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Some runners find ElliptiGO bikes when they’re looking to mix up their training. Others rely on their GO to stay active when running isn’t an option. And then there’s a rider who has done both—putting in the miles year after year and logging more than 60,000 lifetime miles. Meet Jeff Mann, our April 2026 Rider of the Month.

From Ohio Roots to Reno Roads

Jeff’s story starts in the Midwest and stretches west. He says, “I grew up in Amherst, Ohio, which is a small town 30 miles west of Cleveland. After college and seven years in the Air Force, I ended up out west.”

Today, Reno is home. “I’ve lived in Reno, Nevada, for 32 years now,” says Jeff. After working as the Parks Manager for the city of Reno, Jeff retired in 2021. But he certainly hasn’t slowed down.

“I’m married with three grown children, one grandchild and another on the way,” Jeff shares. “My wife and I are both retired and active, and we travel frequently. I also coach track and cross country part-time at a local high school.”

A Lifelong Runner

Running has been a constant in Jeff’s life for nearly five decades. He’s been a competitive runner since he was on the track team in 8th grade.

Over the years, he built an impressive resume on the track and the road. Jeff notes, “My primary races are the 800 meters through 3000 meters, with the mile being my favorite distance.” He has often competed in both the indoor and outdoor USA Track & Field (USATF) Masters National Championships.

In his 40s, Jeff reached the podium again and again, winning his age group three times and finishing second or third in various events multiple times. He also competed with a team in the North California road and cross country series, racing distances ranging from 5K to half marathon.

Injury, Recovery and ElliptiGO Bikes

That momentum was interrupted in 2012 when Jeff began experiencing Achilles problems. He recalls, “After several attempts at rest and physical therapy, I had surgery in the fall of 2012 and again in spring 2013.”  Unfortunately, nine months later, he still couldn’t run regularly.

Jeff knew about ElliptiGO bikes; he’d seen Brian Pilcher, an elite masters athlete,  riding one in 2010 at a 10K in Marin, California. After surgery to repair a torn labrum, Pilcher integrated the ElliptiGO elliptical bike into his running regimen. He  would go on to win multiple USATF age group championships and to set numerous American records at various distances for his age group. 

After dealing with Achilles problems for nearly two years, Jeff thought that riding an elliptical bike would be a good cross-training solution. He bought his first GO, an 8S, in January 2014.

What started as a way to stay fit and recover from injury became much more. “From 2012 through 2019, I was never able to run more than five consecutive months before my Achilles started hurting, so the ElliptiGO became my primary outlet for exercise and sanity,” Jeff explains.

Building Strength on the GO

Jeff didn’t just ride—he trained. He notes, “I’m naturally competitive. I couldn’t just go for a ride, I had to have a challenge.”

He started riding daily in February 2014, averaging about 50 miles per week. Jeff also participated in the Global ElliptiGO Riders Club’s (GERC) inaugural Get Out and GO (GOGO) riding program. By May, he was up to 150 miles per week with 7,000+ feet of elevation gain weekly. He set his sights on qualifying for the ElliptiGO World Championship in October 2014.

To prepare for the steep ascent up Mount Palomar, Jeff began riding Geiger Grade to Virginia City, a seven-mile climb up over 2,000 feet, and eventually up Mt. Rose Highway overlooking Lake Tahoe, a 16-mile ride with a 4,400 foot climb. He was riding 28 days or more a month, totaling 6,000–7,000 miles a year.

“I was training like a runner,” Jeff says. “I regularly did hill repeats: four times hard up a 1.5 mile grade varying from 5–8%, then coasting back down. I would also go to a local high school and do two-mile repeats on the track, pushing to break six minutes. I’d do hard segments on my daily rides once or twice a week. During a 20-mile ride at lunchtime, I would do one minute on/one minute off, 10 times, or five minutes on/two minutes off, four times.”

That level of training certainly adds up—and it paid off. Jeff placed fifth in his inaugural ElliptiGO World Championships race. On the GERC all-time statistics list, he is in the top 10 in several elevation and speed categories. Jeff also ranks number seven on the all-time mileage list, with more than 60,000 lifetime miles—a milestone that reflects years of steady work.

Jeff continues to participate in GOGO every year. “I’ve met a lot of GOers that way, like John Burmester, Ron Richardson and Bob Rowden,” he notes.

And like many long-time riders, he values the support behind the scenes. “I wouldn’t have lasted this long without tech support from ElliptiGO’s Service Manager, Keri Cleeremans,” says Jeff.

Jeff’s Favorite Ride

When it comes to favorite rides, one stands out. Jeff says, “My favorite ride is the 72-mile loop around Lake Tahoe, which includes about 4,000 feet of climbing.”

He’s also pushed himself on that course. Recalling a standout effort, Jeff shares, “At least once per year I would add the out-and-back to Truckee to make it a 100-mile ride. One year I did that as part of an organized ride, America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride. I did the 100-mile option and pushed hard to finish it in under six hours.”

The last 10 rolling miles were challenging, but Jeff made it — with about 15 seconds to spare. He adds, “I was pretty tired the following day, but I still got in a 20-mile ride.”

Back on Track

After years of managing his injury, Jeff eventually found his way back to consistent running. In January 2020, he finally was able to run for six consecutive months. Despite a setback in 2022–2023 that led to an Achilles surgery on his other foot, Jeff has been able to return to competitive running.

“I’m back competing on the track,” reports Jeff. He participated in the Australian Masters Nationals in March 2026, finishing 4th in the 1500 and 2nd in the 5000. “Those were my two fastest races since entering the age 60 group in 2023,” he says.

Although Jeff now is focusing on running, he says, “I still love to get out and ride regularly, even if it’s just for an hour.” Today he rides an 11R and cites toe cages as his favorite ElliptiGO accessory. Currently he logs about 80 miles a week, riding four or five days a week as cross training to support his competitive running.

He adds, “I haven’t done any big hills lately, and I kind of miss it. Maybe this fall, after track season, I’ll tackle Geiger and Mt Rose again.”

After a dozen years of riding ElliptiGO bikes, Jeff sums up his experience this way: “It’s the best exercise machine I’ve ever owned. I would go crazy without it. It’s so much better than a bike with a seat!”

Jeff’s journey reflects what so many runners and riders value about ElliptiGO bikes: They provide a way to stay active, push your limits, and be part of a special community. With more than 60,000 miles behind him and plenty more ahead, he continues to set an example for riders everywhere. Congratulations, Jeff, on being our April 2026 Rider of the Month!

 

 

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