Discussion
Oh I agree with you, if you want more followers etc it will happen naturally, no need to 'force' it, just by joining clubs and the like. In my case, I don't want followers I've not met or am unlikely to meet - there has to be a connection beyond just being on Strava.
I've got a few followers/following from my old racing days in the 80's and 90's - they live in different countries to me now but in those cases I am interested in how they are getting along with cycling, not just what their updates are on other forms of social media. The rest are new, people I've met only recently and now ride and race with.
I've set my account up to 'request to follow' as I don't want anyone to add me without my permission.
I use Garmin and Strava to track my progress and find it really useful. I learn new routes, by looking to see where others more knowledgeable of the local area than me ride. I'm unashamedly a KOM addict too, using them as a training tool. I've gotten about 34/35 or so since August, mostly short, I'm a sprinter. Only when riding alone or with a training partner who actively wants to challenge though. No replacement for actual racing though, of course.
I've got a few followers/following from my old racing days in the 80's and 90's - they live in different countries to me now but in those cases I am interested in how they are getting along with cycling, not just what their updates are on other forms of social media. The rest are new, people I've met only recently and now ride and race with.
I've set my account up to 'request to follow' as I don't want anyone to add me without my permission.
I use Garmin and Strava to track my progress and find it really useful. I learn new routes, by looking to see where others more knowledgeable of the local area than me ride. I'm unashamedly a KOM addict too, using them as a training tool. I've gotten about 34/35 or so since August, mostly short, I'm a sprinter. Only when riding alone or with a training partner who actively wants to challenge though. No replacement for actual racing though, of course.
Ah, yes. KOMs. I have some of those. Mainly off road segments. But as you say, racing soon puts you in your place. According to Strava's KOM records I'm faster than heaps of local racers on certain segments. Yet when I'm racing against them they wipe the floor with me. Strava certainly flatters to deceive. But I do really like the 'Flyby' feature. It's great for "spying" on riders you passed out on the trails. Quite often I see someone disappear down a section of trail I've long dismissed as a waste of time, only to find that half way along it there's another cut-through to some great riding you'd never found before, or just a short-cut to somewhere you already know about that saves a bunch of road miles on a MTB.
Now, though, I'd just like this rain to blow over. I recently learned that my waterproof jacket is no longer waterproof, and the only bike I have with mudguards fitted is still broken, so I'm not dead keen on starting a ride in heavy rain...
Now, though, I'd just like this rain to blow over. I recently learned that my waterproof jacket is no longer waterproof, and the only bike I have with mudguards fitted is still broken, so I'm not dead keen on starting a ride in heavy rain...
yellowjack said:
Ah, yes. KOMs. I have some of those. Mainly off road segments. But as you say, racing soon puts you in your place. According to Strava's KOM records I'm faster than heaps of local racers on certain segments. Yet when I'm racing against them they wipe the floor with me. Strava certainly flatters to deceive. But I do really like the 'Flyby' feature. It's great for "spying" on riders you passed out on the trails. Quite often I see someone disappear down a section of trail I've long dismissed as a waste of time, only to find that half way along it there's another cut-through to some great riding you'd never found before, or just a short-cut to somewhere you already know about that saves a bunch of road miles on a MTB.
Now, though, I'd just like this rain to blow over. I recently learned that my waterproof jacket is no longer waterproof, and the only bike I have with mudguards fitted is still broken, so I'm not dead keen on starting a ride in heavy rain...
Absolutely! I also like the flyby feature - we get a large number of tourists so it is nice to see who was out and about and from where as well. Also cool to see a Pro train whizz by and then learn how much faster they went on the same roads afterwards! Now, though, I'd just like this rain to blow over. I recently learned that my waterproof jacket is no longer waterproof, and the only bike I have with mudguards fitted is still broken, so I'm not dead keen on starting a ride in heavy rain...
Many of my KOM's are off-road too, MTB race segments from local courses I train on. I'd say at least 20 are, anyway. A local I have taken KOM's from beat me by nearly 4 minutes in my MTB race in November. He was 1st in our age group, I was 5th. The thing about KOM's is you have no idea who was really trying to get them. I've got a few just out on hard training rides. Others I've had to make 10, 15 dedicated attempts at! So some I have will have been from lots of tries when the previous chap might have just been out on a jolly old cruise.
Here in the Algarve we are usually blessed with great weather all year, but this has been a rain week too. Managed to get out for a 111km road bike ride on Tuesday into the mountains but not since and while I don't mind riding in the rain, if I can avoid it without affecting training like now being off-season, I do. There is a bigger than usual MTB group ride on Sunday for Christmas, should be a laugh and good social and the weather promises to return to Sun from then onwards too so really looking forward to that. Training for my next MTB race in Feb starts in earnest after that too. Not sure when the next Granfondo here is though, but I ride road 2-3 times a week anyway should it sneak up on me.
lufbramatt said:
So they’re charging for segment leaderboards now.... who’s giving in to summit membership?
I can still see segment leaderboards…? Or you mean they have announced they will be charging soon?Nah, I wont be paying.
Edit: oh I see: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/strava-leaderboards...
Edited by daddy cool on Monday 18th May 20:30
okgo said:
Dangerous move.
Now you’re only the fastest of people that pay vs everyone (that uses Strava). Takes the shine off a KOM IMO. I’ve paid for years, maybe since 2011 but the above is my thought.
Everyone on strava will still be on the leaderboard, free or premium member. what's changing is that as a free member you'll only be able to see the top 10. Premium members can see the whole leaderboard, age, weight classes, and segment analysis.Now you’re only the fastest of people that pay vs everyone (that uses Strava). Takes the shine off a KOM IMO. I’ve paid for years, maybe since 2011 but the above is my thought.
How many users are really into KOM,s
I’m 69 years old I’m not going to get any KOMs. Ok I’ve quite a few age group KOMs but I think that’s because I’m the only one riding some of them.
Strava assumes everybody is an elite athlete and aims it at them.
I’m very happy to have a ride record just to keep track of rides and distances.
There’s a lot of leisure cyclists out there who don’t need or want all the features
I’m 69 years old I’m not going to get any KOMs. Ok I’ve quite a few age group KOMs but I think that’s because I’m the only one riding some of them.
Strava assumes everybody is an elite athlete and aims it at them.
I’m very happy to have a ride record just to keep track of rides and distances.
There’s a lot of leisure cyclists out there who don’t need or want all the features
The problem with Strava is that it doesn't comply with the first rule of internet products, namely "if you're not paying for the product, you are the product".
Not enough people are paying for the product, and for whatever reason, they've refused to monetise the remainder through the use of ads.
I would imagine that most of the users who take things seriously enough to be truly interested in segments are probably already subscribing, and I'd be surprised if many of those who aren't will start now.
I predict that within a year, they'll either shut down or be bought by someone. Maybe Under Armour to stick then in with Myfitnesspal?
Not enough people are paying for the product, and for whatever reason, they've refused to monetise the remainder through the use of ads.
I would imagine that most of the users who take things seriously enough to be truly interested in segments are probably already subscribing, and I'd be surprised if many of those who aren't will start now.
I predict that within a year, they'll either shut down or be bought by someone. Maybe Under Armour to stick then in with Myfitnesspal?
I wonder if Strava really understand their users? IMO only a small portion consider themselves Athletes. the majority use it as a way of recording what they've done on a platform that their mates also use regardless of what watch/computer/app they're recording on. I have several friends logging 30+ minute parkruns on there.
I couldn't give a monkeys about KOMs or where I am in the leaderboards, but I do use it to compare my previous attempts at the same route, which looks like it'll still be free. That's a functionality I'd pay for, and would guess a lot of other people would too, but I'd have thought people that care about segment leaderboards are in a minority.
I couldn't give a monkeys about KOMs or where I am in the leaderboards, but I do use it to compare my previous attempts at the same route, which looks like it'll still be free. That's a functionality I'd pay for, and would guess a lot of other people would too, but I'd have thought people that care about segment leaderboards are in a minority.
Steve vRS said:
I’ve paid for a few years. For the sake of £40 or so, it gives me a lot of data and motivations.
Same here.I’m using their app and their services and it’s been really useful. If nobody paid for it, it wouldn’t exist.
I’ve given up on all the other apps but Strava’s been the best for me and constantly introducing new services and features.
They are a bit behind MapMyRun and maybe Garmin connect when you want to find a route to follow in a new place but the heat map is pretty good for seeing where people do run though.
RizzoTheRat said:
I wonder if Strava really understand their users? IMO only a small portion consider themselves Athletes. the majority use it as a way of recording what they've done on a platform that their mates also use regardless of what watch/computer/app they're recording on. I have several friends logging 30+ minute parkruns on there.
I couldn't give a monkeys about KOMs or where I am in the leaderboards, but I do use it to compare my previous attempts at the same route, which looks like it'll still be free. That's a functionality I'd pay for, and would guess a lot of other people would too, but I'd have thought people that care about segment leaderboards are in a minority.
Most if not all of that.I couldn't give a monkeys about KOMs or where I am in the leaderboards, but I do use it to compare my previous attempts at the same route, which looks like it'll still be free. That's a functionality I'd pay for, and would guess a lot of other people would too, but I'd have thought people that care about segment leaderboards are in a minority.
I simply use it to record distance and time. If Strava are going to insist on charging me for that, I won't bother.
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