kbarch

Have you ever checked your Strava report and been disappointed to discover you got a PR on a segment?

Well, today I went out for a rather perfunctory ride. I didn't expect to see anyone I knew on the road since most of my riding mates are doing a big event tomorrow (which I'm skipping due to a flight in the afternoon), and I was rather late getting out - nearly lunch time before I even started. Just riding along at a moderate pace, and about half way through the ride was State Line hill.

I had zero intention of attacking it, but there were four or five people scattered ahead of me who I figured I could pass, so I did. Even as much as climbing is my thing, it was work, of course, and as I approached the top, I figured since I had done a little work so far, I should make sure to keep going strong over the top to the end of the segment, so I could maybe get a decent time out of it. Once over the top I was more spent than I intended to be, and was happy to take a breather waiting for the light to change at the bottom, but I didn't think I'd done particularly well; I'd been feeling quite lazy all day. I figured maybe 3:15, 3:20

Well, get home to check the results and: wait, what's this? A PR? On State Line, of all places?! - 2:54?! Really it was only one or two seconds' improvement, and only 6th best time of the day. I should have been happy, right? But no, I was disappointed. If I'd known I could have gotten a PR today, I would have tried harder, and could have done even better! If I'd tried really hard instead of just kinda hard... just five seconds faster and I coulda jumped 45 places in the race club leaderboard instead of just 18!

Of course, considering it seriously I realize that it was only possible because I did not try so hard. Although I started ramping up speed a little sooner than I might have if I really wanted to attack the crest, because I didn't push too hard too early, I had the energy to stay efficient to the end - kinda like I was inadvertently smart. Maybe.

cyclebycle13

To each their own, but I could care less about my PR's and where I rank on the strava **** list. I use it to keep track of my mileage and compare month to month etc.

What really disappoints me are the idiots who put segments of MUT's and Rail Trails on there and then go out on a Saturday morning and almost mow everyone down (including my kids who I'm riding with) to get their precious PR's and KOM's.

Wow, so much anger. Time for bed.

smarkinson

Hey guys. What's PR and kom and strava?

kbarch

I'll say. If you're just going to complain, you can go to your room!
Sorry to hear about your experiences on your local park paths or whatever, but I think Strava has its proper place, and it's not the MUP. Not saying I have it all figured out, but I have found it genuinely rewards interest, and started this thread to sort of see what others may have learned from it.

MakiNn

unless its a kom place in the top 10 i rarely look at PR let alone be disappointed, maybe because i know in the next day or further in the week I will be hitting the same segment again. Basically just use it as a mark. Not sure why you would be mad when you even started saying it was a easy ride for you. Are you saying you wont be back there to do a effort and get another PR??

Kahrpistols

PR is "personal record," KOM is "King of the mountain" which originated in racing (even flat segments in Strava use it to indicate who is the #1 fastest person over that segment) and Strava is the most popular cycling website/app that acts like a social media & training tool. Think of it as a helpful Facebook for cyclists and runners.

f4rrest

Just flag the segment.

kbarch

Not mad, I was just disappointed at the time. Normally it is when we fail a test we discover that we didn't know something. However, in this instance, it was by getting my best result yet - succeeding, in a way - that I learned that I didn't know something. I thought I knew what I was doing, but it turns out I didn't.
This is the ironic thing. Some people think that Strava, with its leader board features and such is just for people who think results and "winning" are the only things that matter. But I'm not one of those people. Sure, I get a warm and fuzzy when I "win" or achieve something, but if there wasn't some kind of corresponding desire and effort that went into getting it, it kind of makes me question whether desire and effort even matter. That was my first thought, but in the end I realized that knowledge is the key. Even if I get stronger, I won't be able to do my best until I know what I'm doing. I still have a lot to learn, even on a hill I've climbed nearly 100 times.

indyfabz

Is it better than Zwift?

Doctor Morbius

Congrats on the new PR! Now you'll have to try to beat it.

Seems like a lot of people on this forum have something prickly shoved right up their bum.

wheelreason

Much like golf, I just don't get virtually racing against myself and others online. I do love the looks I get from guys when I respond no when they ask if I'm on Strava. But whatever floats your boat (don't get me started on kayakers) or propels your bike in this case I guess.

jeffreythree

I set segment goals in Strava. One of these resulted in a disappointing 17:02 PR I a couple of weeks ago, 2 seconds short of my goal. It was good motivation.

Kahrpistols

It's totally different. I mostly use Strava for my post-ride analysis. Some people have segment notification live on their head unit but I don't use that.

DrIsotope

To all of the unfunny individuals that like to denigrate anyone who enjoys analyzing performance metrics, or otherwise look down their collective noses at Strava users, y'all need to be a little more refelective. I personally prefer the trimmed-down concision of the Quakers on this one, and the "three gates" or "three sieves" of speech: before you see fit to post on someone's thread, ask yourself,

Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?

I mean sure, this would drop the BF post total by probably 70%, but still an admirable goal, I think.

And to the OP, yeah, I've been there. I'll come back from one of my weekend recovery jaunts-- like, 90 minutes of pure Z1, and find a PR on a segment. How slow was I going before?!? The other side of the coin is knowing that a favored segment is approaching, making a light or getting that just-right gust of wind, feeling like you absolutely crushed it... and missing your 3rd best time by like 5-6 seconds.

I have a few 20-25 mile routes I've done so many times, seeing even a 3rd place is highly unusual. Did a lap route totaling 105 miles last week... 3 PRs.

kbarch

ALL the time!

f4rrest

PR feels like Participation Record if you weren't trying.

joejack951

The past few weeks I have managed to set a few disappointing PRs on all slightly downhill segments (nothing that I'd typically attack but occassionally have at least used a good draft off passing traffic or a decent tailwind to move along at a good pace). Given that I am just getting back into riding some decent mileage I am inclined to believe I am only setting these PRs thanks to my slightly lower and longer position on my new bike (and possibly the better tires and more aero wheels are contributing). It's disappointing because in terms of sheer effort on the bike this new-found speed is all free meaning I have been handicapping myself for quite a while.

I am looking forward to hopefully setting some new PRs on some more challenging segments that have PRs going back to 2013 when I was riding a lot more (pre-self employment and second kid). I will need to get myself back into decent shape to do that but the new position and equipment should make it possible to actually beat my old times finally. I am thinking of one segment in particular which starts off slightly downhill before transitioning to uphill. Carrying more speed into the uphill portion could help me shave a few seconds.

f4rrest

The truly disappointing PRs are when you forgot to turn off the GPS on the drive home...

black_box 

Wind speed and direction has a huge effect on some of the segments near me. This spring seems to be very windy, too. Perhaps you had a helping hand on that effort?

Zurichman2

I am not a techy guy so doubt I will ever participate in Strava. I do log into bikejournal.com and participate there.

Zman

hueyhoolihan

no strava/PR/PB stuff for me, i just try to run down everybody that's going my way and take a selfie with them in the background when i go past. they look great on my refrigerator door(s) in the garage.

loads of fun.

kbarch

For what it's worth, a little update.
Yesterday for the first time in a while I get in a pre-work ride. Midway is the turn onto 9W for a ride up State Line. I was uncertain whether I even wanted to go that way to begin with, but figured since I was there, I might as well. Felt kind of uncertain as I got underway, too, but felt that going a bit faster wasn't going to hurt, either. As I got going I kept telling myself: don't struggle, keep it in the big ring but just don't do anything that would make you go slower, pace yourself. Don't fight, just work. Wouldn't you know: new PR of 2:48. What's most encouraging is that I did it solo from a slow start.... Can't wait to try again.

Kahrpistols

I too set a PR yesterday down the Manhattan Greenway despite being held up by traffic now and then ... only because when I met a friend up by the bridge he mentioned to the guy he was riding with that I go superspeed ... so I wanted to see what I had 😉

gurk700

The only PR's I care about are 9%+ desolate mountain road climbs where although not 100%,
1. the PR actually means I've tried harder (backed up by power data) and not that i drafted behind a car or had backwind (although it helps it's far less than flat roads)
2. there's little to no car traffic so it's far less dangerous

TimothyH

A PR on a segment where you are not really trying could indicate increased fitness.

If that is the case them it might be time to retest lactic threshold and reevaluate heart rate zones, or test whatever it is that guys who use power test.


-Tim-