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32644 Franklin Rd.

Dany Saar teaches spinning at Franklin Athletic Club.

Pedal Power

Avid cyclist
teaches spinning
for general fitness
as well as
long-distance
training.

Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News

I

f his bicycle had an odometer,
Dany Saar of West Bloomfield
would have logged thousands of
miles by now The fitness buff and vol-
unteer spinning instructor at Franklin
Athletic Club in Southfield says for as
long as he can remember, biking has
been his favorite mode of transporta-
tion and exercise.
Saar, 54, started out riding on the
streets of Israel, where he grew up, and
has continued to pursue his passion
even after suffering a potentially life-
threatening injury here in Michigan.
"About eight years ago, I was moun-
tain biking by myself when I hit a log
that was hanging over the trail" Saar
recalled. "My chain got stuck; I flew off
the bike and broke my neck:'
Oblivious about the serious extent of

his injuries, Saar walked back to his car,
dragging his bike along with him, and
drove himself to the hospital. He under-
went major surgery to stop his spinal
chord from swelling and to repair sev-
eral broken vertebra. Miraculously, he
made a complete recovery.
"I was lucky,' said the senior execu-
tive recruiting consultant. "I was near
death. I really didn't realize how badly
injured I was."
Today, Saar works to inspire others
by teaching spinning and participat-
ing in charity bike rides. He's currently
recruiting cyclists for a five-day, 300-
mile journey from Jerusalem to Eliat
through the Negev; he took part in it
last year. The Israel Ride, scheduled for
May 1-8, raises money for two envi-
ronmental organizations, the Arava
Institute of Environmental Studies and
Hazon. The groups support developing
the Negev while preserving its natural
resources.
"It was challenging at times, through
the hot weather in the desert;' Saar said
after completing the ride last year. "In
the end, you have this sense of inspira-
tion and accomplishment — it was
very rewarding."
To stay in shape during the winter
months, Saar does spinning — riding
a stationary bike to music and adjust-
ing the resistance to make the workout
more or less challenging. He teaches a

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Downtown Franklin (Old Gift People Building)

. 1A1003aij giniosov

*

248.737.7300

30V3d 40.A SNOIHSV. A * 13VHSI NI AGVIAI VIIHVOHVIN

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ORTHODONT

ADULTS & CHILDREN

Steven M. Lash, DDS, MS
Rebecca L. Rubin, DMD, MS

248-851-7272

6177 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield,
www.loshorthodontics corn

ich gon

memigis American Association of Orthodontists

Pedal Power on page 38

January 25 . 2007

37