ASPEN SPINNING CHALLENGE CONTINUES:
Don't forget to log your miles at each of your Spinning classes. Each Spinning studio has a large sign-up poster for the Aspen Spinning Challenge. Put your name on the board and each time you attend a class, record the date alongside your name. You will be credited with 17 miles for each class you attend over the four week period. At the end of the challenge, participating riders will receive prizes and recognition. I am seeing some competitions begin to develop for the lead spot.
By the way, many of you have asked me if all of miles will be totaled when you ride at more than one of the Aspen clubs. Nicki tells me that will be done.
MORE ON MUSIC:
Newsletter #50's article on music as a motivator for work in Spinning classes got some reaction from several students. I very much want you to like the music in my class, so please know that I am open to conversation on that subject.
First, volume. Interestingly I had an equal number of comments asking for the music to be louder as softer. But I think there may be a solution. I will try to increase the volume during the most intense parts of the class and then turn it back down a touch during the other times including times especially when I am explaining what I will be asking you to do. It's sometimes hard for me to tell how loud the music seems in the back of the room so don't ever be afraid to ask me during class.
Second, content. Bottom line here is BRING ME SUGGESTIONS. I want to play music you will like. Most of the time I will be able to use the music you suggest. Musical taste is so diverse it just isn't possible to have everyone like every song but my goal is to have enough variety that everyone will find a few songs that they really like. So bring me your suggestions, please. I promise to try to use them.
I am here to give you the best workout experience I can. That includes using all of the science I know, all of the passion I have and all of my efforts to make it enjoyable for you. Your suggestions are really welcome.
RIDING SAFELY ON THE ROAD:
Another comment came in response to my reminder not to ride your bike outdoors with an MP3 player stuck in your ear. Clayton Kennedy wrote:
"Something in this newsletter struck a note with me (hey, did you like the tie-in to the music theme...struck a note!), anyway, you touched on the distraction of using music players whilst riding out of doors. I wholeheartedly agree and I'd like to add another distraction that I've notice twice here recently, riders using their cell phones while riding. Yesterday I noticed a rider either dialing his phone, looking up a number, or checking his text messages. I'd like to say the he appeared to be a novice and someone that maybe doesn't know any better but to the contrary, he looked somewhat accomplished on the bike as he appeared to be in pretty good shape, dressed the part and had a nice bike and was of a mature age and yet, maybe he doesn't know any better. So, I thought that along with MP3 players you may want to add cell phone usage while biking to your list of things we should avoid using while riding our bikes."
Good point. Thank you Clayton.
LAURENT FIGNON, RIP:
I am a huge fan of European bike racing and so I was saddened to learn recently of the death of one of the most interesting riders of his time. Laurent Fignon will go down in history as the guy that Greg LeMond overtook on the last day of the 1989 Tour de France to win by a mere 8 seconds. The race was the closest in tour history. The picture of Fignon collapsing off his bike at end of the time trial has been played over and again. Although most famous for his loss, Fignon also won the tour in 1983 and 1984.
Fignon began his cycling career at 16 - hiding his racing from his disapproving parents. He won so often that he couldn't keep his racing a secret for long. He was called "the professor" because he was better educated than most of his contemporaries and perhaps because of his distinctive eyeglasses. He was both a teammate and competitor of the great Bernard Hinault
Fignon's loss to LeMond in 1989 was particularly dramatic because LeMond used all the best technology known at the time including an aerodynamic helmet. Fignon rode boldly with his pony tail blowing behind him in the wind. Later calculations of aerodynamic drag estimated that the his pony tail cost him the eight seconds needed to win the Tour de France. Talk about losing "by a hair".
The best tribute to Fignon is perhaps his own words: "Sometimes when I was physically at my best I could sense moments of utter ecstasy, those rare fleeting times when you are in total harmony with yourself and the elements around you: nature, the noise of the wind, the smells. Let’s not get carried away. But I have to confess: I was happy"
Laurent Fignon 1960-2010.
GOING TO LEARN FROM ONE OF THE BEST: I'll be gone some but I have arranged for some excellent subs for your Spinning enjoyment. I mean it when I say that I'll miss my classes but I hope to come back with fresh energy and new ideas.
One of the things I will be doing while I am away is taking a class from Spinning Instructor Jennifer Sage in Vail, Colorado. Jennifer is a former Spinning Master Instructor. She is also the author of at least one of the Spinning continuing education programs for instructors and she writes extensively on sports training as it relates to indoor cycling. She is clearly one of the best indoor cycling instructors in the nation. We're having breakfast after her class and I hope to bring back some good ideas to share in my classes for the upcoming winter.
MY TEACHING SCHEDULE:
Alternate Monday's 9:00AM at Southeast
Every Monday 5:45PM at Southeast.
Every Wednesday 9:00AM at Southeast.
Every Wednesday 5:45PM at Merle Hay.
Every Thursday 5:45PM at Merle Hay.
Every Saturday 7:30AM at Hickman.
Check out all the schedules at http://www.aspenathleticia.com/group-fitness/schedules/
Join us at http://billroachblog.blogspot.com
Bill Roach
Star 3 Lifetime Certified Spinning Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine
Aspen Athletic Clubs
bill.roach@mchsi.com
No comments:
Post a Comment