We love sharing stories of philanthropy. (B) East owner Romaine Gordon planned and hosted the event to raise money for a local family. Watch the video and read the inspirational story below. [Article originally posted in East Hampton Patch]

After a 90-minute spin class and Zumba class at B. East Fitness Studio and an auction and raffle at a benefit party at the Stephen Talkhouse on Saturday, the donations were tallied. According to Romaine Gordon, who organized the fundraiser, over $28,500 was raised for Lisa Craine of East Hampton, who has been battling Stage 4 colon cancer for more than two years. Craine, a mother of three, thanked the community for “stepping up” for her family.

Donations can still be made by sending checks payable to Friends of Lisa Craine, c/o Romaine Gordon, 12 Runnymede Drive, East Hampton, NY 11937.

When the RealRyder® International team travels across the globe presenting at fitness industry trade shows, we get all kinds of questions about the RealRyder® bike. Some inquiries that are particularly common from those who’ve never experienced our bike include, “Is it possible to lock the bike in place so it does not move?” Or “Excuse me… but I think there’s something wrong with your bike. Do you know that it’s moving?” (no joke!)

Another question that’s far more frequent is the purpose of this blog: “Is the RealRyder workout harder than a traditional stationary bike workout?”

Before you bust out with a definitive answer, we believe it depends on whom you ask. Take Kathy Wilder, a dedicated RealRyder Indoor Cyclist at 501SPIN in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Now in her 50s, Kathy has been extremely passionate about fitness her entire life. She was an avid runner in her 20s. She’s always known maintaining muscle mass and keeping her heart strong and healthy is important as she ages. Yet, while most baby boomers are complaining about stiff knees or achy backs, Kathy wakes up each day confronting a 32-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

“I remember waking up one day and the lower half of my body was completely numb. Then, I woke up another time and my upper body was completely numb. We didn’t have MRIs in the 1980s, so I had no clue what was wrong with me, so I just kept on moving through life with random, scary symptoms,” said Kathy.

Over the years her condition worsened. Her six-mile daily runs came to a gradual halt. Leg exercises with weights became too much for her lower body to tolerate and inevitably, balance became an issue. Fast forward to today, Kathy finds it difficult to complete a half-mile walk with her husband, whom she used to enjoy hours of walking with around the city. The burdensome obstacle that prevents her from being physically active begins in her legs.

“My legs start to feel like Gumby. I get a spasm in my low back and dull pain radiates up my spinal muscles,” says Kathy.

Determined to keep her body moving, Kathy decided to try a new gym and fitness facility in her neighborhood called 501SPIN. What initially attracted her to this facility was the upper body ergometer machine (think cycling using your arms), which she believed would work well for her, given it excluded the lower body. While getting acclimated to the studio, Kathy discovered the facility’s uniquely fun and dynamic RealRyder® Indoor Cycling classes. Curious about the new bikes that could tilt and lean, she decided to try a class.

“I was afraid of falling off the RealRyder bike at first. I wasn’t worried about the bike tipping over. I was concerned about my problems with balance!” says Kathy. “But I realized I just needed to get used to it and take it slow.”

And that’s just what Kathy did.

Today – thanks to Kathy’s courage, and an inspirational teacher named Dawn Doll, whom she credits as a major influence and motivational force -  Kathy told us, “I’m able to complete an entire class. I’m able to stand up and ride, which I never thought I could do. The fact that the bike moves and simulates turns, and improves core strength is really helping me.”

Newly enlightened and deeply moved by Kathy’s incredible story of personal triumph, we decided to ask her the ever-popular question that newbie RealRyders often ask us:

“Do you think RealRyder Indoor Cycling is harder than traditional cycling?”

Kathy: “It’s not harder. It’s just different. And most importantly, the classes are fun!”

RealRyder cycling is different. Our indoor cycling program is different. Our bike is different. No other indoor bike has our “Ryde”! RealRyder Cycling adds a level of excitement through innovation that can energize any existing cycling program. There are unlimited programming options for offering a unique riding experience that will be enjoyed by people of all fitness levels, interests and backgrounds.

One of the questions we often receive is from our teachers and studio owners is “How do I find or make the elevation maps for class?”. We enlisted a few of our instructors to answer this question. After putting our heads together we came up with three great sources for inspiration.

Ryde it Real Tool #1: Map My Ride, a division of Map My Fitness

Screenshot: Map My Ride

Ryde it Real Tool #2: Velo Routes

Screenshot: Velo Routes

Screenshot: Velo Routes

Ryde it Real Tool #3: Use Your Favorites Races!

The major races, like the Tour de France, offer comprehensive imagery and profiles for each stage of the race. CYKL, a RealRyder studio in Canada, simulated the entire Tour de France last year, complete with leaderboards, jerseys, footage of the race, and of course celebratory champagne! Use the tools found on race websites to excite your class participants and offer them an experience they will never forget. Some of our favorites to get you started are the Tour de France, USA Cycling, and here in RealRyder country we have SoCal Cycling.

Tell us about your inspirations for riding indoors! A parting shot from CYKL in Canada, to get your creative juices flowing!

CYKL's Tour de France Leaderboard

Ryde it real. Teach it real. It’s time to take the training wheels off!