I am not a bike rider, but my husband is. He rides his bike to work most days (20.2 miles one way) and he, too, really appreciates being outdoors and the workout it gives him.
He has a computer to give him the info he needs - how far he is going and his mph. I don't remember paying $50 - I didn't think it was that much - but we could have
.
What he has really learned is that riding his bike can give him a good cardio workout OR a good weight resistance workout - depending on what he needs at that time.
Good luck and HAVE FUN!