Say it ain't so, please!
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 557
Bikes: 2021 Trek Checkpoint SL (GRX Di2), 2020 Domane SLR 9 (very green), 2016 Trek Emonda SL, 2009 Bianchi 928, 1972 Atala Record Pro
Likes: 0
Liked 143 Times
in
55 Posts
Say it ain't so, please!
I recently reactivated a long dormant Strava account, primarily to keep in touch with friends I haven't been able to ride with this year. I had stopped tracking on Map my Ride and Rouvy several years ago, not wanting to catalog the inevitable effects of growing older, but had never been part of the social scene on either. On Strava, I have been greatly enjoying seeing what my are friends are doing.
Back to the reason I stopped tracking.
I can't help but look at the segments when I'm done, and when I'm riding, knowing when then are coming, I push a bit harder. I've started riding to the device rather than the day. Without fail, at 63, that day is not where it was 10 years ago no matter how hard I push.
And forget the fact that you are compared to everyone else in the world. On a 1.5 mile segment of a well traveled route with 150 feet of climbing, I went full gas and averaged 27.7 mph with the help of a 10 mph tailwind. The top ten were all in the mid to low 40s, something I would not have deemed humanly possible at any age.
As painful as it sounds, I may just need to grow up some.
Back to the reason I stopped tracking.
I can't help but look at the segments when I'm done, and when I'm riding, knowing when then are coming, I push a bit harder. I've started riding to the device rather than the day. Without fail, at 63, that day is not where it was 10 years ago no matter how hard I push.
And forget the fact that you are compared to everyone else in the world. On a 1.5 mile segment of a well traveled route with 150 feet of climbing, I went full gas and averaged 27.7 mph with the help of a 10 mph tailwind. The top ten were all in the mid to low 40s, something I would not have deemed humanly possible at any age.
As painful as it sounds, I may just need to grow up some.
#2
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,031
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Liked 3,018 Times
in
1,711 Posts
Maybe they're not on pedal bicycles.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#4
Occam's Rotor
Better handlebar tape?
Likes For Cyclist0108:
#5
Non omnino gravis
"By a certain point in the future, every single KOM on Strava will have been set in a paceline, with a tailwind." --the racer guy at my LBS.
On one of the stretches leading to my house, places 6-10 on the leaderboard are all ~29mph. Places 1-5, all 36mph. Set on the same day, in a paceline, with a +20mph tailwind.
That record will fall when a paceline with a tailwind catches a draft off of a gravel truck.
best just not to worry about it. Go to the enhanced view of the segment, and stick to "My Results." The only competition that matters.
On one of the stretches leading to my house, places 6-10 on the leaderboard are all ~29mph. Places 1-5, all 36mph. Set on the same day, in a paceline, with a +20mph tailwind.
That record will fall when a paceline with a tailwind catches a draft off of a gravel truck.
best just not to worry about it. Go to the enhanced view of the segment, and stick to "My Results." The only competition that matters.
#6
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,031
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Liked 3,018 Times
in
1,711 Posts
If they're trying to make people on pedal bikes feel weak, yes, they're cheating. But if they're not comparing their times or speeds with others', then it's not cheating. There's nothing wrong with recording an e-bike ride with Strava.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#7
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,820
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Liked 5,827 Times
in
2,502 Posts
What's Strava???
sounds Italian, but doesn't translate.
i think it colloquially/originally meant = Mt. Vesuvius/Etna regularly/repeatedly blowing - Strava - hot air and gas and stuff over the airwaves.
sounds Italian, but doesn't translate.
i think it colloquially/originally meant = Mt. Vesuvius/Etna regularly/repeatedly blowing - Strava - hot air and gas and stuff over the airwaves.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#8
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm 53, and I use Strava (hidden joke there). I glance at my segment times after my ride just to see if I set any PRs, but it doesn't really bother me if I don't, and I don't compare my times to other riders. I do look at my average speed over my routes to see if I've improved or gotten worse, and do compare my average speed with the small group that I ride with. For a while it was hard for me to go out and not try to beat my times and average speeds so I understand where you're coming from. Now, I've accepted that sometimes I want to go hard but sometimes I just want to ride like I did when I was a kid - exploring, stopping when I want to. I think I've learned to mesh all that together and not get stressed about it. As long as I'm not the slowest rider on my group rides I'm okay. I hope I can still ride at 63 - hats off to you.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North Florida
Posts: 562
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Diverge, 2021 Cervelo Caledonia
Likes: 0
Liked 400 Times
in
211 Posts
I'm not a Strava user for a reason similar to the OP. It's not that I'm concerned about comparing myself with other riders, but with my own past rides. If I'm not feeling 100%, there's a tendency not to ride, to avoid a slow ride compared to my earlier rides. I came to this realization decades ago, when I was running regularly and keeping track of my times on a six mile course. If I felt slow, I wouldn't want to run that day and have a slow time, so I quit tracking my times and just went out to enjoy the run. I started cycling because I had to give up running (knee problems) and went out with that same philosophy. Enjoy the ride, and avoid being competitive with my previous rides. Some days I ride faster than others, but I can't tell you how much faster because I'm not timing myself.
#12
Full Member
Strava attracts many cheats but it's to be expected really. Also accidental 'cheat' times - people leaving their Strava app running and then hopping into the car...
If there is a KOM I want to try for, I clean it up from the obvious cheaters by flagging their rides, you can generally tell from the data and comparing the cheats past performances. If unsure, flag, they will defend it if real. Never had anyone defend what I have flagged though. E-bikes? Providing an e-biker records the ride as an e-bike ride, which Strava accommodates, that is not cheating. If, like one person I know, the ride is recorded as a normal bike ride, it is cheating. This chap I'm aware of cheats even as an e-biker by having had it chipped to go up to 100km/h! He openly brags about it and his rides are frequently flagged.
As for weather conditions, drafting (other bikes), groups, pelotons, well, that's all part of cycling and I have zero problem with that and neither does Strava.
The truly hard KOM's from local Pro's and the Pro training camps that take place here annually - being a major European tourist destination - I have no chance, obviously, as well as the main routes groups etc ride. But there are loads of smaller roads and routes where KOM's are up for grabs to solo riders. Today I got 2 KOM's on a hill that is split into two segments; short 9% section and then on to average 7% with the total length counting a a separate segment. I was utterly wrecked getting them and the Elite young riders who held them will no doubt get them back soon. Such is competition. Yes, tons of cheaters but it is still fun and not all segments are tarnished by them.
If there is a KOM I want to try for, I clean it up from the obvious cheaters by flagging their rides, you can generally tell from the data and comparing the cheats past performances. If unsure, flag, they will defend it if real. Never had anyone defend what I have flagged though. E-bikes? Providing an e-biker records the ride as an e-bike ride, which Strava accommodates, that is not cheating. If, like one person I know, the ride is recorded as a normal bike ride, it is cheating. This chap I'm aware of cheats even as an e-biker by having had it chipped to go up to 100km/h! He openly brags about it and his rides are frequently flagged.
As for weather conditions, drafting (other bikes), groups, pelotons, well, that's all part of cycling and I have zero problem with that and neither does Strava.
The truly hard KOM's from local Pro's and the Pro training camps that take place here annually - being a major European tourist destination - I have no chance, obviously, as well as the main routes groups etc ride. But there are loads of smaller roads and routes where KOM's are up for grabs to solo riders. Today I got 2 KOM's on a hill that is split into two segments; short 9% section and then on to average 7% with the total length counting a a separate segment. I was utterly wrecked getting them and the Elite young riders who held them will no doubt get them back soon. Such is competition. Yes, tons of cheaters but it is still fun and not all segments are tarnished by them.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,320
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Liked 601 Times
in
314 Posts
Google “how to snipe a KOM”. That will help add perspective. #2..get the premium package and compare with others in your age group. When I do that, it suddenly puts things in proper perspective.
#14
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 218
Bikes: Felt ZR3, Specialized Sectur
Likes: 0
Liked 52 Times
in
37 Posts
Strava at best is a Wild West show. You know, the fastest gun in the West. The old axiom still holds true, "there is always someone faster" as the old gunslinger said.
Given that I am old and slow now, it really does not matter to me. Never did as I know there is no way I am even remotely close to many of KOM's in the area where I ride. Now, I do like to look at my age group times to see where I fit in. Not that I lose any sleep over it, but it just puts my level of fitness into perspective.
Overall, at 64, I am just happy I can ride and ride pain free. I see a lot of folks a LOT younger than me that cannot walk around the block. So, I thank my lucky stars that I can still ride even though it is a lot slower than I'd like to go.
Strava is just a tool. Use it wisely and it can be something good. I am always amazed looking at my times from a couple of years ago compared to now. It shows progress even though I am still slow as a turtle.
john
Given that I am old and slow now, it really does not matter to me. Never did as I know there is no way I am even remotely close to many of KOM's in the area where I ride. Now, I do like to look at my age group times to see where I fit in. Not that I lose any sleep over it, but it just puts my level of fitness into perspective.
Overall, at 64, I am just happy I can ride and ride pain free. I see a lot of folks a LOT younger than me that cannot walk around the block. So, I thank my lucky stars that I can still ride even though it is a lot slower than I'd like to go.
Strava is just a tool. Use it wisely and it can be something good. I am always amazed looking at my times from a couple of years ago compared to now. It shows progress even though I am still slow as a turtle.
john
#15
Non omnino gravis
The new Local Legend... perk? feature? Whatever it is, it's pretty cool. No high speed or big watts required, just be the person to have covered a given segment the greatest number of times in a rolling 90-day window.
As I ride a variation of the same 50km route at least once a week, I've scraped together a big ol' pile of 'em.
As I ride a variation of the same 50km route at least once a week, I've scraped together a big ol' pile of 'em.
#16
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,218
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Liked 350 Times
in
228 Posts
On a couple of segments I use for high intensity intervals, I purposely aimed for personal records on days with tailwinds guaranteed - and succeeded, of course. Those PRs are more of a challenge now. And not a problem for anyone else, as both segments show lots and lots of riders faster than me. (Maybe those were all with e-bikes on tailwindy days. )
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Last edited by JanMM; 07-02-20 at 03:28 PM.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middle of da Mitten
Posts: 12,493
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed
Liked 755 Times
in
463 Posts
One of my KOMs was made last spring when I wasn't even in shape. Someone created the segment and by virtue of my normal riding I was instantly the KOM. Someone has since beat me by 1 second (ONE SECOND, REALLY???) but I'm not planning on going out of my way to defend it.
#19
Full Member
Say it ain't so, please!
After age 70 it is no longer "cheating" but "trickery" fair and square!
#21
Senior Member
#23
Junior Member
On my local Strava segments, the fastest runners are the bikers (1 mile under 3 min, really?) , and the fastest bikers are the drivers. (40 mph in 35 mph zone?)
Sometimes it is easy to distinguish fake records, but Strava is not correcting this nor are the users. So I am not easily impressed by KOM's and QOM's records.
Recently after segments were moved behind the paywall i do not see this and do not have to worry about this stuff anymore. There are however still those pesky personal best/records data for 1mile, 5k, half marathon runs that make me scratch my head. If I want to figure out how good a fellow runner, biker or swimmer really is, I do a quick average of "last four weeks" or annual mileage/time, this data is hard to fake.
Sometimes it is easy to distinguish fake records, but Strava is not correcting this nor are the users. So I am not easily impressed by KOM's and QOM's records.
Recently after segments were moved behind the paywall i do not see this and do not have to worry about this stuff anymore. There are however still those pesky personal best/records data for 1mile, 5k, half marathon runs that make me scratch my head. If I want to figure out how good a fellow runner, biker or swimmer really is, I do a quick average of "last four weeks" or annual mileage/time, this data is hard to fake.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Liked 645 Times
in
366 Posts
That's bike computers for you. Everybody wants to know how far and how fast they've ridden but that knowledge comes at a price. The price is a tendency to compare every ride to how far and fast you went yesterday. Therein lives the seed of dissatisfaction.
The Zen alternative is to forget the computer try to mindfully enjoy every day's ride for what it is.
The Zen alternative is to forget the computer try to mindfully enjoy every day's ride for what it is.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.