#cyclebartrafficcircle

Today was a milestone in my life. I don’t have that many milestones in my life any more at 53 years old. I have years of employment milestones but that’s about it. So spin class and my class count has become a new milestone. Today, August 14, 2023, I hit a milestone at Grit Cycles, I hit 100 lifetime rides. Now if I’m being truthful, I actually have 172 lifetime rides.  I have 100 at Grit Cycle, 71 at Cyclebar Traffic Circle and 1 at Full Psycle in Huntington Beach.

The real important lesson here is that I have stuck with it. Despite set-backs, illness and injury. In March 2022, I had to leave a Grit Cycles class to go to the emergency room. But I was fine and returned the next week. (My emergency room visit had nothing to do with class at Grit Cycle). In July 2022, I fell, at home, and seriously hurt my right foot. I couldn’t even get my cycling shoes on for almost three weeks due to bruising and swelling. But I returned to Grit cycle after my foot healed.

And this year, I was chugging along getting close to 100 classes, and I came down with COVID-19 and ended up in the emergency room. And although I recovered from COVID-19, the fatigue I felt kept me from spin class for weeks.  But despite all this I still made it to 100 classes.

I reached that milestone that I was longing for and I’m so proud. I wanted to highlight some of the instructors that helped me get to 100 classes. First is Steph Castro (@stephie_cee). Your energy and instruction is infectious. I smile and laugh in all your classes; you are so awesome. Coming to your spin class makes me happy each and every time.  Second is Elise Tate (@real_elliet). I love your music and energy. You are so supportive and happy all the time and I love seeing you. I plan to take more of your classes as I work toward more milestones. Lastly, there is Carina Taboada (@carina.tab). You were the first instructor that I ever had at Grit Cycle, and because of your amazing class, I came back, 100 times. (To quote Taylor Swift: “Look what you made me do!”)

Thank you to all the other instructors whose classes I took as well at both Grit Cycle, and Cyclebar. Cyclebar, I will be back, and Grit Cycle I will continue.  Spin class is truly the only exercise class that I have stuck with and I feel better for it. Here's to more milestones in everybody's lives.

Ok, so when I started cycling last year, I swore that I would never double (do two classes in one day). I was so tired after one class that I couldn’t imagine doing a second class that same day. Well, today, Jan 27, 2023, I doubled. I didn’t plan on it, in fact I had plans this evening which were cancelled. 

I set my alarm for 6 am, and caught a 7 am Connect class with Paulina. Then this evening, I went back to Cyclebar and did a 5:30 pm Classic class with Joanna. I must be crazy! 

Each class I took one minute at a time. As the minutes ticked by and the music played, I concentrated on the bike, and rode with the instructors. Both classes were so full, and it was fun, there was so much energy in class.

Connect class was first, this is a rhythm based ride where the rider tries to connect with the bike and not worry about their stats and monitors. I’m not a very competitive person, so I never turn on the monitor, I just try to keep up. I felt good in this ride, it was nice and early in the morning, and I felt pumped. I worked up a good sweat, and really enjoyed the vibe in the room and the feeling of the bike. I was right in front of the instructor and I couldn’t see myself in the mirror. That is always a good thing, sometimes I stare at myself in the mirror to much. The class flew by and I felt like it was a good workout. Paulina is an inspiration that early in the morning. She gave us permission during the classes to ‘hate’ her for the intense workout. It cracked me up, I don’t think that anyone could ‘hate’ her! I sure don’t.

Classic class was second, this is a rhythm based ride, where the monitor is used for RPM, Gear, and Power. Joanna was the instructor for this class, and it was also a Happy Hour class. Seltzer was served afterwards. During this class, I had a front row bike and I could see myself in the mirror. I did the best I could during this class, but my feet were really sore for some reason. Probably because it was my second class today, and I’m over 50 years old. However, the 45 minutes went by so quickly, I couldn’t believe it. I thought it would be a LONG 45 minutes, but it wasn’t. I wasn’t tracking the minute by minute, I was tracking song by song. During the race at the end of class, I was first on the leader board for the first 30 second race. I was so amazed that I was first, that had never happened before. Joanna, is amazing, she inspired me and looked around the room and kept everybody focused. I loved her playlist and loved her class. 

So, what did I learn today? Do not underestimate yourself! In the past, I constantly said, ‘I’m too tired to double’, or ‘I can’t do it!’ But that wasn’t the case today. I’m happy I found this community with amazing riders, great staff and inspiring instructors. I never thought at 52 years old that I would be doing these spin classes. I have been told by a few people,‘not to do multiple classes’, but I don’t listen. I aspire to achieve goals and accomplish things. I thank Cyclebar and Cyclebartrafficcircle for providing the inspiration and allowing me to challenge myself. Thank you Joanna, and Paulina for a great double down Friday!

IG @paulinasud

IG @joannasolis372

It’s July, and I’m hungry. I love the chicken and beef bowls at the Flame Broiler. I stop in for one on a hot day and make a purchase. As I’m waiting for my order, I see a gentleman in the corner of the restaurant next to a spin bike. Being that I started spin classes in Feb of that year, I went over to talk to him. As it turns out, he is the new owner of the Cyclebar, a spin studio that is going in next to the Flame Broiler. Since I showed interest in cycling, he asked me if he could give me a tour of the studio. I told him sure, but I wanted to eat my chicken bowl. He waited with me until I got my food, and then gave me a tour.

First, he unlocked the door and I walked into a studio that was under construction, I couldn’t picture the finished product. Eventually, he and I sat down and I told him that I love spin class and I would be interested in becoming a Founding Member of Cyclebar. I purchased a Founding Membership right then and there. That the was most expensive lunch at Flame Broiler ever. But also the start of something amazing.

Jump to today, the 5th day of January in the new year, and I’m completing my 25 ride at Cyclebar! I have kept up my membership and ridden stationary bikes as much as possible. I try to ride three times a week, most weeks. 

I remember that even before the studio opened, they called me to welcome me ‘to the family’. I took my first class with them during their soft opening, and continued as the studio thrived. I watched people come and go, met new riders and instructors. I challenged myself, and set goals. And the biggest joy has been meeting these incredible people. I no longer dread working out and doing something good for my body. I have such support at Cyclebar. I feel like they like me, and are happy to see me. 

Today, as I complete my 25 rides, I want to say thank you to the instructors the I’ve ridden with, the fellow riders that I’ve met and the over all vibe of the studio. Cycling is making me a better person, because I’m happy when I’m there and when I’m going there. I smile during class, and I love the feeling of leaving class, knowing I challenged myself. Thank you, Jenn, Mary, Sierra, Alyssa, Paulina, Susan, Joanna and Sonny. If I haven’t ridden your class yet, I will get there. There are more milestones to come.  And shout out to Komail, who was the guy sitting at the Flame Broiler!

Here’s to 25 more rides! And a Happy New Year!