I tend to learn and remember things visually so photography is a natural extension of this. But mine is done with just a pocket Nikon digital I keep it in my pocket or in pannier.

He uses his own plus a helmet cam that he uses occasionally.

I do need photos to remember certain trip details. In the past I have used photos for landscape painting.

While true a local area may not mean much, you never know you may no longer live there. Whenever I go back to visit Toronto, I do specifically cycle to document things I never had digital photos. I lived there for over 20 years...and know of its unique things not available in Vancouver or where I am now.