Will Data Eat Cycling?

[nickyboy]

I'm not sure it's just about validity. The ability for anyone publish data for all to see is new. Before, recording and publication were in the hands of the governing body. That was their reason for existence.

Take TT's: Strava segments as they stand are a kind of informal TT competition. It wouldn't take much in the way of tweaking to make it into a less informal competition (eg provide a means for data to be witnessed). And over not many years you could possibly see informal TTs run along recognised segments having a similar weight to "officially" recognised TTs, and at least becoming a significant alternative to them.

By the way I'm not a Strava fan. I do log some of my rides on Strava in order to enter a particular challenge that is run only on Strava. (A fact which was part of my thinking when starting this thread) I'm a relatively slow rider, so obviously segments are of no interest to me whatsoever.

Actually this is already happening. Loose groups or associations on Strava select a particular segment and make that this month's "target". They then compete in their group to set the fastest times. Then move onto another segment the following month etc

 

[Hacienda71]

Actually this is already happening. Loose groups or associations on Strava select a particular segment and make that this month's "target". They then compete in their group to set the fastest times. Then move onto another segment the following month etc

I am in a group of guys in the same profession where we used to do that until a couple of years ago. One month the Cat and Fiddle, the next The Brickworks. We even had a challenge one month where we had to do a ride of over 100K incorporating Mow Cop, Gun Hill and Winkle. The winner was the fastest combined ascent of the three climbs. Quite good fun. The winner was given a bottle of champagne.

 

[nickyboy]

I am in a group of guys in the same profession where we used to do that until a couple of years ago. One month the Cat and Fiddle, the next The Brickworks. We even had a challenge one month where we had to do a ride of over 100K incorporating Mow Cop, Gun Hill and Winkle. The winner was the fastest combined ascent of the three climbs. Quite good fun. The winner was given a bottle of champagne.

No descents? Count me out

 

[Hacienda71]

No descents? Count me out

When there were a few of us at a similar level it was a good laugh. Then a guy joined who was a bit of a grimpeur and proceeded to win every month. Every time I thought I have a chance of winning this month he would put 20 or 30 seconds into my time. As the saying goes there is always someone faster than you. I follow him on Strava and every major climb in the area he is the faster. I would need to lose a stone and a half to stand a chance..........but I like beer, pies, cheese and lots of other stuff which make the chances of this happening somewhat remote.

 

[nickyboy]

When there were a few of us at a similar level it was a good laugh. Then a guy joined who was a bit of a grimpeur and proceeded to win every month. Every time I thought I have a chance of winning this month he would put 20 or 30 seconds into my time. As the saying goes there is always someone faster than you. I follow him on Strava and every major climb in the area he is the faster. I would need to lose a stone and a half to stand a chance..........but I like beer, pies, cheese and lots of other stuff which make the chances of this happening somewhat remote.

Welcome to my world. Every time I look at my position in the Cyclechat leaderboards on a Strava segment there's you and that @400bhp above me!

Descents excepted of course....

 

[Hacienda71]

Welcome to my world. Every time I look at my position in the Cyclechat leaderboards on a Strava segment there's you and that @400bhp above me!

Descents excepted of course....

We are just keeping the CC hitter on his toes.