I thought I would give up cycling . . so I haven't been around

I had another mishap last September and put my bikes up for sale. I didn't try very had to sell them so of course nobody bought them. It's hard to sell bikes in the fall anyway. So I decided I would try bicycling this year. I'm not sure how I serious I was about quitting riding because I signed up for the MS150 this year, not that I have to ride it.

Most of my troubles have been the result of inattentiveness to my surroundings because I kept checking my HRM or the Garmin. So . . . I took the stuff off the bicycle and put it away and this happened:

I have gone on three rides and loved them! No technology. Wow . . so much fun. I didn't feel like it had to check things to make sure I was doing as well as everyone else. Who cares when you have no data. And of course, I paid more attention to everything. I still can't believe what a difference not having that stuff makes! The rides were just so enjoyable. I don't know how fast I went, my average speed, how many miles I rode, my average heart rate, calories, burned, etc. And it didn't bother me like I thought it would!

Nice weather, too! Who would have thought it would be 67 degrees in March in Minnesota!

Welcome back! Glad you're having fun.

Glad you didn't sell your bikes!
I use technology, but I don't attempt to manipulate anything when I am riding. I have my main screen set to show only my current speed and cadence, as well as distance. That stopped me from obsessing about my average. I look at my average when I stop or at the end of the ride. Riding should be fun. If you're not training to race, the metrics shouldn't be the #1 thing you are looking at.

I'm with Crankin. Mine shows temp, distance and speed, that's it. If it's a distraction you don't need it. Biking is for fun, not stress ☺

Glad to hear that you are enjoying riding!! I tend to do the same thing several times a year, and wonder quite often why I choose to ride with all of the technology... sometimes HA!

So nice to read. I have nothing on my bike beyond lights. People ask me how far did you ride or how fast did you ride and I just smile and say I have no idea. This last weekend The Bike Hermit spent 2 nights and 2 days riding in the Owyhee Desert with the Owyhee Wilderness Rangers becoming "leave no trace" certified (Yes, it was extremely hard for me not to go, but the foot isn't quite there) Anyhow he commented about the 3 "youngsters" (in their late 20's) who were on the ride and how they seemed to race up every hill and rush to the next designated stopping point and that seemed so bizarre. We have certainly moved in a different way to just enjoying each moment.
May you continue to rediscover the joy of being on your bike!

Welcome back kajero! Keep staying safe. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crankin

If you're not training to race, the metrics shouldn't be the #1 thing you are looking at.

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Even if you are, it shouldn't be the #1 thing you are looking at! I typically don't look at too much data while riding, but analyze it afterward instead. And the best rides are when the technology goes in the back pocket for the ride :).

Welcome back, and enjoy the ride!

SheFly

That's exactly what I do, SheFly. I analyze it all afterwards. Let's face it, I may not be racing, but it's pretty obvious if I am having a good day or bad day!

every now and then a list comes by about the first x number of things people do after a ride. The first one is always " check your stats."

My list goes
1. run into the house and use the facilities. I don't often stop for much longer than a stop light when I ride.
2. let the dogs out. They hear me in the garage and it makes them barking crazy
3. grab a chocolate milk or finish my electrolyte drink. Thinking rehydration and the precious first half hour.
4. put my bike on the rack and check the tires, brakes and chain. It's by way of an early warning system for maintenance.
5. Clean as needed, lube, pump up the tires and wipe down the bike, Ad my dad used to say "never put your ride away rid hard and put up wet."
6. let the dogs in before they go crazy and anger the neighbors
7. Shower and put on clean clothes. Ahhhhhhh.
8. eat a meal slowly and taking deep breaths and pausing frequently to relive the ride.
9. Take a recovery nap.
10. check my stats and download so it clears out my garmin for the next ride.

Haha, since most of my rides are commutes my list is more like: stuff bike into shed, try to remember to recharge front light, pet cat, go pee, fetch wood, build fire, consider dinner, play with cat, shovel snow for cat, start some laundry, make dinner, feed cat. Sometimes I make it all the way to bedtime before getting out of my bike gear.

Great you enjoyed your ride, kajero!

I gave up on technology stats. over a decade ago. First few years were a great motivator for cadence, ride mileage and wrote it down in a journal.
Then I just gave it up one day. I do have a rough idea of total mileage for a ride since locally I do a lot of routes that I rely heavily or can piece together. Then my partner gives me the out of town trip mileage that we do.

I'm a recreational rider and I used to have a wireless device on my bike. I was always checking my time, distance, etc. Then I acquired other bikes and didn't want to have to move the device between bikes. Finally I removed it and I now don't pay attention to metrics. I suppose if I was trying to improve my cadence, etc. it would be helpful. For me, though, I just ride.