Hey, it's a new feature on RIDEBACKWARDS.COM! The RIDE BACKWARDS Athlete Gallery page. Learn more about the firefighter athletes that RIDE BACKWARDS is proud to support, who they are, where they're from, and what events they are competing in.

This page is a work in progress. Stay tuned for more firefighter athletes, event information, and other content coming your way.

CHRIS CERCI

Chris has been a career firefighter for 10 years, and is currently on the job with the City of McKeesport, PA. He began competing in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in 2001 and had his best year in 2007, earning titles of Pennsylvania State Champion in two divisions and United States Grand National Champion in the 40 and over division. Entering the 2008 season with a current PR of 1:39, he hopes to finish in the top 3 at Nationals and top 5 at Worlds.

Chris is also sponsored by Northeast STIHL, CNP-Professional Sports Nutrition, and Crossfit Pittsburgh.

You can contact Chris Cerci via email at paraff_pit@yahoo.com

KEITH ASHBURY

Keith is a Captain with the Virginia Beach FD, where he's been on the job for eight years. He has competed in the Firefighter Combat Challenge since 2000, with two individual top 10 finishes in 2007. Keith was a five-year member of Team Stihl and is being sponsored this year by both Gold's Gym and RIDE BACKWARDS. When not hitting it hard at the gym, Keith spends time snowboarding, surfing, and mountain biking.

Together with Chris Cerci, they make up the RIDE BACKWARDS Tandem. We're proud to have them on Team RB, and wish them the best of success in 2008.

SUE J.

Sue has been an avid mountain biker for fifteen years. Her love of mountain biking began in college with the gorgeous trails in the area and her first race in 1993. Love at first sight, Sue continued racing the Wisconsin Off-Road Series (WORS) every possible weekend and added other races including the infamous Chequmegon Fat Tire Festival.

In 2003, she earned her professional NORBA license after pursuing the dream for a couple of years with the encouragement of a very good friend. Since then, Sue has found a new way to test her stamina with 24-hour mountain bike racing. Having the National Championship 24-hour race right in her own state (24-Hours of Wausau, Wisconsin) was an invitation she couldn't resist. First racing the 12-hour solo event in 2005, then tackling the whole 24 hours solo in 2006, she found her new niche. The following year brought yet another world of endurance events to light when Sue competed in her first ever Ironman Triathalon in Madison, WI. That same year, staying true to her mountain biking colors, she joined three other fantastic women racers for a four-person team to win the 2007 National Championship 24-Hour Team Title in Wausau.

All of this endurance training keeps Sue fit for her professional passion of firefighting. "Thanks, RIDE BACKWARDS, for the wonderful opportunity to represent you through my professional and recreational loves."

MACKENZIE BRIGGS

MacKenzie has been a career firefighter and paramedic for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue in Florida for 2 years. This is his second year competing in the Firefighter Combat Challenge. He had a perfect year his first year, getting a better time every run. He ended the season last year with a time of 1:41 at Worlds.

This year, on his first run of the season, he broke into the sub-100 seconds club with a time of 1:38. He has been in the top 10 of every individual, open tandem, and coed tandem competition he's entered. MacKenzie is now chasing the sub-90 seconds club and hopes to reach it by Worlds in Las Vegas.

JON DAVIS

Jon (JD) is a career firefighter of 18 years in the US Air Force, and has been deployed all the over the world. He is currently a fire inspector/investigator, stationed at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho. He plans on serving his country for a few more years before he retires.

JD has been playing competitive racquetball for 5 years, and has been appointed as a member of the USAF Racquetball Team the past 3 years. Competing in the ‘Open/A & Men’s 35+’ division at the local, state, regional, & national levels, he consistently finishes in the top 3. JD is currently ranked #3 in Men’s A, #2 in Men’s Open Age in Idaho, and #16 DoD-wide! His next goal is to compete in doubles and win a National Championship.

Although he isn’t assigned to a shift right now, JD strives for excellence in his physical conditioning, and is extremely proud & excited to be the newest member of Team Ride Backwards. “Thanks for welcoming me to such a strong group of professionals. I will represent the Ride Backwards family with pride & integrity.”

Jon is also sponsored by USAF Sports and Team Ektelon Racquetball.

* For information on how to become a RIDE BACKWARDS Athlete, contact us at rbathletes@ridebackwards.com