Bike riding can be a fun activity—especially when riding to a destination—such as the beach, or even just riding around on campus. One thing about riding a bike to far away places is that our energy drains, and we have to face the inevitable pain… of hunger. With technology advancing faster than we can ride our bikes, one would think there’s already a bike that’s able to make food or drinks while you ride. While I wait for a bike that automatically prepares burritos as I’m on the go, Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) boasts a substitute that can satisfy students’ cravings. It is a bike that prepares smoothies while you ride. Yes, you read that right.
For $20, a student can rent the one-and-only Smoothie Bike from the Otter Cycle Center. The bike blends smoothies while you ride; it’s like your own personal chef. I was able to ride the Smoothie Bike during the March 9th section of “The Lutrinae Live” on Ottermedia. I prepared my smoothie using: mango, strawberries, blueberries, strawberry Yoplait yogurt and bananas. After about a minute and a half of riding the bike on a trainer, I fully blended my smoothie. For a bike that has a blender, the smoothie I made was very delicious. Some of the other smoothies made during this episode of “The Lutrinae Live” consisted of strawberries, bananas, regular yogurt and ice. Another smoothie blended was a combination of apples, strawberries, bananas, mangos and ice. The more ingredients you have, the harder it is to blend, but after about a minute the smoothie will blend.
According to Carlos Espinoza, Cycle Center Assistant at the Otter Cycle Center, “There is no limit on how long you rent the bike.” The Otter Cycle Center does ask Smoothie Bike riders to clean the blender before returning it. Usually, those who rent the bike bring it back with a clean blender, so cleaning it is the courteous thing to do. I highly recommend renting the Smoothie Bike, as the smoothies made were delicious. If I can, I will rent it again to make another yummy smoothie.
If you are interested in renting the Smoothie Bike to make smoothies of your own while you ride, or if you have questions regarding the Smoothie Bike, call the Otter Sports Center at (831) 582-417 or visit them in the Student Center (Bldg. 12), East Lounge, Room 157 from 10 am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Items for smoothies not included.