University of Memphis team captain Eric Pugh rides one of the Expresso Bike Challenge bikes at the Recreation Center. Pugh and his team are gearing up for Fall Frenzy, which begins in October.
The Expresso Bike Challenge is a new initiative at the University of Memphis that promotes student health and gets students involved in events.
The bike challenge centers around the U of M and every student can compete in it. Once you sign up, you are a member and your mile distances are accumulated towards the U of M team, which is one of 153 across the nation.
Team captain Eric Pugh is a senior exercise and sports science major as well as a fitness and wellness intern at the Rec Center.
“The goal is to get more people on the bikes, and this challenge is a great way to motivate students to do that by offering prizes for completing challenges and competing with 152 other schools,†Pugh said.
Starting Oct. 4 and 5, the U of M will participate in Fall Frenzy. Every Tuesday and Wednesday for five weeks, students will have 48 hours to ride as much as they can to gather the most miles. After a preliminary round, in which 152 colleges will compete, the field will begin to shrink as teams are eliminated in a tournament- style competition.
“We typically do monthly challenges,†Pugh said. “Even after Fall Frenzy is over, we compete in the Road Warrior challenge which is where you get a chance to win $100 and the Road Warrior Badge of Honor, but this is inclusive to many different organizations, not just schools.â€
Pugh has been spreading the word to his colleagues and friends, including Christian Kelly, supervisor and fitness instructor at therec center, who Pugh convinced to sign up and participate in the Expresso Bike Challenge.
“I signed up to support my friend,†Kelly said. “It was like riding a normal bike, but it’s more interactive since you have a course and you can navigate.â€
Kelly said he would continue using the bikes even after Fall Frenzy concludes. “It’s a good warm up exercise,†Kelly said. “I do two miles before my workout. Some people forget to do a warm up before your actual workout so these are useful.â€
Katie Gerstemeier, fitness and wellness coordinator at the rec center said this challenge is good for anyone to join because of how different it is from any other fitness plan.
“These bikes offer something for everyone,†Gerstemeier said. “They have a video game atmosphere with fitness. You can choose between scenery, racing the person next to you and competing against other universities and fitness centers.â€
