Meet...The Gurlz.

NARELLE COUPER

Narelle, a 26-year-old adventure seeking Australian, first discovered the thrill of cycle touring while working as an outdoor guide the U.S.A. An outdoor girl at heart and an outdoor educator professionally, Narelle spends her spare time in search of interesting places to live and work around the globe and for amazing people to join her on her adventures. Aside from travel, Narelle's other passions are: the environment, playing in the dirt and getting dirty, and most of all caramel ice cream!

Narelle is currently volunteering as an eco tour guide through quetzaltrekkers in Guatemala: an amazing non-profit helping children at risk on the streets in Quetzaltango. The 2-6 day treks lead by committed volunteer guides generate enough funds to support a school and mission for the children, giving them opportunities they would not have otherwise. Her volunteer day job? ...Guiding tours up active volcanoes. Now that's HOT!

Looking Forward to: "I'm mostly looking forward to the opportunity to give water to those desperately in need as well as meeting all the amazing people we will encounter along the way."

Anticipated Challenges: "The headwinds for sure. Like most cyclists, I don't enjoy them and would opt for a large uphill any day, because at least you know when the suffering will be over."

Why Ride and Why Water? "Cycling is the most ideal pace and mode to explore our world plus the downhills are effortless. As for why water, well as people we are 90 percent water and none of us can live with out it. We all deserve access to safe drinking water."

KATHRYN SKELLEY-WATTS

Biking has always been Kathryn Skelley-Watt's favorite mode of transportation. From biking around the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio as a kid to leading a 1200-mile bike tour, Kathryn's bicycle (different than pictured here) has taken her far and she has always dreamed of it taking her clear across the country. For a living, Kathryn works as a self-employed landscaper in Asheville, NC, and she is currently contributing her leadership and skills to the programs at Warren Wilson College, her alma mater. While she is not playing in the dirt or riding her bike, Kathryn plays on the Blue Ridge Rollergirls, the local all-female roller derby team that supports many local non-profits in the Asheville area. She also enjoys making things from collages to carvings and spending quality time with her turtle Lightning.

Kathryn is mostly looking forward to: "Getting lost and laughing my face off with my dear friends Carmen and Narelle."

...Hopefully, she does not mean too,too lost!

CARMEN PETERSON

Carmen’s love of nature, adventure, and helping others began at an early age when she believed that the next best thing to climbing trees, running through wheat fields, and never exhausting her creative imagination was to grow up to be a “guardian angel.” In many ways, she has been aiming for that. From working with teens at Summit Achievement and assisting children with autism and developmental disabilities to pursuing studies in massage therapy and the healing arts, she continues to strive to improve and enrich the lives of others. These life passions have brought her to work, study, and volunteer in many amazingly beautiful places, such as the White Mountains of New England, the Redwood Forests of Northern California, the magificent Great Lakes, and the tropical beaches of southern Brazil. Some of her favorite things include: road trips, thunderstorms, and bugs… especially dragonflies!

Looking Forward to: "I am most looking forward to knowing we’ve helped people through the priceless gift of clean and safe drinking water. That... and developing a monster appetite from so much biking!"

Anticipated Challenges: "Headwinds, sun exposure… and ridiculous biker tan lines." :o)

Why Ride and Why Water? "Riding a bike is the most joyful of all my activities; it’s the closest feeling to flying I know. It’s also one of the best ways to experience any region or culture, because you really feel the elements and the terrain, notice the glimpses of beauty that would otherwise fly by in a car, and you meet a lot of people on a real and personal level who become intrigued and inspired by what you’re doing. Why Water? …Water is the most precious, most valuable resource the world! Our livelihood revolves around this element, and for some, clean water is not accessible... but it can be! So, I'm doing something to bring that into reality."
　

Narelle, Kathryn and Carmen owe their "Connection Thanks" to a very special place on the shores of Lake Michigan... The American Youth Foundation Camp Miniwanca where the focus is to strive for one's personal best, live a balanced life, and do good works through service to others. Each has been a leader of the summer camp's Odyssey trip, a 1,100-mile self-guided bike tour between Miniwanca in western Michigan and their sister camp Merrowvista in New Hampshire. Together they share more than 15 years combined AYF leadership participation. That's a lot of council circles, even more amazing sunset over Lake Michigan, and most importantly... that's a lot of youth served through their involvement!

On the many miles ahead, may they continue to

"serve humbly and adventure daringly."

Biking adventures, anyone?
Uno, Dos,...mmmm, Tres!