There's Lots Going On In The Cycle Program

Most impressive to me is that they raised nearly $40,000 for Crohn’s and Colitis research. It was a great day for an even better cause!

Theresa Christensen

There has been a lot going on in the cycle room over the past few months!

The return of the cold weather has brought us back inside. Things are back in full swing as we are now back to full capacity in the room! It feels like old times!

September

In September, we held another FTW Test so that members could see if they were riding to their full potential in their cycle classes. Not knowing your true FTW can impact how you perform in your cycle classes, so it’s important to understand how to use it! Keep your eyes peeled for another FTW test in early 2022.

October

In October, we brought back what has now become an annual event; our Halloween “Saturday Cycle Spooktacular.” Riders were encouraged to come dressed in costume and compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in my 8 am Cycle Complete, and the 9:30 am Cycle taught by Jourdan. The members really brought their creativity to a new level! In the 8 am class, the 1st place winner was Lisa Calderaro, who dressed as Mary Poppins, and 2nd and 3rd was a tie with Brian Roche and Anthony Spadolini dressed as Hans and Franz from the old Saturday Night Live sketches. The 9:30 am winner was Alana Matzen dressed as a very spooky zombie, and 2nd and 3rd place was also a tie between Brooke Jankow and Sara dressed in their best 80’s throwback workout gear – complete with mullets, bandanas, and fanny packs. I tried to keep everyone in check dressed as a stern nun, while Jourdan went more traditional as a skeleton. Her husband Johnny also dressed as a skeleton while he pumped out the tunes with a live DJ set! But it was little Quinn Ilardi who stole the show as the cutest little skeleton we’ve had at FI. Jourdan and I look forward to the Halloween event each year, and it seems to get bigger and better. I’m already planning next year’s costume!

November

The biggest event to date, though, took place in November. It was the Spin4 Crohn’s and Colitis Cures Fundraiser held on Sunday, November 14th. The Long Island chapter of the Crohns and Colitis Foundation approached me after seeing our Facebook Live video of the virtual Wounded Warrior ride that we did back in July 2020. We held that event socially distanced under tents in the parking lot. The Crohns and Colitis Foundation was very impressed with that fundraiser and immediately knew they wanted Fitness Incentive to host their big event. Cor and I spent the last year meeting with Melissa Pulsinelli, the Senior Manager of Fundraising Campaigns, in order to make sure that the event went off without a hitch. Dina Voigt often sat in with us to plan a big group stretch to kick off the fundraiser.

The ride itself was done relay style, broken up into four 30 minute segments, in which teams of four participants would each ride. In the end, each team completed 2 hours of cycling. There were 17 teams in all. Most of the riders came directly from the foundation, but five Fitness Incentive members also participated. They were Brian Roche, Irene Roche, Beth Wilson, Claire Buser, and Allison Buser. They all did an amazing job. All of the planning that was done prior to the event certainly paid off! Melissa and her crew came in and transformed Fitness Incentive into a vendor space with a stage and photo backdrop that had a very ‘red carpet’ feel. They created a VIP area complete with meals, beverages, protein-fueled snacks, and energy drinks for the riders. Most impressive to me, though, is that they raised nearly $40,000 for Crohn’s and Colitis research. It was a great day for an even better cause! Big thanks to our volunteer instructors Jourdan Ilardi, Mia Flanagan, and Janet Lang, and to Liz Keller, who helped greet the riders and directed everyone where to go.

Coming Up in December

So what’s next? On December 18th, we will be hosting another of my favorite events: the Ugly Sweater Cycle! Wear your most outrageous holiday outfit (that’s suitable to cycle in), and perhaps you’ll be the next big winner in the cycle room.

Some Memorable Costumes from the 2021 “Spooktacular”