Discussion
yellowjack said:
In other news, sort of Strava-related, My Garmin Edge 500 has been 'playing up' again.
It's the display. It seems to record OK, and regurgitates the data when prompted, but out on the road (and off it) I've noticed that when it cycles between screens, it often leaves part of the previous screen displayed when the new one opens, so I get a jumbled bunch of LCD crystals layered over each other in an unintelligible mess.
It soon sorts itself out, but this is a new 'thing' for this unit, which up until now has worked splendidly well, save for the odd occasion when it has decided not to find satellites automatically after losing reception mid ride.
Is my Garmin dying? Or is it nowt to worry about? Anyone having/had the same issues? I thought I'd ask in here, as most Garmin users seem to also upload to Strava.
Wouldn't turning off the auto scroll feature help? I've never used it on mine in the 5 years I've owned itIt's the display. It seems to record OK, and regurgitates the data when prompted, but out on the road (and off it) I've noticed that when it cycles between screens, it often leaves part of the previous screen displayed when the new one opens, so I get a jumbled bunch of LCD crystals layered over each other in an unintelligible mess.
It soon sorts itself out, but this is a new 'thing' for this unit, which up until now has worked splendidly well, save for the odd occasion when it has decided not to find satellites automatically after losing reception mid ride.
Is my Garmin dying? Or is it nowt to worry about? Anyone having/had the same issues? I thought I'd ask in here, as most Garmin users seem to also upload to Strava.
I don't use the autopause function, probably costs me a tiny bit on ave speed but I'm really not that fussed. I always find that Strava is about 1/2 mph slower than Garmin-connect but again it's something I'm too worried about - as long as the recording is consistent it gives you a base-line to work from and gauge any improvements.
Of course, environmental factors have such a huge impact on ave speed it's only ever a +/- measure anyway, if you are riding into a headwind you could be putting out 20% more power than the previous time you rode that segment but actually record a slower time! I did a TT on Sunday on a local loop circuit, I rode significantly harder than the last time I took part (April this year) but recorded a time 1 second slower due to 4 miles of headwind!
Of course, environmental factors have such a huge impact on ave speed it's only ever a +/- measure anyway, if you are riding into a headwind you could be putting out 20% more power than the previous time you rode that segment but actually record a slower time! I did a TT on Sunday on a local loop circuit, I rode significantly harder than the last time I took part (April this year) but recorded a time 1 second slower due to 4 miles of headwind!
Not the same issue, but my 510 screen doesn't respond to the place where you press it. I have to press about 5mm higher than the icon that I actually want to select which is really rather annoying. It's also stopped automatically uploading my rides to the phone and that is one of the features I purchased it for. When the time comes to replace it I'm not sure I'd get another.
S10GTA said:
Wouldn't turning off the auto scroll feature help? I've never used it on mine in the 5 years I've owned it
I'll have to dig out the set-up instructions. Maybe that would be the best idea, as I just crammed a load of guff onto the various (two) screens that mine srolls between. I had no real idea when I first bought it (used unit, from ebay) what I expected from it, other than simply recording mileage and giving me a GPS trace I could see on a map at upload time.I'll see how it goes, in the meantime. After all, if the unit goes 'man down', it'll be an excuse to buy a new one which better matches the colour of my bike and kit...
#biketart
The 'fuel gauge' feature which gives battery % no longer works, since I had a long lay-off last year. It now always says "100% charged" regardless of how long I've been out riding. Trouble is, I don't ride for long enough to exhaust the damned thing, so no idea if running it right down might help to 'reset' it? Hey-ho! First world problems and all...
Edited by yellowjack on Thursday 1st October 16:10
yellowjack said:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't see Dizeee's Strava name on either of those leaderboards. Time to stop now. The argument is getting pretty foggy.
Whether a person records with autopause or not (I do) or even if they only begin recording on fast stretches after warming up inside their privacy zone is largely irrelevant. As, according to some on here, is average speed. But I like to watch my average, as beyond segments it's the only real guide I've got to whether I'm improving or just stood still. I'm slow. Almost always the slowest of the folk I 'follow' on Strava over any given segment. I also hold some pretty contemptible KOMs, which few people actually give a stuff about. I don't 'know' my heart rate zones, have hit a brick wall with regard to upping my cadence, and have no access to a power metre or turbo trainer.
I'm failing to see what point there is to either side of this to-ing and fro-ing, especially as it's well on the way to personal abuse. Just live and let live. Autopause works for some, as does posting (artificially) high averages by excluding warm-ups and cool-downs. I don't know if anyone on here is doing that, nor do I care. But it really bothers me when folk who apparently share at least two similar interests seem hell bent on kicking off a row over something as meaningless and trivial as Strava.
Reading an article in a bike mag t'other day, it was pointed out that rider 'x' had been KOM on a segment for three years. But that if rider 'y' uploaded his hillclimb winning ride to Strava, rider 'y' would easily take the KOM away. What the Strava addicts and KOM-hunters often fail to realise is that they may well be KOM on one particular website, but that there's every chance that there is someone far quicker than them riding their turf, but either not recording to GPS, or just uploading it elsewhere. Blowing out of your arse to say that you've gone quicker than your last effort, or your riding buddy's best effort? Fine. But don't go giving yourself a stroke to get a KOM, when Strava's not the authoritative list of everyone who everroad rode a segment...
FWIW: I hold both okgo and Dizeee in high regard as cyclists, because they are far quicker than I will ever be. Reading the 'Racing Thread' on here, and seeing some of the speeds/times recorded in races by large numbers of Strava users I follow, I know enough to realise that racing on tarmac is something I'll never be successful at. I just don't have the appetite for hurting that I once did. I'll stick to mucking about at the back of XC/Enduro MTB races, with half an eye on a point or two in a series. But even then, the winning rider in a race might not have got anywhere near a Strava KOM-beating time. But who takes home the medals and the prize money?
Strava? It might shock people to find out that it's not actually real life racing.
There's nothing foggy about it, you've just missed my point.Whether a person records with autopause or not (I do) or even if they only begin recording on fast stretches after warming up inside their privacy zone is largely irrelevant. As, according to some on here, is average speed. But I like to watch my average, as beyond segments it's the only real guide I've got to whether I'm improving or just stood still. I'm slow. Almost always the slowest of the folk I 'follow' on Strava over any given segment. I also hold some pretty contemptible KOMs, which few people actually give a stuff about. I don't 'know' my heart rate zones, have hit a brick wall with regard to upping my cadence, and have no access to a power metre or turbo trainer.
I'm failing to see what point there is to either side of this to-ing and fro-ing, especially as it's well on the way to personal abuse. Just live and let live. Autopause works for some, as does posting (artificially) high averages by excluding warm-ups and cool-downs. I don't know if anyone on here is doing that, nor do I care. But it really bothers me when folk who apparently share at least two similar interests seem hell bent on kicking off a row over something as meaningless and trivial as Strava.
Reading an article in a bike mag t'other day, it was pointed out that rider 'x' had been KOM on a segment for three years. But that if rider 'y' uploaded his hillclimb winning ride to Strava, rider 'y' would easily take the KOM away. What the Strava addicts and KOM-hunters often fail to realise is that they may well be KOM on one particular website, but that there's every chance that there is someone far quicker than them riding their turf, but either not recording to GPS, or just uploading it elsewhere. Blowing out of your arse to say that you've gone quicker than your last effort, or your riding buddy's best effort? Fine. But don't go giving yourself a stroke to get a KOM, when Strava's not the authoritative list of everyone who ever
FWIW: I hold both okgo and Dizeee in high regard as cyclists, because they are far quicker than I will ever be. Reading the 'Racing Thread' on here, and seeing some of the speeds/times recorded in races by large numbers of Strava users I follow, I know enough to realise that racing on tarmac is something I'll never be successful at. I just don't have the appetite for hurting that I once did. I'll stick to mucking about at the back of XC/Enduro MTB races, with half an eye on a point or two in a series. But even then, the winning rider in a race might not have got anywhere near a Strava KOM-beating time. But who takes home the medals and the prize money?
Strava? It might shock people to find out that it's not actually real life racing.
I think you are essentially agreeing with everything I've ever said about riding a bike fast apart from the very early days before I began tocompete, go and do it with other people who are trying to ride a bike fast. I pay almost no attention to KOM's (RP lap is an exception), the fact I have a few is with one or two exceptions purely the result of a race/ride with no intention of hunting KOM's - to my detriment obviously as I could have got a mention in this weeks Cycling Weekly if I did http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/ki... - luckily for me the number of people who could upload and beat me is a lot smaller than many, so I'll sleep easy knowing Dizeee probably doesn't have a secret Richmond Park lap up his sleeve to shatter my dreams.
Dizeee said:
Banana Boy said:
Absolutely people should care if they're interested regardless of ability (speaking as a fairly new cyclist of very average ability). The way I read it and feel myself is that the average speed over an entire ride is largely irrelevant because you can't account for traffic volume, light sequences etc. or random influences cause by other people around you. What is of use though is data from specific segments or efforts and my overall feel from them ride.
lolYes that is the case initially. What then happens is you need to maintain a certain "average" including these variables within it. Ignoring segments!
I commute 30+ miles into London and the target is 20mph average, usually met, sometimes exceeded, and if not met then nothing less than 19 will do. That includes all stops and being held up and everything else in between.
Edit: Just to add that segments are a good way to see how you have improved. While getting a good position on the leader board is nice it isn't that important. I compete against myself and people I follow as there is always someone faster than you out there.
I followed a bloke over my 4 mile commute segement last night. He was killing me and despite y best efforts he pulled out a 100m gap by the end. Despite this i'd improved on my best previous time so I felt really good about it.
Edited by Devil2575 on Thursday 1st October 17:04
okgo said:
I don't follow you, but you posted up some pathetic KOM the other day that you had done at near midnight.
As said above, I can count the amount of times I've done real 20mph avg into work or home even on one hand, and that would have taken a tailwind of some proportion, but of course I'm nowhere near your standard
get a grip
Two miles to a train station isn't a commute and whether you accept it or not I regularly manage a rush hour commute at pace. Maybe you should brush up on your filtering skills and stop leaning on buses.As said above, I can count the amount of times I've done real 20mph avg into work or home even on one hand, and that would have taken a tailwind of some proportion, but of course I'm nowhere near your standard
get a grip Devil2575 said:
I guess it depends on the individual. Before I got strava I used to only look at the average speed on my commute, not least because that was all my old bike computer would tell me, but now I am only really bothered by segments. Traffic, traffic lights, having to stop at security to get onto the site where I work and wind means that average doesn't actually mean a great deal. Sure it's nice to see how the average speed on certain routes has increased over the years i've been cycling and on shorter rides it is good sometimes to just hammer yourself the entire way but I tend to focus more on doing a good time on certain segments. After all a strong headwind can knock 5mph+ off your average speed. I did create my own segment which covers a nice 4 mile stretch on my commute where there are no obvious reasons to stop though and I have created other longer segements on other rides I do regularly.
Edit: Just to add that segments are a good way to see how you have improved. While getting a good position on the leader board is nice it isn't that important. I compete against myself and people I follow as there is always someone faster than you out there.
I followed a bloke over my 4 mile commute segement last night. He was killing me and despite y best efforts he pulled out a 100m gap by the end. Despite this i'd improved on my best previous time so I felt really good about it.
Yes a headwind can be a real dampener at times. But refreshing to read a considered sensible reply as opposed to the whinings of a petulant child with menstrual tension :-)Edit: Just to add that segments are a good way to see how you have improved. While getting a good position on the leader board is nice it isn't that important. I compete against myself and people I follow as there is always someone faster than you out there.
I followed a bloke over my 4 mile commute segement last night. He was killing me and despite y best efforts he pulled out a 100m gap by the end. Despite this i'd improved on my best previous time so I felt really good about it.
Edited by Devil2575 on Thursday 1st October 17:04
Dizeee said:
Two miles to a train station isn't a commute and whether you accept it or not I regularly manage a rush hour commute at pace. Maybe you should brush up on your filtering skills and stop leaning on buses.
Try riding into actual London at a time where most other people commute and let me know how you get on with that 20mph avg. You would by far the quickest commuter who bothers to use strava. We can do a race if you want, I would imagine my filtering is probably somewhat better than you may think
Nothing petulant about it, just so bored of reading your constant crap.
Edited by okgo on Thursday 1st October 22:27
WestyCarl said:
PH race, I'm in 
An unofficial event, starting at 7 Dials, Cov Garden, finishing in Kingston Market Sq, any route goes - risk the A3 if you fancy - must be between 5.30 and 7pm departure time on a weekday, no autopause, no RLJ'ing - highest average wins @ Ewen - Strava for show, results for dough? /bobbygeorge
ewenm said:
Strava = Just a bit of fun that helps you see how you are imrpoving
Race results = For people who take it more/too seriously.
EFA Race results = For people who take it more/too seriously.
WRT to races, yes i'm sure it's great to do well in races but it doesn't tell you any more than Strava does it?
It's not like everyone who's any good enters every race
On a more serious note, is there really any value in trying to prove that you are better than other cyclists on an internet forum and that your method of doing so is more valid?
As long as you enjoy cycling and your method of measuring your performance works for you then that's fine with me. I don't much care whether that is Strava segments, average speed or race results. Live and let live
Devil2575 said:
EFA
WRT to races, yes i'm sure it's great to do well in races but it doesn't tell you any more than Strava does it?
It's not like everyone who's any good enters every race
On a more serious note, is there really any value in trying to prove that you are better than other cyclists on an internet forum and that your method of doing so is more valid?
As long as you enjoy cycling and your method of measuring your performance works for you then that's fine with me. I don't much care whether that is Strava segments, average speed or race results. Live and let live
It tells you plenty more than Strava, and yes, most of the time at a decent race most of the decent riders from that area will enter. Certainly true of the Crystal Palace crits I did over summer, usually got the same strong guys each week, and also most of them are on Strava too.WRT to races, yes i'm sure it's great to do well in races but it doesn't tell you any more than Strava does it?
It's not like everyone who's any good enters every race
On a more serious note, is there really any value in trying to prove that you are better than other cyclists on an internet forum and that your method of doing so is more valid?
As long as you enjoy cycling and your method of measuring your performance works for you then that's fine with me. I don't much care whether that is Strava segments, average speed or race results. Live and let live
There is no value, most people know where they stand, though to answer your question, there is no better method than racing, that is why it exists - generally the best cyclists compete in one way or another be it road racing or time trials, or both - that is how I know where I stand, thanks to national championship events where all the best people at that discipline enter. If that isn't a better yardstick than how quick you may or may not ride to work I really don't know what is.
okgo said:
Devil2575 said:
EFA
WRT to races, yes i'm sure it's great to do well in races but it doesn't tell you any more than Strava does it?
It's not like everyone who's any good enters every race
On a more serious note, is there really any value in trying to prove that you are better than other cyclists on an internet forum and that your method of doing so is more valid?
As long as you enjoy cycling and your method of measuring your performance works for you then that's fine with me. I don't much care whether that is Strava segments, average speed or race results. Live and let live
It tells you plenty more than Strava, and yes, most of the time at a decent race most of the decent riders from that area will enter. Certainly true of the Crystal Palace crits I did over summer, usually got the same strong guys each week, and also most of them are on Strava too.WRT to races, yes i'm sure it's great to do well in races but it doesn't tell you any more than Strava does it?
It's not like everyone who's any good enters every race
On a more serious note, is there really any value in trying to prove that you are better than other cyclists on an internet forum and that your method of doing so is more valid?
As long as you enjoy cycling and your method of measuring your performance works for you then that's fine with me. I don't much care whether that is Strava segments, average speed or race results. Live and let live
There is no value, most people know where they stand, though to answer your question, there is no better method than racing, that is why it exists - generally the best cyclists compete in one way or another be it road racing or time trials, or both - that is how I know where I stand, thanks to national championship events where all the best people at that discipline enter. If that isn't a better yardstick than how quick you may or may not ride to work I really don't know what is.
Devil2575 said:
EFA
WRT to races, yes i'm sure it's great to do well in races but it doesn't tell you any more than Strava does it?
It's not like everyone who's any good enters every race
On a more serious note, is there really any value in trying to prove that you are better than other cyclists on an internet forum and that your method of doing so is more valid?
As long as you enjoy cycling and your method of measuring your performance works for you then that's fine with me. I don't much care whether that is Strava segments, average speed or race results. Live and let live
Strava includes more than cycling but I see your points. For me, Strava is a tool to record my running. My training is based around a plan and not around chasing KOMs/CRs - if it happens that on a training session I take a KOM/CR then great, but it's not the purpose of the session. I don't see the point of chasing KOMs/CRs as it's pretty irrelevant when I then get my arse kicked in my next race - there's always someone faster WRT to races, yes i'm sure it's great to do well in races but it doesn't tell you any more than Strava does it?
It's not like everyone who's any good enters every race
On a more serious note, is there really any value in trying to prove that you are better than other cyclists on an internet forum and that your method of doing so is more valid?
As long as you enjoy cycling and your method of measuring your performance works for you then that's fine with me. I don't much care whether that is Strava segments, average speed or race results. Live and let live
You're right that not everyone turns up to races (equally, not everyone uses Strava) but as one gets fitter and the standard of races improves, the top people tend to congregate around the same races (in running progression is local leagues => county champs => area champs => national champs; in cycling I dunno).
I guess it comes from being a competitive runner since age 11 (now 39). I'm used to the structure and the point is the next race, with longer term target races to train towards. I wouldn't enjoy running training if I didn't/couldn't race. The focus, the pressure, the adrenaline, the need to perform at that time on that day (not just when I'm feeling good) are all part of it. IMO it adds an extra dimension over and above participating in a sport.
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