BookPath
Stationary Bike
Stephen King

Stationary Bike

Quick Answer

"Stationary Bike" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the Collections.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

There are multiple ways to approach this series. Our recommended order is optimized for first-time readers.

❓ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.

Verdict Insight: While this short_story provides deeper world-building, it is a standalone story and can be read at any stage.

Is this helpful?
20063 ppShort StoryOptional Side StoryWikidataSource
After being told by his doctor that his cholesterol level is too high, Richard Sefkitz begins riding a stationary bike in the basement of his apartment building. To help alleviate the boredom, he buys maps and plots a route from New York to Herkimer, a town on the U.S./Canadian border, each day marking the amount of miles he has "ridden" towards his goal. He also paints a scene of a road on the blank wall in front of the bike to help him imagine actually traveling the road. As he nears Herkimer (according to the miles plotted on his map, at least) and has gotten in great shape physically, he begins having strange thoughts that there is someone following him on his daily rides. ([source][1]) ---------- Also contained in: - [Borderlands 5][2] - [Just After Sunset][3] [1]: https://www.stephenking.com/library/short_story/stationary_bike.html [2]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL17734216W/Borderlands_5 [3]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL81588W/Just_After_Sunset
Next Recommended Book

The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift

Book # of 241 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

medium Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Collections conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Stationary Bike?

This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.

Can I read Stationary Bike before other books in the series?

Yes. Stationary Bike is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is Stationary Bike required reading for the Collections?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after Stationary Bike in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Stationary Bike is The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift (Book #null).