Shout Out!

Favorite Magazine! Especially love their travel tours and insider tips. They also have an addicting website…

http://www.bicycling.com/

High on the Fly

Have you ever had an AMAZING spin class? I’m talking about one that made you feel light as a feather, like a Tour rider, head of the pack, eye of the tiger type? I get that feeling every now and then when I am able to snag a Saturday 8:05 spot at my gym. To be honest… I sneak in sometimes when I forget to call in my spot. Hey, if you’re not there ten minutes prior, you really don’t appreciate the ART of Spin.

There’s just something about that first song. That warm up stretch. That first climb… it makes you feel ALIVE. I can’t get over it. And when you have THE Instructor, with the perfect music mix, and the perfect set of intervals, IT is magical.

I have taken Yoga, Weight Lifting Classes, Trampoline Class, Step, Bootcamp, Kickboxing, and nothing feels better than Spin. Tell me about YOUR favorite instructor…. YOUR favorite class?

Livestrong Riding Events

Ride in various cities across the US with the Livestrong Team

Why: Fundraising goes to the Livestrong Foundation, Lance Armstrong’s Charity,     money used to fight cancer and support programs and services for survivors

Locations: Texas, Colorado, California, Iowa, Pennsylvania

Dates: March-Oct 2012

Registration: Different prices based on events and time of registration

Fundraising Goal: $250 minimum

Information: here

TD Five Boro Bike Tour May 6th, 2012

Held annually the first Sunday in May, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour is America’s largest cycling event. The Tour is produced by Bike New York, the city’s premiere bicycling organization, in association with the City of New York and the New York City Department of Transportation.

The event provides participants the unique and fun experience to bike through all five boroughs – a 40 mile, traffic-free ride for 32,000 cyclists.  Starting just north of Battery Park, the tour runs up Manhattan, through Central Park, around a brief loop in the Bronx and down to the Queensboro Bridge passing countless New York City icons on the way. 

After a continued, car-free ride over the Polaski bridge into Brooklyn, Riders enjoy an incredible view from the lower deck of the Verrazano Bridge.  The ride lands on Staten Island for a lively outdoor Festival, including bike demos, giveaways, games, food, product samples, stretching, massage, photo booths, and official Bike New York merchandise on sale. 

 Lottery Registration Fee: $6

Lottery Dates: Starting Jan 17^th @ 10am-Feb 7^th @ 5pm

Notification: March 1^st, with 1 week to register

If you are a Chosen One, the Cost: $75 per rider

VIP: $300 per rider

More info: here

Last year was my first 5-Boro Tour and I absolutely loved it. We were not one of the unfortunate people to get stuck on the BQE for hours, only thirty minutes or so. This year I know Bike New York is doing everything possible to make it an enjoyable ride for everyone.

 Tips: It is better not to clip in for this ride. There was a lot of stop and go through Manhattan. Bring sunscreen. Get ready to stand for a good hour on line to the Staten Island Ferry as well as on the Ferry itself. Not the funnest thing in the world after a few hours of riding.

Good luck with the Lottery!

Bike Multiple Sclerosis, Five Local Events in CT NY NJ

For cyclists and all those seeking a personal challenge and a world free of MS, here are many events to choose from in the area.

BIKE MS, CONNECTICUT

Location: Windsor or Westport

Date: June 3rd, 2012

Minimum Pledge: $125 plus $25 registration

Length: 10, 25, 50 miles (& Windsor also has 100 miles)

CT info: click here

BIKE MS, NEW YORK

September 30th, 2012

Length: 30,50, 100 miles

Minimum Pledge: $50 registration till August, plus $150 fundraising

NY info: click here

BIKE MS, NEW JERSEY

NJ Info: THREE Separate Events can be found here

CT Challenge- July 28th 2012

The Connecticut Challenge is a non-competitive premiere cycling event benefiting an exceptional cause. The CT Challenge Bike ride is a fundraiser.  Riders are committed to the cause of cancer survivors and to raising money that will support programs to empower cancer survivors throughout CT state.

Ride as an individual, form a team or sign up to ride as a member of Team Survivors. All participating cancer survivors are invited to ride in a Lap of Honor prior to the start of the ride. All ages permitted.

Fees and other info: http://bike.ctchallenge.org/ride/fees-fundraising/

Where: Starting at Fairfield County Hunt Club, Westport CT

Lengths: 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 miles.

Support: Rider aid stations, located every 15-20 miles along each course and complete SAG/Safety support in between. Aid stations will include snacks, water, sports drinks, and other cycling necessities.

More info: http://bike.ctchallenge.org/ride

I rode with my husband in this event last year. It was not only a beautiful ride, but also inspiring and fun. The opening ceremonies will touch your heart. You will be motivated the entire stretch of the ride and there is great food, music, and a swag bag at the finish line.

Common mistakes…

One thing I have truly learned from my transition from biking outdoors to indoor spinning is proper posture on the saddle. I have become very confused as to why on Earth you need to lean aggresively from left to right in position three. I have learned that there is no such thing as sprinting at a low resistance on a bicycle and the real reason behind why you shouldn’t lean on your handle bars. I seriously think all spin instructors should have experience riding an actual bike. I hope to get my Spin Instructor Cert in the next year or so.

Terms to know:

Resistance is the weight on the fly wheel, how high you set the dial

 Cadence is how fast you move your feet around the pedal stroke. Generally these go hand in hand, a high cadence means lower resistance, and vice versa.

1)      Leaning from left to right on your spin bike not only throws off your balance, but it makes you exert and waste your energy. You should be solely focused on keeping your body in line with the bike and your pedal stroke. If you did this on an actual bicycle you would be jerking yourself from left to right and potentially riding into objects and people. It would look and feel rediculous!

2)      Sprinting on at a low resistance on a bicycle is a waste of time and energy. Why the heck are you going to sprint in an easy resistance? On a real bicycle you would look like an idiot and get nowhere fast. When I am told to sprint in class, I increase my resistance and pedal at a faster rate…a consistantly faster rate. I do not go lightspeed. This only tires you out and creates serious chaffing and bouncing. Cadence is important when cycling and spinning.

3)      Leaning forward and pressing into the handle bars will only take away from your workout. It will put strain on your arms that will hurt later on. You should only be lightly holding for balance with both hands and every so often you should do a check to make sure your shoulders are relaxed, arms bended, and hands and wrists lightly resting on the grip. On an actual bicycle, many beginners tend to lean hard on the handle bars ready to break. The next day you cannot move your arms without wincing. Relax! You are not breaking in spin class!