David Grigg ran competitively in high school and college, then continued through his 30s. After decades of 50-65 mile weeks, the pounding took a toll. He rode mountain and road bikes, but he missed running, and treadmills and stationary bikes were too boring. Then he discovered an ElliptiGO Arc.
In the Mathare Valley slum of Nairobi, Kenya, people are poor. Many children can’t even attend school. That is where people like ElliptiGO rider Jim Hansen come in. Hansen, a fifth grade teacher in New Hampshire, has made several trips to Kenya to help the teachers and schools, and he sponsors students through fundraising.
Tim Woodier, from Abergavenny, Wales (UK), rode a borrowed ElliptiGO elliptical bicycle throughout an 87-day, 6800-mile odyssey that took him through Canada and 23 states in the eastern half of the United States. Throughout his self-supported trip, he relied on the community of ElliptiGO owners for lodging, food and entertaining diversions from the road.
Following the spirit of Sir Edmund Hillary, Bruno Pollet set off in July to be the first person to climb the Col du Tourmalet on an ElliptiGO Arc. “I asked myself, ‘Why not test the Arc on it?’ I thought it would be quite the challenge.”
For many people, riding a bicycle 1300 miles (2100km) would be a very good year. Stuart Blofeld rode that distance in just over seven days to complete the first-ever Wild Atlantic Way Audax (WAWA), a timed event that runs the length of the longest coastal road in the world, skirting the entire western coast of Ireland.
Alexander Bibby is just like many other ElliptiGO elliptical bike owners. He sought out an effective fitness device that enabled him to enjoy his workouts outdoors. Alexander Bibby is nothing like most other ElliptiGO owners. He is a bilateral, below-the-knee amputee. Due to complications from congenital birth defects, both legs were amputated when he was three years old.
You really can find anything on the internet. Our rider of the month, Kia Calderon-Dillon, has found endurance rides to do with her mom, parenting tips on caring for her three kids, plenty of volunteering opportunities in her community . . . and a way to donate one of her kidneys to a stranger.
Juan Reque, a physical therapist and long-time runner, suffered a torn meniscus that limited his running. After a patient described the ElliptiGO bike, Reque took one for a test ride. Immediately, he knew it was a good workout. To test the efficacy of ElliptiGO training, he devised an experiment comparing ElliptiGO and road bike cycling with running.
When Jane LeGore’s doctor told her, “Stop running now and don’t run any more. You need a total hip replacement,” she quickly researched options. Fortunately for our January Rider of the Month – and the ElliptiGO rider community – she soon found another outlet to rebuild her fitness and psyche.
Each month, we bestow “Rider of the Month” honors on one or more people. These riders have typically accomplished a big personal goal, raised money for charities, or set new standards for speed or endurance while riding their ElliptiGO elliptical bike. As we wrap up the 2015 year, we’re looking at the larger body of work and accomplishments, rather than zeroing in on just one. We are happy to announce the 2015 Rider of the Year – Carol Galgano. Supportive, energetic, enthusiastic and innovative all describe Galgano.
