Technology, a distraction from the experience....?

[GrumpyGregry]

When I look back, the best memories are just that but sometimes I can tell you how fast i was going when I made them.

for far and away the most part the best memories are of those other people I am blessed to get to ride with. In the right company a good ride becomes great, and the little local loop you've ridden 100 times before becomes utterly memorable...

 

[snorri]

I use my bike for utility, leisure and touring and record the daily mileage on MCL and have/had an annual target mileage which I see as an incentive to get out and take some healthy exercise, although I have never recorded speeds or hours on the bike.
The computer is handy on tours and helps me decide when and where to stop for the day, ensuring I don't overstretch myslf distance wise, or stop too early due to perceived exhaustion!.
I have a gps bought for another interest but don't use it for following the tour route, really can't be bothered with the faff of plotting and planning a tour, instead prefer to use a map and follow my feelings on the day. However, following an unfortunate experience abroad when the local constabularly helped me find my campsite in the dark, I now record, without fail, the position of my tent on the gps before cycling into town for a meal etc..Thus the gps provides ease of mind for getting back to tent or hotel after evening excursions.
My camera is used mainly to record shipping and ship related subjects, also quirky things seen along the way rather than stunning landscapes. I would feel the effort of a cycle tour had (almost) been wasted if I didn't have a load of pics to review years after the event. Also, studying the pics at home I often spot things of interest that had evaded me when the photo was taken. Reviewing tour pics long after the event gives me much pleasure.
On tour I keep a diary in a ruled notebook recording places and incidents that amused or interested me along the way, people I met and any incidents that occurred but don't record weather or speeds, unless exceptional! Although I record daily mileage on the day, I seldom if ever refer to that data again, although reading over the text brings back memories, usually good memories! .
I think the electronics are a bit like alcohol, they can enhance the cycling experience as long as you remain in charge of them and not vice versa

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I read an article recently about digital photography and memories - it suggested that those who just point and shoot and walk away aren't making memories and the photos won't necessarily hold any meaning to them in five, ten, twenty years but those who take their time to set up the photo, zoom in, zoom out, take multiple shots etc are taking it all in whilst seeming to be fixated on photograph rather than the landscape and when they see the photograph in years to come, it will act as a trigger for the scene and the sights and sounds they experienced, plus any associated memories of that day.

I heard someone talking about the results of a study on the radio a few weeks ago. No camera tends to give tourists better recall than snap-happies. The camera gets in the way between the eye and the scene.

 

[Crackle]

I read an article recently about digital photography and memories - it suggested that those who just point and shoot and walk away aren't making memories and the photos won't necessarily hold any meaning to them in five, ten, twenty years but those who take their time to set up the photo, zoom in, zoom out, take multiple shots etc are taking it all in whilst seeming to be fixated on photograph rather than the landscape and when they see the photograph in years to come, it will act as a trigger for the scene and the sights and sounds they experienced, plus any associated memories of that day.

I would tend to agree with this and add that photo's taken in haste and under pressure, such as my tdf example earlier, also don't induce good memories.

 

[summerdays]

I think it's down to who you are and there is no right/wrong answer, just what works for you at that moment in time. Would Boardman, Cav, Wiggo, Froome etc have had their successes if not for the benefits of technology?

Personally, I know that my memory is invigorated by having something to refer back to, from photos and posts in Your Ride Today to the stats, weather report and brief route notes that I make on my spreadsheet.

I read an article recently about digital photography and memories - it suggested that those who just point and shoot and walk away aren't making memories and the photos won't necessarily hold any meaning to them in five, ten, twenty years but those who take their time to set up the photo, zoom in, zoom out, take multiple shots etc are taking it all in whilst seeming to be fixated on photograph rather than the landscape and when they see the photograph in years to come, it will act as a trigger for the scene and the sights and sounds they experienced, plus any associated memories of that day.

I do use my camera to jog my memory which isn't always the best, and will look back at old photos every now and again. I learn best through my eyes and least through my ears! Sometimes I have to remind myself to experience it not through the lens!

As for logging my rides I do that as well but don't always look at the results, or record every ride! I'm logging them now so I can use it to see if I'm feeling under the weather. Last year when I had low iron levels, and I was trying to explain to the doc that I wanted the blood test as I felt slower and tired. Next time I will actually be able to tell them!

 

[CopperBrompton]

I heard someone talking about the results of a study on the radio a few weeks ago. No camera tends to give tourists better recall than snap-happies. The camera gets in the way between the eye and the scene.

Those who snap away non-stop, I can believe it; those who take their time to compose one or two photos, the complete opposite is true.

These are just a few examples of the scenes I remember all the more vividly from having photographed them.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Those who snap away non-stop, I can believe it; those who take their time to compose one or two photos, the complete opposite is true.

These are just a few examples of the scenes I remember all the more vividly from having photographed them.

You've a great eye

 

[Mattonsea]

I wouldn't miss it. 25 years ago I used to run a 3hr 10 marathon and timed every run noting it down in my exercise diary. As I gained other commitments I got slower and slower and more unhappy with my times. I decided about 20 years ago to forego my watch and diary and just enjoy my running. I am now at that stage with my cycling - my average speed is dropping and I've stopped taking my Garmin with me. Ive decided just to enjoy the experience of exercise and forget about the inevitable.....getting slower. The best way to do this is to be ignorant of the data.

I agree with Rocky, I far more enjoy the experience when I'm not kidding myself to keep a decent average up. All those views ,plants and wildlife you miss staring at the garmin.

 

[coffeejo]

You wouldn't believe how many near-misses I've had with potholes, banks, hedges and corners from my dedication to staring at views, plants and wildlife. And that's with a computer.

 

[ColinJ]

I had a computer on my bike and found myself looking at the numbers all the time. When I first fitted it, I almost killed myself staring at the computer rather than watching where I was going. The best example of that was hitting a raised manhole cover on a descent, doing 56 mph, and checking to see if I had broken 60 mph!

I found that I remembered more about the numbers than I did about most of my rides.

The computer eventually broke mid-ride, and when I got home I realised that I had enjoyed that ride a lot more than usual so I didn't buy a new computer until I started doing audax rides, when I needed to keep track of distance to be able to follow the route sheets. But then the feeling returned ... I did a 200 km audax in the Yorkshire Dales and it all seemed a bit of a blur afterwards.

I bought a GPS. They are about the best bike computer you can buy anyway, and you get navigation chucked in. The numbers are being calculated and stored, but on a different screen page. I normally just have a 'breadcrumb trail' shown on the screen. I can tell at a glance if I am on track, and can give 99% of my attention to the road, the scenery, my companions, and my efforts, which is how it should be.

I definitely do not want to be listening to an MP3 player while I ride. I want to there in the countryside enjoying the moment, rather than transported away by music to some gig or recording studio in a distant city ...

 

[ColinJ]

You wouldn't believe how many near-misses I've had with potholes, banks, hedges and corners from my dedication to staring at views, plants and wildlife. And that's with a computer.

Ha ha - I was looking at the Emley Moor TV mast in the distance and rode off the right side of this lane onto the verge and scraped my knee along the dry stone wall!

 

[Crackle]

Well one piece of technology did cause my downfall. A 1956 spilt screen Morris Minor in immaculate condition on a garage forecourt. I was staring at it over my shoulder and failed to notice the road had gone around a corner.....

.....You know the rest.

 

[sackville d]

Ok for looking at after the ride but other than that,free yourself from the tyranny of the cycle computer.

 

[Colin B]

Those who snap away non-stop, I can believe it; those who take their time to compose one or two photos, the complete opposite is true.

These are just a few examples of the scenes I remember all the more vividly from having photographed them.

Excellent tog skills you have there

 

[swee'pea99]

My cycling technology is a bicycle. Doesn't distract me in the least.