Newly opened in Darien, JoyRide is packing enthusiastic stationary cyclers into classes that have the feel of a dance club.
For 50 minutes, a darkened room with 30 cyclists will pump their pedals to the beat of contemporary dance music as an instructor encourages them to spin faster or, at intervals, slow down.
Like dancing at a nightclub, cyclists can get motivated to keep moving by the entire group collectively moving to the beat.
After one spinning class Wednesday morning, dozens of cyclists poured into the contemporary, urban-looking lobby (a graffiti artist's work on the circular cinder block wall), for dozens of friendly, quick conversations.
Three Westport women founded JoyRide in that town and this week have opened up a second location on the side of Goodwives Shopping Center (on the side nearest Darien Ice Rink).
Michelle Donzeiser used to travel from Darien to Westport to get to JoyRide's classes. Now, she's a lot closer..
"I'm so comfortable in the community they've built here," she said. "And the instructors are extremely motivating."
The clientele in Westport is largely women in their 20s through 40s, but teenagers and even a woman in her eighties also regularly show up, said Marni Lane, a publicist for the business.
Debbie Katz, one of the owners who founded JoyRide in 2011, said men are 20 to 30 percent of the clients, showing up more often early in the morning or on weekends.
Rhodie Lorenz, one of the owners and an instructor at JoyRide, "choreographs" her 50-minute sessions with varying levels of intensity, combining elements of Pilates, deep breathing, an upper body workout using a weighted body bar and periods of stretching at the end. As many as 40 cyclists can be spinning together in a class.
"The class is designed as an aerobic and interval-based trip, " Lorenz said. "The music is loud, and it's dark in there so people can just focus and really be present in the moment."
Live bands also come in once a month.
An individual class costs $26, but JoyRide offers many pricing options for multiple classes, including 10 classes for $235. A "Grand Opening Special" gets you a 20 percent discount for a limited time (get in touch with the studio for details).
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JoyRide Cycling Studio
25 Old Kings Hwy. (Goodwives Shopping Center, in the former location of the YMCA Gymnastics Center)
Website: joyridestudio.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/JoyRideCycling
Twitter: @joyride_studio
(203) 202-9712
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