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Get to know KATE – a RIDE regular whose positive vibe and warm smile makes our day – even at 6 in the morning. Kate also happens to be one of the co-founders of Bad Girls Collective, a growing community that unites badass women in Toronto who are on the intellectual tip (and one that we’ll be partnering up with for monthly charity rides at Ossington – stay tuned!)

 

What do you do for your 9-5?

I run marketing + business development for The Drake. I love it because it’s creative, I have a lot of autonomy, I’m constantly learning (*read challenged*) – and no two days are the same.

 

If your bestie were to describe you in three words, what would they be?

Positive, driven, supportive.

 

How long have you been coming to RIDE?

Since day one! I rode as many underground classes as I could and have been completely obsessed since the doors opening on Ossignton.

 

What motivates you to get your ass to class?

The people, the music + the feeling after a good sweat. I miss everything about it when I can’t make it for a few days. It’s the best mental break, energy boost + challenging (yet fun) workout I’ve ever experienced.

 

How has RIDE impacted your life?

It’s provided me with a workout regimen that I truly look forward to every single day. It has introduced me to some lifelong, like-minded pals + provided a healthy social activity.

 

You’re one of the Founders of the most badass girl group around, Bad Girls Collective. Tell us about all the badass things you’re up to

The mission of Bad Girls Collective is to bring strong women together to share in the power of knowledge + inspiration. Kara and I are so excited to be bringing women together in the city + beyond – across different industries, friend groups + walks of life. We’re raising money for worthy causes, engaging in meaningful discussion + most importantly learning from and supporting one another. Our goal is to reverse the tendencies to compete and compare yourself to other women + promote the idea of stronger together. We host bi-monthly ‘reads’ with boss female speakers + entertainers. We have a weekly run club in partnership with Nike + a monthly charity RIDE. We’ve hosted workshops with WealthSimple. We’ve hosted marketplaces featuring female run businesses + entrepreneurs in collaboration with This Open Space… and so much more… follow along @badgirlscollective.

 

Building communities is obviously a huge aspect of your life – what makes RIDE’s community so unique?

I think it’s rare + amazing for our demographic to connect and socialize over an activity that isn’t ‘party’ focused (read: fuelled by booze/substances). The connection at the core of the community is a love of fitness and at RIDE, you’re more often than not hanging out with the crew between 6-8am. With that said, what makes the community unique is the life balance that everyone maintains – a focus on career, socializing, eating + drinking – and oftentimes doing those activities with pals from the studio.

 

Favourite instructor and why?

I could never pick a favourite – they’re all incredible and unique – really depends on my mood/schedule.

 

Best RIDE memory?

We did a Bad Girls RIDE led by Alex to a playlist of all female artists and raised over $1000 for The Stop Community Food Centre. It was incredible to join two of my favourite things and get ladies to try RIDE + give back to an amazing cause. Our next charity RIDE for Sistering is happening on March 29!

 

What other workouts do you do outside of RIDE?

I run, box, do pilates + am a new fan of f45… but RIDE is by far my favourite, zero bias.

 

Song you’ve got on repeat?  

Not a RIDE-related track but I’m obsessed with Van Morrison right now and my favourite is Into the Mystic. I also love every single track on the new Charlotte Day Wilson album. And Leon Bridge’s new sound is super rad.

 

If you could brunch with any lady boss (past or present), who would it be?

Emily Weiss.

 

If you were to give a s/o to a local entrepreneur, who would it be?

My two faves + close pals: Mary Young + the team behind KOTN (Mackenzie, Ben + Rami). Their products + brands are perfection and they’re both doing a lot of great work to support community + give back.

 

Describe your ideal Saturday in the city.

RIDE + brunch at Union + walking around Kensignton + lots of coffee + sunshine.

 

Who motivates you?

So many people in my life – Kara (my Bad Girls partner), all of my passionate + driven girls, my very hardworking boyfriend, my super supportive + loving fam… I’m pretty damn lucky to be surrounded by some pretty incredible humans.

 

Advice to someone looking to start a side hustle?

Find something you love that makes you feel good. For us it was about bringing women together + giving back to the community. When you love it, it doesn’t feel like work + you’re more than happy to spend your ‘free time’ working to build it. There’s nothing more rewarding than building a brand/project/company from the ground up + seeing it grow.

 

Fave quote or words to live by?

Break the rules, scare yourself + never play it safe.

 

Last book you read was….

Americanah. Currently reading Call Me By Your Name – our next read is April 4!

 

What does RIDE mean to you?

It’s a welcome break from the hustle. Me-time. A stress reliever. And an incredible ‘community hub’ where I’ve met some pretty special like-minded humans.

Meet ALEX – originally from Vancouver, she brought the RIDE vibes with her to Toronto and played an integral role in building the RIDE Ossington community. Known for her killer 6AMs and bangers, get to know ALEX’s RIDE story, favourite Toronto spots, hidden talents and more.

Where did you grow up?

Alberta! Was born in Calgary but moved to Edmonton when I was 6. I stayed in Edmonton throughout university and moved to Vancouver in 2011, before calling Toronto home when I moved here last year. I’ve essentially done a full cross-Canada tour.

Can you remember your first RIDE class? How long did it take until you realized you wanted to become an instructor?

I do remember it! It was in our Vancouver studio a few years ago. I sat in the back row, right by the wall, and I was terrible. It was at least three months after my first class before I even came back. I started going more regularly and finally made my way into the front row.

Teaching was a different story: although I loved to ride in class, I never thought about being a teacher. It was only after Ashley and Julie (the lead instructor in Vancouver) forced me into the auditions that I realized this was something I really wanted to do.

Best part of being an instructor is…

Challenging people to push themselves more than they want to, and getting people to a place they never thought physically possible. The best part of being an instructor is getting your riders to a place where you don’t even have to instruct: they stand up longer than you ask them to, and they add on more tension without you telling them to. I’m so lucky I get to ride with amazing athletes who also push me to be a better rider, every single day.

Track you’ve had on repeat

Really into these soulful, beautiful deep house tracks lately. Check out Diamonds by Lane 8.

AM or PM rides?

AM! I’m definitely a morning person. One of my favourite classes to teach is my Wednesday 6AM because I get to be in a room with a group of incredible riders that get out of bed while it’s still pitch black outside to come and sweat it out with me.

Favourite way to sweat outside of RIDE?

Studio Lagree! I’m obsessed. It’s a challenging workout that focuses on that slow burn – the perfect complement to RIDE. Although rare, you can also catch me long-distance running or hitting up a yoga class.

Where can we find you on a Saturday afternoon in the city?

I’m pretty predictable: there’s a pretty good chance you can find me set up at the bar at Union Restaurant or the Drake Cafe for some post-workout brunch.

Best vegan resto in Toronto and Vancouver?

Here in Toronto, I’m obsessed with the new vegan restaurant that just opened on Queen, Hello 123. Amazing food, great prices, and great vegan Caesars, which is key. In Vancouver, my spot is Virtuous Pie, which specializes in vegan pizzas and ice cream. It’s life-changing (and coming to Toronto next year!).

Any hidden or not so hidden talents?

I’m a pretty decent tap dancer (true story) and played classical piano competitively for 12 years.

If you could brunch with any person (past or present), who would it be and why?

Hillary Clinton, hands down. She’s driven and inspiring and I want to know about her journey.

#1 piece of advice for someone looking to have a killer RIDE?

For the newer riders in the room, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Take it easy. Focus on finding the beat and getting on that leading leg. Once you’ve mastered that, bring in the choreography. Master the basics first and the rest will follow!

What has you stoked on life right now?

Toronto. Everything about it. I love the culture, the energy, the food scene, the workouts, and the amazing people I’ve met over the last year. Life is really good here.

What does RIDE mean to you?

RIDE is my safe space. It’s a place where I get to be myself and surround myself with all of my favourite people. It means family, security, friendship, and motivation. There’s honestly no place quite like it.

Catch Alex on the podium at RIDE Ossington – view schedule.

When you look at the strength and bond of our community, it’s hard to believe that we opened our doors just 3 years ago.

For many of us, it feels like we’ve been friends for a lifetime. In light of us hitting this milestone, we thought we’d give a little glimpse into our roots – how RIDE was born, what we’re proud of and where we’re going.

RIDE evolved from a love they shared for spinning in New York, where they met. They both ended up heading to the West Coast and reconnected back in Vancouver. “JJ was a regular client at my classes and we both kept saying to each other how we missed the New York spin vibe. We had always talked about what we wished VANCOUVER had for the spin scene – and one day decided to create it!” says Ashley.

Ashley and JJ’s vision went beyond that of your standard spin class; they wanted to create something unique that encompassed everything they loved in NYC with their own flare. “We wanted to create a studio the was clean and crisp but had a hard, dark gritty edge at the same time.” When the studio first opened, Ashley was the resident instructor-come-Studio Manager-come-General Manager-come Head of Instructor Training. To say it was a crazy time is a gross understatement, but Ashley was fuelled by the excitement of bringing a new concept that Vancouver had never experienced – and boy did they love it.

As the studio grew, Ashley continued to focus on overseeing the customer experience and RIDE instructors, while JJ focused on merchandise, brand and marketing. They also brought on Moe who takes care of the “behind the scenes” (re: the financials guy). Three years later, the team is as strong as ever. “We really compliment one another. Where one of us lacks the other one thrives.”

As spinning has increased in popularity over the past few years, the RIDE experience remains unique. We asked Ashley to give RIDE 3 personality traits: “Sweaty, sexy and tough – but like, badass confident woman tough, leaning back on the hood of her muscle car waiting for her partner to come back with the groceries tough.” Translation: It’s not your average ride. At RIDE, it’s about being motivational but not preachy; energetic but never too peppy. You won’t find any “dance party” with disco balls or gimmicks here (though we do love our candles). “RIDE is so much more than just a workout. It’s place to come and just forget about everything outside of the spin room doors for 50 minutes.”

We asked Ashley to share her top 3 memories since opening RIDE’s doors – she responded in a heartbeat. “lululemon SEAWHEEZE 2016, RIDE VS ONE VANCOUVER ART gallery charity RIDE and creating the UNDRGRND SPACES are all standout memories for me.” The one thing they all have in common? Community – bringing our tribe together, whether it be to celebrate fitness, raise money for a cause or bringing the RIDE experience to new audiences.

Though the RIDE team makes it look easy, opening up a studio from scratch is no simple feat. “Finding a space when you’re on a startup budget is probably one of the biggest challenges, because you want to be centrally located but with that comes higher rent. Also, finding a space where you’re dealing with our loud sound system and subwoofers!”

The RIDE community is bonded yet welcoming, and the RIDES are fun yet kickass. “I just want everyone who walks into the studio to feel like family. I want the rider to feel accomplished, I want them to feel personal growth mentally, emotionally and physically. I want their experience in that room to be extraordinary, I want it to be challenging, sweaty and I want everyone working together and growing together. That’s community to me.”

Ask any RIDE regular and they’ll attest that RIDE has become somewhat of a church – a place for people to come together, ride in unison, get lost in the music and come out feeling rejuvenated.

When we talk about RIDE’s evolution since day one, Ashley notes that there has been significant growth coupled with an enormous learning experience. “At the beginning of our Hamilton location, everyone was new to this style of riding. So there has been so much growth and evolution in teaching style. Each year and every studio that opens we get stronger and more knowledgeable about what the brand is and where we want to see it go. It has definitely been a challenge sometimes, but the challenge is what makes it exciting.”

The RIDE experience is 100% dependent on the instructors, a talented roster that Ashley has dedicated a lot of time with. So what does it take to be a RIDE instructor? “A huge Personality! Great taste in music and a lot of patience to research. A RIDE instructor has to have no SHAME and be the biggest standout in a ROOM of 56 people. They need to be captivating, unique, and the strongest rider in the room. A RIDE instructor is a leader there to inspire riders – they should be so captivating that they make you forget you are even working out. Our instructors don’t let you settle, they are there to push you and motivate you through. We want you to leave feeling stronger, both on the bike and in life.”

With three locations across Lonsdale and Yaletown in Vancouver and Ossington in Toronto, we thought we’d ask Ashley for some of her go-to places to grab eats or coffee in the community. “ At Lonsdale, Glory Juice, Buddahfull, Ernest Ice Cream and Lift for breakfast…at Hamilton – Field and Social, Tacofino, Body Energy Club, and JJ Bean for coffee…and at Ossington, The Grow Op, La Cubana for sandwiches, Crafted Coffee, and Pho at Tien THan!”

It’s inspiring to see how Ashley and JJ took their passion and turned it into a full-time gig. As an Entrepreneur, we asked Ashley to share advice based on her experience for those looking to turn their side-hustle into a business. “Find someone to help and support you. As I said, the best part about the partnership between JJ, Moe and myself is that we all complement one another. Where one of us maybe is not so strong in an area the other one makes up for it. Also – don’t be afraid to ask for help!”

And finally, we asked where Ashley might see RIDE in 5 years – and we were stoked by her response. “We would love to open across Canada and eventually see 12-15 studios!”

At RIDE, we pride ourselves as being so much more than a spin studio. When you show up to RIDE with us, you’re joining a diverse community of riders with the common love of challenging our bodies, growing stronger, getting lost in our music, and sweating…a lot. We don’t RIDE to burn calories or get a six pack (though they are great perks); our goal is to create a RIDE experience where you can take 50 minutes of your day to put your phone away, forget about deadlines, stress, or insecurities. We’re here to provide an opportunity for you to enjoy being fully present, surrounded by an incredible tribe of riders, an instructor who’s there to get you fired up through those last 8 counts of sprints, and beats that you can feel reverberate through your entire body.

We’re really proud of the unique RIDE experience we’ve created; our rides are challenging, loud, and intense, yet we work hard to ensure every new rider feels welcome and encouraged. Whether it’s your first or two hundredth RIDE with us, our goal is to have each and every one of you walk out of our classes feeling strong, confident and high on life (leg shakes are encouraged, too).

We are so thankful for our incredible roster of instructors and die-hard riders who make each and every RIDE the badass experience it is. Since launching in 2013, we’ve built an awesome community that deserves to be celebrated. We’re stoked to be launching a space where we can put the spotlight on our incredible community – an opportunity to get to know our instructors and fellow die-hard riders, meet our community partners, view upcoming events across the country and listen to our beloved playlists (and so much more).   

We’ve got lots coming your way riders – stay tuned. In the meantime, follow us on the ‘gram at @RideCycleClub.