Pro's and Cons of . . . . . . STRAVA
- Thread starter Mikie
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mtnbikej
J-Zilla
Ok.....I'll play
I am behind my goal....but I am ahead on both Miles/Elevation from last year....but in 23 less rides.
Runs with Scissors
iMTB Hooligan
This just proves my theory...if I lived next to the mountains, and worked the right hours, I could have these stats!!
But alas, I live in the flatlands of Mickey's purgatory. So I have to drive to most of my rides. Yes, I know there's something just wrong with that.
But alas, I live in the flatlands of Mickey's purgatory. So I have to drive to most of my rides. Yes, I know there's something just wrong with that.
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
Oh for godsake - this argument again. The "guns don't kill people" argument.
No-one on this thread is blaming STRAVA for anything. It's an intoxicant. Alcohol is an intoxicant too. As an intoxicant it TENDS to bring out some latent assholishness in people while riding that they wouldn't normally demonstrate when not under the influence. 
Again, similar to alcohol. However, STRAVA will make you a stronger rider, unlike alcohol. 
So let me pose this question - what if there were no STRAVA (or similar)? Would that diminish your enjoyment of the sport? Diminish your motivation to ride? - or to push yourself harder? I am guessing the answer is yes to all three for most users.
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rojomas
Member
Relax...
And just like alcohol, it's all what you do with it. It's your choice to either drink in moderation or get pass out drunk.
I met someone on the trail today in Sycamore that didn't know his way around. I offered to show him around. We just took our time, shooting the
and in no rush while I was running Strava the whole time. It took me 5 hours to do 19 miles. So no, you guessed wrong. I'm not gonna say it doesn't happen but no one I know acts the way of your stereotype.
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herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
Relax... (I am chill)
And just like alcohol, it's all what you do with it. It's your choice to either drink in moderation or get pass out drunk. (exactly my point)
So no, you guessed wrong. ...no one I know acts the way of your stereotype.( great -)
Evidently I need a smiling waving emoticon to convey my tone. Playful banter is all I intend...
My STRAVA addicted riding buddies aren't STRAVAssholes either (a term I did not invent, BTW). They DO approach every ride like a race however, and it's very evident they do not want to post an "embarrasing" time. It's been good for their riding, but certainly adds a level of anxiety. Perhaps if I juiced with the big S, I would get faster too.
One exception is Knuckles. He's on the STRAVA but doesn't seem hell-bent on posting PRs every time he rides. He is interested in the data, but not driven by it. He is very fast down the hill, and I am sure he has some top times - especially if filtered for age (meant with respect, brother Dave, nothing but respect).
(Waving Emoticons for all)
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MCB2K
Well-Known Member
No, I use Endomondo.Oh for godsake - this argument again. The "guns don't kill people" argument.
So let me pose this question - what if there were no STRAVA (or similar)? Would that diminish your enjoyment of the sport? Diminish your motivation to ride? - or to push yourself harder? I am guessing the answer is yes to all three for most users.
rojomas
Member
There is no reason to ride for PRs. Strava will give them to you almost no matter how fast or slow you ride. Take yesterday's ride for example. I rode at a slow pace and stopping multiple times yet I got 6 PRs and 12 achievements. What does that mean? Not much to me.
Faust29
Moderator
Not where I wanted to be, but I'm happy... I ride a bike. And when I couldn't ride the bike, I was forced to run on the elliptical- another 300 miles! That made me more thankful to be back on the bike. Running sucks.
With the exception of 2 century rides, these are all MTB miles. That's a change from last year...
And when I couldn't ride the bike, I was forced to run on the elliptical- another 300 miles! That made me more thankful to be back on the bike. Running sucks.With the exception of 2 century rides, these are all MTB miles. That's a change from last year...
Cougar
Well-Known Member
One of the really neat things about starting riding on Jan 3rd, 2014 is that I can track my yearly goals right alongside my own personal years of riding. 2014 stats, year 1 on the bike; 2015 stats, year 2 on the bike! hehe
I like this year to date table that Strava gives me.
I like this year to date table that Strava gives me.
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
Faust29
Moderator
I wish I had settled on Strava in the beginning... When I first started, I rode without any tracking. Then, I discovered the Google app (Tracks, I believe). From there, I went to MapMyRide, and finally Strava. I lost a lot of data for the first couple years.
Cougar
Well-Known Member
I got really lucky, I had seen a previous coworker post some Strava rides on Facebook, and had it installed and ready to go for my very first ride. I have my ride home from the LBS where I bought the bike tracked
http://www.strava.com/activities/103816212
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
You can import them.
As long as the other apps saved the gxp. file....you can just do a manual upload of those rides. You can do 20-25 at a time.
Just save the gxp. file to your computer.
I did this when I started Strava....was able to add previous 3 years worth of rides. Took me about 2.5 hours or so.
V
verdugist
Guest
"Works for multiple .tcx, .fit or .gpx files 25MB or smaller. Choose up to 25 files."
When I transitioned to Strava, I exported dozens of rides (as .tcx files) from Runtastic Mountain Bike Pro (which I use sometimes b/c it calls out mile X and how much time into your ride, which apparently Strava free version does not do and Strava seems to require you to load a route when you record but what if you have no clue where you're going exactly?). All the segment info, etc. was all magically there in Strava.
I like Strava b/c I can view pro level results (Ned Overend) if it's public info and I can try to compete with myself and other riders (in non-real time) on the same trails: https://www.strava.com/athletes/255308
pinnacle10
Member
Another PRO of Strava - http://www.bicycling.com/rides/commuting/why-bike-commuters-should-be-using-strava
To sum up the article, city planners are looking at heat maps from Strava to see where people ride and where infrastructure could be improved. Not mountain bike related, but still a benefit.
To sum up the article, city planners are looking at heat maps from Strava to see where people ride and where infrastructure could be improved. Not mountain bike related, but still a benefit.
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
I'm pretty late to Strava, using Ride w/ GPS previously. I like it a lot, and feel a bit of the competitive aspect, but ignore it. I just like recording my rides, checking out the route and looking at the mileage totals. Pretty fun stuff. I do check out the rankings for IMTB and local HS club that I'm a volunteer with. The only rankings I try to get up are the weekly mileage ones. I try not to be last on that one!!! But yeah, it's pretty fun. And the alcohol analogy is pretty good. An ass is an ass, the alcohol just brings it to the forefront, but nothing we didn't already know about him/her already.
But yeah, it's pretty fun. And the alcohol analogy is pretty good. An ass is an ass, the alcohol just brings it to the forefront, but nothing we didn't already know about him/her already.
Grego
iMTB Addict
I'm new to Strava and really digging it. All the record keeping is great but seeing where your friends were on the trail as well is cool too along with the "likes", followers, other rides, pictures. I didn't expect that. I do agree that Strava will find a way to give you some sort of achievement. I Strava'd a fast Floop at a respectable 51 minutes with zero achievements. Later I did a social Floop and got 46.
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Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Oh, I got a KOM today, cuz' I'm a boss rider like that!
https://www.strava.com/activities/431107812/segments/10370270699
https://www.strava.com/activities/431107812/segments/10370270699
Daddy Dirtbag
Member
As in 'just' ride without geeking out post-ride on stats, and comparing our 'swords' as measured on the latest electronic gadgetry?
I admit to being a little bit curious as to how I might fare on a few local segments on Strava, but not enough to invest the money to get a good GPS and then take the time to fiddle with it on the computer (and I am a computer teacher/fiddler). The only thing I am really compelled to maximize is the fun I have on the bike. The rest is merely details and will sort it self out. Once I know how long a ride is from having done it, and maybe approximately how elevation it has (or asked someone else who has done it), I am mostly over the stats.
Stats don't compel me to ride. Fun compels me to ride. I label myself a 'soul rider'. Not that I don't like to be competitive out on the trail at times, it just isn't why I ride. And I know that I may be in the minority in that regard. It's OK, I still like riding with most people, regardless of what drives them, so long as they don't inspire me to compare them to the dreaded rectal orifice.
If the stats are your fun, and/or what compels you to ride, no harm in that. Strava (or something similar) is probably gonna be your drug of choice.
Luis
iMTB Addict
Strava for me is a motivational tool to ride more.
I look and see where my friends are riding and sometimes organize rides if something looks interesting. I tend to do a lot of diverse rides, I like trying new areas to ride and riding with new people. So in a sense it's just another social tool for me to ride with others.
Another advantage is that I can see who is doing similar rides as me (distances, locations, time of day, etc).
The flyby feature is also pretty cool because you can see (virtually) who was riding nearby during your ride.
KOM's, PR's are fun to look at. It's also fun to yell STRAVA at people and watch them get bent out of shape
I look and see where my friends are riding and sometimes organize rides if something looks interesting. I tend to do a lot of diverse rides, I like trying new areas to ride and riding with new people. So in a sense it's just another social tool for me to ride with others.
Another advantage is that I can see who is doing similar rides as me (distances, locations, time of day, etc).
The flyby feature is also pretty cool because you can see (virtually) who was riding nearby during your ride.
KOM's, PR's are fun to look at. It's also fun to yell STRAVA at people and watch them get bent out of shape
Varaxis
Well-Known Member
I had a hunch about that... when I ride my road bike, my route seems to be highly influenced by perceived risk, and I do like when my route gets improvements.
I like Herz's stance and his comparison to alcohol.
I use Strava as a way to quantify my ride, to be able to look at rides comparatively. You can use superlatives like epic, amazing, brutal, long-ass grind, 5 minute long descent, Mt Blah-blah has a peak elevation of 1600' so we must've climbed some relative amount, etc etc., but that doesn't just cut it if you're reusing the same limited vocabulary over and over to describe rides, but I guess that can lead you to ride them again to try refresh and remeasure it from your seat-of-your-pants sensor or whatever. I also use it to track mileage on my gear, since I'm curious about durability/longevity.
I believe people just think that too much info acts as a spoiler, and being surprised and being able to hone your own senses is part of the fun, and also having expectations met/exceeded is pleasant.
I don't notice any strava-assholes in my parts. Meeting the guys that top strava in the flesh and seeing them ride has so far always been a pleasant experience. I don't envy you guys riding where it's [over]crowded.
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MnMDan
Member
Strava does make available to jurisdictions their data sets without names and personal information attached to them. They also activate the privacy function for all data sets. This provides a easy-to-access data set of the number of riders/runners that use certain areas, speeds, commute/recreation, etc., over time. Its believed to be more accurate than a simple survey, because even though its limited to Strava users, it is taken over a much longer time period than is possible by someone sitting on the corner and counting. While it misses many users, the volume of data sets are great for things like:
-Disputing the anti-bike government officials in LA that are continuing to cut bike lanes and eliminating "road-diet" projects because "nobody rides anyway".
-Funding for bicycle improvements along heavily traveled streets. Jurisdictions can sort heat maps by time, population statistics, etc., and easily justify funding is for improvements, rather than spend it on a study instead.
-Showing that there is a population pressure on local parks and trails. Many more users than just Strava users are in there, but if its just those that it takes to reach the threshold, then more funding is available for staffing, and therefore access expansion.
-And even for those poaching closed areas. Its easy to say Motorway will stay closed, and that penalties will increase to diminish the 20+ trespasses per day that are recorded and posted.
Its a simple, limited tool that has many potential uses...Strava is more heavily used in Europe by everyone as a way to continue to promote bike use, safety, funding, etc., by kids, commuters, and enthusiasts. Its one of the reasons Paris and London are closing some streets to bike-only during rush hour, weekends, or converting them to permanent bikeways.
-Disputing the anti-bike government officials in LA that are continuing to cut bike lanes and eliminating "road-diet" projects because "nobody rides anyway".
-Funding for bicycle improvements along heavily traveled streets. Jurisdictions can sort heat maps by time, population statistics, etc., and easily justify funding is for improvements, rather than spend it on a study instead.
-Showing that there is a population pressure on local parks and trails. Many more users than just Strava users are in there, but if its just those that it takes to reach the threshold, then more funding is available for staffing, and therefore access expansion.
-And even for those poaching closed areas. Its easy to say Motorway will stay closed, and that penalties will increase to diminish the 20+ trespasses per day that are recorded and posted.
Its a simple, limited tool that has many potential uses...Strava is more heavily used in Europe by everyone as a way to continue to promote bike use, safety, funding, etc., by kids, commuters, and enthusiasts. Its one of the reasons Paris and London are closing some streets to bike-only during rush hour, weekends, or converting them to permanent bikeways.
Varaxis
Well-Known Member
Anyone here a fan of the Analyze tab? Or run their own private segments on frequent routes to see your personal historical data on it, perhaps using it to compare one setup to another (diff bike, susp tune, gearing, time of day/year, diet, etc.)? Can be pretty convincing evidence to support beliefs/claims that something is better/worse/equal to another.
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mtnbikej
J-Zilla
Yes....it is nice to see where my HR was different times/climbs/trails.
No need for Private Segements....I can filter out everyone else on any segment and see just my own results.
Runs with Scissors
iMTB Hooligan
The Strava Metro project should prove useful as long as the planners realize their efforts need to conform to the user, rather than try to stuff the user into one of their little boxes.
Case in point: The city of Long Beach installed protected bike lanes on two of the most heavily traveled downtown streets by removing 1 of three travel lanes on each street, and installing bike-specific traffic signals alongside the regular traffic signals. Needless to say, car traffic is hosed, the signal synchronization became ineffective due to the congestion, and car drivers are not happy. Your federal gas tax dollars at work!!
Long Beach is not Washington DC, or NYC. But the traffic powers that be thought it was a great idea.
I use these protected bike lanes to commute to work (on the bike, not in the car) and I still don't like them. I don't bike to work every single day, and when I drive in it really sucks.
The very idea that I can ride my bike home from work in the same time it takes me to drive it is abhorrent.
So, circling back around to the beginning, let's keep in mind that the vast majority will not ride downtown anywhere. If they'd slurry the streets it would be a vast improvement; never mind a grind and overlay. The pavement on most of my route from the river into downtown sucks mightily, and it's not on any schedule to be re-done in the next 5 years.
Planners & traffic gurus: If you're going to claim interest in improving the biking infrastructure, at least try to improve the most used routes.
This is where the Strava data would come in handy.
Case in point: The city of Long Beach installed protected bike lanes on two of the most heavily traveled downtown streets by removing 1 of three travel lanes on each street, and installing bike-specific traffic signals alongside the regular traffic signals. Needless to say, car traffic is hosed, the signal synchronization became ineffective due to the congestion, and car drivers are not happy. Your federal gas tax dollars at work!!
Long Beach is not Washington DC, or NYC. But the traffic powers that be thought it was a great idea.
I use these protected bike lanes to commute to work (on the bike, not in the car) and I still don't like them. I don't bike to work every single day, and when I drive in it really sucks.
The very idea that I can ride my bike home from work in the same time it takes me to drive it is abhorrent.
So, circling back around to the beginning, let's keep in mind that the vast majority will not ride downtown anywhere. If they'd slurry the streets it would be a vast improvement; never mind a grind and overlay. The pavement on most of my route from the river into downtown sucks mightily, and it's not on any schedule to be re-done in the next 5 years.
Planners & traffic gurus: If you're going to claim interest in improving the biking infrastructure, at least try to improve the most used routes.
This is where the Strava data would come in handy.
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