As the school day begins and teachers walk in the building, some carry a briefcases, others carry a coffee. One carries his bike.

Mathematics teacher Mark Olin is 57 years old, lived physically active his entire life and doesn’t plan on stopping now.

“It is an inspiration seeing a teacher care so much about staying fit,” senior Emily Wolf said. “When I am his age, I hope I can still keep up on exercise.”

He began running cross country in high school and continued throughout his young adult life. However, within the last eight or nine years, the running became too strenuous on his knees and Olin turned to biking as an alternative.

He refused to give up, he refused to become inactive and he refused to stop doing something that he cares about.

“I really enjoy being in shape,” Olin said. “It makes the days go better. It

makes me feel better about everything.”

He joined the Rochester Bike Shop (RBS) Cycling Team within the last six years. The team focuses on cross country mountain biking. Opposed to typical bike races on paved, cross country biking is more about endurance than speed.

He participates in “The Iceman” every year. In the middle of November, this 30 mile stretch from Kalkaska to Traverse City takes cyclists through forests and mud trails, where the occasional log or tree branch could pop up at any moment.

“Part of the fun is not knowing what the conditions will be like,” Olin said. “It adds to the challenge of the race.”

He takes a six mile all-trail commute to school whenever he can. He walks into school with his bike in hand and keeps it in his classroom as a symbol of his dedication.

“I really enjoy getting exercise as soon as I can,” Olin said. “It truly is the best way to start off a day.”