Wouter Hanson Belgian, born 1969. As a means of transport and fun I prefer my horse rather than a bike, although my horse riding experience has saved me from the sour butt syndrome when I participated in the 2009 Montreal to New Your tour. Participating for me is not as much about the cycling challenge (I wouldn't even label myself a cycling amateur), but about the experience that a group of people, not or hardly knowing each other, are willing to put their own interest aside and commit to a cause. The way all participants on the last ride stood up for each other, helping each other through the tough parts of the ride (and believe me, there have been plenty of such moments, remember the 1000 summits route), was just amazing and enough to put the everyday life back into perspective.