SC Originals: TRACY LIMPE

You can tell by her description of W 72nd, that SC Original TRACY LIMPE is intimately familiar with the studio. In fact, she is such a West Side loyalist that even though Tracy moved to Greenwich Connecticut, she mixes up her Scarsdale workouts with treks to the rear lobby. Thank you, Tracy! Can’t wait to ride with you on 77th!

Tracy in an original SC tank in Santorini Greece!

How long have you been riding at Soul Cycle?

I've been a loyal Soul Cycle rider since April 2007.

How did you stumble on the rear lobby?

To tell the truth, I don't exactly remember how I first heard about SoulCycle. I think I may have read about it, or gotten a postcard. Can't believe I can't remember! But from the first class, I was hooked.

What brought you back a second time?

No question, the quality of the teachers. When I found SoulCycle, I was in pretty good shape, but needed something new to spice up my workout routine. Running was getting ho-hum. The teachers made the classes super fun while at the same time killer hard. And I couldn't -- and still can't -- believe how much energy I got from a group of complete strangers, riding together. As any Soul devotee knows, this energy and this bond-like feeling you get from the group is TRULY UNIQUE. I moved to Greenwich, CT a year ago, and the hardest part of the move has been missing my friends and my SoulCycle. I still drive in regularly for my favorite classes but can't make it as often as I would like. But as soon as I walk into the West 72nd Street building, the smell of SoulCycle's studio makes me feel like I'm home (and I'm serious, not trying to be gross!).

How has the studio changed since you started, and stayed the same?

It's small, crowded and a little worse for the wear, but I love its familiarity and its intimacy. When I go to classes at some of the other Soul studios, the experience is never quite the same as it is on West 72nd Street! I'll miss it.

What UWS memory stands out?

One time I was in an evening class, in the back of the room, and I found myself next to music legend Roberta Flack. One of the Soul staff was helping her but when they left, she still wasn't quite sure how to use the bike, turn up the resistance, etc. So I leaned over and tried to help her, risking Laurie's wrath for talking during class. At the end of the class, Roberta thanked me while I showed her how to extricate her feet from the pedals. I wanted to tell her that "Killing Me Softly" was one of my all time favorite songs but was too scared!

Posted September 13, 11