Team Block was put together by Rich Bartlett in 1999 to compete in a sprint adventure 
race with mountain bike racers Jim Weiland and Burt Blanchette. The team finished the 
race in 3rd place overall and first in the all male class. Jim continued to race a few more 
times that season as Rich devoted every free minute to racing and the ultimate goal of 
the Eco Challenge. A few weeks after the first race Rich and Jim went to an adventure 
racing camp in Big Bear and an addiction was started... 
Block Alternatives is a small sportswear company owned by Rich Bartlett. I was started 
as a source of income to support his BMX racing in 1989. The company grew from a
garage based tee shirt printer to a cut and sew sportswear company of 15 employees.
Team Block seemed appropriate as the guys didn’t have a sponsor and needed an identity.
Block Alternatives provided jerseys and made some adventure specific sportswear that is
finally tried, tested and available today.
Bartlett raced in 26 different events during the 2000 season both on Team Block and 
sitting in on various teams for some races. The hardest part of the sport is getting to the
starting line. Time away from family, off of work, not to mention the costs makes it very
difficult for anyone to do very many races a year. Training is a full time job in itself. 
Between the multiple disciplines and just shear fitness it is very hard to make an 
adventure racers life balance out equally. 
In 2001 Team Block was awarded a spot in the Eco Challenge, New Zealand. The team 
was composed last minute as the original team mates on the roster dropped out due to
financial restrictions on the last deadline day. After a frenzied scramble Team Block
was rebuilt with 3 other members who had similar situations. Jenny Hadfield came all 
of the way from Chicago. Her team quit on her in the middle of the jungle in the Eco 
Challenge Borneo in 2000. She was on a mission to finish this year and she wanted to 
place high. Chris Posey came in from Bakersfield and made the necessary payments 
which allowed team to make the deadlines. He had a strong resume and was a solid
navigator and was hungry to race Eco Challenge. Ben Stefanski came from Ventura and
was on a team of elite athletes that was broken up just a few weeks before. He had
finished Eco Challenge Argentina and wanted to finish in the top ten in New Zealand.
Everything in adventure racing is uncertain. Team Block had everything going for them
from the start of the race. Chosen as a media team they found themselves in front of the
camera the majority of the race. This was highly motivational for the team and kept 
them pushing forward hard. But, an unexpected injury was about to occur. Jenny was
leading the team down an over grown brush hillside and fell into a 5’crevass. A sprained
ankle was the result. She told team right then and there - “If I can walk on it we’ll finish.”
Ben used his tape skills and mended her the best he could and she limped on for the next
6 ½ days. The priorities had to change. No longer was the team looking for a top 10 finish
but rather to complete the race. Team Block bonded together and pulled through!...
This year the team has goals of a top 10 finish and shooting for a podium spot. Team 
Block is a veteran team now and has the results to back it up. With the loss of Chris Posey
to Earthlink and the addition of Dan Abel (who actually was awarded the Eco Spot), and Danny Moy we will continue to bond and share in out experiences together. It is through our high values and determination that we achieve our goals. Wish us luck!!!