Single Track Sunday- Key West, Florida

Single Track Sunday
Place: Key West, Florida
Ridden: January 2014

As with last week, a little something different this week. Once again, not truly a "single track" video, but cycling is still involved.

This past week we escaped the cold and headed on a family vacation to Florida, spending some time in the Florida Keys, including Key West.  A great way to see Key West is by bike; you can see a lot more riding rather than walking. The two of us along with Jess's mom were able to slowly pedal along the streets, taking in the eclectic sights and sounds of the area. Our ride took us to places such as Duval Street, Mallory Square, and the Key West Botanical Garden.

Thanks to The Bike Shop (located on Truman Ave) for our awesome rental bikes.

Click on video for viewing

Single Track Sunday- Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, PA

Single Track Sunday
Place: Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, PA
Ridden: September, 2013

This week's video is a throw-back to a warmer time. We are also getting away from the single track for a bit and showcasing the local rails-to-trails system. Eastern Pennsylvania has what seems like an endless system of rails-to-trails (old railroad beds turned into cycling/walking paths); one can ride pretty much from Philadelphia to Jim Thorpe all along these converted rail beds.

The Saucon Rail Trail is one of our favorite recovery ride destinations. It pretty much runs through our back yard and is perfect for those easy days when we don't want to ride the single track.  Also, it makes for a good family ride; as in the video you can see we went riding with Jess's mom.

Walkers, dogs, and runners also share the trail. It can get a bit busy at times but so far a courteous "on your left or right" always does the trick.

The full length, Hellertown to Coopersburgs, is 9 miles one way.

Single Track Sunday- South Mountain Bethlehem (Lehigh), PA

Single Track Sunday

Place: South Mountain Bethlehem (aka Lehigh), Bethlehem, PA

Ridden: January 2014

These are the trails we ride the most, being they are a short drive or ride from our house.

They have been around about as long as Joël has been alive, being built when mountain biking was just starting. The trails were built by and are maintained by the individuals who ride them; with many of the people who built them still riding there.

With names such as Bones (and The Bone Stretcher), Superman, Witch, and Dude Where's My Ball one may wonder what type of trails these are. They are rocky, gnarly, and unforgiving.  There is never an "easy ride" done at Lehigh.  The majority is single track, with a couple of old jeep trails and power company access roads here and there. A few miles of downhill trails have been built there, adding to the fun.  The trails climb up and down the side of South Mountain with a few miles looping all around the top of the mountain. There are some spectacular views of South Bethlehem and Hellertown from the top.

Total mileage is at least 15; probably even 20 or more if one doesn't mind looping back onto the same trail for a bit to reach a different trail.

Click on the video to view.

Single Track Sunday- The Wheelmill, Pittsburgh, PA & Ray's Indoor MTB, Cleveland, OH

Single Track Sunday
Place: The Wheelmill, Pittsburgh, PA & Ray's Indoor MTB Park, Cleveland, OH
Ridden: January 2014

Road trip!  Due to the deep snow in Eastern PA, we decided to travel to western PA and OH to do some indoor riding and skills practice. Both of these places are old factories/warehouses that have been converted into indoor mountain biking parks.  There are obstacles to practice on and various courses to ride.

Our first stop was Pittsburg PA and the WheelMill. This is a relatively new place; opening about two years ago. This was our first time riding there.  Right now it is lacking in what it has to offer, but it has potential.  There is limited riding but one can tell there is active construction and building going on.  So let's see what it is like in a few years, maybe worth going back to in time.

After a night at the Red Roof in (pet friendly because Clifford made the trip with us also), we drove over to Cleveland to ride at Ray's Indoor Mountainbike Park.  Rays has been around for 10 years and is huge, offering riding options for all styles and abilities.  We have been to Rays many time before and it never disappoints; hours and hours of riding there without being bored.  We rode until we were too tired to ride anymore and then headed home.

It was a great weekend of practicing skills and getting some riding in.  And the best part- the temperature is great when riding indoors!

Due to some technical issues we can't get the video directly on the blog. So here is a link to this weeks video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F621p_xfpN4 

2013 In Review

2013 In Review

2013 was a good year, many goals were accomplished and personal records (PR) set.  Some of the major highlights included:

• Both of us competing in our first ever 12 hour race (and Jess winning it)
• Each of us setting a PR at the 100 mile distance (Joël by 1 ½ hours and Jess by 3 hours)
• A solid finish at the Pisgah Stage Race
• Each of us winning the MASS Overall Endurance Series Championship and the two of us alone representing as the SVB Open Team winning second place open team
• Cliff taking second place in the Trail Doggie World Championships (at Christmas Cross); all of the Nankman Family had a good racing year!

Besides accomplishments in racing, we had a great year on the bike overall.  Many awesome road trips to new places.  Fun times with friends riding local trails, at races, and on road trips.  Cliff has become a great trail dog and accompanies us to trails everywhere.  Jess’s mom got a bike and there have been quite a few fun rail-trail rides together.  New skills learned and previously “I just can’t get it” technical sections cleared.  Many gorgeous sunrises and sunsets seen and many beautiful mountain-top views taken in.

Here are results from 2013:

Race	Joël	Jess
Tuscarora - 4 Hour Endurance	5th Open SingleSpeed	6th Open Women
MASS Team Relay	4 Person Team	NA
Iron Hill - 4 Hour Endurance	6th Open Men	6th Open Women
French Creek – 4 Hour Endurance	4th Open Men	2nd Open Women
Granogue - 12 Hour Endurance	4th Solo Men	1st Solo Women
Stoopid 50 - 50 Miles	15th Open Men	5th Open Women
Wilderness 101 -  Miles	39th Open Men	12th Open Women
Fair Hill - 50 Miles	5th Open Men	4th Open Women
Rattling Creek - 50 Miles	10th Open Men	4th Open Women
Pisgah Stage Race – 5 days	5th Co-ed Duo	5th Co-ed Duo
Double Down Enduro	2nd Hardtail Open	4th Open Women
Christmas Cross	4th Open Men	1st Open Women
MASS Endurance Overall Individual	1st Overall	1st Overall
Mass Endurance Overall Open Team	2nd Place Open Team