To the expert cyclist, there’s nothing better than feeling a cool wind in your face, traveling at speeds upwards of 30-miles per hour, darting through a picturesque backdrop of foliage and farmland. Beaufort County offers a variety of sensational scenery — acres upon acres of cotton, corn, tobacco and soybean fields, stunning sunsets and open country roads.

“It’s an incredible escape. There’s the beauty of it, then there’s the drive to be better,” said Liane Harsh, the proprietor of Inner Banks Outfitters in Washington Park. “You see your improvements pretty quickly on a bike. I think it’s easy to get caught up in striving to go a little harder, a little faster, learning to be more efficient. All those things keep cyclists going out.”

Harsh is an avid biker who takes to the asphalt three to four times a week and her shop, strewn with helmets, shoes and racks of bicycles, confirms her passion for the sport.

The meandering roads of Beaufort County are boundless, but eastern North Carolina’s weather patterns are hardly static, which can make establishing a outdoor workout routine on a bike rather difficult.

Along with selling equipment, Harsh teaches classes in spinning, an indoor alternative to cycling outside, which are held at Vidant Wellness Center and Fitness Unlimited in Washington.

The bike, commonly found on the sidelines of professional and college football fields, consists of a 40-pound flywheel in front, one that can be adjusted to simulate uphill climbs and downhill sprints. The class itself is choreographed to music with different songs syncing to different inclines and intensities.

Despite the lack of scenery and wind resistance, the stationary bikes give way to a more personable atmosphere.

“Once your there, there’s a social aspect to it,” Harsh said. “You get a lot of the same people, so there’s a camaraderie there. You have physical, social, mental — there’s so many different aspects to it. By 7 a.m., my workouts done, I’m moving on and I’m having coffee. It changes your day.”

Unlike running, spinning allows those with nagging joint problems to enjoy a good workout. However, setting up and adjusting the bike to each individual’s specifications is vital to guaranteeing a safe, healthy 45-minute session.

“For the muscles in your legs, it’s incredible. You work on the climbs, you’re building strength, your legs really get strong. The biggest advantage is the cardiovascular benefit — your heart and your lungs,” Harsh said.

Even for the fit, experienced biker, spinning is used all year round to prepare for the cycling season. In other mainstream sports, it’s used to loosen joints, stretch hamstrings and rehabilitate.

For Harsh, it’s a way stay active, so when the cold weather subsides and it’s time to strap on the helmet, she can keep up with the rest of her cycling counterparts.