Members

RJ Bast

RJ was born and lived in Wisconsin for the past 52 years. In 2025 he moved to the Asheville area to start his next chapter in his life. RJ currently sit on two boards in the area: Asheville On Bikes and Connect Buncombe, which advocates for greenways. Not knowing anything about cycling until 7 years ago, RJ started cycling when he was 45 but soon became to love all the different varieties of biking including: Gravel Racing, Cyclocross, Mountain Biking and Bikepacking. While only racing cyclocross for a few years, he believes it is has the best atmosphere and it has become the main focus for the fall months. His biggest adventure was a 600 mile Bikepacking gravel race in the Westfjords in Iceland in 2022.

Michael Lemon

Michael has always loved cycling, but didn’t pin on a number until age 37, getting his start in gravel before expanding into road racing, cyclocross, and the Ring of Fire track series. Although he enjoys racing, Michael is less focused on results and more on the experience—especially long days riding in the mountains around Asheville.

In addition to racing and riding on his own, Michael is helping to lead Asheville Youth Cycling, where he is passionate about creating opportunities for junior riders to discover the sport and develop their skills. He is focused on growing the program and helping build a strong, supportive cycling community for the next generation of riders.

Chandler Lemon

Chandler has been on two wheels for as long as he can remember—starting on a strider bike, then quickly moving to pedals, gears, and anything else he could ride. These days, he enjoys all kinds of cycling, including road, mountain biking, gravel, and dirt jumping at the bike park.

He races with Asheville Youth Cycling and focuses primarily on the North Carolina Cyclocross (NCCX) series, where he placed 4th overall in the Junior 9–10 category in 2025. He also races in the Ring of Fire and Southeast Gravel series. Whether racing or just riding with friends and family, Chandler brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the sport.

When he’s not racing, Chandler especially enjoys attending Kolo Bike Camp, where he continues to build skills, confidence, and a love for being on the bike.

Natalie Arkfeld

Natalie started racing mountain bikes in 2013 in Ohio, then quickly added cyclocross to her yearly race calendar in 2014 at the behest of her overzealous teammates. She moved to Black Mountain in 2019 for better cycling weather and more exciting terrain. She continues to ride mountain bikes in the Spring/Summer by attending several of the US MTB series races and racing cyclocross in the NCCX series in the Fall, with an orienteering race thrown in the mix. Though she considers herself to be a 'CX Cat 3 Lifer,' she continues to enjoy chasing her yearly process goals and the camaraderie of the cycling community in the Carolinas.

Rob Potter

Rob started riding late in life's journey..but honestly fell in love with it. My cycling adventure started off mountain biking at Bent Creek and then went from there. Though road riding is my primary means, I love to ride and race gravel. Always love to ride with people in new and exciting places. Of course, I have never told my wife the actual price of any of the bikes so as far as she knows...I have only invested a couple of hundred dollars!

Randy Warren

Randy, a USA Cycling level 1 coach, has been coaching cyclists and cycling teams since 1987. A multiple Masters National Champion, Randy has raced in the Masters World Championships in Italy (placing 16th in 2022) and in Russia (winning one race and placing 4th overall in 1994). Randy has been leading cycling camps since 2003 helping cyclists to experience great riding, training and racing all over America and in Italy and Spain.

Tom Ratajczak

Late to cycling as a passion, Tom only began riding regularly in the early 2000s, commuting pretty much year ‘round in the Chicago suburbs slowing building from hundreds to thousands of miles annually. His racing began in the mid-2000s doing time trials, mostly on the tandem with his wife Robyn (but including 2 USA Cycling Mixed Tandem age group podiums). They moved to Asheville in 2010 after his retirement from his employer of 33 years and were immediately wowed by the area’s great terrain and roads, and its even better cycling community. Generous mentors here helped him gain both the physical and mental discipline and skills for mass start racing, which he pursued wholeheartedly with some age-group success. Though some ‘exciting’ crashes and receding youth have somewhat tempered Tom’s racing aspirations, he still tries to maintain fitness and form and takes on the occasional competitive challenge.

Ralf Horstkemper

Robyn Ratajczak

The Queen of Elk Mountain’: That’s the name by which Robyn became known after she completed her 500th lap up and over Elk Mountain (a 5-mile, 1400’ climb). Her best years were 2015 and 2020 when she did 72 & 78 “Elks” respectively. Family responsibilities (aging parent and growing grandkids) have limited her “Elks” in recent years. And Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation of the leafy corridor that was the Elk that she knew has made it difficult for her to see it too often. But Robyn continues to ride every day that she can, inside if not out, to keep as young as possible. She uses her Market Bike for… the markets and other errands… which keeps her car parked most of the time. Robyn’s racing palmares came on the tandem, where she and husband Tom had success in the Mid America Time Trial series 2007-2009 and at the USA Cycling Nationals 2008-2010 (with 2 podiums in the Mixed Tandem 110+ age group). Most recently, a friend has stoked an interest in seeking out and riding new-to-her rail trail conversions. So far: NC, SC, VA, GA & LA. (Previously, she had AR, AZ, FL, KY, IL, MI, MN, NM, NY, OH, TN, UT, VT, WI, MN, OH, NY, VT)

Rick Bradham

Rick began cycling in 1971 and participated in his first race in 1973 as an Intermediate, a level below Juniors at that time. During the summer of 1976, he rode 4250 miles across the US. He graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College, participating on the bicycle team and was also the Director of the Team. Racing experience includes road races, criteriums and time trials. He has worked in the industry with positions in retail, Shimano for 11 years and Schwinn for four years. During his time in the industry he was involved with some of Shimano's major growth and innovations. Rick stopped riding after moving to Asheville in 1998. In 2001, he began riding again and his passion for cycling was reignited. A lot has changed in cycling since Rick began. At that time gear selection was 2 x 5, kits were all wool, cleats were nailed on leather soled shoes, some jerseys had 5 pockets (two in the front) and water bottle cages were sometimes mounted on the handlebars. You will find Rick enjoying the roads around Asheville. Rick lives in downtown Asheville, is self-employed, and has one son living in Vail, CO.