The season to go outdoors for a workout is coming to a close and we’re looking for ways to make spinning on a stationary bike more enjoyable. There are plenty of programs that let you play video games with the pedal, or take you on scenic routes, but what if you want to explore some real neighborhoods and streets?
A Master of Science and Interactive Media student at the University of Limerick in Ireland presented using Google’s Street View with a stationary bike as her thesis. This works by hooking up a sensor near the pedal to sense the speed and rotation of the crank, which triggers movement on Street View. Put your computer monitor in front of you and you can set it up to ride your favorite warm day ride, or get a sense of what it would be like to ride in the Streets of New York, London or other city with heavy traffic.
It’s a great concept, and has promise for adding some variety to winter workout doldrums. It needs a little work to make it as much fun as it could be. When Google Street View moves from one spot to the next the view blurs and then comes back into focus with the new picture. It’s not fluid. Also, many stationary bikes are just that, they don’t turn. So you are likely to ride a long, straight line. It also doesn’t enforce any kind of hill work, so you will have to shift as you feel like it if your bike allows more resistance. We also wonder if this setup will work on any stationary bike including bikes on trainers and more daring cyclists who ride rollers in the winter.
Find more details on the thesis project read the candidate’s blog.
via [Lifehacker]