Strava question.

[Sharky]

I enjoy being able to compare myself with other 65 - 69 year olds on some of the segments. Makes you feel a bit better than looking how far down you are if you compare against the young racing snakes.

I find it motivating to compare myself with similar rides I've done in previous seasons and through the current season.

I think I'm on the verge of taking the 30 day trial of Strava for the extra analysis capabilities.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I find it motivating to compare myself with similar rides I've done in previous seasons and through the current season.
.

I find doing that depressing.

I went up that hill five whole minutes faster then? How did that happen?

 

[Sharky]

I find doing that depressing.

I went up that hill five whole minutes faster then? How did that happen?

That is a bit discouraging, but does set a target to try and aim for. For me, looking back at times from 4 years ago is a bit depressing. However I take encouragement from the vets standards for time trials. As you get older, the age standard increases, so the target stays in reach. Alas this feature does not exist in Strava.

This last week, I managed to get under my age standard for 10 miles, so was an uplifting moment.

 

[Dorset Boy]

I find doing that depressing.

I went up that hill five whole minutes faster then? How did that happen?

What motivates somne clearly doesn't motivate others.
You will still beat some segment times from a few years ago.
I improved throughout my fifties, so no real reason to give up and decide you're going to be slower.
One of our 70 yo club members still gets pbs and has been a lifelong good cyclist.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Each to his own

I did try taking notice of the segments for a while
but just got annoyed due to the different times under different circumstances
and how there is no way I can beat some of the time because I know that when I did my PB there was a huge tail wind
and how some tracks might or might not have massive wide puddles
and/or closed gates

so it just got annoying and I stopped looking at them

 

[esoxlucius]

I started this thread because I didn't know much about Strava at all and it really started to pique my interest. I had it turned on for every ride at first and was soon checking my times against all the other segment riders. I even found myself repeat riding many segments trying harder and harder each time (and getting nowhere near the top times in many instances).

But everyone's right. There are way to many variables that come into play that make Strava totally inept really to use as a tool to gauge your performances against not only others, but yourself as well.

Simple things like temporary traffic lights for example that can destroy a potential PB when challenging yourself. And, if challenging another rider with a fantastic time, how sure can you be it wasn't done by some trickster on an e-bike.

For me Strava lasted a few weeks, I never have it on now, not interested remotely. Like everyone says, just be you and enjoy your time outdoors on your bike.

 

[Sharky]

I've taken the plunge and started the 30 day free trial. It's given me back, the ability to look at my own previous times on various segments.

Discovered that I am the fastest in my age bracket on our local 10 course. Also the only one using Strava!
And I know that it's not quite true, as one of my club mates is three years older than me and returns times three minutes faster. He can't be using Strava.

 

[Mike_P]

To accurately compare with others should factor in wind direction speed and temperature

Most cyclists for example will be quicker in warmer weather than the depths of winter where you are carrying a heavier kit.

I use the comparisons to cheer me up that I wasn't the slowest up a climb and occasionally quite suprised how fast I have been compared to many.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Each to his own

I did try taking notice of the segments for a while
but just got annoyed due to the different times under different circumstances
and how there is no way I can beat some of the time because I know that when I did my PB there was a huge tail wind
and how some tracks might or might not have massive wide puddles
and/or closed gates

so it just got annoying and I stopped looking at them

Surely the e-bike segments are an easy target with not many contenders?

 

[Dogtrousers]

What motivates somne clearly doesn't motivate others.
You will still beat some segment times from a few years ago.
I improved throughout my fifties, so no real reason to give up and decide you're going to be slower.
One of our 70 yo club members still gets pbs and has been a lifelong good cyclist.

I was partly joking. To be honest I don't find reducing speed that depressing because speed has never been that important to me. I've always motivated myself by riding particular distances or elevations and it takes as long as it takes.

I'm sure I have declined physically compared with 10 years ago but it's more mental. I just don't have the mental fortitude to grind out repeated 100 milers any more.

 

[geocycle]

Classic Strava hyperbole today. I’d inadvertently pressed start on the wahoo in the garage and found I was recording my pre ride faffing so stopped it. This resulted in an epic 3 m ride which then was automatically uploaded to Strava. I still got the usual nonsense message of ‘nice work, dive into those stats!’ Probably won a kom on the washing machine to freezer segment…

 

[esoxlucius]

Classic Strava hyperbole today. I’d inadvertently pressed start on the wahoo in the garage and found I was recording my pre ride faffing so stopped it. This resulted in an epic 3 m ride which then was automatically uploaded to Strava. I still got the usual nonsense message of ‘nice work, dive into those stats!’ Probably won a kom on the washing machine to freezer segment…

Lol, that's funny. Just imagine if some overly competitive dude came knocking at your door to have an attempt at your 3m segment!

 

[Dorset Boy]

Lol, that's funny. Just imagine if some overly competitive dude came knocking at your door to have an attempt at your 3m segment!

Doesn't everyone have their own bike store to toilet segment?

 

[esoxlucius]

Doesn't everyone have their own bike store to toilet segment?

Indeed. My bike storage place to the toilet is quite a short distance but involves lots of elevation...steep stairs!! I'm a boss on that particular segment, lol.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Surely the e-bike segments are an easy target with not many contenders?

Depends who is already on them, there's loads of Hampshire segments with not many participants, but Beasty Chops holds hundreds of koms with blatant chipped ebike(s).