"Ultracycling is such a high in itself. When it also helps others, it is the ultimate high." - Paul Zbiek

Over the past three years, Paul Zbiek has raised over $20,000 for charity while riding a spin bike. He and his wife founded the Brandon J. Case Memorial Spin For Life. It has been a great motivation for his winter riding and was his introduction into ultra cycling. Brandon was Zbiek's stepson and also his student at King's College. After a 2 &1/2 year battle with leukemia, he died on September 27, 1999.

Zbiek said: "His courage and sense of humor as he faced the greatest challenge was an inspiration to all. My wife Donna and I realized that if we became lost in sorrow, we would never honor his memory. We established the Brandon J. Case Memorial Fund at King's College."

In January 2002, Mark and Sue Farrell, owners of Sickler's Bike in Exeter, PA, asked Zbiek to do an endurance indoor ride to benefit the Fund. They had just opened a new Spin Room and felt that it would be perfect for a late winter charity event. Zbiek planned a 24-hour spin. He rode at least part of every hour and spent a total of 18 hours on the spin bike. "The Farrell's are very community minded and people rally to any cause they support. The event was a success. We were able to get major sponsors ($150) and the outpouring of support for a one-hour spin class ($20) for incredible." The money raised is divided between a King's College scholarship fund and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Zbiek said: "I was always fascinated with ultramarathon cycling and completing the Spin made me believe in myself. In 2002 I rode centuries on my own, just to see how I could compare to the Mileage Challenge riders. In 2003, I joined the UMCA and I'm hooked." Zbiek is currently eighth in the Mileage Challenge, with almost 5,000 miles.

Zbiek encourages others to arrange similar charity events: "If a local bike shop has a spin room, it would be ideal. However, if a cyclist can partner with any spinning facility, it can work just as well. The spinning facility would donate a percentage of the proceeds to the charity. Sickler's donated everything but that may be extreme. The spinning facility gains because people are introduced to their business. The local media are always interested in such events. Free PR and community involvement is great for any business."

Zbiek took second in the UMCA's 2003-04 Indoor Mileage Challenge and "got hooked on 1950s Perry Mason reruns. Next year I'll rent Tour videos." Zbiek had the most indoor sessions at 36! He also shared the second longest indoor ultra at 11 hours.

Russ Loomis took first place in 2003-4, only three points shy of his previous year's total. Russ also took honors for the longest indoor session at 12 hours! His longest sessions included one 12 hour, one 10 hour, and four 8 hour sessions.

Russ Loomis used a CycleOps Fluid Plus trainer. He had a bike designated for the trainer set up with a power sensor. He spent the winter months working on form, using the sensor to make sure both legs were working the same and that he was applying even pressure throughout the stroke. Loomis' discipline paid off - he finished fourth overall in the 2004 John Marino Competition, and second in the Master's Division!

Stew King took third. King also logged some serious hours with one 10 hour, one 9 hour, and one 8 hour, and three 6 hour sessions!

Marc Pritchard secured the fourth. Pritchard started the rash of ultra hours by riding a 10 hour session last December. His ultra sessions include one 11 hour, one 10 hour, and one 8 hour session.

Reinhard Schr–der took fifth and Brian Uline was sixth.

All riders in the top six positions rode a total of 40 hours or more qualifying for the drawing for the VeloLogger Software. The winner of the drawing was Reinhard Schr–der! VeloLogger is a personal cycling journal and maintenance program. Log your rides and VeloLogger will track time and distance on all of your bikes and components. View your statistics with the many reports available. Visit http://www.watware.com for a free demo version and more details. Purchase VeloLogger and all of your updates are free!

The Indoor Mileage Challenge kicks off again on December 1! How many hours can you sit on your trainer (and pedal)? Only trainer rides of at least two hours, and only full additional hours count. Full rules at Indoor Challenge.

2003-04 Final Standings

Name	Total Sessions	Total Hours	Total Points
Russ Loomis	12	77	230
Paul Zbiek	36	111	208
Stew King	15	77	194
Marc Pritchard	18	78	182
Reinhard Schr–der	20	51	73
Brian Uline	21	43	44
Nancy Guth	16	35	38
John Guth	16	35	38
Rider 243	7	22	33
Dave Buzzee	10	22	25
Dave Watkins	7	15	16
John Jost	1	2	2