uncle uncle

First, I don't have a mileage calculating computer thingy on my daily grinder, so I don't how far I'm riding or how fast I'm going. Should I be ostracized from the C&V? I know I would in the racer forum, but is it okay not to know these things? I figure if I'm breathing hard through a good portion of my ride, I'm probably getting a pretty decent workout. Also, if my buddy is riding with me, and it's sorta hard to hold a conversation, cause of the breathing hard thing, then I figure, again, I'm getting a pretty good workout. I actually have a mileage calculating computer thingy, that I picked up on clearance, for like 5 dollars, American, but I've been too lazy to install it. Maybe after I tear the bike down for a major overhaul, I put it on during the rebuild. 2nd, not knowing, somehow, makes it more like when I was a kid, which was a time when I rode just for the shear enjoyment of traveling at incredible self generated speeds. Is that bad?

RobbieTunes

Go the nearest downhill.
Pedal hard.
Lift your feet off the pedals.
Yell "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
That's all you need to know.

Conversational pace is generally good cardio, and will keep you healthy and fit.
Breathing hard means you're into the "improvement" zone.

You're fine. Take one beer and call me in the morning.
That'll be $350.00

uncle uncle

Goes to 'fridge. Pulls out on of the last Lone Stars from an earlier trip to San Antonio. Pops top using the bottle opener made from bike chain that his son gave him for his birthday. Swigs. Pulls out checkbook. Swigs. Pay to the order of one Dr. Robbie Tunes.....

roadrunner2012

He misplaced the decimal point. It should be $3.50

JohnDThompson 

If you're having fun, you're doing it right.

I had a computer thingy on one of my bikes for a while. I found it distracting. When the battery died, I took it off.

RobbieTunes

Overhead.

rhm

If you don't have a computer mph thingie, you are doing it right.

gerv 

+1

Gravity Aided

Maybe one of those odometers that operates off a pin on the spoke. Or carry your Garmin, set it to "Bike", and analyze.

jimmuller 

Sometimes I like to know how far I've ridden. Or how fast I went downhill. Otherwise, I dunno', as long as I get there in one piece and wish I were still riding when I stop then I think it's okay. And I like to look at the engravings on my handlebars. So the Bianchi and the Masi carry no computer at all. None. Nope. Nary a one.

Last time I went out it was for some great distance. I repeated it. Then I repeated. it. I'm somewhere out there, not sure how far. Maybe I'll turn around and eventually make it back home.

nlerner

I think you just have to count with your fingers and your toes.

obrentharris 

I love numbers and I love maps... so I even carry one of those Garmin thingies when I walk. The map feature comes in especially handy after a pub ride when you want to find out the next day where you were the day before.

Besides I can log my activities into plus3network.com and raise money for my favorite non-profit organization without subjecting my misanthropic self to the crowds on those charity rides.

Brent

uncle uncle

I think if you come back in one piece, then that is also an excellent yardstick of a measurement of a good ride. I like to come back in one piece too. And look at the engraving on my handlebars. That's going to be my comeback next time someone asks me why I don't have a bike computer, "how could I stare at my handlebar engraving, then"?

roadrunner2012

Here's the thing about a modern GPS computer, you don't need to look at it while you are riding. I quit riding with a computer 30 years ago, because I found myself looking at it, rather than enjoying the ride. A few years ago, a friend gave me a Garmin in return for letting him use my car for a mionth. I loved it. I didn't find myself looking at it during the ride, but found it invaluable for analyzing, and logging my rides, especially with sites like Strava and RideWithGPS.

I like how I compare my performance over time, and that motivates me. I can add notations to my rides, and they are all there a click away. On top of that, when some of the bigger egos brag about their rides, I can say 'show me you Garmin data'. That usually shuts them up, unless they are really good, and just not 'enhanced' egos.

Buy a Garmin, log you miles with no effort, push yourself, if you care to. If you want a vintage computer, I'll sell you a bagfull at a really good price

Shp4man

The computer on my Peugeot is a Cateye Tomo from about 1996.

jimmuller 

auchencrow

qft

uncle uncle

That's what I'm talking about... I could stare at those all day.

I don't refute others usage or like of bicycle computers. Cest la vie. But I get enough numbers, and tracking numbers, and crunching numbers, and re-tabulating numbers, and cooking numbers at work. I'm not training for anything. I'm not besting anything. I'm just out to ride. To push myself if that's where the ride takes me and if it doesn't then that's great too. I can't think of any numbers that it's going to give back to me that will quantify my enjoyment, so I don't think I need one. And I just wondered if I was alone.

gaucho777 

I don't obsess about numbers, but I do enjoy having a computer. I still use an Avocet 30, which tells me my speed, distance, velocity, and max velocity--all I really need. I like knowing how far & fast I've gone. Sometimes I'll do a rough average speed calculation in my head when I finish a ride, but competing for online Strava times is silly to me. Racing should be done head-to-head on race day, or during intentionally competitive group rides, not on busy streets with traffic lights and a variety of weather conditions. I also like to take my bike on vacation, or explore some of the many local roads I have never ridden. If I'm not familiar with the route, I'll often plan a route the night before using google maps or MapMyRide, and then can usually just memorize the route (with an iphone as a backup, but I try not to look at it unless I get lost or in case of emergency). I'll try to remember 10 miles down X road, then right on X blvd., go 7 miles, etc. Having a computer helps me determine when my next turn is coming or if I may have missed it. I also play mental games with myself, for example, knowing I have 2 miles left on a 5 mile climb can help keep me focused on getting to the top. This summer I hope to do my first century in over 20 years, and I'll want my computer to confirm it. But I'm not so focused on the data that I can't still enjoying the scenery.

Lascauxcaveman 

Sometimes I forget, and leave my GPS on for days at a time. It's fun to know I'm averaging 0.82 mph in my sleep, commuting, at my desk, in the bathroom, making breakfast for my kids, mowing the lawn.

That's on a good day.

Baroudeur

Regarding distance traveled : I plot my rides on Google Maps. Use the 'directions' feature -- it will tell you most of what you probably want to know.

Regarding speed : If you have occasion to ride with someone who does have a speedometer, pay attention to your cadence and to what gear you're in, and ask them how fast you're going. Do this a lot to 'calibrate' yourself. Later, approximate your speed using that information. I can usually get within 1-2mph of my actual speed using this method. Be your own speedometer!

Italuminium

Strava! Much more fun to gloat over your achievements with a post ride beer than watch the clock all the time as you go along. Just steer by perceived exertion levels.

BruceHankins

+1 for Strava. Also many more apps if you ride with you phone in your pocket/bag. Assuming of course you have a smartphone.

Poguemahone

Never had one on any of my bikes. I hate to say never, but at this point I likely never will. When I buy an old bike, any computers on them invariably wind up in the trash.

I have a vague idea how many miles I ride and a vague idea how fast I am, and that'll do me fine.

wahoonc

None on any of my bikes, I do have a little wheel mounted odometer and a NOS Huret Multito that I might mount one day or maybe not. If I need to know how far I have ridden I can either turn Endomondo on (and usually forget to turn it off) or use gmaps pedometer to figure out my actual route mileage.

Other than that I don't care. I know that if I am riding steady I can cover 12-14 miles in an hour, city riding that will be closer to 10 miles. If I am sightseeing, who cares.

Aaron