Congratulations to LINDSAY who won the 2,000,000 views contest with her entry of Time after Time by NovaSpace! Lindsay won the jersey of her choice from the official Spinning website (up to a value of $100 US.)
I’ve sent her a note and her prize will be on its way as soon as she sends me the particulars (item, size, colour) at spinningmusicblog@gmail.com.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to post their all-time favourite cycling song. I’m going to compile all the entries from this contest and the 1,000,000 views contest on a new page in the blog – think of it as one-stop shopping for the very best cycling music.
My gym’s winter schedule starts tomorrow and I’ve got three weekly classes (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:15 a.m.; Wednesday nights at 5:30 p.m. Doesn’t sound like a lot but I work full-time and have a toddler at home, so time for me is at a premium.) I can’t imagine a better way to spend it than on the bike. Happy cycling everyone! And if you’re ever near Halifax, Nova Scotia, I’d love to meet you. Come on out for a ride.
I am new instructor and have had a incredible time getting music, I prefer hard rock like pantera and tool. Where can I find music, without taking a second mortgage out on my home???
Hi Fastmojo, I am probably the wrong person to ask, because my iTunes library includes more than 1,000 purchased songs (Good God!). What about a streaming music service like Spotify or Rdio?
Hello fellow spin instructor. I just wanted to thank you for inspiring blog. I broke out a new playlist and used some of your music ideas. Thanks it was a big hit! YOU ROCK!!
Thank you Jared! I am delighted that you and your riders enjoyed it. Come on back and post a ride of your own soon!
how do you pick your music?
Hi Alyse,
I keep an eye on the Top 40 and on what a couple of radio stations are playing (101.3 The Bounce in Halifax and Z103.5 in Toronto – both offer streaming online). I also regularly check out the iTunes Top 100, the songs other instructors post on this blog, and the posts on the blogs I offer links to. I love finding a great new song or remix! I focus about 80% on new music and 20% on genres – hard rock, classic rock and pop, 80s, 90s, and a few theme rides from soundtracks. Using so much new music is a bit of a pain because I do find the playlists get dated quickly – say, within 6-8 months, whereas I can use a classic rock playlist anytime and it will feel fresh.
If you are asking more about how to choose a song for a particular drill, I do that almost entirely by ear. (To get a feel, go to the pages for climbs/sprints etc on this blog and listen to a few of the songs you’re familiar with – you’ll start to get a sense as well of what feels like a good fit). When I was first teaching I used to preview each new class by myself before teaching it and sometimes I’d realize a song just didn’t work. I did that for about 2 years but find I don’t need to do it now, though I still sometimes make changes if I don’t feel a song worked as well as I’d hoped.
Ilove yoour site your music thanks for cring about all spinning instructors
Thanks Nancy, much appreciated!
Fantastic as always!
Thank you!!!! You are wonderful. I really appreciate you. Your site has made my spinning classes better and you have opened my eyes to some very cool and motivating music.
Yay Elaine! Thank you so much for letting me know.