Shortly before 5:45 am, inside YEG Cycle - Spin Studio (commonly known as YEG Cycle), drafts of cool air fill the foyer. As the door continuously opens, participants arrive for Farha Shariff’s spin class. Within minutes, the space completely fills with upbeat chatter. Farha, instructor and co-owner of YEG Cycle, greets many of them, joking about the state of her voice: It’s on the verge of being almost lost. “This should be interesting,” she says.
Many laugh with Farha in a knowing sort of way. They anticipate that the energy filling the room will increase ten-fold in the class. “It’s a community [here],” says Farha. “People come and hang out! Like, for someone to get up this early for a spin class …” Farha gives an enigmatic smile. While outside, the sun hides somewhere behind the early-morning rain clouds.
