Gadget-less cycling.

[ColinJ]

I used to ride with a bike computer and was always checking average speed etc. but then the computer broke and I discovered that I was enjoying the rides more without it.

Some time later, I got into audax and route sheets are always based on distance ridden so I put a new computer on the bike. One '200' was enough to convince me that I didn't like navigating by route sheet and computer so I bought a cheap GPS and started using that instead.

The GPS does log data like speed, distance, elevation and so on, but I always use it on the 'breadcrumb navigation' page which hides all that information. I check it at the end of the ride and at cafe stops, but ignore it when riding.

If I am riding a route that I am familiar with, I usually don't bother with the GPS unless I particularly want to time myself.

So for me, half my cycling is gadget-free, and half is not.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

wind in the hair *cough*, etc., etc.

Your hair coughs?

As for me, a set of lights (and even then, I only use them when I need too) and an O.S. map in my bag.
I do have a Cateye Strada, but I keep forgetting to put it on a bike.

 

[Leaway2]

Occasionally it is nice to just throw on my trainers and go for a run.

Just to carry on Vernons theme, just trainers, you will get arrested for that.

 

[Moon bunny]

Windermere was hogging it all.
No data for me, joy cannot be measured in hours and minutes, nor pleasure in miles. If I got to the stage where I could not stop to admire a clump of forget-me-nots, as I did on the ride home tonight, because my average speed would go down I think I would shoot myself.

 

[Andrew_P]

Gadgets? Hell yeah

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I'm gadget free, I've no interest in distracting myself from the world around me. I tried a computer once for a cadence meter and just ended up enslaving myself to keeping in the 'zone', I soon decided that I don't ride a bike just for that so ditched the tyrannical thing very quickly, no GPS either and no strava segments for me ta.

I carry my phone with me which is useful if I get lost or fancy a mid ride route change,. but I carry my phone when I drive or walk or go to the loo so not really a gadget in this sense.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Windermere was hogging it all.
No data for me, joy cannot be measured in hours and minutes, nor pleasure in miles. If I got to the stage where I could not stop to admire a clump of forget-me-nots, as I did on the ride home tonight, because my average speed would go down I think I would shoot myself.

just seen this post. says it perfectly.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I need to know how far I've gone when exploring new routes to be able to follow the cue sheet from google maps or cyclestreet.
A basic cycle computer from Aldi allows me to do this and still get lost
Recently installed Strava on my phone to find out where I've really been: keep forgetting to turn it on!

 

[redcard]

I like to know how fast and how far I've travelled. I like to know that my fitness is improving and that my averages are going in the right direction.

Guess this means I don't enjoy cycling as much as those that don't use gadgets

 

[the_mikey]

Freedom, horrible horrible freedom, I like constraints, time limits and targets, that's why a ride without my gps leaves me lacking motivation. Just riding around for pleasure doesn't work with me.

 

[redcard]

Nope, I'm the exact opposite. If I do forget to restart the Garmin and lose a few miles on the ride I get angry with myself!

Know how you feel. I was 3 miles into a ride when I realised I forgot to turn mine on. Had to ride back and do the 3 miles again so I could keep my stats correct.

 

[biggs682]

yep no computer , no smart phone , no music just me and my retro bike

 

[ComedyPilot]

Nope, I'm the exact opposite. If I do forget to restart the Garmin and lose a few miles on the ride I get angry with myself!

Isn't that a euphamism?

 

[ColinJ]

Freedom, horrible horrible freedom, I like constraints, time limits and targets ...

How about a second job! (If you don't need the money, you could always send me your wages ... )

 

[the_mikey]

How about a second job! (If you don't need the money, you could always send me your wages ... )

I'd rather ride my bike