Spinning and cell phones

Spinning became one of my favorite winter cycling activities many years ago shortly after I took up riding. Because of the cold and the early sunsets, riding outside on the usual roads and paths is not always possible during the winter months. My first spinning experience took place in a local bicycle warehouse. A group of us gathered twice a week, bringing our own bikes and the trainers we had purchased. Our leader was a cyclist who rode with my cycling group; actually, he started with our group but rode with the racers. The classes provided exercise and the camaraderie that we experienced when we actually rode our bikes outside on the street. We had fun and worked out at the same time. Through the years since that first spin class, I've continued to spin, but not always with a group since I sometimes have to rely on tapes or DVDs alone in my living room. This year, though, I've been taking spin classes at my gym. The gym offers a variety of classes including a spin class four nights a week. On Mondays, the classes are at 5:30 p.m., which are always tricky for me since I leave work at 5 p.m. I get there a little late on Mondays and tonight was no exception. I was forced to take one of the only spin bikes left, which was located at the back of the room. It was a good class until...a phone rang. That's right, a fellow spinner got a call and then proceeded to take the call. She never left the room and held a 3- to 5-minute conversation with her friend. Although a few of us looked back at her, she never stopped talking. I hope it was important. It must have been. (A similar incident happened at the movie theater on Saturday.) I'm not sure why we all need the communication gear that we have, myself included. I don't plan to take my cell phone on my surf trip; I'm going to survive the week without it. I will have my computer though. I can't go cold turkey for a whole week; I must at least be able to send e-mails. At least I can make it through a one-hour spin class though!