The Mayhem News

Today in the CS I was at the head of the class in #4. In the shortened version of 45 minutes, which vanished in a blink, had me thinking that the whole time I am in Mr., Mayhem’s class I feel like I am in a theater of the performance artist, Tripp Doherty. It feels like a passion play and we are the supporting cast.

 He’s training for an Iron Man competition and his three classes today were not even part of his training regimen. 

 I nearly hit the ceiling when Tripp played a song I suggested in an email to him.  And as I attacked the pedal stroke a big knowing smile creased his lips.

The passion that Mr. Fantastic exudes is genuine and he has this boyish charm as I have intimated in previous posts. What is so endearing about his class is that we don’t seem to know where we are going but it never seems to matter because the entertainment is outer worldly and I produce the same effort as in the structured classes.

It’s not often that I am inspired simply by looking at someone it usually comes from listening to what someone is talking about. When in Kristen’s class for example it’s what she says along with her gesticulations and impassioned countenance.  However, with Mr. Fantastic I don’t always hear what he is saying but it’s as if he has a sign language he has invented and I need no schooling for. 

The Ghost Chaser

I get the feeling I cannot catch up with Mr. Fantastic because he is either rushing from one Equinox to another or to his family upstate or the other parts of this tri-athletes regimen: the flash and aqua man. 

I am determined to unmask this enigmatic soul that has a heart of gold and the boyish charm of an altar boy.

I for one hope he never adopts a plotted spin class along the x, y-axis because those determinants would make him lose his spontaneity and his outer world charm.  However, I don’t think that will happen, as his devotees cannot explain the attraction because it’s Casper like, a friendly ghost.  

The Chrysalis

There’s school and then there’s recess.  After 5 days of school I was ready for recess. And Mr. Mayhem invited us in to his playground today and a good time was had by all. 

It’s not often that I can say after an hour of hard play that I wanted more but today was the day.  First off Tripp’s music selection was plucked right out of my memory banks and several songs struck my visceral chords like a violin bow.  I was nearly beside myself as the journey took me around the bases like an inside the park homerun.

I don’t always know the route he is going to take us on but I instinctually know what to do whether it’s cranking up the resistance or running wild on a flat road.  Back in the corner of the CS yours truly could be heard heralding the next song as it reached into my heart and tore out my enthusiasm for public display. 

The man is a phenomenon and I always walk out of the CS and ask myself what happened?  I truthfully can’t describe what he does but when he waves his magic wand I am always transformed out of my chrysalis. 

Writing is my passion and Mr. Mayhem brings inspiration and I like it like that.

Mansion Ride for Autism June 13

Hey Cyclists,

  This year, on Sunday, June 13^th, I will ride in my 3^rd annual “Mansion Ride for Autism”.  It is truly my favorite organized ride to date (though I have heard the “Bike, Boat, Bike” ride on the north fork and Shelter Island is quite special) and spectacular.  3 distances: 16, 40 or 62 miles.  It is a great route meandering throughout the North Shore towns, stopping along the way at historic mansions with incredibly stocked rest areas and beautiful views of the LI Sound!!!!

  I have interested folks in the 40 and 62 distances and this IS NOT a race so ALL can do ANY distance!!!  Please sign up using the link below and let me know if you do so.  I assure you that nobody will be disappointed!!  Hope to see you on the ride!!

Best,

 David

 http://www.mansionrideforautism.com/

Doubles and Triples

I found myself up close and personal in #5 witnessing Mr. Fantastic today in the shortened version at the noon hour.  It may have been short in clock time but it was long on challenge as evidenced by the lake on the floor next to my bike.  He was doing his circus act dancing and prancing and hopping and vaulting between seat and handlebars with the nimbleness of Jack and his candlestick.   And when I see the whites of his eyes all I could think of was Linda Blair was making an unscheduled appearance and his head was going to spin around.

Debbie, you know her that physical speciwoman from out of this world?  She had taken two spin classes today and it actually had me thinking about taking more than one class. Ah yeah, no in my dreams perhaps.   However, there seem to be a smattering of devotees that do take more than one class a day. In fact the young woman two bikes over had taken 3 of Tripp’s classes this Tuesday.  Hey it wasn’t long ago that I was taking two classes a week and I thought that was over my limit.  Oh and Mr. Mayhem it was his fourth class and then he was off to the pool I think for a mere mile or two. It was a ho hum day for him.

Great stuff all around with Mr. Mayhem and I heard from his lips he’s moving among us and we just may see Mr. Incantation a lot more. 

Adrenaline

How can the challenge of spinning be so satisfying?  I will venture a guess, it’s because of how much of a good time we have doing it.  I have tried doing it on my own with none of my classmates present. That experience is much like my own workouts have been like for the past seven years, lonely.  I know how to kick my own butt because I was a marathoner. But it was a solitary sport even when I was running with thousands of people.  Back then there was no one alongside me urging me to give my best performance, because I had to find that desire within. That was much easier when I was a young man but now a ½ a lifetime later I don’t have a race to train for because I am just trying to stay fit and there is no contest, no clock at each mile marker letting me know how well my training has paid off or not. As a sexagenarian fitness can seem like an amorphous pursuit but spinning has changed all that.

The results for me are much better than any personal bests, medals and trophies I may have collected back then.  Even running up the Empire State Building has not given me the same satisfaction that spinning has given me now.  I have learned to breathe, hydrate, pace my ride and give my all and no trinket can match the feeling I get when the class is over.  In fact of late the hour seems to literally fly by. 

A couple of months ago I was fortunate to stumble on Mr. Tripp Doherty.  I have supplied many adjectives to this mysterious man who injects me with adrenaline each time I have taken his class.  When I spin with him I know two things; I had an exciting ride and I am soaking wet.  It’s almost liked a great movie it holds my attention and when I walk out of the theater I feel good. When I spin with Mr. Mayhem I have burned 500 calories as well.  And what amazes me is each time I enter the CS with him in #41 the story he tells is one I have never heard before.

Astral Projection

Today was Mayhem Friday in the CS. We had the magician playing his flute with the chemistry of real fire that was burning the house down.  Tripp had us transfixed with his private fandango on and off his bike.  It was his third class today; nevertheless his    energy reservoir would make the Marianna trench seem like a wading pool.

The music mix Mr. Mayhem arranged from his i pod had such a visceral affect on me again because when he plays songs like “Stomp” and “Disco Inferno” I get such a rush of adrenaline that my heart wants to jump right out of my chest. It makes me accelerate my pedal stroke like I am running on jet fuel.

 Again today the electricity was palpable and would awaken Frankenstein right out of his repose.  And as I looked around you could see the reactions from all corners and we the riders were treated to Tripp’s usual big top performance.  I have to get him a ringleaders hat next time I am in his presence.

The end result is that we get a tremendous workout and there are times during the ride when my body took an astral projection journey into outer space.

Mr. Mayhem, Tripp Doherty might be a swami disguised as a spin instructor.

Friday Mayhem

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