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Strava = motivate you?

Old 09-16-21, 05:08 PM
  #126  
rsbob 
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Originally Posted by WhyFi
Unless your bike computer is a GPS unit, I would expect that the Strava reading is more accurate and that your wheel calibration is off, or your start/stop speed is rather generous, etc.
Just purchased a Garmin, which will tell the tale. Appreciate your reply.

BUT, that means I’m not as fast as I think I am? Now I don’t know if I appreciate your reply
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Old 09-17-21, 06:59 AM
  #127  
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Originally Posted by Rolla
To answer the question posed in the title. Piss off.
I get ya, Rolla; you just answered the title question.

Some people don't even want to measure their 'performance', or maybe they don't have a fancy smart phone or GPS unit, one of the other of which is a requirement to use Strava. I wrote that it doesn't motivate me, but in a way it does. There are a few segments that I use to gauge my personal fitness, and I like to keep track of those just for myself, not to compare myself to others. There are so many other segments out there, sometimes I'm amazed that someone thought to create them all, most of them on stretches where I'm happy to just hang with the group and talk.
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Old 09-17-21, 07:08 AM
  #128  
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If it ain't on Strava.... it didn't happen.
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Old 09-17-21, 01:14 PM
  #129  
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Originally Posted by prj71
Nothing on Strava motivates me. I just use it to keep track of daily mileage, yearly mileage and mileage on each bike I own.
Totally agree, I use it for the same reason.
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Old 09-17-21, 04:42 PM
  #130  
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Quit using Strava for commuting. Before that earned some weird local legends. Mostly one mile segments on flat roads that are pretty boring.

Now I use Strava for mapping my recreational rides. Most of them. Like to look at the maps. And if anybody else shares, their nearby rides too.

As to tracking I use a cheap bike computer and spreadsheet. Strava always reports more miles than the bike computer. I measure the wheel once a year or so. Trust my bike computer most of the time.
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Old 09-17-21, 06:34 PM
  #131  
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I like Strava for keeping track of my mileage both for running and cycling. I've tried quite unsuccessfully to disable the live segments feature because while I'm out trying to just enjoy my time one the bike, the live segment will pop up on my Garmin. This makes me try to push harder than I want to PR the segment. While an argument can be made that is motivation, it really is more of a distraction. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised to find after I review my ride that I PRed a segment than be pressured by electronics to beat a goal I don't care about.
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Old 09-18-21, 08:49 AM
  #132  
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I disabled live segments too. I would be doing an interval set and trying to concentrate on it, when it would pop up telling me I’m on a segment that I created. Really annoying.
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Old 09-18-21, 09:04 AM
  #133  
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I leave my Garmin on the map display most of the time when riding in the city. I found having segments displayed was distracting / cluttering so I turned that off right away. I really wish the Garmin cycling computers could display the upcoming street name while on data pages instead of only the map. Its been years since my eyes have been good enough to read street signs.
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Old 09-19-21, 07:00 PM
  #134  
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Strava is a good motivator for me because I use some segments sort of like time trials. It’s also fun trying to take segment KOMs that are within reach.

Strava offers a nice way for me to log data, activities, photos, mileage, etc.

Different strokes for different folks.
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Old 09-20-21, 03:14 PM
  #135  
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I'm not interested in Strava. I have friends who have it and they like it but it doesn't really interest me at all. I don't feel the need to compare myself with others. I did plenty of that back in college running track and XC.
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Old 09-20-21, 03:34 PM
  #136  
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Originally Posted by SpeedyBlueBiker
I don't feel the need to compare myself with others.
Many have Strava to compare themselves with... themselves.
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Old 09-20-21, 04:02 PM
  #137  
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Local Legend is motivation to find a fresh route.
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Old 09-20-21, 04:12 PM
  #138  
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Originally Posted by WhyFi
Many have Strava to compare themselves with... themselves.
I don't compete with known cheaters.
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Old 09-20-21, 11:57 PM
  #139  
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
I get ya, Rolla; you just answered the title question..
The question was directed to Strava users, not non-users. No where was it asked, Why don’t you use Strava or Why wouldn’t you consider using Strava?

If someone posted, Do you enjoy flying a 747? And I never flew a 747, why would I even bother responding? Would it make sense for me to say, I always get sick on 747s, so I would never consider one. Same thing here. He ‘answered’ a question that was never asked or even implied and then got pissy about being called out for his misplaced whininess.

It’s your right to endorse this kind of behavior but I sure won’t.
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Old 09-21-21, 12:37 AM
  #140  
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I find Strava provides me with a lot of motivation - I am a KOM-hunter, no denying it. The different segments help me push harder during training; I'm generally lazy otherwise. I often like to go for a segment nearer the end of a training session. For some segments there is great local rivalry, others are from Pro's who race here that are fun to go for.

Strava is relatively new to me, having returned to cycling at 50, 2 years ago, I only discovered it then. I now have over 250 KOM's but that doesn't mean I'm going to win my first post-Covid race this weekend; while I'm a pretty decent sprinter, there are plenty of very strong riders who have relatively unimpressive-looking Strava rides who win races. For all KOM-hunting is fun, it doesn't mean the guy's with the most are the strongest - too many variables involved in those segments and the only true measure is an actual race. Still, the segments are a nice motivation tool to push harder for some and to measure improvements.
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Old 09-21-21, 02:31 AM
  #141  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
..............I just don't need electronic software to motivate me to go for a bike ride.

Hear yah loud and clear. It's possible to use electronics to facilitate rather than motivate.

Sept. FULL MOOM was last night at 7:54PM so using STRAVA as a record keeper, I headed out at 7:54PM and managed a controlled yet tiring 43.34 palindrome miler.

https://www.strava.com/activities/5994305361

STRAVA provides a visual recording that I use to compliment my Prostate Cancer TREATMENT. Maintaining an upbeat attitude is as important as the medicines used in treatment. Making the most out of local riding can be addictive and fun.
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Old 09-21-21, 03:24 AM
  #142  
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I can say that Strava is useful as you can track the time of segments and see if you are improving. For example, improving your time on a climb near home feels awesome. In a way, it is similar to riding with friends and seeing who reaches the top first. Not everyone has friends that like cycling. So, I can say that it motivates me. It is also important to remember that the weather conditions affect your time. But any other app with the same functions will do the same.
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Old 09-21-21, 10:19 AM
  #143  
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36 feet of climbing in 43 miles! Inconceivable!

Originally Posted by OldTryGuy
Sept. FULL MOOM was last night at 7:54PM so using STRAVA as a record keeper, I headed out at 7:54PM and managed a controlled yet tiring 43.34 palindrome miler.

https://www.strava.com/activities/5994305361
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