The Team Goes to First Thursday in April and May!

Come join the members of the Austin Paramedic Cycle Team at Jo's Coffee, 1300 South Congress Avenue, on Thursday, April 5th and Thursday, May 3rd. We'll be down there peddling our little hearts out on a trainer and selling our pins! Come listen to some great live music, enjoy great beverages and pastries, and watch us sweat -- all for a great cause! We'll be down there starting at 7pm!

Why Ride? Cheryl Bakhtiari

When I heard about the EMS Memorial Bike Ride, I knew immediately that I should ride. I’ve been in the EMS business for a while and through the years I have known a few EMS folks who have died in the line of duty. This year, ATCEMS paramedics are riding to honor Eric Hanson. I did not know Eric. I have heard a lot about Eric. I know that Eric was young and had a lot of plans. Eric has a supportive family as well. And that is why I will ride. No one in our business lasts long and well without a supportive family. Eric’s family is still here and they must deal with his loss every day. I know personally what it is like to suddenly lose a son at a young age. Many people supported me at the time and now it is time to return the favor. Eric’s family needs to see that they are part of a very large EMS family that will be there for them, not just in the first hours, days and months, but for years to come.

Cheryl Bakhtiari

2007 EMS Memorial Bike Ride

The Marble Falls EMS and A/TCEMS Cycling Team will join other EMT’s and Paramedics from all over the nation on Sunday, May 20th, when the 2007 EMS Memorial Bike Ride commences in New York City. The Team’s fundraising efforts will help the EMS Memorial Service achieve its mission in assisting the families of those EMS personnel who make the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the lives of the citizens of this country. The team will carry with them the memory of Eric Hanson, and will ride in his honor. Eric, a paramedic from nearby Marble Falls Emergency Medical Services, died late last year when the ambulance he was driving was struck head-on by another vehicle as he and his partner were returning from an early morning call.

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride is an annual conscious and fund raising effort to elevate the public’s awareness of the National EMS Memorial Service, where the ride ends, and the sacrifices of EMS professionals throughout the nation. This year, the service will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2007. The National EMS Memorial Service located in Roanoke, Virginia honors the sacrifices of EMS Professionals who died in the performance of their duties each year.

Why Ride? Tree Marsoobian

There is a special bond created, in my opinion, to those you share an experience such as paramedic school. Eric was one of those individuals for me. Eric was one of the quieter in our class but his strong drive to help others was quite evident. He was extremely unique in his demeanor and his compassion for others and life was unlike any other.

The morning of October 10, 2006, I was getting off of work. We had received a page shortly before leaving the station stating an ambulance MVA in Travis County did not involve one of our (A/TCEMS) ambulances. The off-going and on-coming crews were both watching the TV at the station to see exactly what EMS service was involved in the accident. The news report stated that there was an accident working in southwest Travis County of a Marble Falls ambulance and a pick-up truck. They went on to further state that one of the paramedics in the ambulance had died on scene. The overwhelming sense of tragedy that one feels over an accident like this is beyond words, not only for it to be a fatality but a line of duty death of a fellow paramedic. It was during my drive home when I was calling several of my friends that worked out in Marble Falls that I learned Eric was the driver that had been killed and another friend of mine, Kyla Wilson (the paramedic passenger), was being rushed to the trauma center in Austin. The driver of the pick-up truck died later that morning in the emergency room.

Approximately a week after Eric’s funeral, I was reading an issue of JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services) when I came across an article on the EMS Memorial Bike Ride. I have a personal history of coupling passionate social issues with long distance bike riding. So, riding my bike from New York City to Roanoke, VA, in Eric’s memory and to honor him at the EMS Memorial just seems like an appropriate thing to do. I solicited others to join me from our Employee Association. Over the course of a couple of months, the final team was formed.

Tree Marsoobian

Two Articles: Hydration and Indoor Group Cycling

Whether exercising indoors or outdoors, water replacement is one of the most important things a person can do to maintain energy levels and fitness gains, as well as speed recovery.
You have heard it before, but it bears repeating: by the time you feel thirsty, your body is already compromised by the effects dehydration. Becoming dehydrated will decrease your energy and performance and increase your recovery time. Uncorrected dehydration can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness and heat exhaustion.
Guidelines for staying well-hydrated:

Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise. Weigh yourself before and after exercise. For every pound you lose, you should replace it with about 500cc (16 ounces of water). For indoor cycling, most cycling disciplines recommend 40 ounces of water for 40 minutes of work. Some experts believe that indoor cyclists sweat more than outdoor cyclists because there is not as more air movement to cool the body, therefore more heat production and more sweat. Outdoors, however, the air movement will tend to dry/evaporate the sweat, so you may not think you are sweating much at all. In reality you could be sweating as much or more as indoors. So, if you are both an indoors and outdoors cyclist, weighing yourself could be very beneficial.

If you are using energy drinks to assist with hydration, look for those with 7 percent carbohydrate or less. These will provide about the same hydration benefits as plain water. Sweetened juices, commercial sports drinks and sodas have a higher sugar content which will delay gastric emptying, therefore making them undesirable for hydration. Keep in mind that recovery drinks and mixes are higher in carbohydrates, but you will be using those post-workout.

Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics and should be avoided prior to a workout.

Urine should remain clear. Dark or cloudy urine tends to indicate dehydration. By the time you see this, you are probably behind the hydration schedule.

Cheryl Bakhtiari

Most gyms have a group indoor cycling program of some kind. Johnny G is probably the best known of these as he created the “spinning” program. Johnny G’s program is so well known that participants often refer to any and all indoor group cycling classes as “spinning” or “spin.” Other indoor group cycling programs are Precision Cycling, RPM, Schwinn, and Reebok to name a few. So what’s the difference? Not all that much. Most programs purport to mimic outdoor cycling and all tout their program as the best for various reasons. I started teaching group indoor cycling several years ago. I had taken one class when it was first introduced at my local gym in about 1992 and hated it. The class incorporated weights, resistance bands, and push-ups on the bike – crazy! I vowed I would never take another class. When I started teaching group fitness in 2001, however, my manager convinced me that I should teach group cycle. So against my better wishes and with many pre-conceived notions, I signed up. The instructor training was awesome and changed my mind completely. The whole concept of group indoor cycling had changed by that time and it really did feel like I could bring a little outdoors inside.
With all of that said, instructors vary greatly. When looking for a group indoor cycle class that works for you, you will need to ask yourself why you are going. Do you want to be entertained? Want to be in company during your misery? Want to get stronger? Improve your pedal stroke? Improve your cardiovascular capacity? Be indoors when it is too hot/cold/windy/rainy? Know why you are working out indoors to begin with. Try different classes/instructors until you find a good fit. We always recommend that you try a particular class at least three times before you make up your mind. Maybe that seems like a lot of work, but it is well worth it. Always bring a towel and water bottle to your class. Proper etiquette includes, wiping the bike down when you are done and raising the handlebars and seats. It also includes NOT carrying on a loud conversation with the person next to you. If you must answer your cell phone, take it out of the room. Try not to pass gas in class. If you have really strong BO when you sweat, take a shower before your class and use deodorant. Your instructor will not likely say anything to you if you violate one of these etiquette guidelines, but your fellow serious participants will have you tarred and feathered! If you have an issue, such as a knee problem and know you will not be able to do some of the drills, let the instructor know so they will understand that you are not ignoring them. If you know that you will have to leave early, also good to let the instructor know so that he/she won’t think you are leaving because you didn’t like the class. Finally, the instructor has the responsibility of bringing a class format that fits all fitness levels, but the bottom line is that it is your ride.

Cheryl Bakhtiari