 Jim
Rees Cyclist
Having completed RAAM as a solo rider in 2007 & 2008,
there's only one reason Jim is returning! It's the same
reason every competitor goes back to have another go at the
same race! Deep down there is a belief that Jim can go
faster and that is what he is committed to do in 2009.
Jim's background is Ironman and having competed in
numerous Ironman events including Hawaii, Japan, New
Zealand, Germany & the UK, Jim took on the challenge of RAAM
and captained a 4 man team in 2005 finishing a credible 4th
overall. Jim runs his own successful Leadership business,
he's an author, keynote speaker and a parent to 6 kids. To
visit Jim's business web site please go to
Ripple Leadership.
He has a passionate belief that we are all Built for
Greatness and he's doing everything he can to prove it.
 Robin
Born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula, I've been looking
for adventure my whole life. I have had the pleasure of
crewing for Kerry White during her 2007 solo RAAM, as well
as the Team Inspiration 4 woman team during RAAM 2008. I
wrench for ultramarathon cyclist Chuck Martin when the need
arises, as it did in Texas this summer during the Texas Time
Trials, a 500 mile non-stop race. I was also fortunate
enough to spend the last two years of my life at the
world-renowned Bobcat Bicycles in Salinas, California.
During my time there I built and sold everything from
training wheels to $6000 mountain and road bikes, and had
the pleasure of fixing them as well.
I am an active photographer, instructional aide at El
Gabilan elementary school here in Salinas, and above all, a
cyclist. Fixed gear road and track, as well as single-speed
mountain riding have got me hooked. I am extremely looking
forward to flying under the banner of Team Inspiration for
the second year in a row, and doing everything in my power
to help Jim leave his mark on all 3,000 miles of this race.
 Quin
Having originally declined Jo's invitation to get involved
in RAAM 2008, Sarah and I decided to meet him half way. We
crewed for Jim & Jo on the "Bottoms Up, Lands End - John O
Groat’s trip, which was a real eye opener for us both!! Now
we're doing RAAM 2009 with Jim, which I'm looking forward to
with excitement and trepidation!!
I currently work for Roadchef on the M5 at Strensham and
have been involved in catering and hospitality most of my
working life, including 12 months on a cruise ship. So you
can imagine I love to travel, and I have even given up my
annual pilgrimage to Le Mans this year to do RAAM instead!!"
 Sarah
I am Sarah Speers, married to Quin, live in Worcester
and have 1 dog and 2 cats! I work for JCA Occupational
Psychologists and was inspired to be part of this year’s
RAAM crew after my colleague Jo Maddocks competed in last
year’s 4 man team. After last year’s RAAM Jo and Jim
completed the John O’Groats to Land End challenge and Quin
and I joined them as ‘crew’, we loved the experience and
decided the ultimate challenge was to get involved in RAAM
2009. I love travelling and this is the ultimate road trip,
it’s also a chance to push and develop myself, meet new
people and be part of something amazing all whilst raising
money for Wallace and Gromit’s Children’s Foundation.
 Lindsey
I was really flattered when Jim asked me if I would join him
on this years’ RAAM 2009.
I love to travel and have been lucky enough to do lots,
but have never travelled across America in a race situation
before! I believe it will be an unique, spiritual experience
of a lifetime, as one of physiological endurance for us all,
not to mention Jim of course!
I hope to do everything I can to make the journey as
enjoyable as possible for Jim and the rest of the team. As I
am a medical herbalist with nutrition and massage experience
I hope I have some skills to offer that may come in handy. I
will also represent Vitabiotics, who have sponsored this
year’s crew and Team Inspiration to make it possible!
 Kate
Hi, my name is Kate, and I'm originally from Lodi,
California (a very small town). I moved to Monterey from
school and recently graduated from CSU Monterey Bay with a
degree in Communications. Now that school is done I'm very
excited for the summer, and whatever it may bring. My
boyfriend Robin, also on the crew, talks about the RAAM
frequently and what a great experience it is; I've always
thought it sounded like a great adventure. When I talked to
Jim about a spot opening up on the team I was very excited
to be able to participate!
I currently work for an HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education
Centre, and have found a true passion for working with
people. I plan on getting certified to be a drug and
addiction counsellor. While at CSU Monterey Bay I worked for
a Student Leadership in Service Learning Program and it was
a great experience. I hope to bring everything I've learned
a long with me and help in any way I can. I can't wait!
 Martyn
I’ve always wanted to be involved in a large sporting
event, either as a participant or as part of a crew so when
Jim asked me to accompany the RAAM team this year I was
ecstatic! Unfortunately I have a hidden agenda to this,
having recently beaten Testicular cancer I want to provide
inspiration and drive to an already strong team through my
recent experience and renewed sense of living!
So more about me, I am 25 which I believe makes me the baby
of the group! I have been in the fitness industry for nearly
10 years covering Studio teaching, Fitness management and
Personal Training. I have trained a variety of sportsmen for
sports and events such as marathons, Triathlons, Rugby and
athletics but this is a new welcomed challenge for me but I
am hoping my skills and positive, perfectionist style
attitude will be an asset to this year’s team. Quitting is
not an option, this year will be a good year! LET’S GO!
 Kirsty
I am so excited to be joining Jim's 2009 RAAM crew! I
run an independent film and television production
company in Bristol, called Boxing Bear Films. We're
passionate about innovative and unique narratives which
carry important social messages. The film we produce,
featuring the experiences and journey of Jim and the
crew, will form a key part of the Sustran's 2010/11
'Bike It!' campaign. Jim's journey will be used to
inspire 89,000 children in 440 schools across England
and Wales to cycle to school. Playing a part in RAAM
2009 will be a challenge for me both professionally and
as an individual and I can't wait to get going!
www.boxingbearfilms.com
 Phil
I have been involved in sport throughout my life. After
graduating from the University of Birmingham with a
degree in Sports & Materials Science I began working at
realbuzz.com; the UK’s largest Health & Fitness website
with relationships with the some of the biggest sporting
events in the world, including: The Flora London
Marathon, The ING New York City Marathon and the BUPA
Great North Run.
I was an instrumental part of the team and after nearly
3 years there, I decided to focus on my own business and
drive within the health and fitness world.
I graduated from Premier
Training International with a Diploma in Personal
Training & Sports Massage Therapy and have been working
with clients achieve their goals ever since. I have
recently set up my own business – Fitness Aspirations
Ltd. ( www.fitness-aspirations.com)
I am also the running specialist for the Royal National
Lifeboat Institution, where I am currently looking after
over 250 runners in this year’s Flora London Marathon,
as well as their runners in the ING New York City
Marathon in November.
RAAM 2009 is an amazing opportunity and I feel
privileged to be part of this extraordinary physical and
mental challenge of the human body. I hope to bring my
knowledge and enthusiasm to Jim and the team!
 Kevin
I jumped at the chance to join this special team on this
fantastic adventure. I know it will be tough, crazily
tough, but that will make success so much the sweeter.
I hope to offer a backbone to the team - well I am the
team chiropractor!
I may be the old man of the party but I don’t think I’ll
be the Grumpy Old Man.
I am currently studying for my third degree having my
first in Business Studies, then chiropractic, I'm now
studying law. I don't find studying easy but it opens up
new pathways. The pathways we choose in life are unique.
They are the map of the “marks that we leave”. As we are
all "Built for Greatness" we owe it to ourselves to
explore those pathways.
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