What was the most popular Strava segment of 2015?

[Bollo]

I've got all of those except ditchling beacon, on at least one of my rides. Good to see that a cheating little scrote gets a KOM, yet again. I imagine that would grate a bit, with hardcore Stravanauts.

Considering how Garmin in particular (and also Polar and Lezyne?) are starting to incorporate Stava integration into their newer computers, I wouldn't be surprised if they're not working on some form of ride verification - it wouldn't be difficult to hash and encrypt the dataset using a public/private key. Verified rides would then get their own icon or separate KOMs. It still wouldn't stop someone strapping their computer to a motorbike, but it would prevent the more obvious data hacking-type cheats.
I love the data stuff, but I'm not really competitive enough to bother with Stava myself.

 

[bpsmith]

Considering how Garmin in particular (and also Polar and Lezyne?) are starting to incorporate Stava integration into their newer computers, I wouldn't be surprised if they're not working on some form of ride verification - it wouldn't be difficult to hash and encrypt the dataset using a public/private key. Verified rides would then get their own icon or separate KOMs. It still wouldn't stop someone strapping their computer to a motorbike, but it would prevent the more obvious data hacking-type cheats.
I love the data stuff, but I'm not really competitive enough to bother with Stava myself.

The cheat, in this instance, was the kid turning semi pro that admitted the EPO. There's no electronic verification that could spot that.

 

[blazed]

Where would cycling be without Strava? Serious question, I genuinely believe the most important thing to the increasing popularity of cycling is Strava. So many people would not be riding today without it.

 

[huwsparky]

Where would cycling be without Strava? Serious question, I genuinely believe the most important thing to the increasing popularity of cycling is Strava. So many people would not be riding today without it.

As sad as it is, I'm pretty sure your correct!

 

[Racing roadkill]

You just have to remember that Strava is a useful tool, but don't end up living your cycling life by it. It saps the fun out of it, if you let it.

 

[Citius]

Where would cycling be without Strava? Serious question, I genuinely believe the most important thing to the increasing popularity of cycling is Strava. So many people would not be riding today without it.

Well you clearly wouldn't. Which kind of says it all, really.

 

[Bollo]

You just have to remember that Strava is a useful tool, but don't end up living your cycling life by it. It saps the fun out of it, if you let it.

I agree with the fun-sapping bit, but I'm sceptical about how genuinely useful it is for most riders beyond simple motivation/bragging rights and collecting basic stats. To get to the good stuff you're going to have to shell out for the premium, almost certainly be riding with power measurement and be following some form of structured training plan to make use of the numbers. If you're doing all of these things, then you're better served by something else, for example TrainingPeaks or GoldenCheetah.

 

[Citius]

I agree with the fun-sapping bit, but I'm sceptical about how genuinely useful it is for most riders beyond simple motivation/bragging rights and collecting basic stats. To get to the good stuff you're going to have to shell out for the premium, almost certainly be riding with power measurement and be following some form of structured training plan to make use of the numbers. If you're doing all of these things, then you're better served by something else, for example TrainingPeaks or GoldenCheetah.

Strava is the human equivalent of dogs pissing up lamp posts. Very few of the segments actually mean much in reality. Someone took a KOM from me just before Christmas by going out in a 45mph tail wind, ffs. The only way someone could take that back again would be by going out in a hurricane.

 

[nickyboy]

I must admit I find it difficult to believe that "UK cyclists [did] 131,130 century (100 mile) rides in among the 684,891,474 km logged on June 30" - a Tuesday, presumably very few of those commuting. And these century riders are all using Strava. So can one then multiply this figure to account for those not using Strava, but doing a century that day (also) for fun?

Yeah, I saw that. It's obviously wrong. I suspect the kms and number of centuries refer to the full year.

The average speeds look wrong too. Lincolnshire number 1 : 24.4km/hr, Warwickshire number 2: 24.3 km/hr. But the countrywide average was 24.3 km/hr too

All in all, a pretty crap article

 

[Stephenite]

Strava is the human equivalent of dogs pissing up lamp posts.

I like that.

I also like Strava because it's fun. I wouldn't take it too seriously.

 

[Cuchilo]

Strava is the human equivalent of dogs pissing up lamp posts. Very few of the segments actually mean much in reality. Someone took a KOM from me just before Christmas by going out in a 45mph tail wind, ffs. The only way someone could take that back again would be by going out in a hurricane.

The wind is due to pick up next week

 

[Citius]

He can keep it. Anyone that obsessed with looking good online is welcome to it.

 

[vickster]

Strava is the human equivalent of dogs pissing up lamp posts. Very few of the segments actually mean much in reality. Someone took a KOM from me just before Christmas by going out in a 45mph tail wind, ffs. The only way someone could take that back again would be by going out in a hurricane.

Or a car

 

[bpsmith]

There are a few around here that drive from their house to nearby car parks and then use tracks and trails. They start Strava at the house though, and drive at a relatively reasonable pace through traffic to just time certain segments right.

Major tell tales being that the rest of their rides average 11mph and the first and last parts average 25mph and peak over 37mph. The best bit...Strava shows them entering and leaving a well know car park. Priceless!

 

[Cuchilo]

[QUOTE 4097576, member: 43827"]I don't use Garmin or Strava but now I can see why I'm always shattered after riding around my old home town of Merthyr Tydfil.

I would have thought that any self-respecting lycra-wearing, carbon-biked rider would be too embarrassed to claim KOM for Sawyers Hill. Surely it should be called King of the Barely Sloping Incline.[/QUOTE]
lycra wearing and self respect are not two phrases i would put together