Inside the VELA Dome

Where to begin is how I am right now. To commence a blog that I thought I would never type again always pops up in my mind from time to time but those characters that played a role in that passion play have come and gone at least in the physical part of my world such as it is today.

Being semiretired I decided to step up my efforts in terms of my fitness levels and my choice of weaponry came in the form of kettlebells. Why I am not sure, but I have always used dumbbells in years past, but the sensation of the kettlebell just seemed to ‘feel’ right. At first, I wasn’t sure what exercise routines were available to perform but surfing the web answered that questioned quickly and I was off into a regimen that has been part of my life I would say nigh on a year now.

Fast forward to the pandemic and since I was always fond of Dana Mancini, from my days at Equinox,  I discovered somewhat by happenstance  that she had begun a series on Instagram then subsequently on IGTV  doing bootcamp broadcast classes that was a combination weightlifting, body  strengthening and  cardio class once a week. I began to integrate her videos into my own spin class and kettlebell workouts and viola I had an either 6- or 7-day cardio arrest exercise routine of my own.  Before Dana I was only doing crunches but with Dana’s classes I was now doing full sit-ups with kettlebell clutched to my chest and jumping jacks with the bell hoists too. Crazy right?

When DVM announced she was holding a Zoom spin class I jumped at it. Turns out I am not as tech savvy as I would like to think I am and although I signed in late the remaining 36 minutes had me vanquished by rides end. Now to the story.

This was my first Zoom class an upgrade on FaceTime would be my interpretation and since I was already used to the moving image of Dana in her basement classes I was now seeing her in real time instead. She had the Peloton which I think is the biggest hype since P.T Barnum but that’s a different story. She was my Peloton I didn’t need any fancy accoutrement as I was able to mimic her pedal cadence with as much ferocity as these 69-year-old legs could muster. When she jumped off the bike and came close to the camera, I enjoyed it even more as it seemed to give it a personalized coaching touch I hadn’t felt in years. In fact, it almost felt like that movie Brainstorm with Christopher Walken and Natalie Wood where they peered into the camera in one scene, I’m sorry for that nonsequitur, but it was as if she was almost coming into my living room.

I was breathless (I was never really sure of what that really meant) minutes into the broadcast but I never let that enter into how I was going to pace myself for the ride as the maniacal side of “Jack the River” had reemerged with abandon and I was hell bent on either making a fool of myself with absolutely no consequence or in the very least know I gave it my all. In the end I had fun and next Saturday is a blink away.

I could gather some of my old friends were present although they were in absentia. I knew Joshua was there as I follow him on IG, he’s a foodie posting rather elegantly about dishes that he’s been consuming or speaking warmly about his beloved parents and I also  spied Ferne, Amy, Karen and Jen. Will I write more? I don’t know because I want this to be what’s the word? Organic. I know it will be Faulkneresque in the sense I will just let if come out as a stream of consciousness.

In the meantime, I will be at it with the DVM bootcamp, the bells and YouTube spinning to one of the visual rides in the Alps somewhere behind a camera up and down an undisclosed mountain. See you soon all. 

Spinning Away

As I draw further and further away in time and space from the stationary bike I realize that my intervals there were the escape vehicle I desperately needed to move about in a backwards universe I had created for myself. Those hours brought me a catharsis of sorts that I was unable to generate or so I thought at the time on my own.

I had peace of mind in those 45 minutes but now I have it 24/7. The key to my self-imposed state was in my pocket all along but the occlusion in my brain kept me blind to its presence.

Perception for some is their truth but it’s often not the truth as I found out in some of my quote unquote friendships. Those that purported to be my friend had their own agenda and when it no longer suited their purpose I was excised. I have no misgivings now, as weakness became my strength. Their quicksand became my terra firma and for that I am forever grateful.

I am in constant precession and unchanging in my axis supported by an unbreakable love that keeps me sated and with a peace of mind this sexagenarian has never experienced in a lifetime of many lifetimes.

Spinning away and yet I never get vertiginous or irresolute because my guidance system has me headed True North.

Kristen's Spin Class Deactivated

It occurred to me to write in this now deactivated blog that is KSC but why in God’s name would I do that? The fact that I no longer spin actively might have something to do with it and the supervening reason that I no longer live on Long Island or am I a member of Equinox completes the circle of why I no longer write stories about pedaling in place.

Do I miss it? Frankly no. It was a big part of my life for a number of years but now in South Florida riding outside seems to work just fine for me. I do miss the camaraderie I suppose but I must confess that there is not one person that stays in contact with me. It reminds me of AA out of sight out of mind. No hard feelings I enjoyed everyone’s company while it lasted, and it was time well spent during a turbulent time in my life. There are certainly reasons I could take up that would cause some harm, but I won’t do that as what would be the purpose? Let sleeping dogs lie is a great idiom. 

I check the numbers now and then and believe it or not I am still averaging over 300 readers a month. I suppose that might be strange considering I stopped writing over 2 years ago. Vanity might be one reason and I would like to think that those spin instructors miss being scribed about. When I reread some of the stories, I ask did I write that? Of course, the answer is yes as my writing was always Faulkneresque a stream of consciousness style that made it fluid and required very little editing.  I am proud of this compendium and I had dreamed that is might be picked up one day and fetch a bigger audience but alas not to be.  At one point I was going to shut it down to all readers, but I thought why? I had some sour grapes, but it was my contribution to what I called the Zen of spin.

If you should read this, I say hello and maybe I will add to this with more thoughts at another time and space. 

 

Lights, Camera........

Action already lives here,  the lights and camera just served as witness to what happens everyday at Equinox Woodbury and in particular this day aboard Kristen's Spin Class. As rider and writer these past 6 years what more can I say that hasn't been said about Kristen James? I've waxed poetic over the thousands of rides  about her natural charisma that draws a packed studio every class without exception. Then I've chronicled her poignant allegory like today  when she alluded to her beloved father who taught her the governing concepts of life she lives by. Then there's the illustrated moving pictures she paints while we ride that generates the desire, energy and stamina that moves us through the challenge of the discomfort and how to welcome it without fear. And finally her animation and gesticulation that brings motivation to a fever pitch.

But today there was something else an intangible that I could feel at the start of class coursing through my body. It was a palpable energy field an almost visible force that lifted The Lavender Palace* like a collective and that my friends is the distinctive separation Equinox Woodbury has  over any other club this rider has ever been in. This club this class is singular in nature and why Corporate came today? I bet they found out firsthand what we members have known from day one.

I know Cycle For Survival is Nigh please make your contributions to help find a cure.

This past week was a watershed event for me because I came back to the Major Leagues and when I go back South I will take with me the acumen I remembered I had forgotten.

*The Lavender Palace is my affectionate term for the EQ studio. I think the walls were lavender at one time even though not now. I beg your indulgence.

HERE

Believer it or not it's happening here too!

I’ve written about her before but this morning she took it to another level.  I thought as I rode she could make the Queen’s team with ease. The Queen’s team? Kristen James’s cycle team! Yeah she’s that good. Did I mention she is 76 years old? For those that don’t want to do the math she was born in 1939. It’s when Gone With the Wind premiered on the Silver Screen. 

What I find so amazing about her and I just forgot I hadn’t mentioned her name it’s Beverly Pepe (you’ll find her on Facebook) is that Beverly is schooled perfectly to wit: She has clear enunciation, diction, pitch, and her fundamentals are perfect. But more than that it just amazes me that she rides like someone half her age and her discography is like iambic pentameter with music you never heard before but wish you did by artists you know but maybe either haven’t heard in a long time or never knew that they even sang. 

For example this morning she played The Pet Shop Boys and I know that sound I just know it but have I ever heard them sing “Here”? Nope never did. And it had me bellowing at the top of my voice just like I used to in the Lavender Palace. And then another selection “Here In Your Arms” by Hellogoodbye. Never heard that tune. It had me in the throes of a thunderous exhibition albeit in the seat of my antique 1995 “Spinning” contraption. 

Beverly Pepe can bring it! I just thought you should know. Here in the South there’s talent you just have to look for it and besides Jenny Little here’s another Beverly Pepe. 

Hello all you EQ members!  

She's A Wiz

September 25, 1939 was her DOB yet at no time did I think that Beverly Pepe was just a few years away from being an Octogenarian. This woman spread my jam all over my bread. At rides end I was soaked shirt and shorts and try as I might to nose breathe breathless was the best I could do. 

To think that The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind were showing in theaters when Beverly was in swaddling clothes boggles my mind. But here she was leading nearly a full morning class rockin’ down the highway with a discography carved out of the 21st Century. No boogie-woogie just music 8 to the bar.  

What distinguished Beverly in my mind was that I could hear her perfect-pitched voice nestled in the music without straining my own sexagenarian auditory canals. Her enthusiasm was unparalleled and I have to tell you, as my own stick gets shorter it just made me feel invigorated that she’s still got it all going on.  

Stuck on spin bikes that are of the Trojan Horse variety mattered little I had a blast and even though these “Edsel’s” were not the Schwinn’s I was used to as they had no monitors and there was no “Pursuit” program on the blank wall in front of me I was transported nonetheless. A great ride Bev a great ride.  

F ornication U nder C onsent of the K ing

What is going on?  Just this week I took 5 classes with Kristen and each one was more challenging than the next. Not only that but Saturday KSC had me burning more calories and a higher average watt count than the previous 4 sessions. I asked her about it at the end of class and she said simply that Saturday’s workout was different than all the rest. And then it dawned on me KJ tells us everyday she has a plan for that particular class and now I get it. Today she started to tell us that very thing and then stopped short thinking we really don’t care. After today though I do! I am so engrossed in the effort for each interval for each flat and hill but now I know there is a mosaic she fashions for those fleeting 45 minutes. Henceforth I will pay attention and I think my workouts will not only burn more fat but also I’ll be able to gauge my effort and finish on empty instead of on fumes as I often do. 

Have you noticed that the new digital sign up with only 5 open bikes instead of the usual 13 has made getting your favorite   just a tad more difficult? Some veterans have a faster hand to eye coordination than I but when I hit that + sign when the countdown hits Zero I more often than not end up in right or left field. Oh and what about signing in with just seconds to secure a bike? You cannot scroll down there simply isn’t time. But I think it was young Joshua that told me you could put your favorite on top when the countdown hits the 0 mark. I tried that Friday morning but to no avail. That front row is where I always wanna be. It just keeps me focused each second. 

Today was killer and I found myself muttering Fornication Under Consent of the King more times than I care to count. But that’s a good thing. Nowhere else except in the marathons from long ago can I get a workout like KSC. And I am almost a Beatle (64 on 1/126/15) but that doesn’t seem to keep me from leaving Jack the River under my bike every time I dismount.