Meet the Tall Stories Team

Clare Appleby

Everywhere

Since 2004 Clare has been a key member of the Tall Stories team, taking only a brief spell away to gain further experience in the Corporate Charity sector.

Providing seamless administration and organisation is an essential part of the job, but for Clare, actively Tour Leading the challenges and trips allows her to deliver the service with a famous smile, whether it be making another cup of tea or moving luggage into hotel rooms at the end of the day.

Her own passion for the outdoors and a healthy way of life is evident, and in her spare time she is often found swimming at the local pool, riding her bike or taking part in multisport events such as duathlons.

Barrie Clarke

MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

Barrie has been a professional cyclist for 15 years, racing at the highest level and travelling the World with mountain biking, road racing and cyclo-cross.

He won 5 Elite National titles in the 90s at cross-country mountain biking and cyclo-cross, not to mention numerous national series titles and the “King of the mountains” in the Milk Race.

Barrie has been guiding for Tall Stories for the last 5 years on both corporate and charity events including; Lands End to John O’Groats; mountain bike C2C; London to Paris; Wembley to Berlin; as well as tours in Italy, France and Spain.

Achievements

• British Mountain Bike Champion 1995 1996 1998
• British Mountain Bike Championships - silver medal 2003 2002 2001
• British Cyclo-Cross Champion 1995 1997
• Seven times British National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series Winner
• National MTB Points Series - winner 2002
• Commonwealth Games 2002 - Manchester - mtb 6th place
• MTB Tour of Spain 1995 - winner
• MTB Tour of Britain 1996 - second place
• Girvin Premier Calendar 2003- winner KOM
• Ruban Granitier 2002 - Final stage winner - 7th overall
• Milk Race 1989 - King of Mountains - winner
• Tour of Normandy 1989 - King of Mountains - winner
• Tour of Willamette USA 2000 - Sprints competition - winner
• Tour of Willamette USA 2000 - King of Mountains - second place

Sam Gardner

MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

Sam Gardner is 32 and has been racing bikes for 20 years now. His first race was on a mountain bike back in 1987 and since then he has won medals at all forms of cycle sport, racing Cyclocross, track, road and of course his first love mountain bikes. He has represented Great Britain on numerous occasions on both road and mountain bikes.

In 1996 Sam won the National Hill climb title. Sam is currently concentrating on Triathlons (Swimming, Cycling and Running) and is the UK's number 1 male at Xterra (Off road triathlons), finishing 7th in the European series and 14th at the World Championships in 2007.

Sam has always loved cycle touring and has travelled around a lot of Europe this way, including Lands End to John O’Groats. He has been guiding for 4 years, working mainly in the Alps and Sardinia, before starting with Tall Stories in 2007. When he's not on two wheels Sam is a Fire Fighter with Surrey Fire and Rescue service.

Achievements

• 2007 Race Results
• Xterra Guam 2nd
• Xterra Saipan 2nd
• Tagaman middle distance tri in Saipan 3rd
• Mountain Bike National points Rd3 1st Master
• Mountain Bike National points Rd4 1st Master
• Mountain Bike National Champs 1st Master
• Currently 7th in European Xterra Tour (April 2008)

For more information: www.samgardner.com

Chris Hill

Trekking, Biking and Multi Activity Events

Chris has been part of the challenge events business for over ten years. He has worked all around the world, from China to Chile, Kilimanjaro to Everest.

In the wider world, he can be found leading high altitude treks. For Tall Stories in Europe we don't send him up quite so far, but we will put him on a bike from time-to-time so we can laugh at the result.

Pete Hughes

Skiing, MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

I have always had an interest in cycling and spent many hours cycling the South of England, Scotland (where I am predominantly based in the Summer), and the French Alps. When I am not cycling, I ski. I run Freedom 2 Ski, a small independent ski school in the French Alps. I also work as a BASI trainer, training and examining ski instructors.

Whether I am teaching people to ski, or guiding on a bike, I aim to share my experience and enthusiasm to have a great time.

Sarah Leach

Everywhere

Sarah is a relatively new addition to the Tall Stories team and works with Clare and Tina full time in the office and on events. Her background is in the charity sector; after leaving Northumbria University with a degree in Geography she went to live in Bolivia for a year to work for a street children charity. This then led onto working for the youth development charity Raleigh International. After 3 years at Raleigh she thought it was time to take on another challenge and indulge a great interest in sporting events.

Sarah is a keen cyclist who has recently been trying her hand at triathlons. She made her debut in the Blenheim sprint triathlon this year and also managed to complete the Olympic distance at the London Triathlon where thankfully she overcame her fear of open water swimming.

Travelling is another great passion and Sarah has travelled to many destinations over the past few years, her favourite being South America. When not planning her next holiday or keeping fit Sarah can be found cooking, socialising with friends or drinking too much wine!

Tina Makin

Everywhere

Having spent every holiday since her teens trekking up a mountain, diving in the sea, or just travelling the world, 1991 saw Tina start Tall Stories Adventure Sports Holidays as an excellent way to blend business with pleasure. In 1998, the charity fundraising industry took off for Tall Stories allowing her to get the perfect balance of blending pleasure with pleasure.

Tina is devoted to her dog, Fish, who also accompanies her on some events and lots of reccies. They train for marathons together but somewhat unfairly, Tina always keeps the medal! Holidays are best spent deep under tropical seas in search of sharks and big fish or up a mountain somewhere with the best of magical views.

Jean-Jacques Malineau

Mont Blanc Summit Challenge

Born near the Atlantic ocean 41 years ago, I discovered the mountains when I was 12 years old with my family. The nature and particularly the mountain attracted me.

I have lived in the Alps for 22 years and now work as a Mountain Guide. Before I was a guide, I worked in Chamonix for 12 years in the Helicopter Rescue Team and after as a Ski Patroller.

For 7 years I have worked as an independent Mountain Guide. During the winter I ski and ice-climb and in summer I go mountaineering, rock climbing, via feratta and trekking.”

My philosophy: "Where there’s a will there’s a way!"

Qualifications/Membership

• International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations

Jim McConnel

MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

As an enthusiastic Tour Leader and Bike Guide, Jim has six years international experience in the Challenge Events Industry. He splits his time between training as a semi professional triathlete racing on the XTERRA World Cup circuit and working on challenge events with Tall Stories, and likes those around him to benefit from this experience. Jim is also keen to share his coaching skills and passion for endurance based challenges with participants.

Jim is able to draw on wide-ranging technical expertise where needed but is mainly found fixing punctures!

He reckons active rest and relaxation are important in life and manages this with a fine balance of socialising, red wine and yoga.

Jonathan Morton

MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

Between working for Tall Stories as “bike doc”, I’m a Plastic Surgeon in Liverpool (no, not that sort of Plastic Surgeon!). Mostly skin cancer surgery.

What I like: Mountain biking, rock climbing and red wine, though not simultaneously. I realised mountain biking was the meaning of life during my first mid-life crisis at 37.

Best ever rides: The Trans Alp, in 2004 and 2006

Best ever climbs: Integrity, MVS, Sron na Ciche, and the Cuillin traverse with an unanticipated overnight stay. Worth the bitter cold for the fantastic sunrise.

James Ouchterlony

MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

James has been a professional cyclist for 4 years, racing at the highest level and travelling the World with mountain biking.

James has been guiding for Tall Stories for the last five years on charity tours.

He also holds a world record for the most fuel efficient road legal vehicle from July 15th 1998....set on Silverstone with a car designed by himself. Consumption...280ml/100km.

He has trained as a mechanical engineer and has worked as a draughtsman and technician. He prefers to work with bikes, guiding and racing, and has spent many years working as a mechanic with bicycles. He has also raced motorbikes.

Achievements

• 2004 Scottish XC MTB Champion
• 2005 Bronze medal for British National XC MTB Championships
• 2005 Sliver medal for British National Marathon MTB Championships
• 2006 Scottish XC MTB Champion
• 2006 Bronze for British National Marathon MTB Championships
• 2006 Commonwealth Games team in Melbourne, AUS
• 2007 Gold medal for British National Marathon MTB Champion.

Has also won races in Turkey, Canada, Pakistan, Wales, Scotland, Cyprus and Israel.

For more information www.jamesouchterlony.blogspot.com

Clayton Payne

MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

Since graduating from Loughborough University, Clayton has competed as a professional Triathlete around the world. He is National Aquathlon and Biathle Champion and has won a number of International races in Thailand, Australia, Europe and Africa.

As well as triathlon, Clayton also likes to mountain bike, ski, canoe and generally do anything that involves going fast!

In 2007 he set up his own bike company, Aum22 Ltd, creating and building ‘One-Off’ Titanium bikes. He is also a qualified coach. As such he is regularly advising athletes how to get the most out of themselves and their bikes.

2007 Achievements

• Irish National Champs, 2nd
• AAT Off Road Triathlon, 1st
• Falkirk Adventure Triathlon, 6th
• Lochneagh Irish National Champs, 5th
• London Triathlon, 24th
• National Aquathlon Champs , 2nd
• National Biathlon Champs, 1st
• Byron Bay International Tri, 2nd

For more information www.claytonpayne.com

Jonathan Smith

Road Biking Events

If just one person, on each of these trips, will get half as much enjoyment and as great experiences as Jonathan has had with a bike, then the trip will be worthwhile for them and him.

He started cycling and racing as a schoolboy, and still manages to race and do other events in England and abroad.

In his early twenties, after serving an apprenticeship, he thought he would have a gap year, before they were even invented. It should have been a couple of months cycling in Central Western Europe, but in the end he went further and he never did get back home till the following year.

He now has the guiding job that he should have had when he left school, many years ago. Just goes to show, there are always more adventures ahead!

James Tansley

Everywhere

James Tansley grew up in Toulouse with the Pyrenees as his back yard and adventure playground. So it was no surprise that James went into the world of adventure sports. In the early days he worked in St Anton running chalets for ski companies, his summers were spent running holidays for Tall Stories and in between he took off to New Zealand and Australia to do ski seasons there.

With all this experience and more qualifications to his name, James has now achieved the perfect work balance – all winter he works as a senior ski patroller in the French Alps, sorting out accidents, the challenges of too much snow or too little snow and occasionally hanging out of helicopters wielding a stick of dynamite. All summer he works for Tall Stories as a bike guide and tour leader leading bike and trekking tours around Europe, and planning future itineraries.

Amongst his hobbies he counts ski mountaineering as the “best thing in the world”. His free time in the summer is dedicating to climbing, mountain biking and ultra distance mountain races – when the traditional marathon of 42kms is just not far enough, 70kms is the obvious next step he claims!

Sue Clarke

MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

Sue has been racing mountain & road bikes since 1994, which has taken her all over the World as part of the Great Britain cycling team & several professional teams. She is currently part of the Science in Sport/Trek team.

Highlights so far in Sue's career include spending two winters over in Australia on the Gold Coast, training away from the rain of the UK! She represented England at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, narrowly missing a medal due to a puncture.

Sue enjoys all cycling disciplines & has competed at the highest level on the road in the women's World Cup races with great success. When not racing, Sue enjoys hiking in the Lake District with husband Barrie & her springer spaniel Charlie, relaxing at home & seeing new places.

Sue is a qualified massage therapist & fitness instructor & fits both of these jobs around her training & racing schedule. She has been guiding with Tall Stories for 2 years now & enjoys helping people achieve their goals & raising money for charity in the likes of London to Paris rides.

Achievements

• 1996 Gold medal National hillclimb championships
• 2001 Bronze medal British National cyclocross championships
• 2002 7th Commonwealth Games, Manchester
• 2002 10th European MTB Championships, Switzerland
• 2002 British National series winner MTB
• 2001-2003 Silver medal British National MTB Championships
• 2004-2005 Gold medal British National MTB Championships
• 2004 10th Crist Alp, Switzerland
• 2005 Winner of National Cyclocross Trophy
• 2005 11th European cyclocross championships, France

James Underwood

MTB, Road Biking and Multi Activity Events

James has worked for Tall Stories for three years. He has extensive experience in all aspects of cycling, and active holidays.

He started his cycling career running mountain biking holidays in France, has worked as a ski guide, and recently a flotilla skipper in Greece.

He has a passion for road biking, and is able to enthuse his guests in the sport he loves.

When he is not thrashing himself in to a sweat trying to find the back entrance to the Eiffel Tower, he can be found fiddling around with old ladies eyes in his country optometry practice in Suffolk.

He says "The world would be a better place if everyone used a bike"

Donna Barleycorn

MTB, Road Biking, Trekking and Multi Activity Events

A word from Donna: I'm Donna and I am a medic for Tall Stories. I love my role, it's a great rewarding job especially as it's for charities!

The events and challenges are exhilarating and a life changing experience. I particularly enjoyed the Sierra Nevada event. This was tough but thoroughly amazing on all levels!! The scenery, hiking and mountain biking was out of this world, an event to challenge the best of you…I dare you!!

The Tall Stories team are great fun, supportive and organised.

Finally, the feeling of helping others through charitable events is both physically and emotionally worthwhile.

Nicola (Nix) Burwood

MTB, Road Biking, Trekking and Multi Activity Events

Nix is a registered nurse with 8 years nursing experience in accident and emergency, trauma, primary care and expedition medicine.

She has undertaken two expeditions as medic for a charity, in both Namibia and Borneo as well as various cycling events around Europe. These involved ensuring the safety of the participants and providing emergency medical services in remote jungle and desert environments.

Nix is a keen skier with two ski seasons under her belt and she is a qualified PADI diver who has a passion for adventure and travel.

Steven Flanagan

MTB, Road Biking, Trekking and Multi Activity Events

Since graduating at Edge Hill University in Lancashire as a nurse in 2001, I have spent much of my time employed within the acute sector of the N.H.S.

Currently working within an intensive care unit at a large London hospital I have recently undertaken a Diploma in Tropical Medicine Nursing at the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

I have a true passion for working and travel in challenging environments around the world which has resulted in an a photo album overflowing with pictures from countries including Borneo, Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras.

My most memorable travel experience was trekking through the rice terraces of the Northern Philippines and when I'm not travelling I'm in my home city of Liverpool catching up with friends and putting on weight.