10/16/2005 07:37:00 AM|||John Calnan|||

All my latest obsession with cycling began when we joined the Vision Quest gym at the Supermall in Auburn, back in February. My goal at the moment of signing up was to resume my workout regime of a couple of years prior, namely some aerobic exercise and weight training.

Well, in the center of the gym on a large raised platform is the indoor cycling area, with 30+ sexy, gleaming machines beckoning me to come give it a try.

First time up there I thought I was gonna die, folks. We started out seated, at a moderate pace, to music. Nice little cadence of 60 or so, "let's stretch out our upper body...", lovely. Then the pace picked up, and we were told to stand up. My thighs immediately began to protest (something along the lines of "Hey, stupid... there's a seat on this damn thing..."). First few times I was lucky if I could stay up for half the time we were asked to. I bailed out after 30 minutes, went home to shower and fall asleep.

Well I went back, and kept going back. It got easier and I was able to work myself way harder as time went by. The group that participates in this class became the impetus for my participation in the RSVP. Many of these folks hadn't ridden an outdoor bicycle since childhood, but they signed up for RSVP nonetheless. All that started, finished, by the way.

I go to these spin sessions three times a week. (There are other classes, but these are the ones that I generally attend):

• Monday 5:30 to 6:30
• Wednesday 5:00 to 5:30 (beginner)
• Wednesday 5:30 to 6:30 (not advanced, but not beginner either)
• Saturday 9:00 to 9:30 (beginner)
• Saturday 9:30 to 10:30 (advanced-anaerobic redline)

The sessions consist of pedaling, generally in time with the music that is playing. The music is mostly rock and roll, dance mixes, etc. (disco has raised it's ugly head once or twice, so be prepared to do the arm motions for "YMCA" whilst pedaling). The sessions are coreographed such that there are sprints, seated hills, standing hills, double-time intervals, etc. You are prompted to stand, sit, and change your cycle's resistance with a large black knob.

For me, the spin classes provide the following:

• An aerobic (or more) workout in a group session. (I do way better if I have other folks suffering with me).
• Pedal Practice. I feel like I was able to work on smoothing out my pedal stroke, and increase my cadence.
• Saddle time. The 60 or so hours I spent in this class helped get my saddle interface conditioned for the long rides I was to do over the spring and summer.
• New Friends. I've met some very nice folks through this class, and the outdoor rides that we've gone on to do together.

|||112947609879944051|||Spinning my wheel(s)