STORY BY SIENNA RODRIGUEZ
PHOTO COURTESY OF TIGER WELLNESS CENTER
The weather is getting cooler, pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks, football season is in full swing, and pumpkin patches are opening this weekend. Fall is upon us, and the Tiger Wellness Center at Fort Hays State University is getting in on the fun.
“Fall Frenzy” began this week and will continue through Thursday, Oct. 24. The competition days are Wednesday and Thursday of each week.
Fort Hays State’s Wellness Center is participating in a nationwide competition with other universities to see who can ride the most miles on the specialized Expresso bikes.
The FHSU team advanced past the qualifying round this week, riding 593.8 miles to earn the No. 5 seed. The Tigers will face off against fellow MIAA school, the University of Nebraska Kearney Lopers, who rode 227.2 miles to earn the No. 12 seed.
Deemed “the world’s most advanced exercise bike” by Expresso itself, these bikes have three options for the rider to choose from: road racing, studio cycling, and HIIT gaming. The road racing option provides over 300 miles of interactive roads for the rider to follow along with. Studio cycling offers virtual classes while HIIT gaming mixes a workout with a fun, interactive game.
Riders can choose their own trail to follow and ride at their own speed, or they can choose from the previous results and race against those times. In order for miles to count, competitors must create or sign in with their Expresso ID.
Apart from this week, the qualifying round, universities across the nation will go head-to-head in competition to see who can ride the most miles. The school with more miles advances to the next round.
Expresso is offering “Fall Frenzy” lottery tickets for participants to win $500. For every 10 miles an individual rides, Expresso will add a lottery ticket in their name to the drawing. When the competition concludes, names will be drawn for one lucky winner.
The Tiger Wellness Center is also bringing its own incentive to the table. Individuals who ride at least 15 miles will receive a free t-shirt.
The winning university will receive a trophy and of course, bragging rights. There will also be an “All-Tournament Team” for those who log the most miles.
Last year, FHSU got knocked out in the Sweet 16 round. Sights are set on the finals this year.
Come along for the ride as the Tiger Wellness Center kicks off fall!