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Ashley

@runswithforks_

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TBI Survivor, Para Athlete, Bike Racer & Trail Runner.
Bay Area, CA 📍

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Our ladies showed up strong @usacycling Master’s Nats!! After racing all over @_ncnca_ and @scnca these three headed off to Wisconsin.

Huge congratulations to @shann_imal who took 🥉 in the criterium and 🥈 in the road race. The time trial with brutal wind and heat tested everyone and @runswithforks_ showed her grit and strength securing 🥉 place. The ladies lined up together for the road race and with humidity and heat rising, they pushed through. @sumeravila rounded out the podium in 5th after her week at ToAD. It was a great week for @evokeracingteam and they are excited to come back next year. 💥

The love and support of our sponsors and families made this all possible. Thanks @cliffordbart @ssmith71st @staviddnelson @addyshoaf @icesportswear @halpern.law.firm @rubbersoulbicycles @cbscycling @agourahillsbikeshop @esncom @gozwift @michaelpentasewerspecialist

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We are super excited for our women’s team to head to Wisconsin for @usacycling Master’s Nats!! Looking forward to watching these rockstars put their training to work. Follow along for updates. 💜

Huge thanks to the sponsors that made this trip possible @icesportswear @halpern.law.firm @michaelpentasewerspecialist @peardog11_paints

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This week’s results for Durner Performance athletes ranged from a 1-km criterium course, to a 135-mile gravel race, and everything in-between.⁠
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In California, Ashley Nelson (@runswithforks_ ) put her fitness and bike handling to the test on the fast, technical Sand City Criterium course. Racing as a Cat 3 in a combined field, Ashley won the Women's race, topped the 40+ category, and crossed the line ahead of Cat 1/2 competitors.⁠
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At Dirty Dino in Utah, Brian Cone (@brian_conetucky) took the win in the 98+ mile Para Men T-Rex race, while Amanda Powell (@amanda.powellcycling) earned the victory in the Women's Para Micro Raptor 26+ mile race.⁠
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At the Pikes Peak APEX Gravel Race in Colorado Springs, Ben Steger (@beenjammin.steger) tackled 135 miles, more than 11,000 feet of climbing, and long stretches of deep gravel to finish 3rd in Men 30-39 and 12th overall.⁠
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When the APEX shifted to mountain biking on Sunday, Nikki Aisenbrey (@nhelstad) powered through the Marathon course, climbing 22 miles before a fast descent on loose singletrack. She finished 6th overall and 1st in the 30-39 age group.⁠
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And the weekend before, Katie Branham (@ktbranham) finished as the 3rd female overall at the 90-mile Salida Big Friggin' Loop as part of the Colorado Endurance Series.

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The problem with being a challenged Para Athlete is, well, the challenges.

I've concentrated much of my health efforts on dealing with the ramifications of a non-functioning ankle from my accident yet my entire body- every joint and so many bones from the crushed vertebrae on down was also greatly injured. Just this December my hip, something never on my radar, reared up ugly as the newest limiting factor.

Years of your body trying to compensate puts a huge load of wear and tear. When you top it off with the intense demands of an elite athlete the body and mind’s stress is exponential. Every Adaptive Athlete knows this deeply. And yet we forge on…

They say "Hey you've made it this far! Just ride your best with what you have today." Which is so very true and truly a win unto itself. Yet tbh it's results you really want, not just showing up.

Despite disappointments, illness, pain and setbacks- and I’d argue BECAUSE of them- I still strive for lofty goals and dreams. Why?? I mean in the grand scheme of things what does it matter if I place well or beat my time going around and around in circles on a bike?

What really keeps me going? What's my Why? Not to try to prove how tough or awesome I am. It's that perhaps I can model for any of you out there who struggle in one way or another to JUST. KEEP. ROLLING. FORWARD. Whatever the challenge, whatever the passion.

And by doing so maybe, just maybe, discover you're actually right in the middle of your best life all along. Cover photo 📸 Christopher Stricklen Race 📸 Greg Beliera. #paracycling #findingyourwhy #boltonendurancesportstraining #usacycling

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Months of training paid off this weekend as Durner Performance athletes delivered strong performances from Kansas to Canada.⁠
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Three athletes lined up for the muddy challenge that was Unbound Gravel, and all three crossed the finish line:⁠
▪️Diane Quizon (@411bandit) powered to 2nd place in the Women’s 100-Mile Singlespeed division, finishing in 10:15:12.⁠
▪️Jody Bailey (@ajbailey3) completed the full 200-mile course in 15:08:38, placing in the top third of the Men’s 60–69 field.�⁠
▪️Travis Swiers finished the 200-mile race in 14:13:19, landing in the top 40% of the Men’s 40–44 category.⁠
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Two athletes took on the legendary 7-day BC Bike Race up north:⁠
▪️Braxton Little (@braxton.d.little) finished 57th overall.�⁠
▪️Michele Marsh (@michelemarsh1) rode to 4th place in the Women’s 60+ Solo division.⁠
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Meanwhile, Ashley Nelson (@runswithforks) raced to 2nd overall and 1st in Cat 3 Women at the Copper Valley Circuit Race (@velopromo).⁠

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Together, no journey is too far! We are blessed to have so many outstanding couples riding for @evokeracingteam

From training rides to racing all the bikes, these couples are cheering each other on.💜

Huge thanks to @icesportswear for keeping us looking sharp. 💥

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Come get the inside scoop on ParaCycling from @USACycling and NorCal Paralympians, Team USA athletes and LA28 Hopefuls.

Saturday February 7
3:30-5 with snacks and meets starting at 3

SPORTS BASEMENT
1177 Kern Ave
Sunnyvale, CA

https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ca--sunnyvale/paracycling/

Share far and wide!

#paraathlete #parasport #whatyoudontsee #strong #parastrong
#Believe #paracycling
#findingmywhy #teamUS#adaptiveathlete#championEveryJourney
#USParaCycling #USParalympics #usacycling
#ncncawomen #_ncnca_ #boltonendurancesportstraining #sanjoseracing #cafoundation

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I tried my best. And I think she did it better. She’s one of my favorite people ever. #momswhorace #momswhotrain #bestie #bikeracing #strengthtraining

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In 2009, Ashley suffered a traumatic brain injury that led to multiple strokes and brain hemorrhages. Doctors warned her family that if she survived, she might never walk again and would not be the same person.

Recovery was long and uncertain. She now lives with left-sided weakness, vision loss in one eye, and cognitive challenges. But Ashley refused to let those limits define her future.

Today, she is an ultramarathon runner, an elite bike racer, and a classified paracyclist who competes in able-bodied events. Her journey is proof that life after stroke does not mean life is over — it means life looks different.

“I’ll never be the same again,” Ashley says, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t live a life.”

💚 Ashley was encouraged by her neurologist to share her story so others could see what’s possible after stroke.

If you’re a stroke survivor or caregiver with a story to share, we want to hear from you.
Send us a DM or tag #ChampionTheChallenges.

📸 @runswithforks_

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That perfect mix of steady paceline, friendly lead out , and just enough suffering to make it fun #sjbcrt #sjbc #trainingride

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This woman right here! @runswithforks_ , my bike wife, my best friend. Tough as nails and the owner of a huge heart. Happy birthday gorgeous! I’m sorry I’m out of commission at the moment. When I’m better, we’re going somewhere. That, and I’ll only ever try to take pictures of your best angles 🤣
Thanks for always having my back both on the bike and off. I’m keeping you foreverz. I love you!

#shemybestfriend #bikes #bikewife

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When you take the bull by the horns, you create your own fortunate fate! 💪💪@runswithforks_ did just that at the Sand City Crit Masters 123 and helped drive a punishing 40 minute pace and a well earned 🥈👏👏 Podiums don’t come easy! Congrats Ashley! 🎉🤟

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