I have the remote thingy that doesn't fit on the handlebars either. I just set the tension to 2 and leave ti resting out of the way beside the bike and change resistance by shifting gears. (the lowest setting doesn't seem to have the right amount of resistance to simulate riding on the flats, but 2 seems about right for me. Yours might be different) I've been doing the Spinerval thing and it is definitely easier just to shift the gears.

also, I'm kinda paranoid about leaving the roller/resistance "unit" in contact with the wheel when I am done. I'm afraid it might put a flat spot on the tire. I had a rim drive trainer years and years ago which got a flat spot on the rubber roller when I forgot to release it from the rim when I was done, and it seems reasonable to assume that a tire would do the same thing.

I second the netflix suggestion also...