HOP Fit Club

10am-ish tomorrow morning rain or shine ride meets at Williams Integracare and then rolls down the street to start at Liquid Assets.

Hope you have fun on the ride!

You look forward to riding all winter and now spring is here and it’s time to ride but you fear that dreaded first couple rides due to having a sore butt.

Here’s the secret I was told many years ago and it still hold true today.

Ride your bike at least 10 miles each day for 3 days in a row. By the 3rd day your butt will be doing much better.

If you can endure the pain of day 2, day 3 will be better and you’ll be off to a great start for the season.

Cheers

Eric

As one of the founding members of this club I always want to make sure that our members get their best value for joining HOP-Fit Club. I also know that sometimes the best value is something you can’t buy, but comes in the form of advice.

So with that in mind, I’ve decided to spread some of my wealth of cycling/life knowledge onto all of you. With a 28 year history of riding bike and 12+ years of working in the cycling industry, I’ve done, seen and heard just about all of it. Take this for what you want. Some people will know some of this stuff others none at all. My hope is to educate and entertain you with tid-bits of (hopefully) daily advice.

First one: Recovery

Never stand when you can sit. Never sit when you can lay down.

Cheers

Eric

Hello to all HOP-Fit Members

With this fine springtime weather apon us our desire turns to the great outdoors. With that,  we’ve come up with a planned weekly mountain bike ride.

Starting this next Monday May 3rd at 6pm we’ll be meeting at the Jail Trail head. If you don’t know where this is located feel free to drop a note on this blog and we’ll help you out.

To give you a heads up if you’ve not ridden the trail yet, it’s mostly flat with little technique parts to worry about.

And of course everyone of all levels and ages are welcome to join us. This is a relaxed fun time to sharpen your off road riding skills and to perhaps enjoy a beer or two at The House afterward.

If this Monday night doesn’t work for your schedule, we’ll could add another ride on Wednesday evenings. Please give us feedback as to what works for you.

Cheers

Eric

We know you’re out there. If you haven’t registered for the Apple yet, please do so. If you don’t want to do the full thing, find a partner.  Come on HOP Fit Club, we have to represent!

Register here

Pics from last year

Ran into Larry Stracke this morning. Larry’s a ridiculously fast triathlete who happens to work in the Sauk Rapids/Rice school district and is helping them put on the Mid-Minnesota Early Bird Triathlon next month.

I asked how it was going and he said they’re in REAL need of entrants. The race is a fundraiser for the athletic department. Right now, they ain’t raising many funds. Their break-even point is around 50 racers and they’re not at that yet.

This information should tell you a few things:

• This isn’t just a race, it’s a charitable contribution and an investment in our youth. (No, you can’t deduct it.)

• This will not be an intimidating swarm of humanity. It’s going to be a small, low-key event geared toward beginners.

• Maybe you could win? I’m just sayin’. Seriously though, if you’ve plodded through a few events before, this could be the one where you end up on the podium. No, they don’t have cash prizes. (They don’t even have cool beer glasses like Paddle-Pedal-Run in Cambridge.) But they do have medals for 1^st through 3^rd in each age group. And that would be kind of cool. Don’t you think? And Monday at work, when you’re standing at the copier, showing off your medal and telling everyone how you finished a triathlon 2^nd in your age group, no one there really needs to know that there were only six people in your age group.

My suggestion: Run this event and use it as a fantastic warm-up for Apple (the greatest multi-sport event in this area!). But don’t screw around hemming and hawing about it because the early-bird registration rate runs out at the end of April. That means you’ll cost yourself $10 if you don’t get your ass in gear and get signed up, pronto.

Let’s get out there, help some young athletes, and cover that course in red, white and green.

~Skoog

http://www.isd47.org/schools/saukrapids-ricehighschool/whatshappening/hsnews/index.php

I am looking for couple of volunteers to act as lead riders/course sweepers for the Kids Apple event. We are responsible for showing the way for the riders, helping with breakdowns and making sure everyone has completed the course. The only requirement is that you have to wear your HOP gear! send me an e-mail if you are interested at: bsullivan@heartlandglass.com. Thanks ~ Bill Sullivan

The kids Apple Duathlon is a great way to introduce your children to running and biking. It’s a great event!

We are fortunate to have a lot of riding trails in the area.

Read Skoog’s latest post about his last ride on Plum Creek.

Good stuff.

http://skoog.typepad.com/nothingbox/2010/04/sweet-agony.html

Early Registration Deadline is May 1st.

Register today!

If anyone wants to help distribute posters or hang up at their place of work just email info@appleduathlon.com and I will get them some posters.

The Apple also needs volunteers.

Are you doing the Apple? Let us know in the comments.

Are you interested in doing a relay portion of the Apple, run or bike? Need a partner? Post in the comments that you’re looking for a partner and for what portion.

Looking for training? Tuesday night runs meeting at Williams and Saturday morning rides meeting at Liquid Assets.

Lets get as many members involved in the race as we can.

Remember – Team night tonight at Fitzharris Bike & Sport. Get your bike tuned-up for the Apple.