Things you figure out because of rowing

[Profsmith3]

I recently figured out I could read when I rowed. It is a heck of a lot more fun for me than watching some inane TV rerun or even a good mini-series (like the Sopranos or GOT, even). So I open a good book on my IPad, find a good classical playlist, and start rowing.

As for what I have learned as a result, Wagner, Beethoven, and every other German composer I can think of are all trying to kill me.

[jamesg]

They keep us alive and thinking of the cold centuries in the Italian Alps, the timber that grew there, the liutai who used it, the music that was written, we are privileged to hear it by just pressing a few buttons.

Equally, the writers. Dostoevski now, and even Dante to learn of the Florentine families that created the Western world against Popes and Emperors; and a mile of shelves to work through, another privilege.

[DavidA]

I recently figured out I could read when I rowed. It is a heck of a lot more fun for me than watching some inane TV rerun or even a good mini-series (like the Sopranos or GOT, even). So I open a good book on my IPad, find a good classical playlist, and start rowing.

As for what I have learned as a result, Wagner, Beethoven, and every other German composer I can think of are all trying to kill me.

How can you read while you row?
The constant back and forth would make it very difficult for me to read. How do get the pages to 'turn' or scroll?

David

[dingrr]

I was wondering the same thing, David. I can focus on the numbers or watch sports or movies but think reading would be difficult. How do you mount the iPad?

[robbiep]

That makes three of us wondering how !

[Citroen]

I'd reckon trying to read on a ergo (unless it's a dynamic where the seat doesn't move relative to the floor) would have the same effect as this image had on SWMBO (who gets sea sick on the Woolwich Free Ferry across the Thames).

[jamesg]

The solution a certain statesman suggested (when very cold too), was to have the butler do the reading.

[8sWwr2]

My usual rowing time was 30 minutes for a while. I'd do more than 6000 m in that time. The other day I thought I'd try to hit 10k m - did it in just over 50 minutes, but my butt was almost hurting. Got a gel cushion from Amazon, and wore a nice chamois cycling shorts / bib over a folded towel and the problem seemed to go away.

Also noticed the seat wheels clicking. Lubed the wheels with the same silicone lube I use for the garage door with the narrow straw applicator and no more noise.

[8sWwr2]

Also found out from a search that clicking of the seat rollers is a thing lol. Not anymore for me.

[mict450]

I've been watching 2 reality TV shows recently during my ergo sessions...."The Last Alaskans" & "Life Below Zero". Big respect for those folks who can live & thrive in those brutal conditions. Puts me in the wimp category.....I'd never be able to survive for even 24 hours!!

Also realize I need to definitively solve my seat problem. Yesterday I did a total of only 46 minutes continuously & it felt like someone took a baseball bat & used my a$$ for batting practice! Getting tired of getting up from the ergo every 20 to 30 minutes to rest my butt! Time to spend some money.....I'll start cheap & work my way up the food chain until the rump roast tells me it's done.

[Profsmith3]

Sorry it took so long to reply.

I read from a Kindle app on my IPad so page turning occurs with the flick of a finger. You do have to be a little careful not to hit the page too hard or you go into an “edit settings” mode. But with practice, you figure it out. I prop the IPad up on a book stand I stole from my wife who bought it originally to prop up cookbooks while she cooked. She discarded it after a while and I appropriated it.

The back and forth motion doesn’t really bother me. I guess I just got used to it. I read books I like to take my time with as I find I don’t read nearly as fast as I normally do off the rower. But who cares. Some books need to be caressed not raced through.