A look at Ride With GPS rides, now feeling a bit worthless.
#1
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A look at Ride With GPS rides, now feeling a bit worthless.
I am toying with the idea of getting a GPS unit for my bicycle riding. A little Googling and I spend some time with the web site Ride With GPS. Looking at rides near my home I come across some riders who seem super-human but I then realize it is I who must be sub-human. Take the following ride as an example, 232 miles,
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17645853
I look at the length some of these riders have gone on and I feel ashamed and a tad jealous of my little rides. I will eventually get over these feelings but maybe they should be motivators to improve my performance. Mind you I enjoy my little bike rides and I know how important exercise is for your health and I hopefully look forward to many more years of bike riding (now 59).
Anyway, thanks for listening, your counseling is welcome, and this flawed sub-human bows to you super-human biking animals out there.
P.S. are there sites where you can upload GPS ride data for free?
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17645853
I look at the length some of these riders have gone on and I feel ashamed and a tad jealous of my little rides. I will eventually get over these feelings but maybe they should be motivators to improve my performance. Mind you I enjoy my little bike rides and I know how important exercise is for your health and I hopefully look forward to many more years of bike riding (now 59).
Anyway, thanks for listening, your counseling is welcome, and this flawed sub-human bows to you super-human biking animals out there.
P.S. are there sites where you can upload GPS ride data for free?
#2
Pedal Stompin'
Wow, I'm looking at that and am jealous! I need to get out for longer rides, too. Eventually it'll happen. My baby is 9 months old, so it's harder to get out.
I'm sure those ultra-randonneurs started modestly, like we are. So far, the longest distance I've done in one go is 15 mi. I want to increase that, and eventually do bike touring.
I'm sure those ultra-randonneurs started modestly, like we are. So far, the longest distance I've done in one go is 15 mi. I want to increase that, and eventually do bike touring.
#3
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Are you sure that ride isn't over a number of days? And are you sure it is entirely a bike ride? By that I mean: My brother uses MapMyRide or some other ride mapping thing. And, as I understand it, the service can be set up to automatically upload a ride. Well, a few years ago...at a ride he had to drive to...he forgot to end the ride on his phone. Consequently, his drive home was uploaded as part of the bike ride.
Dan
Dan
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I don't compare myself to what anyone else does, my improvements come at my own pace.
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Nobody else rides your ride. And by "ride" I mean "life." Nobody else has your medical history, fitness history, physique, genetic makeup, personal challenges and mental state. If you feel a positive motivation to ride, you have won. If GPS tracking provides the extra motivation to accomplish your personal goals, then it is worth it. If it causes despair and resignation, turn it off.
You don't know these "super humans". You don't know their age, abilities, histories, "suppliment" and diet. You don't even know if they managed to hack their GPS, or how accurate it is.
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
You don't know these "super humans". You don't know their age, abilities, histories, "suppliment" and diet. You don't even know if they managed to hack their GPS, or how accurate it is.
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
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232 miles? Yeah, that's over the course of 2 or 3 days. I would venture to say that even most dedicated roadies on this forum average out around 50-75 miles per ride. There's the occasional century.
I wouldn't sweat it at all. Just be the best YOU can be, with the time you have to dedicate to it.
I wouldn't sweat it at all. Just be the best YOU can be, with the time you have to dedicate to it.
#7
Senior Member
I too am 59 yo. Got into cycling 6 years ago. At first, 20 miles was big! Fast forward to this year, one 236 mile ride, another 192 miler and several century plus rides. Aside from the sense of accomplishment, some of those rides were not very fun. Don't get me wrong, making rides like these a goal was important motivation for off-season training and weight loss. But in the end, IMO, cycling is important in two areas: Exercise and enjoyment. Each individual has a different take on what they enjoy and what constitutes exercise. Don't let other peoples opinions or riding preferences dictate what works for you.
#8
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232 miles? Yeah, that's over the course of 2 or 3 days. I would venture to say that even most dedicated roadies on this forum average out around 50-75 miles per ride. There's the occasional century.
I wouldn't sweat it at all. Just be the best YOU can be, with the time you have to dedicate to it.
I wouldn't sweat it at all. Just be the best YOU can be, with the time you have to dedicate to it.
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While people certainly do rides of that length in a day, I wouldn't be too sure about that particular example. The track doesn't include any timestamp data and could easily have been created just by plotting the route on a map rather than riding at all. And the subtitle of the ride indicates April 7-10, 2016 making it look like a multi-day ride. On rides that do have timestamp data you can usually see if it was actually done by bike by looking at the speed data. If most of it is at about 15 mph and then it jumps to the 40 - 70mph range you can guess the GPS unit was left on for the car ride home.
As to the OP's question on sites where you can upload GPS data for free I'm a little puzzled since the RideWithGPS site he shows is one such place. I don't have a paid account but did record this ride yesterday:
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/11888016
I use another site for most of my rides - TripTrack which is also free.
As to the OP's question on sites where you can upload GPS data for free I'm a little puzzled since the RideWithGPS site he shows is one such place. I don't have a paid account but did record this ride yesterday:
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/11888016
I use another site for most of my rides - TripTrack which is also free.
#10
don't try this at home.
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Fleche
That route is for a "fleche" (wikipedia definition here.) It's a team event, where the 3 to 5 riders on a team can draft each other and help with mechanical breakdowns. They check in at "controls" to show they've ridden the whole distance.
Measuring up
Don't worry about comparing yourself to others. There will always be someone doing a challenge that seems impossible to you!
For instance, the record for mileage in a year was just broken by Kurt Seavogel, over 75,000 miles. That's an average of over 205 miles a day, every day for a year.
On the other hand, the casual rider's group at work was amazed by my 50 mile ride (most of my rides are 30-40 miles). They usually do 10-15 mile bike path rides (which is a decent challenge on older hybrid bikes). But even those shorter rides are impressive to non-riders.
That route is for a "fleche" (wikipedia definition here.) It's a team event, where the 3 to 5 riders on a team can draft each other and help with mechanical breakdowns. They check in at "controls" to show they've ridden the whole distance.
Measuring up
Don't worry about comparing yourself to others. There will always be someone doing a challenge that seems impossible to you!
For instance, the record for mileage in a year was just broken by Kurt Seavogel, over 75,000 miles. That's an average of over 205 miles a day, every day for a year.
On the other hand, the casual rider's group at work was amazed by my 50 mile ride (most of my rides are 30-40 miles). They usually do 10-15 mile bike path rides (which is a decent challenge on older hybrid bikes). But even those shorter rides are impressive to non-riders.
Last edited by rm -rf; 11-13-16 at 09:40 AM.
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Doesn't matter, it's yourself you are tracking. Other people's stats are just there for fun. Took my brother in law to one of our local hot MTB sites and we had a great ride. When I uploaded our ride I was glad to see I had a PR on one of the trails - only my 3rd time there. Then found out I'm rated 1,530th on that trail.
#13
Senior Member
Maybe its my age (44) or my general social media antipathy, but I never took any interest in others' routes and times on any of the GPS/ride route apps/sites.
I track my own trainer and outdoor rides with the wahoo app and think it's cool to see my own routes/results.
* I ride for fitness and enjoyment and am only competitive with myself, sometimes.
I track my own trainer and outdoor rides with the wahoo app and think it's cool to see my own routes/results.
* I ride for fitness and enjoyment and am only competitive with myself, sometimes.
#14
Senior Member
Strava is the most popular site for uploading GPS data. It's free and has no ads. You can pay for a premium membership but for most people the free version is more than enough.
If you want to compare yourself to others you can join their monthly distance challenge where the current leader is Amanda Coker who is riding about 230 miles per day. She is trying to beat Kurt Searvogels yearly record and is well on track to do it.
If you want to compare yourself to others you can join their monthly distance challenge where the current leader is Amanda Coker who is riding about 230 miles per day. She is trying to beat Kurt Searvogels yearly record and is well on track to do it.
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I use a GPS for every bike ride. When I am done for the day I record the stats that are important to me in a Excel spread sheet. I had a Garmin bike GPS but I have lost it somewhere. After looking for it for several months I decided one day to take my car Garmin GPS with me on the bike. I soon discovered that I like using the Auto GPS better than the Bike GPS. I had to make my own mount to hold the much larger Auto GPS. I have 3 bikes that I ride and I made the same mount for each bike. I ride a 29er, a mountain bike and a Trek Vera 3 (women's bike). Why the women's bike has become my favorite bike is a story for another thread. I'll try to include a pic of my car GPS mounted to one of my bikes. The Phone holder on the stem also holds a lithium Ion battery that powers the Auto GPS. The battery will power the GPS for about 9 hours. That is much longer than I need. Most of my rides don't last much over 2 hours. As I said, I have the same set up on all 3 bikes and I would hate to go on a ride without my GPS. I like knowing that I have rode 841 miles in the past 2 months and that I have an average speed of 9 mph with a top speed of 17 mph.
The GPS is mounted just above the water bottle.
The GPS is mounted just above the water bottle.
#16
The Left Coast, USA
OMG, why? If I were required to follow routes, map track my rides, load them, excel spreadsheet them, I'd give up biking in an instant. I don't even calculate my run distances or times.
+2: Exercise and enjoyment.
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I track my rides because I'm a science geek and just want to know what I'm doing. It's nice to know that that is the fastest I have climbed that hill etc. Even look at others sometimes, but mostly for amusement. There are only two real challenge numbers I set for myself. I decide how much distance I want to cover in a year, and then each year on my birthday, I ride at least one mile for every year. My way of a one finger solute to aging.
Just ride. Make it enjoyable, rest of the world can kiss off.
Just ride. Make it enjoyable, rest of the world can kiss off.
#19
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I use only non-comparison type apps, Cyclemeter for iPhone and Yahoo Fitness. I tried Strava, Map My Ride, Ride With GPS and others, but didn't care for the interfaces. I like the apps for making it easy to repeat rides I enjoyed and avoid those I didn't, or to more easily find new routes. And it's interesting to compare my performance over time for indicators that I'm a little faster on some hills now, that sort of thing.
I already know I'll never be as fast over distance as even other riders my age (late 50s). Some riders my age in this area average 20 mph nonstop distances where I average 12 mph and need one or two brief rest breaks. That's okay with me. I enjoy casual group rides but mostly ride for my own pleasure, nothing else.
I have noticed over the past year of participating in casual group rides that my conditioning is improving, in part because the group rides force me out of my comfort zone. It's not that they're faster - they average only 10-12 mph over a 10-15 mile distance. It's because the ebb and flow of the group pace varies in ways I wouldn't on my own. So I'm pressed to sprint when I normally wouldn't, press harder on climbs than I was comfortable with, and hold back and concentrate on holding a line and riding carefully, or drafting with little effort when my legs say go faster. That's a good challenge.
But while I can now keep up easily with some of the faster riders in those groups, later I'll see their Strava numbers from solo rides on Facebook and realize they're holding way back and could easily leave me in the dust. They just prefer to stay with the group during those casual social rides.
I also stop and take lots of photos, another reason not to worry about average speeds, segment speeds, rest times, etc.
I already know I'll never be as fast over distance as even other riders my age (late 50s). Some riders my age in this area average 20 mph nonstop distances where I average 12 mph and need one or two brief rest breaks. That's okay with me. I enjoy casual group rides but mostly ride for my own pleasure, nothing else.
I have noticed over the past year of participating in casual group rides that my conditioning is improving, in part because the group rides force me out of my comfort zone. It's not that they're faster - they average only 10-12 mph over a 10-15 mile distance. It's because the ebb and flow of the group pace varies in ways I wouldn't on my own. So I'm pressed to sprint when I normally wouldn't, press harder on climbs than I was comfortable with, and hold back and concentrate on holding a line and riding carefully, or drafting with little effort when my legs say go faster. That's a good challenge.
But while I can now keep up easily with some of the faster riders in those groups, later I'll see their Strava numbers from solo rides on Facebook and realize they're holding way back and could easily leave me in the dust. They just prefer to stay with the group during those casual social rides.
I also stop and take lots of photos, another reason not to worry about average speeds, segment speeds, rest times, etc.
#20
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Wow! Thanks for the reply's. So yesterday I went for another little bike ride, the Perkiomen bike trail in PA. A very nice rails to trails path. I was in the saddle for almost 4 hours and I pushed a bit too hard so that when I got back I was pretty much spent. Did not really enjoy the ride as I think I was trying to catch up to the imaginary super-humans in front of me. Never again, I will strive in the future to ride my ride. I will also try to improve my performance but not at the expense of taking the fun out of biking because its the fun that keeps me in the saddle. Will ask the Wife for a GPS unit for Christmas as I think that will make exploring and pushing my limits more fun. Thanks again, be safe on the roads!
P.S. Am I nuts or should all bikers and runners that are on public roads at a minimum wear bright colored clothing or Jerseys. When I drive I notice that bikers and runners in dark clothing are clearly less visible and even if that only slightly increases their risk of serious injury it seems to me a dumb risk. At one time I had a favorite black wind breaker that I used all the time but not anymore, I do everything I can to be visible, bright colored clothing, bright rear flasher, and a very bright front flasher.
P.P.S. What drives me nuts, people who are in such a ### Damn hurry that they will pass me on the rise of a hill or around the bend of a corner where they can't see possible oncoming traffic and thereby risk injury to themselves and others. Has to just be plain stupidity or selfishness. Even on straight roads people will pass me with oncoming traffic approaching and underestimate how long it will take them to get back in their lane. I try and take the road less traveled but it is hard to avoid all traffic. But I am preaching to the choir I guess?
P.S. Am I nuts or should all bikers and runners that are on public roads at a minimum wear bright colored clothing or Jerseys. When I drive I notice that bikers and runners in dark clothing are clearly less visible and even if that only slightly increases their risk of serious injury it seems to me a dumb risk. At one time I had a favorite black wind breaker that I used all the time but not anymore, I do everything I can to be visible, bright colored clothing, bright rear flasher, and a very bright front flasher.
P.P.S. What drives me nuts, people who are in such a ### Damn hurry that they will pass me on the rise of a hill or around the bend of a corner where they can't see possible oncoming traffic and thereby risk injury to themselves and others. Has to just be plain stupidity or selfishness. Even on straight roads people will pass me with oncoming traffic approaching and underestimate how long it will take them to get back in their lane. I try and take the road less traveled but it is hard to avoid all traffic. But I am preaching to the choir I guess?
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Nobody else rides your ride. And by "ride" I mean "life." Nobody else has your medical history, fitness history, physique, genetic makeup, personal challenges and mental state. If you feel a positive motivation to ride, you have won. If GPS tracking provides the extra motivation to accomplish your personal goals, then it is worth it. If it causes despair and resignation, turn it off.
You don't know these "super humans". You don't know their age, abilities, histories, "suppliment" and diet. You don't even know if they managed to hack their GPS, or how accurate it is.
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
You don't know these "super humans". You don't know their age, abilities, histories, "suppliment" and diet. You don't even know if they managed to hack their GPS, or how accurate it is.
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
#22
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I did try strava but did not like the interface (probably changed a few times since then though).
Eventually I settled on Endomondo and still use it today, a few years later. I do not make any of my workouts public, and if there is a way to see what other non-friends are doing on my routes I don't know how. Good.
And you don't think this is possible?
232 miles? Yeah, that's over the course of 2 or 3 days. I would venture to say that even most dedicated roadies on this forum average out around 50-75 miles per ride. There's the occasional century.
I wouldn't sweat it at all. Just be the best YOU can be, with the time you have to dedicate to it.
I wouldn't sweat it at all. Just be the best YOU can be, with the time you have to dedicate to it.
If you're not planning on attending the next olympics, chances are there are a lot of people out there that can blow your stats out of the water, I wouldn't give it a second thought. Or a first one really. I may impress my non-cycling buddies but I know I'm nothing special when it comes to cycling performance.
#23
Senior Member
For the original RWGPS link, that is a route created, not an actual ride. You can see on the right pane "Estimated Time" rather than the 2nd link that prathmann posts which is an actual ride and he did it in 3:51:45 moving time.
#24
Jedi Master
The best thing for me about having a GPS and Ride With GPS is planning new routes at home and loading them to my GPS so I can go places I haven't been before. I already know how fast I am relative to other people by the number of people who pass me on a normal Saturday morning ride. I don't need a computer to tell me that there are a lot of people out there who can ride faster and farther than I can.
#25
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edited to add: I think one of the most memorable rides I ever had was 5 miles. I hadn't been riding, and got really out of shape. I went out and rode 5 miles. It was awesome and really difficult.
it's a fleche, which has to be completed in 24 hours. In fact, 24 hours is the target time, you have to ride 20 km after 22 hours
This is my fleche route, ridden it successfully 4 times https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13060756
I almost never upload my completed rides to rwgps. I only use it for planning. I have thought about uploading to strava.
I'm always the weakest rider on my team. Trying to get faster for next year, but I'm not sure I'm doing a fleche. I looked at the results for the event that route was done on, the team did finish. The one guy I know on the team can rip my legs off, so I don't worry about comparing myself to him.
I wouldn't compare myself to randonneurs. It's not actually that hard to do most of the time, you just have to like riding your bike
The way the sport works, it's fairly easy to work your way up to distances like that.
it's a fleche, which has to be completed in 24 hours. In fact, 24 hours is the target time, you have to ride 20 km after 22 hours
This is my fleche route, ridden it successfully 4 times https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13060756
I almost never upload my completed rides to rwgps. I only use it for planning. I have thought about uploading to strava.
I'm always the weakest rider on my team. Trying to get faster for next year, but I'm not sure I'm doing a fleche. I looked at the results for the event that route was done on, the team did finish. The one guy I know on the team can rip my legs off, so I don't worry about comparing myself to him.
I wouldn't compare myself to randonneurs. It's not actually that hard to do most of the time, you just have to like riding your bike
The way the sport works, it's fairly easy to work your way up to distances like that.
Last edited by unterhausen; 11-14-16 at 08:26 AM.