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  Pat's and John's Bios
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Pat Norwil Home: Mazama, WA [His bike] Pat is an Ultra-Endurance Cyclist in search of his physical limit. Norwil's search for the outer limits started in 1982 while peak bagging in the Nepalese Himalayas. "I thought I was a hot-s*** climber till I went to Nepal, it's amazing I came back in one piece." In 1993, Norwil was on a collision course with his physical limits. Pushing the envelope of wilderness whitewater kayaking is like "playing Russian roulette--it only takes one. I made my mistakes and got lucky, it was time to move on." In 1995, Norwil entered his first Iditasport. "I had no idea what I was getting into," six frostbitten toes and 48 hours later, he was hooked. A correspondent for MountainZone.com and freelance writer, Pat is seeking the words to describe the emotions of being in both the physical and mental outer limits.

John Stamstad Home: Seattle, WA [His bike] John is an Ultra-Marathon Cyclist who has dedicated himself to seeking out events which claim the distinction of being the "most challenging" or the "most difficult." John first whet his appetite for ultra marathon racing in 1985 while competing in the Race across Missouri. After 36 nonstop hours, John was hooked. In 1991 Stamstad started his pinnacle march to become the leader in ultra-endurance racing. He has not only achieved the top but has put ultra-marathon cycling on the map by both dominating and representing the sport for more than eight years. The holder of more course records than any ultra-endurance athlete, past or present, John is true X File material. In 1999 Stamstad's search for a challenge led him to the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The longest off-road route in the world, John completed the 2,500 mile 200,000 vertical feet of climbing along the spine of America in 18 day 5 hours.