Talk me down!

[pooks]

Because I'm more frustrated and defeated than I would have ever dreamed, and I cut my ride short and "jumped." Well, got off the bike.

Okay, so I've measured my mileage by the odometer on my car, driving the routes and then sticking to them. I've kept careful logs of my mileage, and frankly it's the mileage that has kept me motivated. Knowing that on the next ride I'd cross over 50 miles, or that if I rode three laps I'd hit 70 (total since I bought the bike, I mean), etc.

I assumed that getting my bike computer would be even better, because I'd be thinking, "Oh, 2/10ths more of a mile, and I'll have ridden another mile, I won't stop now," instead of thinking in terms of "routes" I'd be thinking in terms of miles and tenths of miles.

Except.

My 2.2 mile route? According to my Catseye Astrale is 1.68!

I am beside myself. I'm hoping that somebody will say, "Oh you just need to calibrate your computer, that's no big deal," but am afraid somebody will say, "Bike computers are more accurate than your car, so you probably haven't ridden as far as you think you have."

In which case I need somebody to REALLY talk me down, because right now if that's the case, I'm feel so defeated.

Damn.

(Plus, if my car's odometer is that off, good grief, that's criminal!)

Help!

[mimitabby]

there's got to be someplace near you where there are mileage signs. Ride your bike that 1 mile and see how your cat's eye compares.
Or take it to your LBS and have them help you with it!
m

[hiker chick]

Did you calibrate your computer for wheel size? I had to do that recently when I installed a bike computer.

The wrong setting could make a big difference.

[pooks]

It was installed at REI, but I'll call them and ask. Thanks. This has got to be the problem. I mean, my car couldn't be THAT wrong!

[makbike]

Pooks:

I find that my car and bike computer never agree. I read someplace, I don't remember where, that a lot of different factors go into how accurate your car's odometer is (i.e. if tires are properly inflated). I drove a route the other day and according to my odometer it was 22.6 miles, I took my bike out yesterday rode the exact same route and it came out to be 23.66. Make sure your computer is properly calibrated and don't be discouraged. Stay focused on what you have accomplished thus far. Keep riding and enjoy yourself.

[Geonz]

Different numbers don't change what you've done at all. However, if your car were that far off, I think you'd have k nown it by now. It's a lot easier for a bike 'puter to be off.

Another option - but also not totally reliable - go to "google pedometer" and zoom in on your route. (Since all my speedometers are broken, it's what I ahve to do whenever I ride a dfferent route to get my mileage.)

[sydney_b]

I use http://www.gmaps-pedometer.com for my routes. Now, it may or may not agree with the bike computer, but it's at least consistent and since I use it for all the routes, then I have some sort of measurement system.

You can also save your routes so you can share or refer back to them. I keep a list on my del.icio.us
http://del.icio.us/sydspinnin/Routes

[plantluvver]

I just wanted to chime in and say that it isn't the miles so much, it is the improvement in your performance to take pride in. And whatever that improvemnet is is showing up proportionately, regardless of the acuracy of the miles. Your computer will at least be consistemt with itself.

I am planning on using my bike as an alternative to a car, so for me, my goal is really my destination. Such as,"Well, now I can sail at any marina on Hayden Island.", Now I can ride downtown instead of using the bus."

I know this would not be an appropriate goal for some people, but for me,it makes sense.

(Hopefully, soon, I will be able to make my goal just to get somewhere FASTER. )

If counting miles makes you miserable, don't do it! Go back to watching the birds and scenery go by.

Mary

[SadieKate]

I don't have the manual. It has disappeared. . . . . They did say they'd photocopy the instructions for me so I'd have them. I forgot to do that while I was there yesterday. Must remember today!

Just download the manual:
http://www.cateye.com/en/tech_suppor..._downloads.php

You'll need to reset it each time you replace the battery so you need the manual. Just save it on your computer.

More info on wheel measurement:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/circumference.html

[MomOnBike]

SK beat me to it. We always lose our manuals, so the on-line sources are invaluable.

[pooks]

Okay -- thanks for the links!

The saga continues ... I took the bike back yesterday afternoon but the guy who wanted to demonstrate the old-fashioned method had gone to a doc's appt. So the guy who calibrated it the first time recalibrated it. He was as nice as he could be.

Today I rode 6.5 miles. Yay!

My odomter says I rode 0.93.

LOL! Okay, so I'm going back when the other guy is there. Which reminds me, I need to call and find out when he is there!

(Maybe it's a defective computer, but we'll see.)

[SadieKate]

Is this a wireless computer? Lights will cause problems and maybe cell phones. I have yet to test it, but I think my Polar was having problems when I placed my cell phone in a Bento Box on a road bike. Of course, any power lines in the same county also caused problems.

It worked flawlessly on the mtbike so I have a theory to test.