Carpe Datum

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

As I hoped, the one thing the new DVR unit has helped me to do is ride my exercise bike again. We've had this stationary bike for two years now, and I probably hadn't ridden it for over a year. I originally got it hoping I could read and/or listen to the radio while riding, but it's just too awkward. I can't hold books well with my sweaty hands while riding, and radio headphones get pretty disgusting with sweat after a few rides.

I usually ride for about 30-60 minutes, burning about 400-800 calories (according to the readout) while going the equivalent of 6-10 miles at various difficulty settings. Turns out about the only thing I can do while riding the bike comfortably is watch TV, but there is almost never something good on TV when I'm in the mood to ride. Now, though, I've always got something backed up (Seinfeld episodes, World Poker Tour, World Series of Poker episodes from ESPN2, Millionaire first runs or reruns, Daily Show, etc), so it's really easy to ride.

I talked to both sets of parents last night, extolling the virtues of the DVR (I'm starting to sound like Humbaba now). They hadn't really heard of it, so I explained how it all works and promised to show them next time they come down to see us. They asked about my birthday (coming up in a couple of weeks, with 9-year-old Cody's three days later), so now I have to come up with a wish list. I'm asking for some nice poker chips and enough bookstore gift certificates that I can pile them together to buy "The Complete Far Side".