The sunny shore of Ocean City, New Jersey, plays host to a bevy of bicyclists cruising through flat streets and the beautiful boardwalk. 71-year-old Marian Mulligan might blend in with the crowd, if not for her Maltese dog, Lilly, that rides in the passenger’s basket. “She’s my buddy,” Mulligan said. Earlier this March, the long-time healthcare worker picked up her bicycle and dropped quite a few pounds in the process. Only a few rides away from 1,000 total miles, she has already lost 30 pounds. “Being in the medical profession, I know how important it is to stay healthy and stay fit,” she said.