So.. this strava thing...

[downfader]

I've used this a few times since I signed up a couple of weeks ago. Things I've realised:

..I'm not that competitive it seems. Looking at various segments it seems I'm ranked around 500 in the area. Now there are around 4000 riders in Southampton, but most are just normal people going from A to B. So I gather - could it be that people are coming here for the KOMs etc..?

...another thing I noticed - the amount of KOMs awarded on a couple of really steep hills (most hills here aint that bad tbh) where I'm suspect as to the rider.. One is Chessel Avenue. I looked the other week and it seems a few riders had completed this climb in about 35 seconds. Look at it now and the top guy did this in about 1 minute 42 seconds. Thats more realistic. I do wonder if Strava have realised theres been some hi-jinks there?

..and another.. the amount of people who just use "Morning ride" settings... I can understand for the commute but its nice to know other details. Warm and sunny? Raining? Enjoy it? I'm probably being picky there tbh.

These clubs on there. Are they real clubs with organised rides, or just user groups or like Friending or clicking LIKE on facebook? Found that a bit difficult to figure out.

Anyone on here use Strava? Who should I follow on the pro side?

 

[Hacienda71]

Laurens Ten Dam logs all his rides. Bit quick

 

[gazza_d]

For pros, just search any of the Tour de France routes though Yorkshire. There are a few KOMs which are gonna take some beating!

the Strava "clubs" are nothing more really than user groups, although local CCs have Strava groups.

I'm not competitive, as I am challenged in the power to weight ratio department, but I find Strava very useful for tracking my fitness on my commute and rides. Often what felt slow and painful ended up being a quick personal time on a few segments.

I love it

 

[MikeW-71]

I use Strava mainly just to log my rides and see how I'm doing vs myself. The only two guys I'm getting a little competitive with are my brother and a mate, which is pushing me to improve.

I'm not going to be dedicated enough to become super fast, but I'm still fitter than I've ever been in my life at 43.

 

[downfader]

For pros, just search any of the Tour de France routes though Yorkshire. There are a few KOMs which are gonna take some beating!

the Strava "clubs" are nothing more really than user groups, although local CCs have Strava groups.

I'm not competitive, as I am challenged in the power to weight ratio department, but I find Strava very useful for tracking my fitness on my commute and rides. Often what felt slow and painful ended up being a quick personal time on a few segments.

I love it

Yeah I was amazed the other day to even get a reasonable time through a headwind and work related pain!

Laurens Ten Dam logs all his rides. Bit quick

Found him. Epic. http://www.strava.com/pros/laurenstendam

 

[MikeW-71]

Yeah, Laurens is fast. One of his "training" rides with some very stiff climbs in it, covering over 100 miles, averaged 25mph

I can average 25mph over 2 or 3 miles..... if it's gently downhill.....with a tailwind.

 

[downfader]

Yeah, Laurens is fast. One of his "training" rides with some very stiff climbs in it, covering over 100 miles, averaged 25mph

I can average 25mph over 2 or 3 miles..... if it's gently downhill.....with a tailwind.

Always amazed when they say that on Eurosport. Sean sucking through his teeth and saying "..the rider was obviously having a bit of an off day, he was only managing 30mph in the pack.."

..obviously..

 

[MikeW-71]

Sean cracks me up sometimes, like when he swears on live TV from time to time without realising he's said it

 

[downfader]

Sean cracks me up sometimes, like when he swears on live TV from time to time without realising he's said it

He's one of the most boring sounding commentators but FULL of knowledge about bikes, sport, technology...

 

[bianchi1]

Laurens Ten Dam logs all his rides. Bit quick

But then the trick is to sprint like an idiot up one section of a climb....create a segment....then that makes you better than a top pro. Doesn't it?

http://www.strava.com/segments/4711619. (I'm William...and I nearly died after that effort!)

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

I've only got the free version of Strava, how much is the pay version and is it worth it ?

 

[Easytigers]

I've only got the free version of Strava, how much is the pay version and is it worth it ?

I just got a free month trial of premium and to be honest, as I don't use a HR monitor or power meter, it's not that much better. To be fair though, I only signed up a couple of days ago and haven't had that much time to mess about with it.

 

[jefmcg]

Clubs: as described, they can be anything. For instance, there's http://www.strava.com/clubs/cyclechat - which maybe you'd like to join.

If you see a suspicious KOM (ie you think they were in a car) you can flag the ride, and it may get removed. Harder to see is someone using digital epo. I'm slow enough that those people don't bother me.

I strava all my rides. On the app it defaults to "Morning ride" etc. I don't bother to change that unless it's a very special outing.

You can also "follow" people you know. If you do that, you can see your time compared to theirs, so have little competitions. The list of riders you follow will be unique to you, so your placing on that list will be your little secret.

 

[Cuchilo]

I log nearly all my rides just to keep a record of what I am doing so I can look back at it if I wish . I say nearly all as sometimes I take a bit of time out just to ride without having to take a phone or wait for the garmin to find a signal .
I only really follow people I know and ride with . Its good fun trying to beat each other on mileage but its all just a bit of silliness

 

[bpsmith]

Similar to above. Just a bit if fun and competition only when you want it to be. You will soon find yourself shooting up the ranks though, especially on your more regular segments. It's a great motivator, just don't get too bogged down!