Cycling to music while being sheltered from snow, toothy dogs and traffic. Why wouldn’t anyone think this is just fabulous?

To answer that question I brought my notebook to indoor cycling classes and interviewed participants about their reasons for pedaling and what they hear from people who don’t try the class.

First, some disclosures. I’m 65 and grew up in East Boothbay before there was a Y. So I appreciate the Y.

For years, I’ve been taking indoor cycling classes in various work locations and must confess to “ghost turns.” (That’s pretending to set my bike for tougher resistance when I wasn’t into a climb or faster speed).

I have the craven habit of getting on the scale after each session. (Even with “ghost turns,” weight drops off like nothing I’ve ever done.)

And finally, I like asking people to honestly tell me what they think, so I’m going to protect the honest with initials.

D. (takes several classes a week): “I don’t love it. I don’t like exercise. I don’t want to sit around with aches and pains and I want to eat what I want.”

Me: “Benefits?”

D: “I didn’t have endurance before. Now I can pedal for a full hour and keep up with my grandchildren running around!”

J just returned from a southern vacation waves to Abby Jones, our class instructor.

J: “Everything was covered with ice when I got back. This breaks up the whole winter. It’s a bargain and the friendliest place in town. It’s affecting my whole life; all these helpful people!”

L adjusts a bike for someone new.

L: “I go to classes in three different locations including Raleigh, North Carolina. This is the best class of the lot. I drive an hour to get here for it.”

Me: “Any special reasons?”

L: “I have a shoulder problem but this is a great workout that doesn’t bother it.” He adjusts his own bike. “And I love the music and Abby’s smiling face.”

T. and S., two younger class members come in as Abby turns up the music and starts our warm up. Both tell me they like all ages and abilities in the class.

T: “It can be whatever you make it. You set the bike the way you want it.”

I face the class. “What do you hear from people who don’t want to try the class?” I get a chorus of answers. It’s going to be too hard. It’s going to be too easy. Bad biking experiences out on the road. Don’t feel comfortable in a class. Don’t want to compete. Money. The bikes look different and intimidating. Uncomfortable seats. The job. The kids. The injuries.

Me: “Do you have feedback for reluctant folks?”

As Abby took us into our first (pretend) hill climb, I scribbled down excuse busters. Of course the bikes look different; they’re designed for stable indoor use so all shapes and sizes of riders can set their own level of effort. This is the kind of class where you can have company but competition is just with yourself and your own bike dial; it’s social and private at the same time. Money? Talk to Y staff. Their goal is to get people involved and healthy; they have ways to help you. Seats? Yes, you may feel it for a few sessions but then Abby or Mike or Bill have soft gel seats to lend. Timing? Intensity? Different classes with different levels and different instructors are offered at different times of the week.

And injuries? Indoor bikes accommodate all kinds of limitations. I’m recovering from a leg injury. My physical therapist said, “Good, get back on the bike. Just don’t turn up the dial for awhile.”

I dropped my pad and joined the class. I may regret sharing the why of indoor biking because empty bikes in the class might be hard to come by, but those of us who pedal without grit in our teeth, dogs on our tails, or sleet in our face are happy to help you adjust your bike and join us.

The Y’s website has the bike schedule on its Healthy Living Classes schedule page.http://www.boothbayregionymca.org.