49 BUCKS COUNTY WOMAN


BUCKS COUNTY WOMAN WELLNESS


Fall is a magnificent time to ride your bicycle—you can appreciate the cooler temperatures of September, changing scenery, and vibrant colors of the Bucks County autumn landscape. You may have ridden your bicycle as a child and loved the sense of freedom and the adrenaline rush that it provided. Would you like to rekindle some of the joy? It is possible, and we can take some simple steps to quell the intimidation factor that you may face twenty or thirty years’ post-training wheels—not that there would be anything wrong with pulling out those training wheels again!


As


a grown-up, where do you begin your journey back to the bicycle? A fabulous re-starting point is to sign up for a Spinning®


class at your local Health Club.


Sue Datin of Solebury recently rediscovered her athlete within; she remembered, “Bicycle riding is something that I learned to do when I was six years old. Last September, I went for a short bicycle ride in my neighborhood, and I felt like I had lost some of my athleticism. To make it over the first hurdle, and to recapture some of the athleticism that I felt as a child, I signed up for my first Spinning®


class. Spinning allowed me to accomplish my


goal of riding day three of the Tour de Pink, which was over 50 miles. It helped me realized that I was capable of riding my bicycle and that I could be proficient again.”


If you’re interested in revisiting your bicycle adventures, beginning with a Spinning®


class provides many advantages. First of all,


you can forgo buying a new bicycle; you will not have to deal with the fear of falling; traffic and abiding by the rules-of-the-road are non-issues; you will never get dropped from a ride; and—the clincher—you will never get lost. If you feel uncomfortable about taking a group Spinning® individualized Spinning®


some of the basics, including bike set-up and appropriate shoes. Additionally, he or she will remind you to bring a towel and water bottle and will customize the training session and music for you. A good instructor will also help to motivate you.


For example, as a Spinning Instructor, I work to build confidence in the students in my class, teaching them that many of the skills that they have cultivated indoors will transfer to the outdoor riding environment. One member of my recent Spinning workshop, Lynn Collester, confirms that “The Spinning workshop provided great information regarding healthy habits for eating, practical guidance, and great coaching on the spin bikes. Each class built upon the knowledge and experience gained in previous classes, and that was very empowering. In addition, the class provided camaraderie and support, as well as helpful tips to make the transition from the spin studio to outdoor biking.”


New Hope resident, Renee Rodgers, shared that “The workshop started as a good way for me to get ready for the summer and build endurance,” but after time, it became “a lifestyle-changing workshop that I will always use to maintain a healthy physical and mental fitness level.“


class, then you can sign up for an class. Your instructor will assist you with


There are many reasons for an adult to ride a bicycle: it is a non-weight-bearing aerobic activity, and there is, therefore, less pressure on the knees; it is relaxing; and it provides a sense of camaraderie, if riding with a group. There are also outstanding cardiovascular benefits, and, quite simply, it is engaging. Whether you ride indoors, outdoors, or even on a tandem, you can enjoy these many benefits.


Bucks County resident, and middle school teacher, Beverly Rickles reflects on the myriad of benefits from riding the tandem. “Going for a bicycle ride is a great emotional stress reliever. I enjoy the tandem, because it allows me to combine relationship time, stress relief, and fitness.” Rickles further describes the bicycle-built-for-two experience, “When my husband, and I ride the tandem, I feel the joint venture. As we roll out the driveway, I really have to be very sensitive to his cadence and try to match it. Halfway through the ride, I will begin to experience a feeling of connection, like we are an engine and our feet are pistons firing together—it is a beautiful thing.”


If you decide to “get back in the saddle,” be certain to have the best possible support team behind you. Try a Spinning class before venturing back outside. And, when you do return to outdoor cycling, make sure to enjoy some of our breathtaking climbs right here in Bucks County. One day, perhaps I will wave to you as you venture along our longest climb in the area—one that brings you to one of Bucks County’s hidden “gems,” Tohickon Valley Park, Point Pleasant. Whatever you do, keep the rubber side down!


Story by Kathryn C. Wilder, PhD


Rebecca Malamis, Esq., added spinning to her regular exercise routine. She was particularly enthusiastic. “The spinning classes…are really fun! For the first time, I found myself looking forward to exercise. It is great to be in a class with other women and feel the camaraderie and spirit of accomplishment.” She also believes that taking a spin class “teaches you how to challenge yourself based on your individual heart rate and level of exertion.”


Malamis’ friend, and Solebury resident, Beth Wolf, added, “I love the idea of the all-women spin class, and that [along] with the weight loss program is a winning combination. Class is fun, and I have learned so much indoors that I can take with me when I ride outdoors with Rebecca and some of my other friends on the tow-path. I never knew Spinning could make me feel so good.”


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