Studio Closure

Posted on our Instagram page (@rhythm.ride) on Oct 1st, 2024:

From RayRay, the Rhythm Ride Head Janitor:
Thank you for the outpouring of love and support in the comments section of the last post, in the DM’s, in the emails and in the hugs at the studio. Our team is gutted but that only goes to show how much we care about this place and our riders. I don’t think we fully realized how much we helped people in tough times, to feel seen, and also change how they see themselves. We are so grateful to be a part of that journey for you.

As they say, all good things must come to an end. I have decided that the last day of classes for us will be Sunday Oct. 20th. I need some time before the end of the month to empty the space out before I hand over the keys. I will need to liquidate the bikes and other stuff around the studio so look out for those announcements. I know that I pushed everyone to buy the Fall Fitness Sale and to get off ClassPass. My apologies, I did that to gear everyone back up for the busy season, not knowing the news that was around the corner for us in October. So if you haven't started your passes yet, please email info@rhythmride.ca and we will offer a refund or exchange on a case by case basis. Better yet, come ride and use up your passes or share them with a friend! Even better, you can look at your purchase and unused passes as a thank you for our service and as a contribution to our closing expenses.

Like I said before, let’s flip the script and make these remaining weeks a celebration!!! For both days that weekend (Oct 19 & 20) we will have an open house, team teaches and an all-out party for all that we have accomplished in the past 5.5 years. There may not be room for everyone to ride, so we’ll keep the doors open so you can still feel the vibes and party with us in the room. Some of our instructors are just starting out, come watch them shine and support them wherever their next step leads them. For some of our instructors (like myself) that have been in the game for awhile, we are hanging up our instructor spin shoes, so come ride with us one more time! We have so so much to be thankful for… let’s celebrate together!

Dr. Seuss said: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” :)

Posted on our Instagram page (@rhythm.ride) on Sep 29th, 2024:

Short version: Rhythm Ride will be closing down the business by the end of October 2024. Exact last day of classes is still TBD.
[Edit: Last day of classes is Oct. 20th, 2024]

Longer version by RayRay, The Rhythm Ride Head Janitor:
That’s me in the picture with Dwayne, my audio and lighting tech, on Oct 26, 2018, showing him the empty shell of a space I just leased and what I was envisioning for a spin studio. Just me... no partners, no investors… just a backpack full of hopes and dreams. I wanted to open a place that was more grounded than your regular fitness studio, a place where you didn’t have to fit a certain mold, a place where working out was more than just fitness but more of an experience.

Fast forward to today, almost 6 years later. What we have built physically and created as a community is amazing. Even with all the positives over the years (which I will reminisce about over the next month, no doubt), there have been so many challenges and obstacles along the way that I couldn’t bring myself to commit to signing another long term lease. The landlord company has been willing enough to let us go month-to-month while they looked for a new tenant. Things changed last Friday when they informed me that they are taking a hard pivot to find a new tenant: They put a (very big) For Lease sign in our front window and told us we need to vacate by the end of October. I asked unsuccessfully for an extension till the end of 2024 especially since the busy season for indoor fitness is back. I have no hard feelings towards them and wish them all the best in their business, but I feel this space will be empty for a long while with Calgary’s slow commercial market.

Real talk. We do OK in the Fall/Winter seasons, but for all the other months it is a constant struggle to survive. In this current economic environment, rising costs of pretty much everything, and competing with discount programs like ClassPass (hence the CP rant a few days ago)… it ain’t easy.

Real talk.  We do OK in the Fall/Winter seasons, but for all the other months it is a constant struggle to survive.  In this current economic environment, rising costs of pretty much everything, and competing with discount programs like ClassPass (hence the CP rant a few days ago)… it ain’t easy.  I could try and find another location to move to, but I invested so much into building this space that I don’t have the financial resources anymore to start over. If anybody reading this would like to discuss any possible partnerships, business opportunities, discuss some suitable spots we could move to… please contact me at ray@rhythmride.ca and let’s chat.  But at this point, I have decided I need to just step back, heal my wounds, pay off some debt, and reassess from there.  I shot my shot.  I gave it everything I had, plus some.  It’s been a good run.

I think we built something very special here, I think we have a good concept & program and I have THE BEST team ever that is constantly growing, evolving and supporting each other in this journey.  We had an emergency team meeting yesterday where I told them the news.  Tears were shed, me included.  I want this to keep going… but I have to be realistic in what is sustainable for me and my family going forward.  We will still be open for business as usual until later in October.  The exact last day of classes is still TBD. I need a few days to assess what needs to be done and work my way backwards from there.  

What can you do to help?  Please come and ride!   Let’s flip the script and let’s make October a celebration of all that we have accomplished over this time!  I will reactivate the purchasing of multi-passes again on the app/website for those that want to support us by buying passes and help pay down studio expenses & debt.  For those that already have passes, this is your chance to use them up and experience a class with your favourite instructors a few more times.  Please spread the word to your friends that our chapter here is coming to an end so they can come ride too.

Here we are.  We did this together.  Come celebrate with us.

-Ray