Strava made me dope!

[BoerBiker]

Not really, but man has this app change the way we cycle. It's still fun, but getting bragging rights for capturing a KOM has become a dick measuring contest of note. I've got mates buying road bikes just to dethrone the current nr1 on specific segments, some that started to use the weirdest performance enhancing powders, Others that only take on segments when the wind are at their backs.

 

Is it still a fun sport or has it been changed to a "it's still fun, but I have to kick your ass" sport?

 

Okay so this is what we do, a lot of training on asphalt in town, but weekends we hit the trails. Races normally doesn't exceed 40km's.

 

I'm thinking of going full carbon rigid MTB with maybe a 1 x 11 XT group set, Stans Arch. Pretty sure I can get a bike down to about between 8.5kgs and 9kgs. My question is.....anyone race something like this?

[Ozzie NL]

Bike weight is the other big pissing contest

 

[Fisan]

I have a friend who likes to use it for running. He will go out for a nice and slow run, and then sprint the segments just to prove that he is better than the top atheltes (nevermind their performance average over the whole activity...)

 

So yes, it is very annoying. And I have heard some stories about people killing themselves on descends in attempts to break new records. But for the few of us, it is still a way of motivation to work harder.

[King_Crispy]

Not really, but man has this app change the way we cycle. It's still fun, but getting bragging rights for capturing a KOM has become a dick measuring contest of note. I've got mates buying road bikes just to dethrone the current nr1 on specific segments, some that started to use the weirdest performance enhancing powders, Others that only take on segments when the wind are at their backs.

 

Is it still a fun sport or has it been changed to a "it's still fun, but I have to kick your ass" sport?

 

Okay so this is what we do, a lot of training on asphalt in town, but weekends we hit the trails. Races normally doesn't exceed 40km's.

 

I'm thinking of going full carbon rigid MTB with maybe a 1 x 11 XT group set, Stans Arch. Pretty sure I can get a bike down to about between 8.5kgs and 9kgs. My question is.....anyone race something like this?

 

Yip.It's called a Singlespeed.Some mates have put gears on, but some of us just ride/race SS. It's far better for climbing with a rigid, but you do lose a bit on the bumpy downhills, but not much

[Guest]

Change thread title please- " STRAVA MADE ME A DOPE". Normal people I know who joined strava are now like crack addicts. Hyped up, stressed and paranoid that someone is going to beat their KOM. I like to just ride my bike!

[Guest]

What I speak here is true. My very own wife is one of them. It's like being married to Lance Armstrong (with boobs)

[Stretch]

Segments are fun...and if you happen to kom then great...I prefer to use it too track pb's though..but the real advantage of strava is to keep track of your mileage AND to alert your when you should be looking at replacing running shoes or chains or drivetrains

[BoerBiker]

What I speak here is true. My very own wife is one of them. It's like being married to Lance Armstrong (with boobs)

Almost made me cry with laughter now!!!!

[rattlesnake]

Strava is a great tool for testing yourself. I use segment results to gauge where I am at vs my previous attempts (using power output - as speed can vary based on wind etc), and vs the guys I race against.

 

Anyways the definition of racing and competing is to beat your best and other people's best. Some folk may call it d**k measuring .... But then hey, anybody that's interested in pushing their own and others limits in any sport could be accused of owning the requisite tape measures.

 

Also, I believe strava is good for our sport, competition levels are higher for it- and I personally like to show up and race in a strong competitive field...

 

If you don't like competitiveness, stay away from strava and competitive people if they irk you that much.

[Mats]

To me, Strava is just another game.

[Louis for real]

Meh...

[FlandersZA]

I've seen such a rash of negativity towards strava lately. I say use it the way you want to use it - not everything has to be a pissing contest. For me, it helps me greatly to compete with myself and improve myself. If/when I improve against others, great. I do agree that it's BS when other peoples' rides and enjoyment are compromised because some selfish dick expects the universe to move out of the way while he's going for a segment. To those folks...long walk, short pier. 

 

Here's a little example of how strava can be a good thing. I'm joining this one and encourage others to as well: http://www.strava.com/challenges/ride-for-challenged-athletes

['Dale]

It's fun

 

No more, no less

[Lone Rider]

...And I have heard some stories about people killing themselves on descends in attempts to break new records. But for the few of us, it is still a way of motivation to work harder.

 

Who would want to brag about being overweight? ...that's basically what you're admitting to, by having a downhill KOM!

[andydude]

Strava is a great tool for testing yourself. I use segment results to gauge where I am at vs my previous attempts (using power output - as speed can vary based on wind etc), and vs the guys.

Wind also has an influence on power so using power doesn't negate the wind factor.

 

That is one reason why it's difficult to judge the pros' power on climbs, because that's about the most difficult variable to calculate in the power formula.

 

Edit: Ahh ok I think I understand now. My bad [emoji106]

[andydude]

Wind also has an influence on power so using power doesn't negate the wind factor.

 

That is one reason why it's difficult to judge the pros' power on climbs, because that's about the most difficult variable to calculate in the power formula.

See above...