Biking is one of the best forms of exercise around. But unless you’re Lance Armstrong, weather tends to be an inhibiting factor when it comes to actually biking outside. Stationary bikes are the logical alternative to biking when the weather doesn’t cooperate. However, it’s easy for the mind to get extremely bored on these bikes to the point of quitting before even breaking a sweat. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing more of these Virtual Mountain Bike Racing Simulators in gyms to get us back to “Lance” status in a snap.
The downfall to having this bike is that you won’t want to get off. Addictive like racing video games, you’ll totally forget that you’re exercising and will only focus on winning and completing the course. It’s not going to come easy. You have to shift gears and climb uphill, meanwhile keeping your balance. It’s probably easy to get distracted by all the virtual scenery that’s laid right before your eyes. No need to yield to pedestrians, cars, or roadkill, either. Ooh, but has that guy been hovering over you the whole time, waiting for his turn? Take a number!
This is the exercise bike and video screen that simulate riding a mountain bike through outdoor courses. Users pedal and steer the bike to control a computer-generated cyclist on the 17″ color LCD monitor and compete against other virtual cyclists on one of 80 outdoor courses, including a serpentine desert course and an undulating highland track. The bike’s electronically controlled pedaling resistance automatically increases or decreases to replicate the terrain gradients shown on the screen and sensors in the bike saddle monitor whether the user is sitting or standing and the computer-generated cyclist assumes the same posture. Squeezing the bike’s hand brakes or shifting its gears control the momentum of the bike on the monitor, simulating carving around a turn or braking to avoid a fallen competitor. Riders can develop their own exercise regimen or use the pre-programmed training mode and the LCD displays distance traveled, speed, calories burned, and exercise time for real-time reference. Seat and handlebars are height-adjustable for optimal comfort. Plugs into AC. 63 1/2″ L x 28 1/2″ W x 65 1/2″ H. (231 lbs.)
Order the Mountain Bike Racing Simulator for $7,000 at Hammacher Schlemmer.
Also, the Foldaway Recumbent Stationary Bike would work for someone on a tighter budget, living in a tight space. I’m thinking for those who live in a small Manhattan apartment. But if you have an unlimited budget, you ought to check out the Stationary Epicycle. It sort of reminds me of “Tron.”
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