Allie is a fitness enthusiast and expert bike rider. She has raised over $12,000 for Pedal the Cause. In her own words, here are her favorite people, products, and places that help keep her going.
Luckily, I have a good circle of like-minded friends who are willing to jump in on a ride/hike/walk anytime. It also helps that my husband likes the same activities that I like. We met cycling. Having someone you live with that motivates you makes this process easier.
I'm a biking enthusiast. I ride all types of terrain, and my bikes are specific to each type. Road riding is my favorite, but that is becoming more challenging with more distracted drivers. I ride a Liv Road bike - all carbon. Liv is specifically designed for women riders. When I want to go for an easy 25-mile ride, I ride Grant's trail to River Des Peres Greenway and ride back in via Maplewood-Webster- Kirkwood.
My gravel bike is a Specialized. The gravel trails off the Katy Trail provide long, hilly, challenging gravel rides.
My mountain bike is a Trek, and Creve Coeur Park gives the best and closest opportunity for that kind of riding.
Hiking is another activity I love. There are several excellent options close to Kirkwood like Castlewood, Greensfelder, and Don Robinson State Park.
When weather permits, I pull out my standup paddleboard and head to Simpson Lake at the bottom of Marshall Road. Paddleboarding is a workout, but I do it mainly for my mental health - outside in the sunshine, I watch the wildlife around me with little distraction.
When working out at home, I use the Zwift app, which is set up like a video game. I can choose routes - some made up and some actual rides around the world. I put my road bike on a Wahoo Trainer and follow the workouts that way. The Wahoo Trainer is a smart trainer, meaning when the terrain on the Zwift routes changes, it is reflected on the trainer; if the Zwift route takes you up a climb, the trainer represents that climb. Trainer rides are not my favorite, but they are necessary when the weather is not conducive to riding outside.
We have our basement set up with a workout space with bikes/trainers, free weights, kettlebells, yoga mat, resistance bands, all of it. I like the strength training workouts, the yoga, meditation, and riding workouts on Peloton.
I rely on my apple watch to keep me honest. I am quite motivated to close my daily rings (exercise, movement, and stand).
To learn more about Pedal the Cause visit https://www.pedalthecause.org/
