April 2018

Meet Brigid – one of the happiest humans we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know who took on a personal challenge of completing 100 rides in 100 days. Brigid crushed her goal and became an integral part of the RIDE Ossington community along the way. Known for always smiling and knowing everyone’s names, we’re stoked to be featuring Brigid and her badass accomplishment.

100 rides in 82 days – tell us about your personal challenge!

I work for a great wellness company and as part of our culture we set personal wellness goals each quarter. I had set a goal of 100 classes in 100 days and within the first month found I was out pacing that. I intended to get ahead of schedule in case it was hard to keep up over the holidays. It wasn’t, and by the beginning of January I changed the goal to 90 days. Like a dog chasing its tail I wanted to beat that too. 82!

So…did you enjoy it?!

YES! Not every day, but that’s why it’s a challenge, right? I enjoyed it more than I expected, I loved the way it felt to get closer to the goal, and the community found along the way.

Who/what sparked the idea to do it?

When I joined RIDE in the spring there were these incredible riders doing a 30 rides in 30 day challenge. I remember thinking that was totally wild, “I could never do that. Why would I want to!?” I lost 20 pounds in my first 2 months of joining, then went on a dream trip to Kenya and South Africa. When I got back I couldn’t wait to get back on the bike, and it was the first time I had ever wanted to workout. There are books written on the mental benefits of exercise but to really witness that within myself has been fascinating. When the idea of 30 rides in 30 days seemed doable, I decided to celebrate that shift with something that felt a little more scary.

What was a highlight of the challenge?

I’m picking 2.
#98: Cat extended me the honour of riding podium with her for a full class. It was totally a dream come true and I went in to shock when she asked.

#38: I visit Vancouver often for work, and stay at a hotel near the Hamilton studio to RIDE at the original spot! For a team outing, my full department booked bikes and we had a blast in Rowan’s class. They have listened to me talk about RIDE a whole lot and it was really special to share that with my team.

How does your endurance/fitness levels compare from day 1 to 82?

There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the strongest I’ve been in my life! More energy, more focus, better sleeps.

When all you wanted to do was hit the snooze button – what kept you motivated?

Dani’s abs.

Having tried them all…if you had to pick a favourite instructor, who would it be and why?

No way, I won’t do it! You can’t make me choose; they are all awesome in their own style. But I will spotlight two classes with a special place in my heart:

Saturdays, 9:35 with Cat: My happy place. It was Cat who taught me how to RIDE and the instructor that first had me hooked. Her choreography feels like the release of a good yoga pose. I always leave having pushed myself harder than I thought I could that day, feeling grounded and bright.

Sunday, 10:40 with Matt: The highlight of most weekends. The room is filled with friends and we’re probably going to hear some Drake and Kanye. Plus, the dance moves are not to be missed. Guaranteed good time when Matt is grooving off the bike. And if he makes you run to “Fade”, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Any fellow riders you want to shout-out for their support?

Jon, Ian, Tracey, Tania, Lindsey, Meg, Meg and Meg, Micah, Emily, Steven, Andrew, Marko, Alex, Tyler, Natty, Cole, Chris, Andra, Kelly, Reilly, Anum, James, Morgan, Amy + Steven, Adrian, and Ashley from Bond.

Now that you’ve got the challenge under your belt – what’s next?!

100 in 70, maybe? Ha! Not anytime soon. I’m really looking forwarding keeping my unlimited membership at RIDE, and exploring other workouts that support that. It’s been neat to have exercise goals beyond weight and I’m excited to try fun classes that will make me stronger on the bike. I’m stoked to check out Amber and Rachel at MISFITSTUDIO, Chris at Barry’s Bootcamp, and fellow rider Meg Coffey at YogaTree.

Anything else you’d like to add?

ASHLEY, Instructors and RIDE team, there is no doubt in my mind ya’ll are the best kind of people. Thank you for your early mornings, late nights, and constant fun.

And finally….what does RIDE mean to you?

Community. Accountability. Freedom. Growth. ?

Inspired to RIDE the 30 day challenge (30 rides in the month of May)? Sign up here.

Get to know Brooke – one of our OG Vancouver instructors who has been with us since day one. Brooke brings intensity and motivation to every AM RIDE – and is often spotted with her daughter, aka resident RIDE baby, Bowie.

Where did you grow up?

Toronto Ontario! Then to the burbs in Aurora.

Can you remember your first RIDE class?

Yes I do! It was with JJ one of our owners! At the time I was already teaching at another studio which is where I met Ash and I knew right away I wanted to move studios and be part of the RIDE team. I was really lucky because she let me start training with her right away and I started to teach at RIDE just a couple months after they opened!

How long did it take until you realized you wanted to become an instructor?

Not long, I took one class and I was hooked. I immediately got certified – I won’t tell you when because you will think I’m 100 years old.

How would you describe your teaching style?

Intense and motivating, Cardio Therapy.

Best part of being an instructor is…

Being able to see your riders improve and getting smiles from them always makes my day.

Track you’ve had on repeat

Aahhhhhhhhh oh god, like it’s different every week. Right now LANE 8 – no end in sight/outro.

AM or PM rides?

Definitely AM, every class I teach is before 9AM!

Favourite way to sweat outside of RIDE?

RUN! Vancouver is the BEST place to run. The seawall is incredible, it never gets old.

How has becoming a RIDE instructor changed you?

RIDE has changed me and my life is so many different ways. The most important is the friends I have made, literally best friends. People I can’t imagine my life without. People I love and adore.

Go-to quote or words to live by?

Choose the challenge, except the change. I am so guilty of avoiding change, it’s literally my biggest flaw. Once I realized that trying to challenge yourself in every aspect of life and really working on being able to react and respond to unexpected circumstances, change started to become manageable – not easy, but manageable.

Who motivates you?

Ultimately I believe motivation comes from within. But choosing how you spend your time and who you spend it with and making sure that those people and places always make you smile should be all you need to stay motivated.

Favourite book?

How to Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell, it’s literally the most interesting, intense, hilarious book. I read it twice in a row and by read I mean listened to the audiobook lol!

What’s your #1 life hack?

Bribing my daughter Bowie with tic tacs.

Where can we find you on a Saturday afternoon in the city?

Definitely at any park in Kitsilano trying to tire my kid out! She literally doesn’t stop!

Any hidden or not so hidden talents?

Hidden talent – public speaking!

Best memory since you joined RIDE?

There have been so many, it’s really hard to pick one. A Lot of them are from our RIDE events. We are really active in the community with outdoor rides and it’s honestly the most amazing feeling to be able to participate. Lululemon Seawheeze, Khatsalano Days are just a couple of my favs.

#1 piece of advice for someone looking to have a killer RIDE?

Embrace the journey the instructor takes you on. Every class is curated to be different, never expect easy, never expect anything in particular. Sweat and try your best. If you do that you will have a killer RIDE.

What has you stoked on life right now?

My new baby that’s due in May! Not excited at all to go through labor again but obsessed with having a teenie chubby baby!

What does RIDE mean to you?

It’s hard to put into words. If I had to rate it it would be a rating of 20 out of 10! It means everything.

Catch Brooke on the podium  at RIDE Yaletown – view schedule. 

Get to know John – this creative hustler embraces so much of what RIDE is all about – a love of community, a thirst for sweat, and an incredible energy that lifts people up around him. Read on to learn about RIDE’s profound impact on John’s life – as John says, age really is just a number.

What do you do for your 9-5?

Rebel artist by day, renegade waiter by night. Also seeking the holy grail.

If your bestie were to describe you in three words, what would they be?

Gregarious, driven, creative.

How long have you been coming to RIDE?

Exactly 2 years ago to the day.

What motivates you to get your ass to class?

Everything. I wake up in the morning with my day planned around my RIDE. Sometimes two rides and on several occasions 3 rides. I have the week planned and I just know I’m going to RIDE. Some days when I drag myself out of bed and think “I could easily just take today off”, I know I won’t be happy if I do that. Sometimes even as the first song is starting I think, “oh man, do I have an hour of this in me?” But then the sweat breaks and the moves kick in and then I am so happy I am doing it. My mind shuts off and I sometimes cannot stop laughing in class as things crack me up. Before I know it it’s over. I am always glad when I have done a class. I am never happy when I skip a day.

How has RIDE impacted your life?

Goodness, in every way. I have been “spinning” for 15 years. I was moving around and trying all the new studios that opened – none of them were terribly exciting and some were just plane awful. Then I tried RIDE. I thought I was a seasoned rider. I couldn’t get over how exciting it was – heart pounding with this incredible pulse like nothing I had ever experienced. Sweat dripping off my bike creating 18 inch puddles around me. I’m a little older and truthfully was feeling my age. I was also overweight and thought, “meh, this is me in my 50’s!” As I mounted more and more classes I found I got good at it. Then I got really good. I lost 45 pounds at RIDE. You’re also talking to a guy who has been “shushed” his entire life. The thing about RIDE is we are encouraged to be loud – to whistle, cheer, scream and cry. I have experienced every one of those emotions at RIDE, and it’s also really fucking fun.

Outside of your 9-5 – tell us about all the badass things you’re up to

I’m a fucking rebel. I also ski, mountain bike, road bike and rollerblade. But so often those types of things are just activities. RIDE is a fucking workout and it’s totally badass. I’m an artist so being a rebel is built into my DNA. I’m also a bit of a recluse. I actually require time on my own to figure out what the hell I am communicating in my paintings. I have been including the rebel symbol of RIDE, so those in the know can spot it.

In your opinion, what makes RIDE’s community so unique?

As cool and sleek as the night club space. Hands down, it is the people at RIDE that make it unique. You spot a good rider and try and emulate what they are doing in a RIDE, or help out a fellow rider who is having trouble finding the beat. The next thing a friendship is struck up after fist bumps are shared. Everyone is super friendly. But if you go into RIDE thinking you’re the bomb, you fucking better be!!

Favourite instructor and why?

Like choosing my favourite ice cream. Each instructor has their own unique flavour. All are at a competitive level and are a force all of their own. Each instructor has their own unique flair. Brooke was born as a rider. Tommy is just sheer joy. I adore Michael as his classes are like disco dancing. Barb for her hard hitting “don’t mess with me” class. Giulia makes me sweat like no other instructor. Noah is like “church for riders”. Meagan had a drive to her class that is like going on an intense road race. Shira has this infectious enthusiasm. But if I had to choose one, it would be my “Jules” as she drives me like no other.

Best RIDE memory?

How can I choose just one. The day I actually hit all the moves for the first time. The day Kelly Ripa rode beside me and fist pumped me in class. The day I jumped on the scale at the doctors office and it showed I lost 45 pounds. The day I ran into my ex-boyfriend who had dumped me on my birthday and saw me in a bathing suit and the look on his face was “what was I thinking?” The day I bought a pair of jeans that were a 30 inch waste and they zipped up. Or how bout every fucking day when I get to go sweat off old age with guys ½ my age and I kick their asses!!

What other workouts do you do outside of RIDE?
Run, cycle, lift. Blah blah. The usual.

Song you’ve got on repeat?

I have so many DJ friends who send me endless remixes of old favourites. The instructors at RIDE are very generous sharing their music, usually with a free download. Rowan plays a song called “Kill all the lights” that if I could bring my purse into class I would swing it over my head. But that’s just this week.

If you could brunch with any male/lady boss (past or present), who would it be?

Wouldn’t mind seeing all my old friends who died of AIDS in the 80s and 90s and show them how magnificent my life is because of all of their teachings. Probably wouldn’t turn down eating with Cher. But I don’t think she’s eaten since the 70s.

If you were to give a s/o to a local entrepreneur, who would it be?

This is the city of the charity and philanthropy goes hand in hand. I don’t love entrepreneurs as it’s all about money. If I were to pick someone who was trying to make a difference, trying to improve the community with fundraising for local and broken down charities, someone who is just trying to make the world a cheerier place…well, that person would be…me.

Describe your ideal Saturday in the city.

I like to wakeup at around 7:30. Coffee is a pretty crucial start to my morning. I got the Nespresso machine on my way to the bathroom. I check emails, read up on the news, chat with friends. Make sure my hair is like totally bitchin’. Then head off to spin class at 9:30 and do a killer RIDE. I like to meet up with a friend for a coffee and donut ( I just did a fucking RIDE, I eat whatever I want!) Then I’ll head home, paint for the afternoon. Make some dinner and invite friends over. Fill my house with paintings, great food and loads of laughter. Then watch something on Netflix, play “cards against humanity” and get to bed early because I usually have a spin class early on Sunday.

What motivates you?

Fear of old age, or at least looking old. Age is just a box you check when your filling out a passport. Although it does take a few spins to wind all the way back to the 1961 box. I like my life and I love what I do. I also crack myself up a great deal. I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you don’t like me, the line forms to the left.

Fave quote or words to live by?

“Face your fear and do it anyway”

“Kick some ass”.

“When I want your opinion, i’ll give it to you”.

“Bite me.”

Last book you read was….

Dyslexic, not a great reader. I like art books. I thumb through those all the time.

What does RIDE mean to you?

The world.