The Shit Show

The anticipation of the new studio took me somewhat by surprise and it dawned on me quite succinctly at 559 am yesterday morning.  As my eyes watched the circled 10-second countdown melt away my finger was just a bit shaky thinking just how many members were poised as I was. Of course I got in, as I wouldn’t be writing this entry if I hadn’t. And Bike 1 suits me just fine but more about that later. 

Well let’s see where do I begin?  Let’s get the negatives out of the way first because they can be alleviated soon enough. The studio is just too cramped in this configuration but on the other hand what’s more important having 55 bikes to ride or that we have some navigation challenges getting to our designated stationary conveyance? I’ll let you be the judge of that. 

Now let’s get to the good stuff because Saturday KSC is always a Shit Show no matter what time of year it is. Most of the core contingent continues to attend and those members you know who you are help make everyone including the new members feel the sense of camaraderie that has been built into Kristen’s spin class. It’s nigh on 5 years now since I joined this hot ticket show and it never ever disappoints. 

I love the idea that the front row numbers 11 bikes instead of the original 6 and the view from #1 lets me see just about all of you and I can now see the energy that’s generated not just feel it.  Kristen I think has a better view as well and those cheap seats in the back are not obstructed from her Evil Woman’s eyes anymore.  

And the Evil Woman has a new stage so appropriate for this talented group exercise physiologist. I didn’t have a ruler but it looks to be about 12 inches high an oval shaped pedestal lined with track lighting giving the platform fit for the performer she is. I loved it. And for the first time I got to see the Wagon Wheel Effect. That’s the phenomena where the flywheel although moving in one direction exhibits the effect that it’s moving in the exact opposite direction. Scientifically it’s called "temporal aliasing" and after reading about it theorists can’t seem to explain just why it occurs in real life although in film it’s easily explained.  In any case it had me mesmerized and just added another piece to the experiential nirvana of moving Zen, which is KSC. 

I am not usually a fan of what’s played in the studio, as my eclectic tastes don’t match the mainstream constituency but this morning I was totally enrolled. The play list was fresh and its syncopated rhythm had my pedal stroke moving just a wee bit quicker. Thank you KJ for a thoughtful compilation. 

Now about Bike 1 as I alluded to at the top. In back of me there’s enough space to get off the bike and jump in exultation just in case I say just in case I hear one of my favorite artists that strike my visceral chord and renders that adrenaline rush which is the only altered state available to me as a sober man. Thanks to the club for the spread downstairs those roasted peppers were out of this world.  And thanks KJ it was indeed a Shit Show.