Some may have considered it a rather lofty goal, but to Dan Waggoner, of Lindsey, making it to the Century Club was a challenge worth pursuing.

The Century Club has nothing to do with age, sales goals or the like. For owners of the new ElliptiGO cycle – achieving membership in the club is a measure of fitness, endurance and pure mettle.

Waggoner, owner of Fremont/Elmore Cycle & Fitness, and owner of a “GO,” as the bikes are called, had aspirations of becoming one of the first 100 people to complete 100 miles on the unique elliptical cycle.

Dan Waggoner, owner of Fremont/Elmore Cycle & Fitness was the 27th person to make ElliptiGO's Century Club List.  Waggoner of Lindsey, earned the distinction of being first to complete the challenge on a three speed version of the elliptical bike.

On Sept. 11, Waggoner joined about 800 participants in the Horizontal 100 cycling tour sponsored by the Hancock Handlebars Club. When the ride was through, he not only got a coveted spot in ElliptiGO’s Century Club, but he earned the distinction of being first to complete the challenge on a three-speed versus the eight-speed model of the bike. To date, he is also the oldest rider to make the list.

The ElliptiGO elliptical bike is different than a regular bicycle in several ways, according to JoAnn Wegert, who works in the Elmore location of the shop.

“Those who ride it for any length of time say it compares more closely to a run, than a bike ride,” she said. “Though it has wheels and travels closer to the speed of a typical road bike, there is no seat/saddle. The rider is in an upright position like that of a run, and the pedal motion is completely different, working the quads and the core.” On the market since February 2010, the ElliptiGO can be used as a stationary bike or outdoors

Waggoner started using the GO to help reach a weight loss goal. “The GO burns up to 30 percent more calories than a bike,” Wegert said.

To prepare for the Horizontal 100, he trained on the North Coast Inland Trail with local cycling club members, such as the Fremont Flatlanders and the Toledo Area Cyclists. Though he’s a longtime cyclist, he began by riding the GO just five miles at a time, often riding to and from work.

“He rides with many different people on different days, often including the company of friends and some sort of meal – a breakfast ride in Lindsay at Sandy’s; a Tuesday ride that leaves out of Woodville and ends with dinner at Speedtrap Diner with Toledo Area Cyclists; a Thursday morning ride from Fremont to Clyde with the Fremont Flatlanders and a Friday morning ride sponsored by Elmore Cycle,” Wegert said.

Often, he would mix up riding his GO and his other bikes, but found himself enjoying the elliptical bike more and more.

On Labor Day, he organized a 60-mile ride with area riders, including three GO riders (Waggoner, Wegert and Jim Miller from Bowling Green), while the rest took their road bikes.

“It was a windy day, and the pace was supposed to hold at 15 miles per hour,” Wegert said. “The ‘roadies’ pushed the pace. Jim and I had trouble keeping the pace, while Dan felt great. He felt ready to attack his goal.”

The day of the Hancock Hundred there was great weather and ample support for Waggoner in his quest to complete the 100-mile ride. His effort was verified by the Hancock Handlebar committee & ElliptiGO, and his name was added to the list, available at www.elliptigo.com/community/compete/century-club/.

It wasn’t just Waggoner who drew accolades at the event. “The GO got a lot of attention as most of Ohio riding community is used to seeing a saddle (seat) on their bikes,” Wegert said.

The GO bike has also been attracting the interest of customers at Fremont/Elmore Cycle & Fitness, though some may be dissuaded by the price tag. “The three-speed sells for $1,799 and eight-speed is $2,399, but to me, it’s worth it because of the uniqueness and the value of the workout.

“Many of those who have purchased the GO bikes are former runners who, for health or other reasons, can’t run any more and they feel they can benefit from the bike’s workout,” she said.

For more information about the ElliptiGO, call 419-862-1000 in Elmore or 419-332-4481 in Fremont, or visit fremontcycleandfitness.com.

Dan Waggoner, owner of Fremont/Elmore Cycle & Fitness, was the 27th person to make ElliptiGO’s Century Club list. Waggoner, of Lindsey, earned the distinction of being first to complete the challenge on a three-speed version of the elliptical bike.

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