The 2010 Riders
Rider registration for the 2010 tour is now open.
Name: Gary Abrojena
Hometown: Antioch, CA
Profession: Business Owner, Certified Arborist
2nd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I have a passion for what I do, the care of trees and cycling!
You should ride this year because: If you enjoy cycling, this event could be an incredible experience for you. You get to know some great people, see some amazing places, all for a great cause - tree research!
Name: Salvador E. Alemany - Merly
Hometown: McAllen, TX
Profession: Urban Forester
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: As a forester and road bike enthusiast this event represents a unique opportunity to support tree research, education and create consciousness about trees, and the matchless experience to meet colleagues who share the same passion.
You should ride this year because: The search for knowledge is a never ending tour that we must support. Tree research and the tree industry are crucial partners and have an important role advancing and understanding the function that trees have in the urban setting. Individual participation in this event is the express way to contribute directly to the future of treeand the management of the urban forest.
Name: Doug Anderson
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Profession: Arborist
6th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I am passionate about cycling, raising money for tree research, and spending time every year with my TDT family!
You should ride this year because: It will enrich your life, get you outside more often, and support a great cause.
Name: Tom Armstrong
Hometown: The Plains, VA
Profession: N/A
9th 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: Steve Asplundh
Hometown: Willow Grove, PA
Profession: N/A
0th Tour des Trees
Riding Because:
Favorite Memory of Past Tours:
Name: Phil Baker
Hometown: Walkerton, Va.
Profession: N/A
12th Tour des Trees
Riding Because:
Favorite Memory of Past Tours:
Name: Jon Balkcom
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Profession: Utility Arborist
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: This is a great cause to support – the TREE Fund backs research and education towards an industry that I have a passion for and work in. Additionally, I enjoy cycling and this is a great physical challenge and goal to work towards.
Name: Harry Banker
Hometown: Lavallette, NJ
Profession: Retired
10th or 11th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: Hi-tech told me to, again. Favorite tour was the one Hi-tech didn't show up.
Name: Josh Behounek
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Profession: Urban Forester
2nd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: Why not?
You should ride this year because: Why not?
Name: B. Scott Bennett
Hometown: Fort Wayne. IN
Profession: Utility Forester
1st: Tour des Trees
Riding Because: Its close to home, and relatively flat!!!
Name: Beth Buchanan
Hometown: Mantua, OH
Profession: Consulting Arborist
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I’m not getting any younger and funding for tree research is an absolute must!
Name: Greg Cadieux
Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
Profession: Senior Account Manager, Plastic Sales, Osterman & Co.
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I’m riding the Tour des Trees because it’s for an excellent cause and it’s a true personal challenge.
You should ride the Tour this year because: It’s a great way to meet people and everyone should get involved in helping organizations like this.
Name:Jeffrey M. Carney
Hometown: Enfield, NH
Profession: Utility Forester .
7th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: To continue to spread the word and support research and the mission of the TREE Fund...it's also a heck of a lot of hard work but good fun riding the Tour.
Favorite Memory of Past Tours: The 2009 Stihl Tour des Trees representing New England, the host Chapter and National Grid, the first Crown Sponsor of the Tour!
You should ride the Tour this year because: For the health and vitality of our urban and community forests we need your help and there is strength in numbers.
Name: Brandon Collier
Hometown:
Profession:
Riding Because:
Favorite Memory of Past Tours:
You should ride the Tour this year because:
Name: Logan Collier
Hometown:
Profession:
Riding Because:
Favorite Memory of Past Tours:
You should ride the Tour this year because:
Name: Terrill Collier
Hometown: West Linn Oregon
Profession: Arborist, Owner of Collier Arbor Care
6th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I’m riding for the Trees, riding with my two sons, and to help me beat cancer.
You should ride the Tour this year because: The Tour des Trees Family of riders are the best on the Planet; we are passionate about trees, we have fun cycling, it’s the best week of the year being with my Tour buddies.
Name: Mike Connick
Hometown: Epsom, Surrey, England
Profession: I manage my own tree care company.
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: It has been a long term aim to complete the full tour.
You should ride the Tour this year because: They told me it’s all down hill.
Additional items of interest about: You can’t beat a bit of British mud. Looks like I need some lycra and one of those bikes with skinny wheels for this one?My company operates in London and the south east of England. Our clients range from Royal Parks and English Heritage, to local authority and commercial clients, to domestic. My training and/or fundraising strategies. Bill Hill of Box Hill is my training manager
Name: Doreen Crenshaw
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Profession: Accountant, The Broadbent Company
3rd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: It will be the highlight of my year doing something I love while promoting tree care and research.
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.
You should ride the Tour this year because: The more the merrier!
Name: Stuart Crow
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Profession: N/A
10th 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 in Forestry. Louisiana State University
5th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I’m riding this year because: Because I can, and I, too, miss Warren!
You should ride the Tour this year because: It is the most fun you can have on two wheels, or off, for that matter. Good people, good fun, lots of laughter and camaraderie, and all for a great cause.
Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Having Thom Kraack bandage my blistered backside after a day spent riding under the deceptively strong central California sun.
Name: Chuck Dykes
Hometown: South Bend, IN
Profession: Utility Forester, ArborMetrics Solutions
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I’ve been struggling with finding the time and resources to ride for the past few years and lucked out with the tour being so close. Looking forward to miles and miles of corn and beans.
You should ride the Tour this year because:It’s a great way to raise awareness for our urban forests and burn off some of that summer BBQ.
Name: Doug Drysdale
Hometown: Wauwatosa, WI
Profession: Testing software
5th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: Last year this really cool guy from CA offered a course on how to drink from a 'rooster tail' on our ride into Springfield, MA. Can't wait to see what they offer this year!
You should ride the Tour this year because: This is better than Christmas with the family!
Name: Steve Geist
Hometown: Aurora, CO
Profession: Plant Pathologist, Swingle Lawn Tree and Landscape Care
13th 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 and Writer
7th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I love the companions, believe in the cause, and enjoy the challenge. My training is haphazard at best, with a lot of it devoted to spinning classes when I don't have time to spend on long rides, but cycling outdoors is my reward for working hard.
Favorite Memory of Past Tours: This will be the sixth Tour that I will photograph for the TREE Fund. Images of the past few years can be seen on my website.
You should ride the Tour this year because: Everyone who believes in trees, needs a challenge, and enjoys the company of people who care deeply about life should participate in the Tour; if I can do it, anyone can do it!
My fundraising strategy has always been on a very personal basis with the request that contributions come back to me. Therefore each solicitee must respond to me directly rather than to the internet (my donation link above will open an email to me). It costs the same amount of effort to solicit a $5,000 gift as a $500 gift as a $50 gift, therefore...think big, make the cause important!
Name: Phil Graham
Hometown: Vernon BC, Canada
Profession: Utility Arborist
6th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: The voices in my head keep saying "Ride Phil, ride. Ride for the trees."
You should ride the Tour this year because: It is the biggest collection of people who are passionate about two of our favourite things – trees and bikes. Once you get caught up in it all, you’ll come back for more.
Name: Randy Hopp
Hometown: Modesto, CA
Profession: Certified Arborist & Estimator for Grover Landscape Services
2nd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I like to ride, the people are great, and
I appreciate what the TREE Fund does for our industry.
You should ride the Tour this year because: Riding is fun, even if you can't ride all the miles, the people on the tour are great and the TREE Fund needs your support so they can continue to contribute to the tree care industry.
Name: Warren Hoselton
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Profession: Parks Supervisor – Toronto Island
8th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: It prepares me for the Acorns of Hope!!
You should ride the Tour this year because: You won’t meet a nicer bunch of tree nuts and assorted enthusiasts than the Tour des Tree Family. It’s the most wonderful time of the year !! We laugh, we cry, and plant trees!
Name: Jeff Iles
Hometown: Ames, IA
Profession: Professor and Chair, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University
3rd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: The route looks interesting, I enjoy the physical challenge, and the money raised goes for a very worthy cause.
You should ride the Tour this year because: It will be the best week of your summer!
Name: Kevin Jones
Hometown: Akron, OH
Profession: Utility Arborist, Business Development Manager, ACRT Inc.
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: This is a great opportunity to raise money for the most important research fund in the tree care industry….and I want to dominate the peloton.
You should ride the Tour this year because: It is a great cause and for the small talk. I am sure we can figure out something worthwhile over 500 miles.
Name: Courtney Kilgore
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Profession: Certified Arborist; Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service for North American Training Solutions
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: Riding in the Tour Des Trees has been a goal of mine for some time and I made it my 2010 New Year’s Resolution! I am thrilled to have found this FUN activity and/or sport… only wish I had made that resolution sooner!! I am so happy to ride my bicycle to help the TREE Fund educate our communities and reach goals as well!!
Name: John F. Kirchner
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Profession: City Forester
3rd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I’ve enjoyed the past tours and find riding for trees a great adventure to promote trees and cycling. Just another way of telling everyone about this great city of Chicago.
Name: Andrew F. Kittsley
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Profession: Urban Forester, City of Orlando
14th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: The Network can’t track me.
Favorite Memory of Past Tours: The beer at the end of the day's ride.
Name: Dave Leonard
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Profession: Consulting Arborist
15th 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: Joe Lentz
Hometown: Easton, PA
Profession: Utility Vegetation Management Specialist
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I’m an avid rider and have been asked by many in the industry over the years
Name: Darylin Lowe
Hometown: Pine Mills, TX
Profession: N/A
2nd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: This is what i do now, the 3rd week in July. It would be like missing christmas with my family.
You should ride the Tour this year because: You will have the best time ever and really help a worthy cause, and have the best time ever!
Name: Marian Makar
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
8th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: Riding with my TREE buds brings me to my “Happy Place”.
You should ride the Tour this year because: It’s here that I have met and ridden alongside a bunch of wonderful people and have established lifelong friendships.
Name: Dick Maloney
Hometown: Liberty Corner, NJ
Profession: Arborist
10th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I love bikes and trees.
Name:Jack McCabe
Hometown: Atascadero, CA
Profession: Urban and Utility Forestry Consultant, Regional Operations Manager for the Davey Resource Group
3rd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: People, trees and bikes… it just doesn’t get better than that!
You should ride the Tour this year because: You know that you really want to; and all your reasons not to ride will seem unimportant five years from now. So why not just go ahead and commit? You will not regret it.
Name: Thomas K. Ordway
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Profession: Forester
7th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I’m riding this year because: I love the event and it’s my way to give back. I need to make sure Parker shows up and Wild doesn’t…well, you know.
You should ride the Tour this year because: It’s in Chicago.
Name: Jeff Picher
Hometown: Branchville, NJ
Profession: Arborist/Sales Rep for Bartlett Tree Experts, Denville, NJ
2nd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I'm riding again because the TDT is a great group of people with common interests in trees, cycling and working together to raise funds towards the future of Americas trees and educating our future Arborists. There is no better way to see this country than riding a bicycle through back roads and small towns. As 60-80 uniformed riders enter a small village, its nice to see the surprised expressions on the residents faces and to wave back at them
As an avid hiker, skier and cyclist, I've been training 3-4 days a week riding the hilly terrain of Sussex County, NJ.
Favorite Memories from Last Tour: Climbing those Ct hills with Stuart Crow, seeing old college buddy Larry Hettinger in Boston, and getting massages at the end of every day.
Name: Steve Parker
Hometown: Towson, MD
Profession: Superintendent of Operation, Howard County Bureau of Highways
6th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I love to feel the wind on my shaved legs.
Favorite Memory of Past Tours: Riding with Bob Thibodeaux from La. and discussing dirt.
You should ride the Tour this year because: You will never find a group of guys and gals who are so passionate about trees, the environment, our mother earth and biking. And if you do it once you are going to come back, TDT will become your extended family as it has me. And no I don’t shave my legs but it got your attention. You do not have to be an experience bike rider to join us. When I decided to ride my first tour I did not own a bike, I went and bought a cheap bike and trained for six months before my first ride over the mountains on Pennsylvania. Come ride with me sometimes I’m in the middle, but most of the time I’m riding in the back with my friends, if we see a ice cream parlor, or a water fall we stop and enjoy. We are not the first to the hotel each night but it is hard to find a group having more fun.
Name: Frazer Pehmoeller
Hometown: Poughquag, NY
Profession: Certified Arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts
2nd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I love trees, I believe in The TREE Fund, and riding keeps me healthy, what more could you ask.... .
You should ride the Tour this year because:I understand the wind might be tough in the "windy City" and drafting behind me I have been told is like going on vacation.
Name: Pam Pinkley
Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
Profession: Management Team Member, Interstate Batteries of Fox River Valley, Inc.
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: For me, it all started in October of 2009 when I rekindled a friendship with two old high school friends after 24 years and we all discovered life is too short to be ignoring our “Bucket Lists”. The three of us, Mark Younger, Greg Cadieux and I, decided we should combine our common interests of TREES and CYCLING to form a team and put it to good use. We’re calling ourselves “THE TREE AMIGOS”. We’re determined to get in shape, have fun and promote funding for The Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund. This ride will be a 1st for all three of us and we’re completely committed!!!
You should ride the Tour this year because: This is a BIG DEAL! Think of the accomplishment of 500 miles and The Tree Fund is a great cause!
Name: Dick Rideout
Hometown: Madison, WI
Profession: State Urban Forestry Coordinator and part-time hood ornament
8th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: To honor all my Tour des Trees family who are helping me in so many ways to recover from being hit by an SUV and who have inspired me to get back on my bike and ride, ride, ride! No way I'm letting you down!
You should ride the Tour this year because: I'll need all the draft I can get on that Illinois prairie!
Name: Don Roppolo
Hometown: Pleasant Prairie, WI
Profession: Arborist
6th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: It is a great opportunity to further the understanding and education of safe and proper tree care.
You should ride the Tour this year because: You can help save lives and develop careers. It is also a lot of fun and you’ll make some great friends along the road!
Name: Peter Roy
Hometown: S. Paris, ME
Profession: Utility Manager for Lucas Tree Experts
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I‘m up for the challenge.
You should ride the Tour this year because: It’s a great cause and you’ll see new country.
Name: John Saylor
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Profession: Municipal Arborist
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I wanted to do it for years and 2) wanted to advance urban forestry for the current and future generations.
You should ride the Tour this year because: Everyone needs a bike-cation.
Name: Paul Sellers
Hometown: Falmouth MA
Profession: Senior Arborist – NSTAR Electric
2ndTour des Trees
Riding Because: My 1st tour ride was a tremendous experience and I couldn’t wait to be part of the effort again.
You should ride the Tour this year because: Great people, great fun and a great cause.
Name: Jim Skiera
Hometown: Mahomet, IL
Profession: Executive Director International Society of Arboriculture
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I want to help save lives and raise awareness about the benefits of trees and tree care to improve the quality of life in our communities. I am riding for the TREE Fund to raise funds for the Safe Arborist Techniques Fund to support research and education to improve working conditions for arborists in the field and the Bob Skiera Memorial Fund to build bridges through education of other professionals like developers, engineers, planners, and policy makers so they understand the benefits of trees and the return on investment of proper urban forest management and tree care.
You should ride the Tour this year because: Your support of the TREE Fund helps improve the urban forest, creates a safer work environment for arborists and improves the quality of life in our communities. Along the way you will meet and interact, even drink beer with, some amazing people interested in doing the same. Together we can make the world a better place, one tree at a time.
Name: Ben Tresselt
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Profession: Owner, Arborist Enterprises
2nd Tour des Trees
Riding Because: I was very fortunate last year to receive many generous donations on my behalf for riding in the Tour des Trees last year, I would like to meet and/or exceed that amount again this year to help continue to support the TREE Fund
You should ride the Tour this year because: Time waits for no man (or woman)
Name: Kristin Wild
Hometown: Lansdale, PA
Profession: Corporate Communications
11th Tour des Trees
Riding Because: : I love Chicago, I’ve got family in the area and I want to see if this part of the Midwest can be any less hot and humid than it was during the Tour in 2001 … :)
You should ride the Tour this year because: It’s a great cause, the people are really fun and interesting, the physical challenge is exciting and you just can’t beat experiencing the world at a bicycle pace, especially my ‘back of the pack’ pace!
Name: Mark Younger
Hometown: Barrington, IL
Profession: Arborist
1st Tour des Trees
Riding Because: The Tour des Trees is in my home state.
You should ride the Tour this year because: Great group of people riding together to benefit the Tree Fund, which supports tree research and ultimately the improved care of trees.
