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 Nancy Adams
Hometown:
Lewisburg, PA
Current Residence:
Harrisburg, PA
Age:
32
Years MTB Racing: 4
I am one of four female members of the PAValleys.com racing team. Formerly, I was a member of the VisitPA.com mountain bike team. Compared to the rest of my teammates, I am somewhat of a newcomer to the bicycle racing community. I started mountain bike (MTB) racing in 2006, mainly as a result of my husband, Ray, convincing me to just try it. So, I did and here I am four years later. Prior to MTB racing, I enjoyed riding casually which lead to the idea of touring the country by bicycle with Ray. Since 2000, Ray and I have completed several bicycle tours including a cross-country jaunt from Santa Cruz, CA to Lewisburg, PA; Lewisburg, PA to Acadia National Park in Maine and back to Lewisburg; a tour of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia; and finally a trip to visit family from Syracuse, NY to Madison, WI and back to Syracuse. In my opinion, bicycle touring is the best way to see and experience the country, and would recommend it to anyone.
Mountain biking has definitely been my primary focus since I started racing. I have competed in the Mid-Atlantic Super Series (MASS) each year that I have raced, as well as several USA Cycling regional events. One of my favorite MASS/PAValleys events is the Tour de Tykes, which takes place on the trails behind Geisinger Hospital (also the venue of the Geisinger Humdinger trail run). It’s a super-tough race with tons of climbing. The Geisinger trails are just a “needle in a haystack” when it comes to places to MTB in PA. Pennsylvania has miles and miles of multi-use trails which offer great riding in areas including Bald Eagle State Forest, Rattling Creek in Weiser State Forest, Rothrock State Forest, Michaux State Forest, Swatara State Park, and Jim Thorpe just to name a few.
I have also dabbled in a couple road bike races including the Montour 75, Sunbury YMCA Road Race, and two 40k TT’s (which Ray and I entered on our tandem). I enjoy running and use it both as training for soccer and cross-training for cycling. I have competed in the Run for Women’s Health, Donald Heiter Community Center, Camp Cadet, and Gettysburg 5K’s, and plan to do more running events this year in the River Towns Race Series. Most recently, I have combined my interest in running and mountain biking and competed in the Hibernia Duathlon and River Towns Survival Run.
Aside from mountain biking, soccer is probably my all-time favorite sport. I have played since I was about six years old and still try to play year round. I also love just about any outdoor sport, especially XC skiing, running, hiking, and waterskiing.
 Ray Adams
(on the right)
1978
I was born
1985
I finally learn to ride without my dad holding my bike up. Yes, I took my time learning to balance but never used training wheels. My first bike was a Fuji BMX with 20" wheels.
1990
Skipped school and spent the day riding some local trails in Selinsgrove with my good buddy Jon. I don't advocate truancy, but this was probably the best thing I have ever done. It sparked my interest in mountain biking.
1991
Entered first mountain bike race. My cousin called up the day before and told me about a race happening in his town: Coburn, Pennsylvania. I convinced my dad to drive up and I entered the citizens 12 mile race. 28 miles later, I crawled back in, having taken a wrong turn and spent the day wondering why 12 miles was so hard.
1992
Began bike racing. I picked a bunch of races out of a schedule in the back of Dirt Rag magazine and surveyed flyers from local bike shops. Of course nobody was using the internet yet. I did a bunch of mountain bike races and a handful of road stuff as well. Oh yeah, there was this weird sport called cyclocross which I dabbled in as well.
1994
I think this was the first year I raced in the expert category. Shawn Withers, Dave Duvall, and Bob Reuther were the big shots. A Mennonite racer named Floyd Landis was making a name for himself. Ryan Leech was my arch rival.
1995
Won the Mid-Atlantic Super Series in the Expert Junior category. This was actually the largest cash prize I've won to date. Mountain biking was exploding in the mid ‘90s.
1996
Began college at Bucknell University, due in part to now team co-director Mike Kuhn's advice. I don't remember much about this timeframe. I guess I was too busy studying. I didn’t spend a lot of time on the bike.
2000
Graduated Bucknell and rode across the USA with girlfriend Nancy. We shipped our stuff to Ryan Leech's apartment in Santa Cruz and started the trip back home on our tandem bicycle. The Daily Item (local newspaper) picked us up – big news.
2001
I was enjoying life as a bike shop staffer and did some more bike tours. Nancy and I did a round trip tour PA - Bar Harbor, Maine - PA. It was a great three week trip.
2002
Bike tour of Canadian Rockies and moved to Syracuse, NY for Nancy’s grad schooling.
2003
Re-kindled interest in bike racing and started road racing in central New York. Got linked up with some really good people up there who I still keep in touch with. Had a great season road racing with the Spokepost.com team.
2004
Moved back to PA. We settled in a suburb of Harrisburg called Linglestown. I talked to Mike Kuhn about starting up a MTB team and he showed some interest.
2005
Landed sponsorship with visitPA.com for inaugural year of our MTB team. We had some great times racing and hanging out together. Kuhn, Leech, McClain, Pagano, Blaser, me. I won the Elite Open category in the Mid-Atlantic Super Series.
2007
Attained "pro" status on the MTB. Does not mean much, but sounds cool.
2009
Launched production of the Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic with team co-conspirator Kuhn. Secured 2010 sponsorship with PAValleys.com.
2010
First year of PAValleys.com Racing Team!
 Brandon Draugelis
Date of birth:
9/14/1985
Where you grew up and live now:
I grew up in the metro downtown area of Locust Gap, PA. After 23 years I moved out of the big city and into Bedford, PA.
College:
Attended Lehigh University from 2004 - 2005
Graduated from Shippensburg University in 2008.
How long have you been riding / racing mountain bikes / road?
I’ve been riding for the past 12 years and 2010 will mark my 10th year racing in the dirt. I started dabbling in road races since 2006.
Your biggest accomplishments in cycling:
I think my biggest accomplishment in cycling is being able to consider myself competitive against the people who I have looked up to since I began racing.
2009 Highlights:
1st – 24 Hours of Big Bear Solo
1st – 24 Hours of Nine Mile Solo
1st – Mid-Atlantic Super Series Elite Class
3rd – Granny Gear 24 Hour National Point Series
5th – Mohican 100 (outsprinting Tinker Juarez for the last podium spot!)
6th – Shenandoah 100
Other noteworthy results:
3rd – 2006 24 Hours of Adrenalin Solo World Championships
Why you like to ride in PA:
PA has everything you can ever want for riding. For mountain biking you can go for an easy spin on the nearest tow path, go out and hammer loops at one of the numerous state parks, or prepare yourself for an all day point to point epic in the Pennsylvania wilderness. My personal favorite place to ride is the Roaring Creek tract of Weiser State Forest, which is close to where I grew up and is in the PA Valleys. This place has all of the above including an 8 mile out and back smooth dirt forest road that connects several challenging trails that climb, descend, and wrap around the mountain allowing you to get out and ride for as long or as little as you would like. On the road, PA offers endless back roads with little to no traffic, several climbs, and scenery that welcomes you to get out, ride, and forget about everything else.
Bikes:
Cannodale Caffeine 29er
Cannondale Carbon Scalpel
Cannondale RZ 120
Cannondale Super Six
Cannondale Road Tandem
Best Rides:
At least once each winter Rob and I will go out for one long epic ride that would break most spirits. Last fall’s night before Thanksgiving ride was one of those rides. 3 peak rides at Jim Thorpe used to be the long ride to do just a few years ago, and then a 4th peak was linked in. Adding another peak to the ride would increase the total time to around 5 or 6 hours so we thought it would be a great idea to create a 5 peak ride since there is another mountain nearby. Unlike the other 4 peaks, we had no idea how we were going to reach our last summit in our loop since we had never previously been on that mountain before. After some time on Google Earth that problem was solved, the route was planned out, and with the help of some locals in town we put together a solid 9 hour ride in near freezing temperatures and ripped up the classic trails strewn through the forest surrounding the town. By 3 am my caffeine buzz wore off, the ride was over, the munchies were lingering, and my friend Jeff who came along for the ride was threatening to eat his family’s Thanksgiving turkey.
Worst Crash(es):
I wish I didn’t remember this one. When they used to have Spring Mount open for lift access I went riding there with a few friends from back at home and borrowed a Super V with a long travel fork on it (not exactly meant for all out downhilling) along with some protective equipment. The day started out ok and we had about 3 or 4 runs under our belts which pretty much covered every downhill trail there. Each time down the mountain I was gaining courage and attempting to ride a drop that I backed out on or power through a rock garden that I dabbled on from the previous run. There was a pretty big drop of about 8 ft. that nobody was attempting and I thought that it couldn’t be that bad and the worst that could happen was having a harsh landing. Maybe I should have done a few more smaller drops before riding off of that rock high up in the air, because my hesitation threw my balance off causing the bike to nose dive and my body to land head first in the dirt. Fortunately I had no major injuries, just a stiff neck and some heckling to deal with after I got up.
Favorite races:
Road:
Both Iron Cross and the Fawn Grove Roubaix are among my favorites. They are not your typical road races. They include dirt, and take over 3 hours to finish. I’ll be looking forward to doing the Montour 75 this year as well. The amount of climbing and the scenery in that race should make for a really fun time.
Mountain:
Any race in Michaux is a blast. Every course is technically challenging and always takes you somewhere you’ve never been before. The Stoopid 50 is another one of my favorites, which is just as challenging and as rough as Michaux.
Training / Nutrition:
I try to eat mostly natural foods and stay away from anything that is heavily processed. I do eat meat, but not very often. It’s hard to fight against my cravings for seafood and steak. Training wise I’ll ride anywhere from 12 to 18 hours per week in the summer and split up training time to include weight training and running in the off season.
Other interests:
I like to go out running and hiking with my girlfriend, Jocelyn. Snowshoeing is also fun whenever we get enough snow and is a great way to explore new places. I’m slacking a bit this year, but winemaking is another interest of mine.
 Mike Hebe
(on the right)
My name is Mike Hebe. I am a 41 year old self-confessed bicycle junkie. I love bikes. I love racing bikes. I love challenging myself on two wheels; triathlon, mountain bikes, cyclocross or road it does not matter. In my life I have owned more bikes than years that I have lived on this beautiful earth.
Birthdate:
September 4th 1967. I will be expecting presents. A Riverstock Tri win would be a nice early present.
Category:
Elite / Masters
How long you've been racing / riding:
I started racing Triathlons in 1987 & have been racing ever since.
Why you like to ride in PA:
PA has four great seasons to ride in and the terrain is superb.
Where you grew up:
Wellsville & East Berlin, PA I live in new Cumberland presently.
List of your bikes:
Cannondale Caffeine 29er, Three Cannondale cyclocross bikes, Cannondale CAAD 8 & CAAD 9. Slice Ultimate on the menu for 2010.
List of your worst crashes:
Wiped out in a rain slicked training sprint a few years ago, at 35mph. Went off the road and hit a rut while still doing 30ish. I landed about 30 feet later on my head. Yes, helmets work.
Training routines:
I am pretty structured, and use a great coach (Mike Kuhn). That way I get the most out of my training. I race a great deal, that is where you get fast.
Nutritional beliefs:
Eat healthy, organic if possible. Tons of fruits and veggies, meat is a good thing.
Descriptions of best ride(s) ever:
Hard to say. I have had a lot of good rides, with good friends.
Worst ride ever:
No such thing. Any time outside enjoying yourself is a good thing. Getting hit by a car is a bummer, but I survived.
If you were a bike, what would you be?
Steel framed Schwinn lunch bike. Plain, not fancy, plugs along and helps people get things done. A bike where someone looks back years later and says that was a nice, fun bike that I really enjoyed my time with.
Favorite place to ride on road/off road:
I am rediscovering the off-road possibilities. Swatara State Park is small, but super fun. Michaux is always fun and a test. The back roads of Northern York County are great.
Favorite races:
Most any race that is a challenge, where the course is interesting and the people at the event are nice. Any cyclocross race fits that bill for me. Chili Challenge was so unique, I really enjoyed that race. Any team event at the Oesterling farm. I am looking forward to adding to my fave races this year.
Worst races / finishes:
Four corner crits are boring, but I appreciate the promoters who put the event on. Worst race ever was in '92. At Superweek I cracked on day thirteen and lasted four miles before I dropped out. That is when I found immense respect for stage racers.
2010 Race Goals
Accumulate the highest point total in Rivertowns Race Series
Qualify for Long Course National Championships 2010 & 2011
Qualify for Team USA Long Course World Championships 2010 & 2011
Win XTerra Atlantic Region Point Series 40+
Accomplishments
20+ years of racing experience in Road, triathlon, MTB, Cyclocross
Greater than 600 events entered, 60+ race and series wins, and counting
2008 USA Cycling MTB Super D National Champion 40+
2009 USAT Off-Road Duathlon National Champion 40+
2009 USAT XTerra Triathlon Mid-Atlantic series leader 40+
2009 USAT XTerra Triathlon National Series points leader 40+
2005-2009 Executive Director Mid-Atlantic cyclocross series (10 race International series)
2006-2009 Executive Director PA Cycling Association Cyclocross
2004-2008 Race Director Lower Allen Classic, Carlisle Classic UCI C2 Cyclocross events
USA Cycling certified coach
 Mike Kuhn
"Kuhndog," or Mike Kuhn as he's known to his parents, sometimes talks about being fast back in the day, but since very few on the team were really racing mountain bikes at that time its pretty hard to verify those claims - and the ones who were racing aren't talking. Always willing to offer up his point of view on anything endurance sport related, the team mostly just lets him tag along now and then and placates him with fast sexy cool trinkets like his Cannondale Carbon Flash 29er and Super Six road bike so he'll keep his opinions to himself while putting on events for us.
Okay, that not really true. Mike has been a pretty recognizable face in the mid-Atlantic cycling scene for a long time competing first as a mountain biker before spending a few years racing around the US of A on a road bike doing pro events like Sea Otter and Redlands. He came back to mountain biking after his wife, Kristine, picked up a spot as a pro on the Trek squad in the late 90's and early 00's and was one of the most successful mtb racers in the mid-Atlantic region during that time. During those years he also began coaching endurance athletes and promoting events - his first race promotion experience coming in college while at Bucknell with the annual Bucknell collegiate road events on campus and the first edition of the Rocktober Challenge at RB Winter State Park.
Living in Bethlehem, PA with his wife Kristine and son Braden - and #2 on the way due in July - Mike's focus is now on the coaching and event promotional end of things and he's created several noteworthy events. The Rassin' and Festival Weekend which occurs the end of June in Marysville, PA is a 3 day celebration of endurance sports with a mountain bike team oriented stage race and a new-for-2010 XC running stage race is one of them. Iron Cross - the longest cyclocross race in America and an event attracting an international field to Michaux state forest each fall is another. Next up is the launch of the Trans-Sylvania Epic, a 7 day Mountain Bike Stage Race he's working to bring to life to with Ray. Coaching endurance athletes through PowerOn Coaching is the other half of Mike's immersion in the sport and something he greatly enjoys. His athletes have found high levels of success in many different endurance sport disciplines including Xterra, IronMan, XC and Endurance mountain bike racing, ICU Triathlon, Adventure Racing, Sprint to Olympic Tris, Road Racing and even those looking for nothing more than to beat up on their buddies on the weekly ride or improve their fitness. Mike even runs several training camps throughout the year to help athletes build fitness and learn how to better prepare for events and demands of competition. Coaching has offered him the opportunity to work with a wide range of people and goals and has even led to working with motocross racers and an alpine mountaineer preparing for an ascent of a Himalayan peak! Always working to help athletes meet and exceed their goals, Mike brings both his vast coaching knowledge and his race promotional experience to the table for the PAValleys.com Team; now if we can just get him racing again!
Mike's favorite places to ride include the Oesterling Farm where he runs many of his events and where he built most of the trails on the property with some help from his friends; RB Winter State Park where mountain biking is raw and old school and absolutely beautiful; Philadelphia and Bethlehem where it is hard to believe you can find as much great riding inside city limits as you can; State College (which is awesome for road riding too) and Michaux where the local riding communities have done incredible work creating massive trails networks and for a one-day excursion its hard to beat the killer riding at the Rattling Creek Singletrackers home outside of Lykens, PA. So basically he likes to ride everywhere in PA.
Working with Ray for the past five years to organize and run the highly successful team that has grown into the 2010 PAValleys.com squad, Kuhndog can't wait to get the 2010 season underway and take part in the unique and challenging River Towns Race Series and particularly some of the Super 7 events - he's already begun to search out the Central Scrutinizer. Any hints?
 Rob Lichtenwalner
Pro mountain bike ultra-endurance racer Rob Lichtenwalner is a simple guy who likes to ride his Cannondale mountain bike. A lot. Most widely known as “Vegan Rob”, the Nazareth, PA native juggles his complicated racing and training schedule with running two successful businesses, volunteerism, mentoring and being a good husband. Rob’s racing accomplishments are impressive: 2-time National Points Solo Champion for the prestigious Granny Gear 24 Hour Racing Series, multi-time Mid-Atlantic Super Series Endurance Champion and 6th place overall in the National Ultra-Endurance Series for 2009. Rob works and trains tirelessly, representing his sponsors well throughout the season. Simply complicated indeed!
While titles and championships are a testament to his work ethic, Rob’s biggest accomplishment is his outstanding reputation as a foremost ambassador to the sport of cycling. Community activism is just Rob’s way of giving back to that which fuels his passion, while doing his part to secure recreational activities for future generations. Throughout the year he performs riding clinics for beginners, logs a multitude trailwork days often with donated machinery from his landscape business, and consults as a trail- and community-advocate for Valley Mountain Bikers, a Bethlehem, PA based cycling club.
At age 29 (“For the 4th year in a row,” Rob says) and with nine racing seasons under his belt, Rob is just coming into the prime age for Endurance racing. This season’s goals are lofty: top-5 at the USA Cycling National 24 Hour Championships, and overall Solo Champion in the inaugural Trans-sylvania Epic 7-day mountain bike stage-race near State College, PA. “I think they are quite attainable. With phenomenal support from PAValleys.com, I am really looking forward to my most successful racing season yet, and getting even more people involved in this fine sport” says Rob. No matter what, you will always find Rob with his good-natured smile, slightly muddy, probably offering you a vegan treat of some sort.
 Carolyn Popovic
Birthdate:
8/9/1978
Years racing:
8-9
Top 5 Career Highlights:
1) 14th pro xc, Nova National Stage Race, AZ, 2008
2) 14th pro xc, Sea Otter Classic, CA, 2008
3) 19th pro/1/2, Cyclocross National Championships, 2007
4) 21st pro xc, NMBS Brian Head, UT, 2006
5) 1st female, Xterra Nevada , 2005
Why I race: Curiosity and...just because I can! I have a competitive spirit. I love hard physical efforts, scary descents, and the food I get to eat afterwards!
Places I've lived:
Philadelphia, Switzerland, Germany, State College, San Francisco, San Carlos CA, Hesperia CA
Current habitat:
Right back to Philadelphia!
Occupation:
German Teacher, Ridley High School...student of everything else
Favorite Rides/Races:
In two words: off-road. In more: California is a vast, beautiful state with endless trail variety and excitement. Where else can you run into an emu on a race course? Same (the beauty, I mean) goes for other mountain states in western US. But after too much time away, I realized that I missed a lot that PA has to offer...flowing waterways, lush green plants and trees, colorful forest critters, tree cover, and most of all the people. Cycling is a fun and supportive community here that is always up for an adventure. My favorite race out west would be the Idyllwild Spring Challenge. In PA I'd have to say that my favorite riding is on central PA trails where you can bump around for hours in silence--just the bike and your breath pushing you along.
What I've learned:
Hard work will get you far! But smart hard work will get you to the chocolate covered peanut butter! I've learned to respect and admire nature...while riding, running, hiking, whatever! I'm thankful for my abilities, and that I can spend so much time outdoors.
Yet to come:
I'm really excited about riding, racing and traveling in 2010! Mountainbiking is the sport I could never move beyond. Can't wait to see what the dirt n' rocks have to offer this year!
 Kara Shiffer
Birthdate:
December 19, 1978
Category:
Elite Amateur
How long you've been racing / riding:
I started racing Triathlons in 2006.
Why you like to ride in PA:
I have lived in PA all of my life. The terrain is good and there are so many back roads that have very little traffic and great personality.
Where you grew up:
Newville, PA. I live in New Cumberland, PA now.
List of your bikes:
Gary Fisher Mountain bike and Trek cyclocross bike. I cannot wait to get my hands on a Cannondale Slice & a Super Six.
List of your worst crashes:
At the Savageman Half-Ironman there is a 31% climb/wall that is cobbled. I caught my front wheel in a rut and promptly fell right over while still being clipped in.
Training routines:
I use a coach and try to balance all three disciplines. Since I have been/am injured I tend to ride and swim much more than I run.
Nutritional beliefs:
I eat a very healthy diet, mainly of organic food and produce. I do love good wine. My best race award last year was winning a bottle at a race.
Descriptions of best ride(s) ever:
First time I dropped all the guys on a group ride (except for Josh Beck!)
Worst ride ever:
Last year Mike & I did a cold (for me at least) ride where we had to stop and get me coffee, rub my legs and put newspapers up my jacket for more warmth. My legs were tingling and bright red. That was cold!
If you were a bike, what would you be?
A townie bike… laid back and easygoing, preferably resting in a rack at coffee shops.
Favorite place to ride on road / off road:
I am not so good at riding off-road. I would like to do more rail-trail winter training though.
Favorite races:
Savageman ½ Ironman in Deep Creek Lake, MD- cried a few times during the race but can’t wait to do it again.
Chili Challenge was really unique. I look forward to better weather this year.
Worst races / finishes:
World’s 70.3 in Clearwater, FL. There is too much cheating at that race. People blatantly draft/cheat.
 Erica Yozell
Erica has always enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking, backpacking, trail running, and rock climbing, so it was no surprise that she fell in love with mountain biking when her brother introduced her to the sport almost nine years ago. Soon road riding followed, then cyclocross, and Erica realized she loved spending a lot of time riding Pennsylvania’s roads and trails. Now racing mountain bikes and cyclocross provides a good balance with working and being the mother of a toddler.
 Mike Yozell
Mike's passion for riding bikes started when he was a kid. After racing BMX as a teen, Mike started racing mountain bikes in 1989 while living in Philadelphia--and he hasn't stopped since. Now based in Emmaus, PA, Mike competes in Mountain-biking, Road-racing Cyclo-cross, but he still just loves riding his bike. Fast, slow, road, off-road, commuting--it doesn't matter. When not riding, Mike works as a General Contractor and spends time with his family, cooking, fixing things, and helping to raise his son Isaac. Mike also makes a fine cup of espresso, just ask him for one sometime.
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