Tracey Gramenz Founder/Guide

Tracey has spent the good portion of her past ten years in the saddle.  After retiring early from work as a bilingual family therapist, she hit the road and started professionally guiding luxury bike tours in America’s west (think Zion, Banff, Glacier, Crater Lake, San Juan Islands).  When not guiding others, she has spent her fair share of nights in the tent during extensive, self supported bike tours through Portugal, India, Italy and New Zealand.  Her most recent, and most rewarding, endeavor has been home-birthing and now raising her son.  With this shift she founded RAW retreats as a way to continue pursuing her passion for cycling and connecting with others, but with a more local focus. .

On founding RAW: “With a conscious mind toward the high environmental cost of vacationing far from home, I wanted to seek out local treasures.  I have cycled all over the world and can confidently say that Vashon Island is a gem that is often overlooked.  Right in Seattle’s backyard, it offers stunning views, bike friendly roads and a relaxing island feeling.  All this without a flight, long drive, or the summer ferry lines in the San Juan Islands.  I love sharing Vashon and all that it has to offer with guests.  Even more than that, I love connecting with local women who love riding.  I find that the connections made on these trips are truly powerful.”

Irene Alexander Yoga/Massage

Irene has been studying yoga since 1998, and teaching yoga in Seattle since 2004.   She completed her teacher training at Pacific Yoga, and continued training in the Anusara tradition with Denise Benitez, drawing inspiration as well from Donna Farhi, Shannon McCall, Buddhist meditation and modern dance.  Along the way, she has been continually blessed and inspired by the ways she has seen yoga transform lives and bodies, including her own.

In 2007, Irene completed training at the Brian Utting School of Massage and became a licensed massage therapist.  She also studied Craniosacral Therapy with Pat O’Rourke and Matthew Sorlie, and received her certification in 2009.  Irene’s interest in massage is in combining specific deep tissue and therapeutic work with a holistic approach that soothes and reorders patterns of tension that are held in the nervous system.

On R.A.W. retreats you will find Irene offering relaxing, restorative yoga classes, in addition to offering massage to soothe sore biking muscles.  Her confident, calming energy will help generate the same in you.

Irene currently lives on Vashon Island and teaches both in Seattle and on Vashon.  More information about her classes and offerings can be found at: www.irenealexander.com.

Patrice O’Neill Chef

Patrice has spent a good deal of her life making things happen – for her own children, and then for thousands of people attending festivals, camps, or celebrations.  Along the way she’s learned a thing or two, including some very fine recipes. And she’s managed to stay rather healthy evidenced by the fact that the most frequently asked question she hears is, “No way!  You’re a grandmother?”  This is what an active lifestyle can do for you.  At RAW retreats she’ll be sure to cook up revitalizing food and figure out some way to make you smile and feel good about yourself every day.

Karly Siroky, Guide/photographer

Karly is a good definition of “real active woman.” Outdoor enthusiast by day, graphic designer by night, Karly is happiest on the go. When not designing logos, building websites or conducting photo shoots, you’ll find her rock climbing, downhill skiing, or exploring the PNW on her bike. Karly has completed several endurance rides including the STP, Flying Wheels, and Reach the Beach, and logged over 1000 miles of bike commuting. Fun, friendly, and dangerous with a cake pan, you’ll find her helping out in the kitchen and on the road during R.A.W. retreats.

To learn more about Karly’s ‘night job’, check out: www.karlysiroky.com.