Tarn's Puerto Rico Adventure
February 2008
I hired Mike to prepare me for a 3 day, 380 mile ride around the island of Puerto Rico that took place in January of 2008. I had three months to train for an event that was way beyond what I had ever done before. I came from a background of being able to complete a century, but taking a long time to recover. I also was not very strong on the hills and had never done any sort of organized training for cycling before.
Mike designed a training schedule that combined working out in his Biking Blast classes with rides I would do on my own during the week. The goal was to get my body ready for rigours of a 3 day ride, be able to recover for the next day's ride, and to be able to perform on the hills that I was to encounter.
Through the indoor training in the Blast classes, I learned to use a heart rate monitor during my rides and also use it as a gauge as to how I was progressing. Mike's teaching of correct pedalling technique also proved its worth during the event. Mike's enthusiasm for riding permeated the classes, adding a element of fun to the challenging classes. This kept my attitude for indoor training positive and contributed to my being able to complete the schedule. As my training progressed, stamina increased and recovery after long weekend rides was eye opening. I went from "wiped out" and feeling bad for a day after a long ride; to cleaning up, having a quick meal and ready to do something else.
Just prior to leaving for my trip, Mike gave me advice on multi-day rides. His experience had me well prepared to handle a few issues that I encountered during the 3 days.
The first day of the ride consisted of a 152 mile leg that was generally flat but had several moderate and one large hill (700 ft vertical) to climb before the lunch stop. Because of my training, I was one of the better climbers in the peloton. Using the pedalling technique I had learned and practiced, combined with monitoring my heart rate, gave me a lot of confidence and satifaction in completing the climbs. This carried over into the rest of the event and contributed to my enjoyment of the ride. Through Mike's plan of having ride back to back to back long rides, I had no problem doing the "short" 100 mile leg for the second day. The last day was similar, I was feeling very strong and had completed some big climbs, including a very intimidating "wall" when a crash ended my ride early.
Mike's coaching and Blast classes were the key to my successful participation and enjoyment of the 2008 Lighthouse Cycling Tour in Puerto Rico. Back when I started training, the thought of riding 380 miles in 3 days seemed like it would be torture. The Blast classes directly lead to me not only being strong enough to complete the ride, but also have some fun doing it. For that, I greatly wish to thank Bikin' Mike.
Regards,
Tarn Thompson
See all Tarns' trip photos here
October 18, 2002
To Whom It May Concern:
Subject: Bikin' Mike Keel and The Get Fit Dallas Program
I would
like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to the
Get Fit Dallas program for sponsoring this event. This program has been a
great help to myself, in that it provided a very good motivational medium
that I desperately needed to inspire me to lose weight and return myself to
a state of good health.
I worked with Bikin' Mike Keel as my trainer in the program, and I would be remise if I didn't express my sincere gratitude to him for all of his hard work and dedication to the program and it's participants. Mike had a constant list of training events and bicycle rides for us to participate in, and made sure we kept our focus on what we were trying to accomplish. He made sure we were constantly challenged in our training, but always kept in mind our current level of fitness and training. Even on those training rides when we were riding with much more advanced riders, Mike made sure that we all felt comfortable riding at our own pace and that we didn't feel pressured to try and keep up with the more experienced riders.
Many times when working with a personal trainer, who has many clients, there is a tendency for the trainer to use a standard workout plan and make minor modifications to it to suit the particular individual. This wasn't the case with Mike. Every step of the way I felt that Mike was working with me as an individual, and that he had developed a program specifically for me. He did this, even though he was working with a training group.
Very rarely does the reality of an event live up to the expectation. But in this case, Mike's training program not only lived up to my expectations, but far surpassed them. He is a most valuable asset to the program and if this program is continued in the future, Dallas Health and Fitness Magazine should make every effort to secure his participation in the future years
Sincerely yours,
Fred R. Miller, Jr.
The Perfect Bike for Bikin’ Mike!
Through
a surprising turn of events I recently found myself shopping for a new bike.
I made my last new bike purchase in 1996 and proceeded to put some 35,000
miles on my Trek 2300. As far as I could tell, I was happy with my riding
companion.
I had the chance to get a new bike. Not a specific new bike, but anything I wanted. Now I had to do something I never like. I had to go shopping. The staff at Plano Cycling & Fitness began to help me think about my options, asking me lots of questions about riding style and such. I rode several of the newest, latest and greatest models, but they just didn't feel right.
My riding style is set. I don’t race, so I really don’t like riding on a quick handling bike. I have been “touring” for many years. I prefer a laid back ride that is a bit softer and relaxed in handling. I am also one of a very small group of people in the country who like Scott DH bars. Many people who “know” cycling have talked to me about why I should not use those old out of date handlebars – but the fact is that they are very comfortable for me. I have been using them without incident or problem since 1987. Still, we were trying to figure out how to make one of the latest models work for me – by changing the stem and the front fork and stuff like that. As we were discussing our options, Kyle Carlson suggested a custom built bike from Co-Motion.
Immediately I knew we had a winning idea. I could determine the geometry that I wanted and they would design a bike to ride the way I wanted it to with the equipment I wanted. Their design program allowed me to pick all the components and select one of their custom paint colors. They were even willing to let me send them some decals for the bike that they would protect with a clear coat finish. We agreed that this was the way for me to go.
We began the process of taking my measurements. Kelly Duval was very patient with me, following the carpenter code of measuring twice and writing it down once. After all the checking and double-checking, we then went through the component decisions (Shimano Ultegra), wheels, saddle, pedals and computer. The entire shop tried to convince me to switch handlebars, but after explaining why I liked them they gave up. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! We sent off the order and the decals.
When the bike finally arrived I was very happy just to look at it. The paint job was excellent and the bike was a classic. Very clean lines and very clean welds. I was surprised that they put a straight fork on the bike and thought it would make the ride too harsh. When we called Co-Motion, they assured me that they had worked in the fork by laying back the head tube angle. I was a little skeptical but promised to be open-minded. I was ready for my first ride.
The weather was not ready. Whenever I had the time, the weather was bad. When the weather turned nice, I got sick. When I got better, I was riding indoors at the Bikin’ Blast Studio a lot as I taught classes, but I could not bring myself to try out my new bike on an indoor ride. The first ride had to be outdoors.
When I traveled to Austin to work on the Ride to Cure Diabetes, I loaded up my new Co-Motion and took it with me. My plan was to stop in Salado on my way back to Dallas and catch a little 40-mile ride to check it out. That was my plan.
While in Austin, the organizers of the ride told me that they had plenty of people providing road support. They did not need me on the support crew. Would I like to ride? Yes, with a name like Bikin’ Mike, I would like to ride any chance I get. Now I was going to get to ride 100 miles with a client I had been training for months. We were both happy.
Then I became concerned. What if something is not right with the new bike? I had not tweaked it out yet. All I had done was set my saddle height. All these questions faded away as we rode out and began our 100-mile odyssey.
I won’t bore you with all the details. I finished the 100 miles without incident. When I completed the ride, I felt great. No hot spots or pressure points anywhere. My upper body felt great. What’s more, the bike climbed like a mountain goat. I was real happy with my new Co-Motion. It was a good change for me.
What impressed me the most is that from all these measurements that Kelly took, the gang at Co-Motion was able to build a bike that fit me from the very first ride. I did not have to tweak anything.
Happy New Rear!
It’s the perfect bike for Bikin’ Mike.
IF anybody asks me what kind of bike to get, my answer is “To get the best bike for you – get a custom built Co-Motion”.
For the HEALTH of it,
Bikin’ Mike Keel
Owner
BikinMike.com
Between the new baby and straining my right calf during a race 3 weeks ago set me back a little, but I am riding and training again for Ironman California. Hopefully I will be in to ride next week. Your classes keep me focused. I ride the Collin Classic routes all of the time and see your comments on the hills like "Dig Deep." It immediately reminds me of your comments during indoor rides to focus on good form, smooth circles, pull with your legs don't push. It's like riding with you for free! You have been a big help to my riding.
James K
Hello Mike:
We don't know each other well but I thought you might be interested
in my little story (bragging).
I attended your "How to Train for a Century" on 7-21. I have been
training to do my first century on 8-10-04 which was my 60th birthday. (A
little background - I had coronary by-pass surgery 8-18-00. I was overweight
and out of condition and if asked to go on a long bike ride, 4 miles @ 8 MPH
would do fine for me). Since the surgery, I do up to 6 cardiac work outs.
Gym & bike 3 times a week each.
Anyway, I did the Century. Started at 4:45 AM and finished at about 1:00 PM
- Saddle time 6:46 = 14.6 MPH.
The information from your seminar was invaluable during my ride. THANKS
Jim W.
Hi Mike,
My husband and I haven't been doing the weekend rides because we have child care issues. We are doing our long rides on our own on (very early) Sunday mornings. We did our 65 mile ride last weekend and we plan on doing 75 this Sunday.
Your class has helped us (especially me) so well that we are aiming for the 100 miles instead of the 100K...that is if we do well on the 75 miler this weekend.
The Blast classes are helping me become one with my bike and for a runner that is not easy. Seriously though, the classes have helped a lot and the one group ride I did (with your great support team) has allowed me to not only get stronger but ride better.
Have a great group ride this weekend and we'll see you next Tuesday.
Maria M.
I wanted to thank you for all the support and assistance you provided for me! I couldn't have done the rides in Wichita Falls or Asheville without your awesome indoor sessions and the long rides on the weekends. I'm looking forward to continuing the classes this fall.
Allene C.