First Annual Spin for Din was a Spinning Success

The Hunger Network held its first ever “Spin for Din: Help Feed Cleveland’s Hungry Families” in collaboration with Psycle Therapy this past Sunday on August 24, 2014. The event, hosted at Crocker Park in Westlake, was a huge success raising almost $6,000 in support of the Hunger Network’s mission to provide meals to hungry residents of Cuyahoga County. Throughout the course of the very sunny day, over 130 riders received an outdoor cycling class from various instructors from Psycle. The 45-minute workouts were paired to the musical stylings of DJ Smoov of CLE Music Group and were upbeat, intense, and empowering.

As the photographer for the event, I got to witness riders of all ages, shapes, and sizes participate and have a blast at the event. The blazing sun didn't seem to have any effect on the intensity of the instructors nor did it have much of an effect on the riders. In fact, throughout the 85 degree day during the four 45-minute spin sessions, Psycle instructors would dance up and down the rows of stationary bikes spraying the riders with ice cold water.

After the first two sessions, I was so inspired by the amount of fun the riders were having while simultaneously getting in a great workout, that I decided, spur-of-the-moment, to participate in the third session as a rider. I've taken spinning classes before but this one was by far the best and most rewarding.

Besides the outdoor spin classes that had limited spots, Spin for Din also featured lots of giveaways from participating sponsors: Nooma, SkyZone, Zippy Shell [who assisted in the transportation of the stationary bikes from Psycle’s studio to Crocker Park], the popular food truck “Wok ‘n Roll,” as well as a truck selling apparel from Fresh Brewed Tees, who also designed shirts specifically for the event.  These specially-designed Psycle t-shirts were not just awesome swag for riders to purchase, but a fundraising effort, as well. Psycle generously donated $5 back to the HNGC for each shirt sold – and guess what, they SOLD OUT! Don’t worry Cleveland, a new order has already been placed and shelves at Psycle will be stocked soon.

Special thanks to all of those that participated as a rider or as a sponsor, especially everyone at Psycle! The day would not have been the same without the energy and excitement that their staff brought to the event. Even though it was the Hunger Network’s first time putting on Spin for Din this year, it was such a big success that we hope it will continue to be one of our featured events in years to come.

Check out more photos HERE

To make a donation to the Hunger Network, visit us at HungerNetwork.org