Sporting a 17-inch liquid crystal display screen and computer game technology, these bikes at the ClubOne on Thornwood Drive behind Oakridge Mall offer a more interactive workout than traditional stationary bikes.

The bikes, which have been at ClubOne for six weeks, allow users to ride the virtual versions of actual local trails that were mapped with global positioning satellite technology. The local trails offered at the Almaden location are a New Almaden Quicksilver Park trail, a trail on Moody Lane in Los Altos, and a very hilly trail that goes around the Lexington Reservoir.

While the user sees the images of the trail on the screen, they feel resistance in the pedals increase when going up a hill. Riders are able to shift gears, just as on a typical road bike, as if they were actually riding around the Almaden park.

Brian Button, president and CEO of Expresso Fitness, said the bike motivates people to exercise.

"There's something there to keep the person focused and engaged," Button said.

Button said he helped the inventor of the bikes tailor the features so they would be popular in health clubs.

"A lot of people like to use the technology of video games," Button said. "With video games you can fight, set goals and compete, and you can stay motivated for hours doing something intensively."

The bikes are connected to the Internet, which allows the club to download new courses, and eventually, Button said, users will be able to race against any other user in any club around the country as long as they are connected to the network.

The company is looking to create courses based on the different phases of the Tour de France, Button added.

Another of the computerized features the bike offers is a pacer, who appears as a rider in a yellow shirt. Users can set the pace and change it throughout the ride, or users can choose to ignore the pacer as George Staggs does.

Staggs, an Almaden resident for 19 years, enjoys riding the Spark bike and has incorporated it into his workout routine. He has tried out the New Almaden Quicksilver Park trail on the machine, but said he hadn't tried all the local trails. Last week, he rode on a coastal trail.

"You can see beaches and ocean and it gives you a good feeling, " Staggs said. "It gives a good workout. I can spend 30 minutes on here and really get a good workout."

Staggs also enjoys the music feature of the bikes. The system offers Internet radio stations that are categorized by genres ranging from jazz to classic rock. Users also have the option of watching television while they ride.

Eden Thompson has worked at ClubOne for two months now and said he likes to ride the Spark bikes each time he works out.

"Besides the challenge of beating the course, you can ride against other riders and set them to be more difficult," Thompson said. "You can constantly push yourself."

Melissa Wathen, a trainer at ClubOne, said the bikes are very popular, especially during the busiest hours. She said people enjoy them because they are more interactive than the typical stationary bikes.

ClubOne, located at 5434 Thornwood Dr., is offering a free day pass and tour for residents who want to try the Spark bikes.