71–80 of 98 posts
Trying to do productive work via a keyboard on a bike isn't going to catch on. A walking desk is better for that. I've had the idea of creating a custom game controller on the handle bars though, in a similar setup to this to play some simple games.
This is precisely what you shouldn't do. This is what the "system" wants you to do, to work while you exercise, to work while you're with your family, ... What you should do is work the hours you have to and not one more, then you get up, take your bike and enjoy nature.
I'd be outside if I could. I live somewhere where weather happens, and I'm not biking 3 hours a day in -10C and nasty salt muck.
This is precisely what you shouldn't do. This is what the "system" wants you to do, to work while you exercise, to work while you're with your family, ... What you should do is work the hours you have to and not one more, then you get up, take your bike and enjoy nature.
Work at a desk, then take time to go ride a bike, it may super charge your work. Going for a ride is a great way to get into a flow state and really think.
Most folks aren't really familiar with what training for competitive cycling (or structured training in general) looks like.
There are large, month-scale blocks where you're simply building aerobic capacity by cycling at low-ish intensity. Heart rate is somewhere between 115 and 145 for me personally during these efforts. 15 hour (or more!) weeks are not uncommon.
Nils van der Poel was doing something like 6-hour blocks of zone 2 during his base season as an Olympic speed skater.
When outdoor riding is available, it's preferable, but indoor trainer sessions are basically always more time efficient for a given training load. You make consistent power, there aren't street lights or flat tires. If you run out of carb mix you go to the kitchen and fetch more. In winter, it's the only reasonable option. Going for a ride in -15C and salt slush is fine for a commute (crazy, I know), but doing it for 15 hours a week, probably in the dark, is not reasonable. Indoor is the only practical option to get this training load in winter.
Most people just watch TV or use Zwift (social riding simulator) during these blocks. I'm not much of a TV guy, and to be honest, I find a good technical problem to be great distraction from the drudgery of Zone 2.
Note for OP: I've actually considered using a split keyboard in a very similar way to this. I run aero bars on my bikes for ultra-distance events, and I have them on the trainer right now. At some point I would like to mount a split keyboard to the aero extensions themselves - this would take all the load off the wrists. It is also possible to use the aero bar armrests without the extensions and to be able to type this way. If I end up prototyping this I will shoot you an email.
OP: equipment note for you at the end of this- Most folks aren't really familiar with what training for competitive cycling (or structured training in general) looks like. There are large, month-scale blocks where you're simply building aerobic capacity by cycling at low-ish intensity. Heart rate is somewhere between 115 and 145 for me personally during these efforts. 15 hour (or more!) weeks are not uncommon. Nils v…
This is precisely what you shouldn't do. This is what the "system" wants you to do, to work while you exercise, to work while you're with your family, ... What you should do is work the hours you have to and not one more, then you get up, take your bike and enjoy nature.
What if it's dark and rainy outside where you live for quite a few months per year?
What if you want to write a book while biking?
This is precisely what you shouldn't do. This is what the "system" wants you to do, to work while you exercise, to work while you're with your family, ... What you should do is work the hours you have to and not one more, then you get up, take your bike and enjoy nature.
This is just asking for wrist problems. I hope they find the better position they seek. Maybe use that core more and keep the wrists up as much as possible.
This is precisely what you shouldn't do. This is what the "system" wants you to do, to work while you exercise, to work while you're with your family, ... What you should do is work the hours you have to and not one more, then you get up, take your bike and enjoy nature.
If you have to "be at work" (such as in a remote job) why not get some free exercise at the same time?