2017 in Review2017 was filled with many races, awesome riding trips, vanlife trips, family riding adventures, great rides with friends, and fun-filled Liv Ambassador events. And that's why we cycle, to enjoy life and all of it's adventures. That's #HowWeLiv.
Racing
2017 brought some changes for us; team affiliations changed at the end of 2016. This year, sporting the kits of Liv Cycling for myself and Bicycling Magazine for Joël; we each also returned to our roots, racing under the support of Saucon Valley Bikes. As for the race season, overall Joël and I both feel good about the year. Sure, there were some disappointing races and some races didn't go as planned but all in all we feel 2017 was a success. Those not-so-spectacular races were a bummer when they happened but were a great way to learn about how to improve for the future. 24 hour races (Old Pueblo, Hardcore 24, and RVA 24) were our main focus; doing well at those being our top goals for the year. Besides those events, the Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic (TSE) Stage race and numerous other marathon and endurance events were key races on our schedule. We raced hard, put in good efforts, and accomplished many of our goals. And of course while always enjoying the journey. Race results for 2017 as follows:Jess
5th open women: 24 Hours Old Puelbo; Tuscon, AZ: Feb 18 through19No real results, just a fun race; IIGO MASS Relay; Marysville, PA; April 2
2nd open women: Rattlin' Marathon; Rattling Creek, PA; April 9
1st open women; Leesburg Bakers Dozen; Leesburg, VA: April 22
1st open women; Shenanduro 6 Hour; VA; May 13
7th GC women; Trans-sylvania Mountain Bike Epic Stage race; May 25 through 292nd open women; Rothrock Trail Mix Long Course; Boalsburg, PA; June 10
2nd open women; Volvo Endurance Series Michaux Maxiums; Shippensburg, PA: June 11
1st open women; 6 Hours at Woodstock; Patapsco, MD; June 25
2nd open women; Michaux Curse of Dark Hollow; Gettysburg, PA; July 16
1st solo female; Hardcore 24; 1st solo female; Naples, NY: July 23 through 24
1st open female; Big Bear Ultra; Bruceton Mills, WV; Aug 51st overall female; ADK 80K; Lake Placid, NY; Aug 27
1st overall female; Kingston Marathon XC Championships; Kingston, ON, Canada; Sept 2
2nd overall female; Volvo Endurance Series Michaux Terror of Teaberry; Shippensburg, PA; Sept 10
2nd overall female in the Volvo Endurance Series Long Course (30 miler) overall series championship
1st overall solo female; RVA 24; Maidens, VA: Oct 7 through 8
Joël
Something new for Joël this year, he raced single speed most of the year.
7th solo men; 24 Hours Old Puelbo; Feb 18 and 19
IIGO MASS Relay; April 2
6th single speed; Rattlin' Marathon; April 9
2nd open men; Leesburg Bakers Dozen; April 221st open men; Shenanduro 6 Hour; May 13
4th single speed; Trans-sylvania Mountain Bike Epic Stage race; May 25 through 29
1st single speed; Rothrock Trail Mix Marathon; June 10
2nd single speed; Volvo Endurance Series Michaux Maxiums; June 11
1st single speed; 6 Hours at Woodstock; June 25
2nd single speed; Michaux Curse of Dark Hollow; July 16
2nd solo male; Hardcore 24; July 23 through 24
2nd single speed; Big Bear Ultra; Aug 52nd overall male; ADK 80K; Aug 27
1st single speed; Kingston Marathon XC Championships; Sept 2
1st single speed; Volvo Endurance Series Michaux Terror of Teaberry; Sept 10
1st single speed in the Volvo Endurance Series year end championship in the Long Course (30 miler) division
1st in division, 2nd overall male; RVA 24; Oct 7 through 8
Traveling Adventures
Sure we race, that is our main focus, but we also just really enjoy riding our bikes and use them as a way to see the world. Probably one of the best cycling adventures for the year, and probably rates up there as one of the best cycling adventures ever, was the weekend with family and friends riding the Pine Creek Gorge Rail Trail. The riding was amazing as was the fun times with others. Beautiful scenery, great lunch stop, tons of Bald Eagles, and lots of laughter made for great memories. Riding the trail at night allowed for spectacular sightings of wildlife and an awesome view of the "Grand Canyon of PA".
As for road trips this year, driving to and from Old Pueblo (PA to AZ) is an adventure that will never be forgotten. Many nights sleeping in the van at rest stops and shopping plaza parking lots. Stops along the way to ride and hike with Clifford. Meals prepped and cooked along the side of the road; many times in the cold and in the dark. This adventure had it's high times and it's low times; but that is what makes adventures and memories.
Racing and training are just as much about the riding as they are about the travels, the locations, and getting to visit amazing places.Friends
Camping trips with friends, regular weekly rides, organized group rides, and the usual "van city" at TSE is what brings friends together to ride. Whether it be the cold Stokesville weekend, hanging out in the tent during the rain at Forbes State Forest, the annual RB Winter trip, or riding destination trips with others we always look forward to these times with friends. Reconnecting with old friends, making new friends, and hanging out with the regulars is one of the many things about cycling we really enjoy.
Liv Ambassador
The Liv Ambassador program is such an awesome thing. Through the support of Liv Cycling and Saucon Valley Bikes, I held numerous clinics and seminars in 2017 that helped empower and enabled women to become more confident on their bikes. Flat fixing clinics, endurance riding, and winter clothing were in shop events. Rides such as skills clinics helped women learn more about cycling and gain the skills and confidence to ride farther and more technical terrain than before and the social ice cream rides were a great way to have fun and enjoy the company of others while getting to stop for a spectacular mid-ride treat. What an amazing program Liv has developed; I am honored and happy to be part of it.Clifford
Last but not least is Clifford. Really, he should be the first thing listed on this blog post since everything we do revolves around Clifford. Riding when it's freezing cold out- done so that Cliff gets out. Revamping the van set-up for sleeping- changed with Cliff in mind to make sure he has the best sleeping area. Choosing what races to do- if it's not dog friendly we have a hard time putting it on our schedule. We travel everywhere as the Nankman family, and that means Cliff comes with us. He is our training partner, our traveling companion, and our snuggle partner when waking up in the cold van. The Nankman Adventures in Cycling really do revolve around Cliff. And we tend to think he enjoys it also.
So that's it, 2017 in summary. A year of far travels, lots of races, time with friends and family, adventures with Clifford, Liv Cycling...and all that these things bring to our lives- joy, adventure, and challenges. Here's to wrapping up an awesome 2017 and looking forward to a great 2018.-Jess (and Joël)