12 Hours of Port Jervis. As per the race director- a day to remember.

 

12 Hours of Port Jervis

May 14, 2022

Jessica 1^st place solo women

Joël 4^th place solo single speed

StarCrawf Promotions (Dejay Birtch)

With support from Outdoor Club of Port Jervis and Action Bikes

Port Jervis, NY

As per the race director "We believe in putting on bike "races" that will provide you with a memorable experience. Come race or ride with us for a day to remember".  Well, this event certainly fit that description.  This certainly was an event that will forever be remembered; in both smile inducing and suffering ways.  As you read on prepared for a story filled with challenge and commitment, fun, and also quite a bit of pain and suffering. But why would it be easy, if it was everyone would be doing it. As you read on you may think "why" and you may think "this sounds terrible". But it really was a great event, just a tough ride.

Not often that I finish a race and am truly glad it is over. Not often that when Joël and I talk about “what was your favorite part of the race” and “what part was the most fun” do I really need to think hard to find an answer; the same goes for Joël.

 

12 Hours of Port Jervis was an awesome race, and I would recommend it to those that are in for a challenge. In the mind of the Nankmans it is one that certainly will always be remembered and talked about.  The location at Elk Bronx Park was top notch with amazing campsites for the weekend including a special area for solo riders directly on the course. The race organization left nothing out; easy registration, race swag, electronic timing, timely and well attended podium ceremony with impressive prizes, happy and cheerful volunteers, music and festivities during the race, and beer for racers. The course was a true mountain bikers dream; techy and challenging as most of the trails of the Port Jervis watershed are, making riders earn every mile on the course. But the course is also what made this race a well earned sufferfest; especially for solos.

 

Weather for race weekend could not have been better. Temperatures in the mid 70s made for a nice day of riding and it was never too chilly in the morning or evening to require clothing adjustments.  A rain storm mid afternoon did make for some sketchy riding on the wet rocks and roots but it was a nice way to cool down and a good excuse to walk every now and then to avoid crashing.

 

A hearty group of almost 50 solo riders registered for the race. Word spread quickly through the solo ranks after some people pre-rode on Friday that this race was going to be a tough one. The course was relentless, an almost never ending challenge of rocky, rooty, twisty single track. No significant climbs on the course, but still some good elevation gain in all the punchy climbs and the gradual ups and downs.  Each lap measured in at just over seven miles and around 1100 feet of climbing.  Most of the top solo riders were averaging 45-50 minutes a lap in the beginning, and over an hour by the end. Oh ya, the start is a Lemans, riders must run to their bikes.

It was evident by the half-way mark, if not even sooner, this was going to be a true test of mental and physical fortitude just to keep pedaling.  Legs were never the limiting factor, which many other solo riders agreed with, it was other parts of the body that were crying out from the constant concussing.  Hands, feet, backs, and butts hurt. As one solo rider put it “I am going to need my hands transplanted after this race”. Another solo rider said “I feel I am pretty good at suffering and always find something to enjoy about a race even when things are tough but this one is a challenge to enjoy”. But all in all it is a really good course and has the potential to be super fun; just not when riding for 12 hours straight. Joël and I both agreed our bodies felt more beat-up after 12 hours on this course than after many 24 hour races with much more more mellow courses. Thanks DJ for making us all work hard and seeing how much we are really willing to suffer.

 

But did the Nankmans have a good time? Of course. Sure, our bodies may have suffered and our minds tired from being on high alert the entire time. But it was great to catch-up with and ride with friends.  Post race was a party atmosphere; a good way to celebrate with others what we all accomplished and earned.  Overall the event had everything a rider could expect and want; riders just need to be ready to ride.

 

On a side note, the town of Port Jervis is well worth hanging out in pre/post event or even just in general to go there to ride the watershed trails and visit the area. A historic town with so much to offer in food and beverages.  Get something to eat and beer at the Fox N Hare.  Grab a bagel sandwich from Dr. Bagel.  Shop for outdoor gear at Action Bikes. Also worth visiting is the town of Milford, a few miles south.  Another town rich in history, food, and shopping. The historical society there has the flag Abraham Lincoln’s head was laid upon after being assassinated. And yes, it has been certified to be the real thing. 

 

Now, to circle back to the introductory paragraph.  What did Joël answer as the most fun?  He said he was enjoying watching the bright orange newts scamper across the trail; until watching once caused him to hit a tombstone rock and crash. He then muttered mother f’ing newts.  I most enjoyed looking at the beautiful little flowers along the trail until it hurt to much to move my neck and back to look around, then I gave up trying to see them. So yes there was fun, but to be honest the most fun was the final time through the timing tent and then immediately getting to drink a beer.

 

And to answer the question most people asked afterwards…will we race it again. With a “we must be crazy and gluttons for punishment” look on our faces, yes, the Nankmans will go back again to race this in the future.

- words by Jessica

- photos by race promoter StarCrawf Promotions and photographer Mow Captures #mowcaptures

- photos by Joël

12 Hours of Santos. It's not all about racing. Friends, family, and the forest.

12 Hours of Santos

More to racing than just riding; friends, family, and the forest

February 19, 2022

Jessica 1st place solo women

Joël within top 10 open men

Race by: Gone Riding Productions

Ocala, Florida

 

This blog report is not going to be much about the race.  Look back at previous Nankman Adventures in Cycling Blog reports for the details about the racing at 12 Hours of Santos. The race organization, the trails, the course remains much unchanged. And yes, it still has a gigantic trophy awarded to first place.  It’s a great early season race for us to travel to; a fun event with good riding and way better weather than in Pennsylvania in February.

But this year’s visit to 12 Hours of Santos had way more exciting and noteworthy items than the racing. It was filled with friends, food, family, and forest time.

Friends. Joël and I had the honor of one of our friends from Pennsylvania come to watch us race and cheer for us. She has family in the area and coordinated her family visit with some race spectating. She is not a cyclist, so this was really special to have her come watch, she even brought her family along.  Endurance cycling is not much of a spectator sport, and it is far and few between that Joël and I have people come to watch events, especially people who are not into cycling themselves.  Knowing a friend is there watching helped keep me pedaling strong and gave me something to look forward to. In addition to the racing, Joël and I met-up with this same friend and her family for food, beer, and hanging out after the race at The World of Beer. Once again, just such a good time to share stories about the race and relax afterwards with food and friends.

Family.  An Aunt and Uncle recently moved from Pennsylvania to The Villages in Ocala so while down there Joël and I planned a visit with them.  We spent time catching up with family and learning all about their new life in Florida.  We toured The Villages seeing all the community centers and activities they had to offer, had dinner and ice cream in one of the town squares, listened to a band and danced, played shuffleboard, and walked around the area. Great time visiting with family and wonderful of them to share their new life with us. And as par for the course in The Villages, Joël and I drove a golf cart around on the roads and paths throughout the community. 

Forest.  After friends and family the Nankmans headed to Ocala National Forest for some camping and riding. We stayed in a primitive dispersed site which meant it was really back to nature. No facilities, no electric or water, literally just a clearing in the forest; just the way we like it.  We rode gravel bikes throughout the forest and did some hiking with our dog Clifford along the river at Davenport Landing where we learned about the Native American culture that previously lived there and the early settlers along the river.  And yup, we saw a huge alligator along the road, but luckily it was while driving out of the forest on our way heading home.

So yes, the race was our reason to travel to Florida. But spending time with friends, visiting with family, and enjoying the forest were really what made the trip memorable.

Words by Jessica; photos by Joël