As a cyclist living in Minnesota, I am accustomed to the extended winter season that makes one re-think the whole two-wheeled obsession. Whereas many other states have the assorted snowfalls and cold weather days, Minnesota is unique in that the snow we receive in November doesn’t clear out until the end of March. There are no days between where the weather warms to the point of melting the snow and clearing out the roads for rideable conditions. The roads are terrible, icy, and offer dangerous conditions for any cyclist.
Thus, my hours in the saddle are taken within the confines of my basement.
I’m luck enough to have a decent setup in the basement for my cycling needs. I use a Kurt Kinetic Fluid Trainer (yeah for Minnesota-based companies) and either my Old Steed (Trek 560) or my New Steed (Specialized Tarmac Expert) depending on which one DOESN’T have a flat tire.
Earlier in the year, I outfitted my TV in the basement with a Mac Mini computer. I have a wireless keyboard and bought Apple’s “Magic Trackpad” (also wireless) to act as my mouse. This works tremendously well for remote control of the computer and allows for easy access to it, even when I’m riding the bike.
For many months, I was using the Mac Mini simply as a basic computer – with iTunes for the various music files and playing the assorted movies directly with the built-in DVD or Quicktime player. It was convenient, but a little clumsy to control while trying to pedal a bike at the same time.
Yes – it does take a ridiculous amount of controllers to manipulate the computers, amplifiers, TVs, and DVD players used to pass the time during a basement ride.
I have since loaded the free media center software called Boxee onto the Mac and couldn’t be happier. It automatically catalogs both my music and my movies and makes them available through a slick interface geared for simple, remote control commands. It also has an assortment of “apps” that allow for the playing of online content – so I can watch the various Revision 3 programs and major network shows (I am slowly catching up on this season’s The Office).
It’s a good setup, but is still so far removed from outdoor riding that I struggle to get past 40 minutes before giving up. I’ve also started to incorporate some strength training (situps, pushups, pullups, squats, etc) just to break up the monotony of the basement ride. But that only leads to suffering in parts of my body that are not used to the abuse.
Oh – the joys of being a Minnesota cyclist.
