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A cycling desk / Zwifting with a split keyboard

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Re: A cycling desk / Zwifting with a split keyboard

#31

Post by fiatpandas »

eric-hu wrote: post #23
bharrison wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Personally I don't even start a 'ride' in Zwift for my Z2 rides for this very reason. I stare at the title screen and use my phone (connected via BT from an adjacent room so as not to be tempted to use it) to load the smart trainer. Finally I use fans, but as exhaust to create negative pressure that pulls as much O2 out of the room as possible. Next week plan is to start riding without bibs or a saddle so as to maxim…

This is satire right?

I’d say it’s pretty much mainline “pain cave” zwift mythology.

Re: A cycling desk / Zwifting with a split keyboard

#32

Post by seadan83 »

adbge wrote: post #22
seadan83 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hooked up a shelf over the handlebars of an indoor trainer. With regards to stressful, I found anytime I had to concentrate on something - the pedaling would drop off. The cycling while computing was best for movies or video games (particularly RPG's being the best)

Yeah, I've found the same problem (with a standing desk): as soon as I need to concentrate I stop maintaining my cadence. Maybe it's something I could train myself out of but I haven't been worried about it; cycling is my "productive" thing, I don't need to double it. So far I've just been using the (open source!) app Auuki to drive my smart trainer while I stream television. Works great on NixOS. https://auuki.com/…

Appreciate the aauki shout-out! :)

FWIW, my go-to is Project Zomboid. A fantastic game!! There are a lot of actions that need a few seconds to complete. It's kinda perfect. I was also combining with an absurd amount of edibles too. Suddenly, I was putting in 4 to 6 hours of zone 2!! The 90 minute sessions suddenly seemed short. (I'm travelling right now, but wow - I'm looking back fondly. Edibles, Zomboid, cycling, and tons and tons of honey tea (ie: dumping honey into tea; consumed about 2 to 4 tablespoons every 30 minutes))

Yeah, programming while at the cycling desk setup just did not work; cadence would drop to just way too low. Haven't had a chance to try that setup for a thing like a standup meeting though, could maybe work for zoom meetings. I feel like 'listening' only would be doable.

Re: A cycling desk / Zwifting with a split keyboard

#33

Post by asp_hornet »

wiether wrote: post #9

Z2 sessions are supposed to be boring, they force you to endure the mental pain of not feeling physical pain when doing something dull. They also train you to listen to your body. Doing something else while in a Z2 session is going to kill those Z2 gains. And overall, being bored is great for the mind, help with creativity, problem solving... Once you embrace Z2 sessions, they became some sort of meditation, with the…

lol, citation desperately needed

Re: A cycling desk / Zwifting with a split keyboard

#35

Post by freetime2 »

bharrison wrote: post #15
wiether wrote: post #9

Z2 sessions are supposed to be boring, they force you to endure the mental pain of not feeling physical pain when doing something dull. They also train you to listen to your body. Doing something else while in a Z2 session is going to kill those Z2 gains. And overall, being bored is great for the mind, help with creativity, problem solving... Once you embrace Z2 sessions, they became some sort of meditation, with the…

Personally I don't even start a 'ride' in Zwift for my Z2 rides for this very reason. I stare at the title screen and use my phone (connected via BT from an adjacent room so as not to be tempted to use it) to load the smart trainer. Finally I use fans, but as exhaust to create negative pressure that pulls as much O2 out of the room as possible. Next week plan is to start riding without bibs or a saddle so as to maxim…

Sounds like a very effective Z2 protocol. I might also recommend making a phone call to Comcast, turning on speaker phone, and doing the ride while listening to hold music. Pro tip: if someone answers just ask to speak to a manager - that should get you an additional 3+ hours of uninterrupted Z2 time.

Re: A cycling desk / Zwifting with a split keyboard

#37

Post by rendaw »

So are you putting pressure on your wrists with your wrists bent at an angle while typing? I think this is totally awesome in principal, but isn't that basically asking for some carpal tunnel issues?

It's kind of hard to tell from the photos and videos though which are both at weird angles.

Re: A cycling desk / Zwifting with a split keyboard

#39

Post by SpicyP »

Love the idea!

My gym has stationary recumbent bikes -- I wonder if rigging up a keyboard to one of those would be better? If you don't need to put your upper body weight on handlebars, maybe it'll be easier to have a more traditional mouse/keyboard setup.

Won't be as cool though

Re: A cycling desk / Zwifting with a split keyboard

#40

Post by vosper »

SpicyP wrote: post #39

Love the idea! My gym has stationary recumbent bikes -- I wonder if rigging up a keyboard to one of those would be better? If you don't need to put your upper body weight on handlebars, maybe it'll be easier to have a more traditional mouse/keyboard setup. Won't be as cool though

Stationary recumbent bikes works great. I have little tray with mouse and trackball that I slide over my knees when cycling.
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