MEET US.
Jade Thomas - Missoula, MT
Hi! I’m Jade – I’m 17 years old. I am from Missoula, Montana. Making the journey across the country on something that isn’t powered by gas has been a dream for me since the tyke days, so I am beyond excited to shape my summer around this journey. My obsession with cycling developed with the participation in several triathlons back home each summer. My valiant bicycle’s name is Thor, and he’s one heck of a loyal prince. Fun Fact about me: I’m obsessed with socks.
Jacob Witt - Boxborough, MA
Hey- I'm Jacob - I’ve grown up and lived in Massachusetts my entire life before coming to St. Paul’s School. Until about two years ago, biking was simply a means to get somewhere without having to ask for a ride. This all changed when I started riding in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge. This ride is a 192 mile, 2 day bike ride to raise money for cancer. This past summer was my second year riding, and I’ve raised upwards of $8,000 for cancer between my two rides. When I heard about the SPS Cyclists team, I knew this was something I wanted to do. I’m really excited about the ride and the group, and I can’t wait to ride for our veterans.
Reid Noch - Naples, FL
I grew up loving cross country running, but never thought I would have the chance to actually go across country. Being able to bike from coast to coast with seven of my closest friends, while helping veterans is an life changing opportunity that I cannot wait to experience.
Jamie Marshman - Darien, CT
Hi- I'm Jamie. I am 17 years old and from Darien, Connecticut. To be honest, I never really thought about devoting my summer to riding across the country until this past summer. I have grown up watching my dad participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge and various other rides. When I heard about this opportunity earlier this year, I became fixated on completing the ride. I have always been interested in exploring our beautiful country and there's no better way to do this than on a bike. I know that this will be a challenge for all of us, and I know we will all grow closer as a group while riding for our veterans. Thank you for all your support!
Gabby Spurzem - Missoula, MT
Hi! I'm Gabby. I am a Sophomore from Missoula, Montana. Growing up in Montana, biking and all sorts of other outdoor activities were always part of my daily life. However, biking across the country was not something I had ever considered doing until I came to SPS. When I saw how awesome this trip was for the last group that went, I knew that this was something that I wanted to do. I know this will be difficult, but I am excited to overcome these challenges with our group for a great cause.
Oliver Van Everen - Whitefish, MT
Hi- I’m Oliver. I am from Whitefish, Montana. Since a young age, I have always loved spending time outdoors, either playing sports or going for a hike. I can hardly fathom what biking across the country will entail, but I am excited and ready for whatever will be thrown at us. I always like to remember at a whopping 5' 8", “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.”
Mary Elmore DeMott - Montgomery, AL
Hi! I’m Mary Elmore. Growing up in Alabama, where snow is all but nonexistent and knowing how to ski is relatively useless in the “winter,” I learned how to ride a bike at a young age, evolving from my tiny pink princess bike to the road bike with pink bar tape that I’ve named Princess. This epic journey is an amazing opportunity for us to “learn the contours of a country best,” as Ernest Hemingway once said, since we will “have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.” Better still is the chance to show appreciation for our veterans and the work that Ride 2 Recovery does for those who’ve done so much for us. I look forward to the road ahead.
Webster Thompson - New York, NY
Salutations, I'm Webster and I'm from New York City. Being from the big city, I'm not used to the open road and large fields to be encountered when trekking across the country. My brother was one of the cyclists in the past, and he inspired me to do this trip and follow in his footsteps - or bike tracks. From his trip, I also learned a lot about Ride 2 Recovery, a charity whose mission that I wholeheartedly support. Though this trip is going to be difficult, I believe it will be an unforgettable experience, helping veterans through our work. As so famously stated by Freddie Mercury, "Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle! I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle!"