THE VAGABONDS!

ISRAEL VALDES (AKA:  PAPA IZ)

Israel Valdes is an MTSU graduate  and part time geographer/barista/dreamer. His interests lie in  the outdoors, riding all sorts of bikes, climbing rocks, growing foods as well as exploring new foods and places. Born in Mexico city yet raised in the heart of Tennessee has infected him with a serious addiction for meeting new people and cultures. Proud of his Mexican-American background, he hopes to learn the cultural patch work that makes America great while riding across the U.S. 

Like his team-mates, Israel has had the opportunity to allow his love for cycling take him down avenues he'd never expected. Over the years he has worked at small cycling programs, been a part of local cycling groups (MFBN,) and ridden RAGBRAI, among other ventures. While riding his bike(s) makes him oh-so-jolly, getting his friends and others unto cycling is his ultimate true love! Israel also a big coffee lover, flexible vegetarian, amateur cook and urban farmer. On the other hand, Izzy severely dislikes the smell of honey, close-mindedness, cartilage, flimsy TP and V8 juice.

To make a short story long, Israel is incredibly stoked to be able to embark upon this amazing journey with his world class vagabonds Natalee and Jordan (aka. Sloppy Joe.) Terrified and excited beyond belief he is ready to welcome the dharmic experiences the TRANSAM may bring to the team. With the support of his incredible family, amazing girlfriend, outlandish friends and Ride for Reading; Israel and the vagabonds will make the great cross once and for all!!!

NATALEE LEWIS (AKA: SNATTY)

Natalee Lewis is a Murfreesboro native with a love for activities and a knack for thrifting. She is currently a Nutrition and Food Science major in the Pre-Physical Therapy program at MTSU. Most of her time outside of school work is spent traveling or working..or traveling while working. She works in a few differently positions at MTSU’s Rec Center; most recently as a yoga instructor, but also as a bike mechanic for the newly developed bike program and mostly as a trip leader for Middle Tennessee Outdoor Pursuits (MTOP) where she takes students and other participants backpacking, climbing, and caving. She is also an avid runner, having completed several half marathons. So with her love for traveling, adventures and being active, she cannot be more excited to bring all of these things together in one big venture across the country..on a bicycle.

Natalee has many hobbies but she is more passionate about sharing them with others. While not even close to being considered a guru yogi or rock climber, she enjoys introducing people to these activities for the first time and encouraging them to continue on. She is especially passionate about doing so with kids, where she feels like she can make the biggest impact. She has enjoyed working summer Adventure Camps through the Rec Center and aspires to work as a physical therapist for pediatrics. For this reason, she is very excited to have the support of a local organization that promotes literacy and healthy living to children by delivering books via bicycle, Ride for Reading.

So as for the ride, Natalee is excited about sharing this bonding experience with long -time friend Israel, Big Papa Iz, or her hermano mayor; as well as her new friend Jordan who is apparently referred to as Sloppy Joe, and who will no doubt become a close friend also by the time they reach Yorktown, Virginia. She is also aware that the three will have MANY friends and family along for the ride in spirit, especially their friends from Ride for Reading as they spread the word about what they are doing across the entire country. ‘MURICA here we come!

JORDAN TAYLOR  (AKA: SLOPPY JOE)

Born and raised in middle Tennessee, Jordan Taylor has spent most of his recent time in or around the Appalachian Mountains backpacking, bouldering, climbing, boating, biking, and exploring. While schooling in music and biology has led him to shack up in Knoxville and Johnson City for a time, it has not led him to a degree or definitive goal quite yet. He likes to think that this is due to his need for inspiration and adventure! He has had the opportunity to partake in some excellent adventures with wonderful friends and this makes him feel quite fulfilled.

Some hobbies include disc golfing, strummin' some tunes on guitar, excessive beer tasting, and foosballing. He is a fan of the coffee bean as well and looks forward to learning Israel's trade secrets.Biking has taken Jordan to many superb places with some of the best people he has ever known. He is ecstatic about traversing across the great Rocky Mountains, ...fields of corn..., and the beautiful Appalachian Mountains! Here's to new and renewed friendships (Nat and Izz!) and soul invigorating escapades! We bikin' cross muricuuurrraa!!!