My Crew

Caroline van den Bulk

My Sponsors :

New crew for RAAM 2011:

And of course.....Fred

Fred van den Bulk / mechanic & logistics

Fred van den Bulk (left) is Caroline's husband for over 18 years. Worked in Holland as a bicycle mechanic and now he runs the Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop with Caroline for over 10 years. Fred has plenty of experience to kept Caroline going. He is the mechanic of the crew, driver, logistics. Fred loves the nature and the space in Canada . When he is not in the shop he likes to be out side with his 2 dogs. Fred's hobbies are: biking, skiing, hiking, wind surfing, cutting wood and working in the green house. Fred did a lot of trips with Caroline already, but this is going to be "the big one". He is looking forward to meet the other crew members and together we will bring Caroline to the finish line Fred knows for sure. Yabadabadoo!

My name is Geordie Heath, 32, married, with three children, living in Carolines home town of Huntsville Ontario. I work here as a Paramedic. When I am not in my Ambulance I am skiing in the summer and winter, swimming and now officially getting on my bicycle a lot more then I used to. This is my first RAAM, I am looking forward to doing what ever it takes to help Caroline fulfill her dream to finish RAAM. GO TEAM!!!

Virginia Hastings is back for your second RAAM with team Van den Bulk, and she is excited to be a support to Caroline on her 3000 mile journey across the United States. Hastings first RAAM was in 2008 when she followed and documented Caroline in her cross continent adventure to create "Labour of Love" her first feature documentary. "Labour of Love" is currently on the film festival curcuit and has been nominated for several awards, including "Best Film of the Year" for Northern Ontario, and has been invited into film festivals with upcoming screenings in New York City, Toronto, and Ottawa. "Labour of Love" truly is an inspirational story of a two women living life, and making their dreams a reality. This year Hastings is back for her second RAAM to multi-task and support Caroline all the way from start to finish. This year she will play several roles: as her social media guru, photographer/videographer, navigator & driver, and supportive friend. All of which she is looking forward too.

Kalleen Whitford

Home, Cleburne TX. Mother of 3 Great sons and Grandma to 5 grandkids.Avid cyclist and cycling event planner. Annual events include Almost Austin to Damn Near Ft. Worth a 200 mile fun ride and The Texas Time Trials a 500 mile RAAM qualifier. RAAM credits, a 5 year veteran. Crewed solo rider 2005, 2 tandem team 2006, 2 person mixed team 2007, RAAM Official in 2008, Solo RAW 2010 and RAAM team Official 2010.

Greg Roloson, Mechanic, Navigation I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Greg Roloson, resident of Bracebridge, employed by Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop of Huntsville. Married to Wanda for 25 years , father of two sons Jeff and Ben. I have always been involved in mechanics my entire life, motorcycles, auto, tractors and finally the challenge and precision of bicycles. I was honored when asked by Caroline to accompany her and the team on this incredible journey. The past three years I have donated my mechanical services to the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, a cross-Canada bicycle ride in 15 days to raise money and awareness for kid's childhood cancer. To be part of Caroline's quest to be the first Canadian women to complete this RAAM race solo excites and intrigues. This journey for Caroline and the crew can be nothing short of life changing, I am looking forward to the challenges. I know it will be difficult. Life is so short, we have to enjoy the journey.

Name: Jure Licen
Town: Cerknica, Slovenia, Europe
Occupation: Policeman
Sports: cycling, hiking, running, climbing
Interest: music, art, sport
Achivements: DOS-RAS 2011 finisher
Expectations: I escorted Caroline on DOS-RAS 2009 and 2010 in Slovenia.
So the RAAM is a bit longer, but I know that we will safely lead Caroline to finish.

Raam-crewmember Alison Waddington

Alison Waddington: I live in Wasaga Beach Ontario, before that I lived in Huntsville for 13 years and that is where I met Caroline. I met Caroline working out at Andrew's gym, for a short time we worked out together. I crewed for Caroline on a couple of weekend races and really enjoyed it. I crewed on Caroline's first attempt at RAAM, it was a learning curve for everyone. I want to see Caroline successfully complete RAAM, I am ready to help Caroline to complete the race. For 12 days I will be fully focused on the challenges of the race and looking forward to the adventure.

Raam-crewmember Paul Pettyjohn

Hey Caroline Here is my pic. Here is a short bio:

Paul Pettyjohn; Age: 48y/o; Married to Trinka Pettyjohn together we have 5 children. Nationality: Canadian; Lives full time in Florida; Occupation: Occupational Therapist. RAAM crew veteran. Strong interests are Endurance Sport coaching, training, and consulting to atheletes and support crews, race strategist and analyst; white water and quiet water canoeing and kayaking, sailing, long distance sled dog racing, all forms of music and art, cabin building, green living. Orthopedic, Neurological, Pediatric, Lymphedema, specialist/provider in Occupational Therapy.

Hope this helps a bit. Thanks Paul

crewmember Nat Hastings

Name: Nat Hastings
Age: 22
Country: Canada
Work: Camp Consellor/Lifeguard/Swim Instructor
Hobbies: Knitting, Hula Hooping and cooking http://youtu.be/8mE4mFAdBPU (is a hula hoop video of me)
Reason: Its the most extreme race I've ever heard about and I love both challenges and adventures
Nice: I can be a good supporter, and can survive off little sleep!
Not Nice: I drool in my sleep sometimes

the Crew 2008:

Andrew Urban / trainer & mental coach

Andrew is THE trainer. He will do anything and everything to get Caroline to the finish line, even when he needs do be Caroline's feeder, yeller, back scratcher, ass wiper, mosquito chaser, Polish songs singer. His statements: "The Spartan way" and "Harder is Better .

Rory Smith / all rounder & driver

Rory lives in Baysville but he is born in Huntsville . His hobby's are traveling, mountain, road and BMX biking, wake boarding and wake skating, snowmobiling, ATVing, fishing and Swimming. Rory was also a member of the Van Den Bulk support crew in RAAM 2007. Rory is a RAAM vet and really enjoyed the trip last year and cant wait to help Caroline towards her goal. Caroline Go! Rory himself Biked the East Coast of Australia while Living there for 6 months. He is a carpenter and certified lifeguard.

Kirsty Williamson / all rounder & Wellness

Originally from Toronto , she has lived in Huntsville for 32 years. As a retired elementary school teacher, she enjoys working at Huntsville 's independent bookstore - The Bookcase, the Algonquin Theatre Box Office and working with students who are learning English As a Second Language.

She has bicycled all her life but, never competitively. However, she has walked the Camino with her son, an ancient 800km pilgrimage route across Spain, and so she looks forward to supporting Caroline in her Race Across America...... Not quite the same!!!!!

Fred van den Bulk / mechanic & logistics

Peter Birkner / Allrounder

Peter Birkner did with Andrew, Fred and Caroline in Equator during a vacation in November 2006. After that the both kept in contact and in Spring 2007 Caroline and her trainer Andrew went to Florida , were Peter is living for training. Also Peter and Andrew were over there Caroline's support crew for the Sebring 24 hrs race. Peter likes to travel, bicycle and kayak. Peter loves the warm sunny weather in Tampa , Fl

Virgina Hastings / Video

Virginia Hastings is the owner and operator of Starshine Video Productions, and will be joining the RAAM team this year to produce a feature length documentary of Caroline's journey throughout the
race, as well as life at home training in preparation for the race.

Virginia 's work has been highlighted in television programs and commercials for the Outdoor Life Network, Discovery Channel, Much Music, Women's Life Network, CTV and The New VR. From fashion
shows to fishing shows, Virginia and her projects have great diversity.

More about Virginia Hastings:
Starshine Video Productions
"Established, award winning company."
www.starshinevideoproductions.com

Marjolaine Dey / Crew Chief

Marjolaine Dey is an osteopath practising in Paris , France . She specialises in working on sportspeople, from football players to marathon runners, and ultra-cyclists!

She has been Crew Chief in RAAM '07 and crewed in the Tour Ultime in '07. She has also worked as an osteopath on events such as the Paris Marathon and the London Triathlon.
She enjoys running and playing football (soccer), as well as travelling and photography. She can speak French, English, German, some Spanish and working on her Dutch!

Marjoleine is looking forward to this year's RAAM, to meeting the team and working together to bring Caroline to the Annapolis in the best possible conditions.

Erich Leidums

Erich is a recent graduate of the Outdoor Adventure Diploma Program at Algonquin College . He is pursuing a professional guiding career in the Outdoor Industry and has just received a scholarship for a NOLS ( National Outdoor Leadership School ) expedition in the Yukon for the summer of 2008. Erich has a passion for travelling, skiing, white-water paddling, hiking and he is strong advocate for experiential and environmental education.

When it comes to biking, Erich has lots to learn as he has just recently become intrigued by bike touring. He plans on keeping an upbeat attitude helping out wherever he can to make this race a success. Erich said: "I am really excited in working with people from a variety of different backgrounds to support Caroline!"

"Winners do what losers do not do "