East Aurora, NY
Profession: Hairstylist/Office Manager
1st Tour des Trees

Riding Because: I am riding with my dad and we both have a passion for trees and riding so what better way to combine the two!

Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Ask me next year!