Publish My Peloton Desk Setup

src/pages/blog/my-peloton-desk-setup.md

@@ -2,40 +2,101 @@
 layout: ../../layouts/BlogPostLayout.astro
 categories:
  - hardware
-date: "2023-06-17"
-draft: true
+date: "2024-03-25"
 tags:
  - peloton
 title: My Peloton Desk Setup
 ---
 
-I sometimes work while riding my Peloton bike. My co-worker recommended a tray.
-From there, I've expanded my setup.
+I have a desk setup for my [Peloton](https://www.onepeloton.com) bike so that I
+can do other things while riding. Here's what it looks like.
+
+![Peloton desk setup](https://i.imgur.com/B5YLapA.jpg)
+
+This started when a coworker recommended a tray that is designed to fit in the
+bike's handle. The tray is good enough to be a functional desk on its own, but
+I've added a laptop stand, mouse, and keyboard to make the setup more
+comfortable and avoid hunching over.
+
+I've used it while working, writing, and reading, and I've even done 1-on-1
+meetings while riding. But I never take an actual Peloton class with this setup.
+I do a "Just Ride," so there's nothing playing on the Peloton screen, and I ride
+at whatever leisurely pace my subconscious decides. This means I'm never out of
+breath. I also don't bother with clipping in the regular cleats for these rides.
+I use a pair of slip-on shoes instead to make it easier to get on and off the
+bike.
+
+This setup helps me get a little more exercise in, it gives me an energy boost
+while I'm doing other things, and it can make me feel like I'm thinking better.
+It's like how going for a walk can be a way to generate good thoughts. Of
+course, using a Peloton bike isn't the only way to do this. There are many
+options for
+[treadmills](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=desk+treadmill&crid=1PMY8FJ0RBT0M&sprefix=desk+treadmill%2Caps%2C91&linkCode=ll2&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=6b114c9cd46971714024afd49ea29c5e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)
+and
+[bikes](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=desk+bike&crid=32US6LQ8JXO9S&sprefix=desk+bike%2Caps%2C82&linkCode=ll2&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=6a2708c284df95020ab99e6a495ab352&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)
+that are designed to be used with desks. [Stephen
+Wolfram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Wolfram) wrote about his
+[treadmill desk](https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2019/02/seeking-the-productive-life-some-details-of-my-personal-infrastructure/).
+
+I've been happy with my setup, though it does take me a minute to switch
+between desk mode and regular riding mode.
 
 # Tray
 
-I use a [TFD Tray+
+The tray is a [TFD Tray+
 Sidewinder](https://www.amazon.com/TFD-Sidewinder-Compatible-Designed-Materials/dp/B09RP6K9G8?keywords=peloton%2Bsidewinder&qid=1687022893&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=e51b290e4dc57e3943883ae8825f2f1d&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl).
+It easily slides into the handlebars, and it feels secure. The original Tray is
+for original model Peloton bikes, while the Tray+ is for the Bike+. I got the
+Sidewinder variation because it's wider, and I wanted more space for a mouse and
+keyboard.
 
 # Stand
 
-I use a [Rottay collapsible laptop
+The laptop stand is a [Rottay
 stand](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PQTF49G?ie=UTF8&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=6c979fa71bdfa2f3100c140d54559ac3&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl).
+I picked this one because it allows adjusting both the height and the angle. The
+height can go up to 16 inches, which is higher than most of the options that I
+considered. For ergonomics, I wanted to be able to get the top of my laptop
+screen to near eye level.
 
 # Keyboard
 
-I use a [Epomaker
+The keyboard is a [Epomaker
 NT68](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KNRKZ74?ie=UTF8&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=03ef1271afae74f7462762c4ab2dbe83&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl).
+Any wireless keyboard would work, but I picked this one because it has
+mechanical switches, it can connect over Bluetooth, it's easy to switch
+connections between my personal and work laptops, and it charges over USB-C.
+
+It's also one of the few keyboards that matches the Mac keyboard layout, with
+four modifier keys in the bottom left corner. So my muscle memory doesn't break
+when I switch from a MacBook keyboard. It also means I don't have to curl my
+thumb in as much to hit the Command key.
 
 # Mouse
 
-I use a [Logitech MX Ergo
-Plus](https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-MX-ERGO-Wireless-Trackball/dp/B0768M8B5J?crid=2DI5ME30NR08&keywords=mx+ergo&qid=1687022549&sprefix=mx+ergo%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&linkCode=ll1&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=1ed14c1194590b4d23b30caf07c70808&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)
-as my mouse. There's also a [regular MX
+The mouse is a [Logitech MX Ergo
+Plus](https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-MX-ERGO-Wireless-Trackball/dp/B0768M8B5J?crid=2DI5ME30NR08&keywords=mx+ergo&qid=1687022549&sprefix=mx+ergo%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&linkCode=ll1&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=1ed14c1194590b4d23b30caf07c70808&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl).
+I chose it because it's a trackball mouse, so I don't have to move the mouse
+itself around, which saves space. It also means that I don't need to worry about
+the mouse being able to track on the tray's transparent surface. A mouse pad
+would solve that problem, but it'd be another thing to move in a setup that I
+frequently install and remove.
+
+Note that there's also a [regular MX
 Ergo](https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Ergo-Wireless-Trackball-Mouse/dp/B0753P1GTS?crid=2DI5ME30NR08&keywords=mx+ergo&qid=1687022626&sprefix=mx+ergo%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&linkCode=ll1&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=0894288ea0db62545b92a55dbd8f81b2&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl).
-The only difference is that the Plus comes with an extra wedge.
+The only difference is that the Plus comes with an extra wedge to angle the
+mouse 10 degrees more vertically, [reducing
+pronation](https://www.ergopedia.ca/risk_factors/Pronation_or_Working_with_the_Hands_Flat_on_the_Worksurface.html).
+
+I do wish this mouse charged over USB-C instead of micro USB, that it had
+on-board memory so that I don't have to keep running Logitech software to remap
+buttons, and that it had more buttons to begin with. But there just there aren't
+many trackball mice to choose from.
 
 # Cup
 
-I use a [Real Deal Steel
+You might have also noticed a metal cup in the picture. It's a [Real Deal Steel
 cup](https://www.amazon.com/Real-Deal-Steel-Slim-Stack-Insulated/dp/B07D272N6B?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=thdalo00-20&linkId=70ee46719ce3917c8879a105cfe3cd44&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl).
+I love this cup because it has vacuum insulation that can keep ice water cold
+for hours. And because It's metal, it won't shatter if it drops to the
+ground. That hasn't happened yet, but it's a risk with my Peloton setup.