On 7/8/2019 1:32 PM, jbeattie wrote:
On Monday, July 8, 2019 at 7:27:54 AM UTC-7, Frank Krygowski wrote:

I'm amazed at the data-head cycling contingent. I have no idea how many
meters elevation gain I've ever done. Heck, I don't usually click to see
my average speed - partly because it's too embarrassing.

Many decades ago on our first trip to England, we were staying at a
hostel somewhere in Devon. Another guy and his son bragged that they had
ridden 100 miles to get there that day.

When I later related that to another guy in the hostel, he said in a
dismissive tone, "Oh, he's just doing it for the numbers."

I don't even have an odometer/speedometer, but I'll probably get one or download Strava and have my phone do it. I do like to know how far I've gone and the elevation, although its not that important.

I no longer criticize the data-driven. First, people can do what they want to do (being data OCD is harmless), and second, for those who are training -- bicycling, weight lifting, what-have-you -- the studied seem to make huge improvements. I'm not training for anything except riding with my son in Utah. Data is not that important to me, and knowing my power would be downright depressing.

I'm not really criticizing the data-driven cyclists. I'm just amazed at
the phenomenon, in much the same way I'm amazed by the couple I know who
weigh their portions at every meal. I think it makes sense if you're a
racer, to help your training. I'm just amazed that non-racers get that
data hungry.

My most unique bike-related data obsession is probably the big U.S. map
on the wall. It's from USGS, 40 years ago, and about five feet wide by
three feet high. It shows no roads, but shows water features and
national parks (back then) plus little circles of apparently randomly
chosen towns. There are maybe 50 towns shown in a typical state.

Starting about the 1970s, I got in the habit of filling in the circle
with a red dot any time I rode at least a mile in that town. Eventually,
it became incentive to ride to new towns, especially on vacation. "Hey,
we're not far from Oswego! I can ride there and get a new dot!"

Occasionally, it's driven my wife crazy. "You're not going to take your
bike out and ride here, are you? It's raining!" "But this will be my
first dot in Oklahoma! Sit tight; I'll be back soon."


--
- Frank Krygowski