The Crew
The 5 of us met in the Bay Area during training rides for the annual 545 mile AIDS/Life Cycle (ALC), a fundraiser to eradicate HIV/AIDS and improve the lives of those living with the disease. Collectively, we’ve completed over 30 ALC rides (>16,350 miles!) and raised more than $150,000 for the cause.
Tamara – Mamma T
Tamara Marsh – Tamara is a goddess of a person. Not only is she a bad ass on a bike, but she’s also an EMT and a skilled bike mechanic / fitter. Most importantly, she is an all-around epic person. Like the other riders, cycling has been in her blood her whole life (among other things like surfing, diving, world travel adventures and hot lumberjacks too)
Ken – Big Daddy
Ken Cook – Ken has completed 9 long supported rides but this will be his first long bikepacking trek. He’s been a serious cyclist since an early age and is bike tech grom (as Momma T calls him). He loves being outdoors among nature and looks forward to seeing the country by bicycle (and yes, he likes lumberjacks too).
Shiva – Papa Wheelie
Shiva Wilson – A close friend called me intrepid. I had to look it up, and it suits me just fine. As far back as I can remember I’ve wanted to see around the next bend or over the next summit. I’ve pushed to go further and higher. My travels have taken me to Europe, Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean. With each I do my best to make friends with the locals and get to know the culture, food, and language (a little at least). I would say I subscribe to the one precious life philosophy. I have been fortunate to have a life filled with the opportunity to experience these things.
One more summit, one more bend, go further, go higher. Intrepid, I had to look it up, and it suits me just fine
Megan – Megladon
Meg Shutzer – is that younger sibling who begged and begged to be included in the big kids’ ride across the country so we finally caved and said yes, even though it means we’ll be doing abs and crossfit in camp each night. According to Tamara, Meg is not just an “abs cruncher from hell” but they are also “an amazing filmmaker” so we’re hoping they’ll document our journey and post things on our Instagram account. Catch them leading WeSpoke, a team of women, trans and nonbinary cyclists on the AIDS/Lifecycle or teaching spin classes at 17 Reasons Athletic Club
Julia – Goose
I started seriously cycling to train for the ALC in 2021. The edict “ride your ride” became a practice of self compassion and perseverance in every aspect of my life. Endurance cycling showed me that when I challenge myself for a greater purpose, I become a better version of me. As a crisis counselor and art therapy grad student, I work with my own discomfort and honor the beauty I find in fleeting moments of connection with others. These reminders of life’s preciousness continually inspire me. On the bike, as in my life, I’ll lean into challenges and shoot for the stars to better appreciate the ground I stand on. On our cross-country journey, I’m thrilled to be a part-time rider/roadie/hype-woman/massage-therapist/yoga-instructor/getaway-driver supporting my partner Shiva and this band of hooligans to ride every friggin inch across America.
Confused about the Lumberjack reference? Just ask Mamma T or Big Daddy!
