Remember my ride at T2?  That sweaty, endorphin-fueled experience can be yours too!

Five readers will have the chance to learn the ABCs of outdoor cycling from T2’s team of expert coaches indoors at the UES studio—and, all before spring really hits.

Enter to win a class at T2 in one of these EASY ways:
Here, on my site: Leave a comment on this post, so that I know where to find you.
On Twitter: Follow @FitGirlRachel and RE-TWEET my @T2MultiSportNYC post with tags #ride #win #giveaway.
On Instagram: Follow @FitGirlRachel, “like” & comment on my T2 Win It! photo and I’ll see that you entered there.

Winners will be notified by April 7.

Class passes and image above provided by T2.

In place of promotional signage and a wall of merchandise, you’ll find a projector screen with riders’ names and performance numbers, the weekly schedule on a gigantic chalk board and stacks of magazines like Competitor and Women’s Running. No frills, but, totally authentic.

The technology behind T2 is the CompuTrainer, which delivers real-time results as you ride. Whether you bring your own bike or use one from the studio, everyone is plugged into the system, showing the “road” and our individual numbers (watts, distance, calories burned, etc.) on flatscreens.

After inputting my height, weight & age and selecting my virtual outfit colors, my bike was waiting for me, so, I hopped on and started getting familiar.  While I’m a huge indoor cyclist, I’m less experienced with riding outdoors on anything more complicated than a Citi Bike, so, my only challenge was shifting gears.  Otherwise, it was very simple–each rider followed his/her personal pane, showing our course and metrics (I was bottom left).

My neighbor, whom I jokingly nicknamed “the guy,” was a tall, hardcore triathlete and international finance type whose output was consistently through the roof: he hit 375 watts vs. mine, which ranged between 100-140 during the 90-minute class.  I was more than happy to follow his tips and tricks, which he happily offered throughout our ride.

Meanwhile, all around us, there was a lot of sweating going on.

Things to know before you go:

• Bring a slim water bottle that will fit into your bike (mine’s Klean Kanteen); refills provided.
• As with any cycling class, if you have shoes, wear those, otherwise, baskets are available so that you can rock your sneakers, too.
• Eat something light but substantial before you ride: a banana with peanut butter or small bowl of high protein cereal with almond milk.
• And, there are showers, if you’re headed to brunch with friends afterward.

It’s always easy to zone out on an elliptical and call that a workout. So, one of the things that I’ve loved about writing STRENGTH+Sole is pushing myself far from what was once my usual routine.

Next week, I’m back at T2 for another class and my FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test, which will give me an accurate sense of where I am now, performance-wise, and help set my training goals.

And, ya never know, you just might see me this spring in Central Park, dressed in head-to-toe spandex and riding alongside “the guy.”

Are you with me?  Try T2!  Log on to T2NYC.com and use promo code STRENGTH for 25% off a single class or any class package through February 28, 2014.

Stay tuned for more from my FTP test and a special giveaway, coming soon.

Photos by Jeanne Meyer.
This post is in partnership with T2; all thoughts/assessments are my own.

Opened last week inside David Barton Gym‘s Astor Place location, it gives off a rock ‘n roll club vibe by osmosis, with CYC clients sharing the bustling lobby and dimly-lit locker rooms done up in British rocker chic style.

Combined with the studio’s own music decibel level (very loud) and club crowd (equal ratio of girls wearing diamond studs and Sparkly Soul headbands and tanned, toned guys in muscle tees), you’ll be in full #partyonabike mode by the time class starts.

Fresh off his appearance on Kathie Lee and Hoda/The Today Show, head instructor and CYC creator Keoni Hudoba was himself, tanned and toned (he’s a native Hawaiian) and super psyched about CYC. Hudoba spent the majority of class on the bike, demonstrating upper body moves inspired by sports like swimming, basketball and volleyball (done with 2- or 3-pound free weights throughout the entire 45-minute class vs. via a dedicated segment).

He took a few breaks to cheer us on, separating the 50 riders into three groups for a little friendly competition infused by the studio’s blacklight, and to play a short set on the large steel drum next to his bike. The class is fast-paced, a little frenetic and likely enjoyed most by riders with above average hand-eye coordination.

My biceps and triceps were definitely sore the next day. I do a decent amount of strength training and I find that this usually doesn’t happen after other indoor cycling classes. Bonus points for CYC.

Looking for a little eye candy and some big, crazy fun?  CYC is your place.  Hurts so good.

WIN IT!
The first 15 readers to comment below will receive an exclusive access code from STRENGTH+Sole for a complimentary ride at CYC (David Barton Gym/NYC location only).  So, let me know what you think of this post, what you’re looking forward to experiencing at CYC and see you on a bike!
Winners will be notified via email by Friday, 1/17.

On Friday night, Audrey and Diane, two of my 100-mile relay teammates, drove down from Vermont for a fun fall weekend in the city.  On the agenda: shopping, snacking on B-day Truffles at Momofuku Milk Bar, sipping Salty Dogs at Willow Road and cycling at SWERVE, the newest studio in the city, which opened yesterday.

Located on West 18th Street in the Flatiron, the exterior is reminiscent of SoulCycle, with colorful branded window vinyls.

The SWERVE concept is a team inspired ride, whether you come with friends or solo (both are encouraged). The bikes are brand new Schwinn, with the most amazing flat handles for position 2, separated into three teams: red, green and blue via overhead lighting.

Each bike is equipped with a monitor à la Flywheel and Revolve, but here, it’s synced to measure team performance, which is displayed via color-blocked bar charts on flatscreens. Go, team spirit. (SWERVE’s founders are college friends with finance backgrounds.) You can also check out your personal performance at the end of class via the ride summary that appears on your monitor.

Our instructor was Trisha, a blonde, braided Cali turned city girl. This was her fourth class in two days, but, we never would have known–she had great energy on and off the bike, plus a killer playlist.

After class, you can hit the juice bar with a selection of freshly blended smoothies, Chia Bars and cold-pressed juices from neighborhood favorite Liquiteria.

While SWERVE’s studio interior also looks like SoulCycle, bespoke details make it feel more luxe.

As a new Cory Vines ambassador, I was psyched to see SWERVE’s branded apparel collection includes the brand’s tops and tanks, plus some Nike favorites.

The SWERVE experience was fun. It definitely brings some additional energy to the city’s increasingly crowded cycling scene, And, girls, if you’re looking for eye candy, you can find it here…the studio was filled with cute finance boys on bikes!