When artist Richard Sifkitz is told by his doctor that he needs to lower his cholesterol level, he takes it to heart, adjusts his diet, and buys a stationary bike. Soon his bike rides become a little too realistic.

This is a 2-disc short story on audio, and I'll admit, this story took off in a direction I wasn't expecting. It's got the supernatural element that Stephen King is known for, but it also has a moralistic lesson which was kind of a nice change. This won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I thought it was a pleasant, quick read. ( )

The only format I could find was as an audio book. I'm not a fan of this format but gave it a go anyway. I never got a firm sense of terror or fear in the main character. I can't say whether it's the format or the story itself. I'll give it another listen and see if I enjoy it more. ( )

I enjoyed this, but not as much as other Stephen King novellas. I can't pinpoint why exactly, but it didn't resonate with me even though I liked many different aspects of it. Stationary Bike opens with a middle aged overweight man in a doctor's office. Things are being written down in red, weight cholesterol, he has to do something about it. Actually taking the doctor's advice he starts to eat better, sleep more at night, and introduce some work outs. Rather than join a gym, he purchases a stationary bike and puts it in his basement. At first it's tedious and boring, there is nothing to look at. As an artist he decides to paint a trail, a bike path he remembers from childhood. Overnight his biking improves and it turns to his favorite part of the day. If it weren't for the timer to snap him out of his biking reverie he might never stop. It's like he really is biking right there in his art/memories. But one day he sees something and in the distance he can hear an approaching truck. He can't bear to think about what will happen if the truck catches him while biking. Suspenseful, unique, and witty. ( )

This is not what people think of when they think of Stephen King -- there's no gore, and while it IS intense, it's not quite what I'd call a thriller. But I know King's work well enough to know this is classic work of his! Loved it! ( )

There's not too much high tension in the story but It has the usual twists. Sifkitz resolves to work out and buys a stationary bike and then the weird stuff begins. The book was read by veteran reader Ron McClarty who covered all of the characters made this an enjoyable experience. Weird, interesting little story about the power of the mind. No goose bumps or night mares after I read this book. ( )