New Page 1

MEET THE STAFF

For ABB's 2005 Ride the East

Office Personnel

President: Douglas Torosian

Has had a love of long distance cycling from a very young age.
First rode cross country self contained in 1982. And in the last 23 years has helped 1000’s of cyclists achieve their goal of riding across the United States.
AbB was founded by cyclists for cyclists as a full service long distance touring alternative for bicyclists who want to cycle across the USA. “Our philosophy is to create a level of support for our cyclists that includes; great routes, motel lodging, meals, friendly experienced cycling staff, compressive mechanical and sag support, luggage transportation, daily maps and cue sheets, etc., allowing you the cyclist to ride your bike at your own pace and truly see America from the seat of your bicycle. No worries, ride your bike!” We continually update our current tours to find the best roads, lodging, logistics, etc. while continuing to develop new and interesting events to give cyclists a real choice of touring options to see this great country. We hope to see you ride with us someday.

Associate Director of Operations:
Bill Lannon

Came to ABB in 2001. The voice on the other end of the line. Responsible for marketing, advertising, and all materials sent out to the riders. Coordinates motels, meals, and other tour logistics.

Office Manager: Karen Bagshaw

Been with the organization since '93. Responsible for accounting and creating all documentation that leaves the office. Not to be confused with Karen Bauer.

On Road Personnel


Mike Munk, Tour Leader/Mechanic Age: 57 Married: (To Barbara) Home: Prattville, Alabama (Transplanted Yankee...originally from Indiana) Occupation: Retired Air Force Navigator, Cross Country Bicycle Ride Leader, Bicycle Mechanic Experience: Cycling since 1989 Bike: Custom Roark Titanium Favorite Quote: "Your worst day on a bicycle is better than your best day at the office." Second favorite quote: "Put the hammer down, you can rest tomorrow!" Third favorite quote: "Life's too short to ride in the small ring." Experience: First rode across the country as staff with Cycle America in 1996 upon retiring from the Air Force. First rode with ABB in '97 and began serving as head mechanic and leading ABB tours in '98. Has crossed the US 24 times and has led a total of 29 tours with ABB as of 1 Jan 2005. Started riding in 1989 at 42 years old and started racing at 45. Since '89, has amassed over 125,000 miles and has medaled at district, regional, and national levels in Armed Forces Masters, USCF Masters, and Senior Olympics competitions. Training includes: LABs Effective Cycling Instructor Certification, United Bicycle Institute's Bicycle Mechanic Certification, and is a Walden School of Cycling graduate. Four time National Senior Olympics Gold medalist; currently, the 5K time trial Bronze Medalist (55-59 age group). Holder of the 50-54 National Senior Olympics record for the 5K time trial (6:29/29.0 MPH at Orlando FL, '99) Although cycling is a passion, other interests include golf, traveling, meeting new people, and playing with this web site.	Barbara Munk--Assistant Ride Leader; Lodging, Food, and Finance Coordinator; MOM Age: 54 Married: To Mikie Home: Prattville, Alabama Occupation: Keeping Mike out of trouble is her full time job, but her grandkids (4) call her "Super Nena!" Favorite Quote: "Being happy is a personal responsibility." Heard saying to a motel desk clerk: "Do you want to talk to the man in charge, or the woman who knows what's going on?" Experience: Barbara began supporting bicycle tours so she could see Mike in the summer time. After he returned from his third summer on the road while she stayed home, she told him if he went again, he had to take her or stay home himself. She has been a wonderful addition to the ABB staff as she comes to us with 6 years experience supporting and developing bike tours. Her basic duties include taking care of the luggage, meals, motels, and general support of the riders (but mostly, as said before, she spends most of her time keeping Mike in check). You'll see her smiling face at the SAG stops and while preparing lunches on the road. She spends most of her time, when away from bicycle tours, being the perfect mother to her two daughters (Krystal 33 and Niki 30) and grandma to her 4 grandkids Michael (8), Noah (5), Annaleise (2), and new granddaughter, Rebekah Joy (1). She enjoys reading, working in the yard, travel, movies, and her grandkids (and keeping Mike out of trouble).
Name: Bob and Lee Evans, SAG and on road support Age: 66 Occupation: Mini walking-and-cycling tour operators Hometown: Burlington, MA Favorite Quote: "I thought of it while riding a bike", Albert Einstein on the Theory of Relativity Both Lee and Bob harbor, in the distant mist of their pasts, decades of bicycle racing, a preoccupation at which Lee was by far the more successful, having won sixteen National and two World Championships. Her most recent racing exploit was sweeping all four events in her age group at the 2005 National Senior Games. The Evans retired four years ago from being an engineer (Bob) and a recreation director (Lee) to become the proprietors of Get Up'N Go Adventures, a micro-business they conceived to keep them outdoors in all four seasons. GUNGA's specialty is short (two hour long) walks and on-and-off road bike rides which show its clients a view of Boston's suburbs "never seen from the inside of an SUV." In their spare time the Evans have crewed Across America North (2003) and led Maine Foliage Tours (2004) for AbB.	Shane O'Leary – Support Staff Age: 52 Married: (Kathi) Home: Spencerport NY Experience: cycling since the mid 80’ Motor Cycles since the early 70’s Bike: Roark Custom TI Occupation: Retired (2005) from Kodak, 32+ yrs. of service Favorite Quotes: - “I’m 5 miles out with a tail wind” – phone call from Kathi - “Look where you want to go, not where you don’t” - “Ride hard or ride home alone” - Wed. night Furman ride mantra Happiest: when spending time with granddaughter when on 2 wheels Some Cycling Highlights 2005 Around Lake Erie, 656 miles, 7 days, w/Jack 66yr. old friend 2004 Niagara River to Troy NY, Erie Canal w/Kathi, 8 days, 413 miles, 35 locks 2003 Fast Ride America – Irvine Ca. to Boston, 32 days, 3448 miles 2002 Around Lake Ontario, 516 miles, 4.5 days, w/Jack 1991 France, 115 miles including Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, L’Alpe d’Huez 1989 Double Century, 204 miles, to celebrate Jack’s 50 birthday
Name: Jim Benson, Mechanic Hometown: Lincoln VT Jim has over 20 years of tour experience in the US, New Zealand, and France. During the winter months, he maintains the Nordic ski trails for Middlebury College and loves to teach young kids how to ski. This is his second tour with ABB. He just came off the Cross Country Challenge before joining our crew for the East Ride. If bikes need TLC, Jim's your man. Favorite Quote: You break 'em, I fix'em.