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About.Com:Bicycling ~ Reviews Bike-O-Vision DVDs!
Indoorcylinginstructor.com interview by John MacGowan!
"Quite frankly, without the Bike-O-Vision DVDs, I'm
not sure if I would even use my stationary bicycle. I own a stationary bike not because I really like biking so much,
but because I want to improve my cardiovascular status and become more physically fit. I am on the lean side,
so as I read the testimonials from others about how they have lost weight working out, I have to chuckle. I've actually
gained a few pounds as what fat I had has turned to muscle and I'm now so much more toned up. So I guess it works
either way - if you are overweight it helps to shed the pounds and if you are underweight, it firms you up - so it's a
win-win either way. As it is, I look forward to the workouts on the bike because I do love all the "journeys"
that I get to take watching the BOV. In fact, I workout on the bike a lot longer each time because I don't want
to quit as I want to see what's next - what's around that bend in the road or over the top of the hill! I have
all the DVDs but two, so I never get bored, nor do I memorize any of the DVDs to the point that the surprise element is gone.
Also, I really get into the BOV journeys and have noticed that if the DVD depicts going downhill, the pedaling seems easier,
even if the intensity level is up on the bicycle. Conversely, if the scene is going uphill, the cycling seems harder
even if the intensity setting is at a lower level. That's because the journeys are so well done, that you feel like
you are actually there. The Yellowstone Park BOV absolutely takes my breath away, as does the Puerto Rico DVD.
My husband watches the DVDs while I work out, as he, too, loves the DVDs. We are actually planning our next vacation
based on some of the places we've seen on the BOV journeys. The Blu-Ray version makes these DVDs the ultimate in
viewing pleasure and is definitely worth the extra expense. If I had to pick four favorites from the first 22 full screen
DVDs (that's hard to do, as they are all great!) to re-do for blu-ray, it would be: 1. Puerto Rico; 2. Southwest
Mexico; 3. Zion National Park and South Utah; and 4. Grand Canyon & Sedona. However, any DVD you re-do in blu-ray, I will
buy! I am one satisfied customer! " Suzanne Cotton; Parsons, Kansas
Thank you so much for sending me the bike-o-vision DVD's.
They're great, I used them while I was recovering after my horrible bike crash to keep my fitness before I was cleared
to ride and continued to use them on hard/boring indoor winter training rides. As a direct result, I had a great start
to the biking season and did very well in numerous races. Not only was what you did helpful, it was an unbelievably kind
thing to give to a person whom you've never met. I'm truly and sincerely grateful for what you did, it felt so
good to receive them. I think my favorite is Napa because it reminds me of home. Jimbo Calrissian, Seattle WA
"Hi my name is Brady Johnson and I have to tell you how much your DVD (All Across America) has helped me. First
of all, I was a body builder and a marathon runner up until I had a stroke when I was 31 years old. It left my right
side paralyzed and I've been in recovery ever since.
I've tried lots of methods of
training in my physical therapy to try to get back to that feeling of forward motion in a marathon and this is the closest
I've come since the day before my stroke! It feels so real that sometimes I'll be cycling through a town (in
the video), and I know it sounds weird but I'll be like "Hey, how ya'll doing?" - you know, like I'm
really there! And this is the first workout I've done where I actually have some tension in my right leg muscles
where I can tell that they got a good workout.
The first day I got so into it that when it ended I
just started it over and did the whole thing twice! I estimate I burned over 750 calories. And I liked the way
it stopped to take a look at the cathedral. Thank you!" 6/23/11 Belvidere, IL
"... having a bike-o-vision DVD is the difference between being focused on the misery of indoor cycling and being able
to forget about it. No debate there!" Diana Patterson, Michigan
I have enjoyed every one of the six
DVD's I purchased from you.
Couldn't wait to open them and start my indoor journey on my exercise bike.
I took a couple over to my mother's house and while she was unable that day to hop on her exercise bike and enjoy them,
she and my 83 yr. old step-father both enjoyed watching the beautiful scenery of the Florida and the trip through America
DVD's.
I also gave two to my family physician who is an avid runner. California Coast and Santa Fe. I had
already enjoyed them several times and passed them onto him and his wife. He said it would be a great motivator for
some of his patients who find their exercise routine boring.
My favorite two, which I am not giving away to
anyone (haha) are the California Wine Country and Hawaii. I love them all and will continue to tell all my bicycling
and treadmilling friends about them.
Looking forward to ordering more in the near future, for myself, family and friends.
All the best, D. Wagner, Indianapolis, IN
I just had to tell you that I really enjoyed the Grand Tetons, Wyoming dvd sent recently to me. I have a very bad knee and
my knee has become much more limber since I have been using your dvds. I love to use my stationary bike with the Bike-O-Vision
dvds. I recommend Bike-O-Vision all the time! I have been using the dvds along with a weight loss program and I've lost 14.5
lbs. I credit exercise with helping me keep motivated, too. I look forward to your next dvd. Cecilia Baker, Jackson, OH.
Wow!!! I ordered a set of 6 DVD's on a Thursday; in my mail box Sat AM, even with all the snow we've had this week in Oklahoma.
Having spent all my youth and much of my adult life as a resident of western Sonoma County, watching your Wine Country, California
Coast and Northern CA DVD's are the next best thing to being there in person. While I ordered these to view while riding
the spin bike, I plan to order more as Christmas gifts for my many "SoCo" expat friends and relatives. Thanks again
for the super service and the superlative reminders of home. Jim Whalon, Edmond, OK 2/6/11
I am thoroughly enjoying my bike-o-vision
dvds!! Thank you for your exceptional service and quality. (I thought me and my man were the only sellers on the
web with almost instant shipping.) You Rock! Rebecca Thomson rebeccathomson.com 12/13/10
An excellent A+ product. For anyone who loves to bike through time and space in the 3 seasons, this is a must for the winter
months. I love this product - just purchased my second set of 6. The filming and music is perfect. Thanks for the genius involved.
It is appreciated. Joanne Odegard, Mt. Airy, Maryland, Oct. 2009
I have all your DVD's and I love them. I use them when I am not on the road such as too hot and too cold and bad weather.
I have a 100 inch screen in my shed with a NEC projector and a real recumbent bike on a Travel Trac made in Italy, computer
and all.. I ride 10 miles almost every day rain or shine. 6500 miles since heart by-pass 4 years ago (I will be 78 years
old next month). I will also be signing up for the pre-release and I will stay tuned. Thanks so much!
James S. O'Daniel Jr, Trent Woods, NC 9/10
Many thanks for the quick service and your excellent
product. I spread the word about BOV every chance I get; sometimes it's funny. People ask me where I ride, and I tell
them: Arizona, Mexico, California, Hawaii, St. Croix, the Carolinas, etc. With admiring looks, they sometimes reply: "You
must rack up the frequent flyer miles!" I smile and say softly, "I never leave my house." The puzzled look
that follows becomes an opportunity to talk about BOV, and how it's helped my cardiac recovery and fitness program. While
most of my riding is targeted for time/distance, now and again I just take a leisurely ride through the Cascades, or down
the California Coast, listening to my own music on my mp3 player for variety. The combination of low-level exercise, beautiful
scenery and relaxing music does wonders for the soul, and that benefits the body, in my opinion, as much or more than
a high-level workout. I'm looking forward to touring all the new Wide-Screen titles like that! Keith Higgins, North
Plainfield, NJ
I've been telling everyone I know who
exercises at home with a stationary bike, elliptical, or treadmill, about your DVDs. My stationary bike is a good Schwinn
model with on-board computer that offers lots of workout programs. I rode it most days and replayed my summer bike rides in
my head (see attached pictures for samples) while I rode nowhere. But wasn't the same and I struggled to get my heart
rate up and maintain it over time.
In late January this year, Neil bought 4 Bike-o-Vision DVDs for me. I popped
in St. Croix and I was hooked. On the first ride I got my heart rate up over 140 and rode hell-bent for leather for the full
74 minutes. After that, I was hooked. I couldn't wait to get up and ride. It was no longer a ride to nowhere. Now I was
riding somewhere. I was riding around Death Valley, Yosemite, and Florida. The quality of the pictures is amazing, clear
and colourful, and I'm watching these on a big flat-screen TV.
It's not just the pictures though. I've
graduated to knowing that it's the music that gives me the best workout. In fact, I've started to mute some of the
DVDs with the more passive music, while I play the music CD, or even one of the other DVDs with a better beat (Zion Nat'l
Park has the best music), while I ride.
Needless to say, all this biking has a wonderful side-effect, weight
loss. In May we took a two-week trip to London and Naples. So in January I started really working at losing weight before
the trip. My version of "packing light". I figured I could lose 10 lbs, but secretly hoped to lose 15. I lost
a couple of lbs in January, cycling for 2 hours a day, to nowhere. But then I got your DVDs. Well, I took two DVDs a day,
and thanks to Bike-o-Vision I lost almost 2 lbs a week. When I left for the trip I was 20 lbs lighter.
My exercise
routine is now a simple one.
Take 2 DVDs a day to lose weight.
Take 1 DVD a day to maintain weight.
Please keep making new DVDs. New music CDs would be much appreciated too.
Thank you so much, Nancy Eichhorn
By the way your DVDs are great,
I originally bought a set of 4 for my wife. She loves to bike but in Ottawa you're limited by the weather. Using an indoor
bike is OK, but it wasan't until she had the Bike-O-Vision DVDs that she really started getting a god workout.
Although I bought the DVDs for Nancy I now ride daily watching your DVDs.
Thanks again. Neil Cook, Ottawa
"Due to a knee injury I've been unable to do a lot of aerobics I was used to doing - hiking, walking, etc. I use a stationary
bike to stretch and loosen the knee - your dvds have been a wonderful distraction for me to use and I get to travel, too."
Cecilia Baker, Ohio 4/10
I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your Hawaiian bikeovision. I use it for my cycling class and my class really
enjoys it. It is like going to Hawaii but not having to pay the airfare, this way everyone goes biking in Hawaii. As soon
as I can pool some cash together I'll trying to decide which one to get next. Thanks again, Enjoying Hawaii here in Minnesota,
Karen Oseland March 2010
My wife (Jan) who is my cycling team captain, got me four more of your videos. They are wonderful. I't so nice to ride on
a cold wet day in Hawaii or St Croix. By the way St Croix was a little nervy till I got used to them driving on the oposite
side. I appreciate all the work you have done to create these and am telling all my friends about them. Continued success.
:) Mike Irwin, Hillsboro OR 2-23-10
I've purchased and worked with several
of your bike-o-vision DVD's. I'm a Southern California native and I work late hours and look forward to my indoor
training session to different states / countries. Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving me my exercise life back!!!!
C. Greene, 2-12-10
I had a mild MI in January '09, and couldn't keep up the co-pays on my cardiac rehab. Knowing I had to do something, I invested
some $$ to buy a recumbent exercise bike, and for the first couple of weeks, fitfully tried to get the exercise I needed.
Then I found BOV, and since then I'm putting in an hour a day on the bike with a lot of enjoyment. My first selection included
the California Coast, which I have driven in reality a number of times. I'm enjoying actually seeing some of it for the first
time, because when you're driving, you miss a lot! I'm an old geezer, so I love driving the coast road listening to 60s surf
tunes. I've just ordered a bunch more of your well-filmed DVDs, considering them more of an investment than an expense. Thanks,
and thanks especially for the Memorial Day special that sent a duplicate set to the troops overseas; as a veteran, I know
how much they will appreciate scenes from home. I'm looking forward to more of your excellent scenics. I love the All Across
America - North Carolina segment; it got me leaning the turns and spinning like crazy! Regards, Keith Higgins, NJ
PS. A guy I work with borrowed the Yosemite volume, and said his kids put down their video games and started jogging through
the park. I'm having trouble getting it back from him! Kudos, and thanks (my wife thanks you, too) 6/9/09
I'm so glad I purchased the Bike-0-Vision dvds. I'm able to view them on a 27" screen just above eye level. It's sensational.
Having driven down Highway 1, the California Coast took me back there on my bike. The Bike-O-Vision dvds made riding indoors
much more enjoyable. And for a change I sometimes listen to my favorite cds. Our extended winter in St. Louis made them all
the more valuable. I'll be riding indoors if summer temperatures reach the high 90's and definitely on rainy weekends. Thank
heaven for Bike-O-Vision. : ) Marilyn Harmon, St. Louis 4/08
DVD #16 Zion Nat Park & So Utah,
by Joseph L. Bolton "JoeBo"
"This is the first Bike-O-Vision DVD that I purchased, and it's
definitely my favorite! Zion's National Park and the surrounding area in Southern Utah has some of the most beautiful
scenery on earth. As a road cyclist, I bicycle commute and tour over 3000 miles per year. For wet or wintery days, this DVD
is an excellent indoor alternative to outdoor cycling.
WHAT REALLY
WORKS:
The idea is to incorporate this video into a bicycle touring simulation, and make it as realistic
as possible. I play this DVD in a portable DVD player on my recumbent style stationary bike's book stand (so the screen
is right in front of my face). The closer you can get to the screen, the more realistic it will seem, and the easier it will
be to get into the "zone". Using this DVD, I am able to really focus on my workout and enjoy the scenery... just
like a bike tour (whereas, when I worked out to a movie, I'd tend to get distracted and lose my intensity and technique).
WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
This video is NOT a movie! Don't expect to
pop in this DVD on a Saturday night, recline on the couch with a pizza, and be entertained. YOU HAVE TO BE PEDALING (or walking/running
on a treadmill)! But, it also doesn't work if you're pedaling with the video screen on the other side of the room.
YOU HAVE TO BE CLOSE TO THE SCREEN! (Or you need to have a very big screen.)
ABOUT THE
MUSIC:
Personally, I really like the music! This DVD includes a great variety of instrumental style music.
However, others may prefer to work out to their own music. If this is the case, just turn down the volume on the TV, and crank
up whatever motivates your workout. The value of this DVD far surpasses the selling price based on the video alone!
BAD WEATHER DAYS:
This DVD is an effective cure for the bad weather blues! Until
I discovered this DVD, I didn't have a good alternative to outdoor cycling. Rainy days and winter days used to mean that
I wouldn't really enjoy my workout. Now, I honestly look forward to getting up early in the morning to bicycle tour through
the red mountain cliffs and monuments of southern Utah." -- Joe Bolton (Troy, MI) 12/08
"I just want to tell you that this is the best thing in the world to me. I live in a remote area in Montana and you
can't ride when its snowing, and this is the most awesome thing. I will be a loyal customer as long as you exist. please keep
doing it. I love it!" Thanks, Kerin, Montana 11/3/08
I am writing to you to tell you how very much I LOVE your videos. I Bought a bike in the summer and was riding a lot in the
fall but could not continue to ride past November because I live in Sioux City, Iowa. Since the reason I like to ride is
the trails and scenery, I looked for something like that on the computer and found your web site. I bought three videos and
just ordered 2 more. I tell everyone about them and encourage them to go to Bike-O-Vision.com. The combination of the music
and the scenery together is so beautiful I don't even notice that I am riding my bike in my basement (on an indoor trainer}.
It makes a person want to exercise, and that is one incredible thing. I can even use it in the summer when it is too hot outside
or it is raining. Thank you again for making your wonderful product- Sabrina Stodden Sioux City, Iowa 1/14/08
"...They are wonderful and have been instrumental as we continue to design our unique 'virtual spin' classes at one of
our newest locations in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. I look forward to working with you in the future as we continue to
expand our cutting edge programming!" All the best, T.B., Corporate Director of Group Exercise, Sport & Health Clubs/Serenity
Day Spa 4/13/07
"...I have never enjoyed riding my exercise bike so much, as when watching your DVDs. I didn't do this as a deliberate test,
but a few nights ago I just put the TV
on, rather than one of your DVDs. My routine really seemed to drag; it seemed like I was on that bike forever. The next night,
I went back to Bike~O~Vision. My pace was faster, and the time just seemed to fly by. So, thanks again for such a fine product."
C Starry, Alabama 8/14/07
"Just a note to thank you for the excellent cycling DVDs. I recently purchased the entire set and couldn't be more pleased.
The cinematography is not only excellent, but conveys the feeling that the viewer is actually riding on the roads being shown.
Perhaps the greatest thing about the set is that exercise is no longer boring. I look forward to my morning workouts, something
I have never done in the past. For this reason alone the DVDs are well worth the cost. You folks have the absolute best customer
service I have ever ran across." Martin Brown, Redding, CA 5/3/07
"I recently purchased the 'Yosemite'
DVD to use while getting ready for biking season here in central Minnesota. I totally enjoy the video, the beautiful music
and the lack of distracting 'coaching', commentary and pop-ups that are found in the other DVDs I use for bike training.
(I also appreciate not having to look at the virtual rider's backside all through the DVD.) I would like to see more of
the great parks, like Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and the Blue Ridge added to the series, but this is a great start!"
Hans - Executive Director/Sr. Instructor, Backcountry Trail Patrol Association, MN 3/15/07
"I am very impressed with both the video
and music - high marks all around..." Dick Carlberg, Ellington, CT 1/29/07
"We were surprised
to receive the Northern California DVD so fast. Thank you for your speedy delivery. We enjoyed watching it the very same
day. Yesterday, I didn't feel like exercising, but I popped the DVD in my player and took a ride on my stationary bike.
I thought that I would only do about 20 minutes, but I was so thoroughly mesmerized that the time passed by fast. Before
I knew it, I was already done and wishing there was more. I notice that there isn't any constant irritating vocal narrations
on your Bike-O-Vision DVD's. There are those kind of distractions on all of the other brands of cycling videos that I
own. How many times can one listen to the same narrations over and over, when all you want to do is ride and get lost in
the road ahead? Bike-O-Vision is the only one that allows you to do just that. They are the best riding experience that
anyone can have at home. I'm glad that I bought all of them. All I can say is, don't stop. Please keep making them."
Linda H., Michigan
"I wanted to take time to thank you again for your assistance 'above and beyond' of what you normally do. Your package
arrived in great shape and we have already traveled through California and part of Oregon (haven't made it to Washington yet!).
Your videos are great and beautifully done - we also like the camera scan into the surrounding landscape. Well done! Much
luck and good fortune in all your future endeavors and, again,thank you! Greetings from Stuttgart, Germany!" Gitta
7/30/07
"Exercising in my home- Paradise.. I can exercise in my home - on my own time - see exotic foreign places and listen
to really good music at the same time. Bike-o-vision has answered my prayers- Its really reasonably priced and satisfies me
physically and emotionally. A wonderful way to exercise-Thank you Bike-o-vision!" Y.M. FL 2/20/06
"I first heard about your videos while searching online for such a product. Something that would give me incentive to
ride the exercise bike that I recently purchased. It does a really good job of that. I especially enjoyed the Tenn. and North
Carolina rides. Oregon's scenery was spectacular. I know this is the only way I would ever get to ride a bike in that area.
Also, the Fredericksburg, Va. portion of another tape (I live close to Fredericksburg and also work there) was of special
interest to me. I like the angle of the camera shot making it realistic enough to imagine that you really are riding in these
areas. Keep up the excellent work. I look forward to what you may offer in the future." Phyllis, Woodford VA.
"A FANTASTIC EXCERCISE PROGRAM!! I think it fitting to write and tell you the money I spent on Bike-O-Vision was one
of the soundest investments I ever made. I purchased good health and enjoyment at the same time. I experienced the joy of
cycling through wonderful places I have never seen and am unlikely to see, to the sound of music I have never taken the time
to listen to before. I find that I spend much more than the allotted exercise time on my stationary bike with the Bike-O-Vision
program, because it's fun doing so. I am in a sedentary situation, and never will get my proper exercise on the job; now I
do get much more exercise and find my self looking forward to it every day. I hope to exercise with more sights that Bike-O-Vision
can offer without ever leaving my livingroom. CONGRATULATIONS ON A NOVEL AND HEALTHY APPROACH TO GOOD HEALTH!!" Ted Mayhall,
Citrus Springs, Fl.
Best selections I've seen online and at a great price too. I cycle a lot and this is definitely the way to go. Really perfect
for bad weather days when cycling outside is totally impossible. Thanks! Matt Bradshaw, Petaluma, CA. 3/17/07
"I'm glad to hear that the LA/San Diego DVD is going to be available soon! I love all the DVD's I have received so far.
I have all of your DVD's that focus on the West Coast (California). I'm mainly interested in the areas of the U.S. that
I have already traveled to, or would like to travel to, which includes the West Coast states mostly. The quality of the DVD's
you have already released are as good as they could possibly get --- excellent! I love them!" William Vogel, Dixon IL.
1/6/07
"I just wanted to tell you of a fringe benefit Bike-O-Vision has given us. My children, who used to consider the study
of world geography an unpleasant subject they had to cope with, now can hardly wait to climb aboard our exercise bike with
the Bike-O-Vision program to start new trips through different countries. We may have to buy other bikes, so we can all share
the fun." Jack Goldman, Valley Stream, N.Y. 6/5/06
I have now seen Puerto Rico and St. Croix. These are really excellent. I almost packed up my bike and got on the plane. No
shying away from the climbs on these and the scenery is still preserved. Fred C. Williams Jr
I need to tell you how very much I enjoy
the dvds - whether on my stationary bike or on my Treadmill - they are simply great. Workouts feel easy and fun. Living in
the frozen north I spend a lot of time working out indoors - the DVDs have made such a difference for me - amazing! I was
concerned when I first got them if they would work for running rather than cycling but apparently the brain really doesn't
pay that close of attention to how fast the scenery goes by. I have never gotten bored either even though I watch the same
dvds over and over. I have Washington and Oregon (both places I have lived and visited) as well as Washington DC and the All
around the States sampler. I love them all. Short workouts or long they are awesome. When it is cold here it is also dark
before and after work so much of my time is spent indoors. The same applies to 90+ and high humidity. You just can't
get a quality workout outside but my trusty TM or bike are there and so is the scenery! I play some tunes and run on down
the road. I figured out a long time ago that your brain will fight you on stationary objects. It somehow knows that all that
hard work is for naught. A long time ago I was slogging along on the tread-belt watching a movie called American Flyers. Part
of the movie is bike racing footage with awesome helmet cam type scenery I noticed that during that time I was running easy,
so much so that I almost ran up the kick guard at the front of my TM. After that I looked for any kind of footage like it.
I chased Lance across France for 2 years and ran with the Kenyans in Boston (recorded race footage from OLN); that sort of
worked but I continued to search and found your DVDs. The trips are awesome and you really can get lost in the scenery. I
keep the lights off and watch the road unfold in front of me. The funniest thing that happened was that during the Oregon
or Washington trip you come up on a bridge, the kind with the metal grate. I have issues with heights and I really don't
like it when I have to walk across things where I can see down below. Needless to say I was running along happily until I
realized what this bridge was and I nearly hopped off the TM, I had gotten so lost in the moment and the scenery in front
of me. Guess what I am telling you; you already know; it just works. J Weller, Rochester MN 9/10/07
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