Dust off those Bicycles

In March we leave running behind and pick up the bicycle as we begin with easy rides and slowly build up over the months. Now is a great time to start getting in shape for longer summer rides. Just like seeds in the garden, you've got to plant early to enjoy the bounty later.

Group rides are on Wednesday at 7 am and start earlier as more light returns. The earliest we started last year was about 5:30 am--way before most people have to get to work. Imagine getting in a two hour ride before showing up at the office--you'll be buzzing before you have your first cup of coffee and feeling great the rest of the day. 

One of our early season goals is to do Reach the Beach, a 28-100 mile ride to the beach. And for those willing, there is camping once you get off your bike that is right across from the finish line. If you haven't sat next to a campfire with a bottle of wine and some steaks after a 100 mile bike ride you might need to improve your training style.   http://action.lungusa.org/site/TR?fr_id=3050&pg=entry

Everyone is welcome to the Wednesday group rides regardless of ability, including your friends. If you can not make the group time I have started a new class called Bicycle Rider Development which teaches the basics of safe riding and training. BRD fits the best time for you to get out and learn to ride. 

Happy riding, James

Morning trail runner, Afternoon salmon fisher.

Are you trying hard enough?  Christie is.  Energized from an early trail run she went home a caught a 16# salmon for lunch.  What can you do after a run in the woods?

Cross Country Ski Trip

POF moved this weekend to another outdoor location: Mt. Hood.  When you're getting in shape outside you never know where your workout may take you.  At Teacup Lake we started off with a how-to class with associate trainer Cara showing the way.  At the end of the class people were then free to ski at their own pace working up an appetite for a group lunch later in the afternoon.  After a hearty meal and a Champagne toast, we hit the slopes again gliding our bodies quickly to exhaustion and then headed home down the mountain in snow fall that never seem to tire. 

Only Outdoors

Would you rather ride a stationary bike in front of a TV or whizz around a hilly park on a mountain bike after a set of leg burning lunges?  That's an easy choice for Christie and Stephanie.  If you spend most of your time indoors at work sitting down, why continue that pattern at a gym?  Substitute your office chairs, TV and computer screens for a view of the outdoors rolling down a hill at 20 mph and you'll never break a sweat indoors again.

Who loses 8 pounds over the holidays?

Christie does, that's who.  She's in the zone, adding another day of working out to her routine and watching those useless calories.  Go girl!