I don’t know quite how to categorize this mix. It’s a little bit dance, a little bit punk, a little bit pop, and a little bit alternative. But somehow, it all fits together (at least I think so.)
Jump – Madonna (3:59): Warm up your legs for a couple of minutes, then turn up the tension to 4/10 for a nice, easy climb.
Smooth Criminal – Alien Ant Farm (3:29): Quick! Three sprints: 45/40/30 at each chorus. Leave the tension where it is for this metal-tinged version of Michael Jackson’s classic.
Take Me Away – Fefe Dobson (2:40): This one’s pure pop from Toronto singer Fefe Dobson. Start with a medium tension climb, increasing the tension every 30 seconds.
Take it Off – The Donnas (2:40): All sprint baby! Alternate 15 seconds on with 15 seconds recovery.
Here In Your Arms – Hellogoodbye (4:03): This pop single went platinum. This is a single leg drill (2×60 or 4×30 seconds).
The Boys of Summer – The Ataris (4:18): The Ataris give a punk edge to Don Henley’s classic song. Ratchet up your tension to 5/10 and climb fast. When you hear the chorus, go! go! go! race day pace! These sprints are short (20/20/20 seconds) and intense. Advanced riders can stretch the last sprint to 40 seconds.
Keep The Car Running – Arcade Fire (3:29): Sure, sure, another set of lifts, 8/4/2. But this Montreal band created a complicated beat to follow. Start with medium tension and increase it every 60 seconds.
Numb – Linkin Park (3:08): Leave the tension where it is. You’ve got one last, grinding climb before the cooldown.
Yellow Brick Road – Raine Maida (3:08): Cool down with this excellent song from Our Lady Peace frontman, Raine Maida. Yep, another Canadian. And he’s married to the equally talented Chantal Kreviazuk. She’s Canadian, too.
Leaving on a Jet Plane – Chantal Kreviazuk (4:40): Just to prove how talented she is, let’s chase Maida’s song with Kreviazuk’s cover of John Denver’s yearning hit.
Ack! More music I must have!