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P.O. Box 980214 Richmond, Virginia 23298
Benefits the James D. Popp Student Research Fund at
Charley is a second-year medical student at Virginia Commonwealth University and an avid cyclist. A Masters project consumed his two summers prior to his TransAmerica Tour. Although he did some bike racing in college, he had never participated in a multi-day trip. In addition to the joy of cycling, Charley is pleased to know that the James D. Popp Memorial Scholarship will allow other medical students to experience the research world and appreciate its contribution to clinical medicine. Having been involved in research, both as an undergraduate and graduate student, he knows how beneficial this will be.
Larry Bickford is a bicycle enthusiast from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania who joined the 2009 TransAmerica Tour. He is a chemical engineer who is employed at the US Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Mr. Bickford is married to Anna Parlett-Bickford and they have two daughters, Abigail and Elisa.
Jack is a professor of Anatomy at the Medical College of Virginia. So not only has he performed research in immunology for nearly forty years but he is also an avid squash player and cyclist. He began cycling three years ago and has now completed the Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) twice, the Ride Across Virginia three times, and the Ride Across Ohio twice.
Hungry for new adventure, Dr. Haar ordered a rack and a set of touring bags for the first TransAmerica Tour. This had been a life-long dream of his, and the underlying mission served as great motivation for him and the rest of the team.
Philip was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the first Ride For Jim in the summer of 2008. He established the original web site, did fund raising and provided support for his father, Jack along the entire TransAmerica route. He began his cycling career at age five when he received his first two-wheeler as a birthday present and learned to ride it in about five minutes. In high school he played soccer, ran cross-country and track, wrestled and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
In 1996 he graduated from Cornell University in electrical engineering and then was an Air Force pilot for 10 years. In the summer of 2006 he left the Air Force and he and his father did the annual bike ride across Iowa before he returned to Cornell for his MBA degree. The summer after completing his MBA he intended to ride with his father across America but an injury early on in the ride prevented him from doing so. Instead he provided support for his father along the entire route. Philip now works for Accenture in supply chain management.
Doug Gardner jumped at the Ride for Jim opportunity when he learned of the tribute Dr. Jack Haar arranged for his old college roommate. Doug is a pediatrician, and was also a fraternity brother, and study partner with Jim Popp throughout college. He is excited to make the Ride for Jim this summer, accompanied by his son Jordan(18). He hopes the relationships built and strengthened on this tour will honor Jim, and that the funds raised will ultimately help win the fight against cancer!
Howard Smith is a local Farmer from Richmond, VA whose interests include bike riding and football. He heard about Ride for Jim through one of his role models; Jack Haar, and he has thought about making the TransAmerica Tour every time he rides with his friends. This summer he will have the opportunity to test what he considers one of his biggest challenges: riding every day! Howard will be motivated in remembrance of his good friend Danny Bailey who passed away from cancer. He welcomes the challenge and looks forward to making a difference for others.
Jordan Gardner graduates from Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon in June 2010, and hopes to enroll at the University of Utah in the fall where he hopes to study engineering. He is an avid scuba diver, lacrosse player, and he expects to be awarded his Eagle Scout award this summer. He joins his father, Doug as a novice to bicycle touring, but is also excited about the challenge, the fellowship, and the opportunity to help others with this adventure.
Karen has been a cyclist for decades but her interest in touring is new. She has completed several short tours and in 2009 rode down the pacific coast from Seattle to San Diego. This summer's tour will be her first from coast to coast. Karen is riding east from California and will join the "Ride For Jim" in Pueblo, Colorado, where she plans to stay with the group to Virginia, or until her lungs explode from the blistering pace set by ride leader Doug. When not riding, Karen teaches drafting and printed circuit board design at a community college in California.
Alex Weisbach is a husband, middle school teacher, cancer survivor, and cyclist. He heard of Ride for Jim through Adventure Cycling while organizing plans to ride the TransAmerican trail. Although he and his wife have taken a bike tour through Italy, his background is primarily running and mountain biking. As a survivor, Alex recognizes the all-encompassing nature of this relentless disease. He looks forward to riding for Jim and hopefully doing some good for his community along the way.