slave to the average speed readout...

neeb
neeb Posts: 4,473
edited September 2008 in The bottom bracket
Is anyone else addicted to the average speed reading on the cycle computer? On solo rides I always seem to have the average speed displayed constantly (instead of distance, time or whatever) and don't feel comfortable if I can't see it. If the average falls too low I make an extra effort to get it up again to what I consider respectable. I can't work out if this is a good thing or not. It keeps me pushing to maintain / improve my performance, but it's an evil mistress, especially if the wind is in the wrong direction... :wink: I think I might enjoy some of my rides more if I could kick the habit, but would my fitness suffer?

Comments

  • SunWuKong
    SunWuKong Posts: 364
    I don't bother too much with average :D
  • unclemalc
    unclemalc Posts: 563
    If, all things being equal on a 'normal' ride, you KNOW that your regular average speed is fine (by your own standards) then on some days things will go against you (wind, rain biorythms, bad- pint-night-before etc) and on some days you'll fly - so it will even out.
    Don't worry about it - turn it off.... :?
    Spring!
    Singlespeeds in town rule.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    I think maybe I need to turn it off on most rides... if I can! :)

    That said, I think the fastest times I have had on a couple of my favourite routes have been down to the wind and the average speed. I've had the wind slightly against me on the way out so have been really pushing to get the average up to somewhere near what it usually is, and then on the way back I realise I'm on schedule for a fastest ever time given that I have a slight tailwind...

    On the other hand I might have been pushing it against the wind on the way out anyway, even without the computer... :wink:
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    neeb wrote:

    That said, I think the fastest times I have had on a couple of my favourite routes have been down to the wind and the average speed. I've had the wind slightly against me on the way out so have been really pushing to get the average up to somewhere near what it usually is, and then on the way back I realise I'm on schedule for a fastest ever time given that I have a slight tailwind...

    quote]

    Which makes me wonder how useful average speed is :? Especially if it's putting pressure on you to keep up.
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • Jez mon
    Jez mon Posts: 3,809
    If you feel it helps you then display the average speed. However, it can lead to you not wanting to take a proper warm up/warm down. Also is can get pretty depressing when your on an off day.

    Having said that, I've got every average speed from the year on my PC (due to my Garmin) and it's satisfying to see my HR falling, Speed Rising and Distance rising.

    Of course this slow rise all gets blown out of the pond when you start rising. Average speed shoots up, heart rate goes to previously unimaginable values and distance falls as training becomes more about recovery than gaining fitness.

    So long as you don't start riding so hard you don't recover properly and start overtraining, I really wouldn't worry about being a slave to average speed, just remember sometimes other factors come into play and you will have a bad day and av. speed will fall dramatically
    You live and learn. At any rate, you live
  • CheeseyJoe
    CheeseyJoe Posts: 95
    I very rarely check it, prefer watching the distance travelled.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    So long as you don't start riding so hard you don't recover properly and start overtraining,
    Yeah, I've got sort of intuitive "zones". I know there's a certain average speed for a certain route that is "OK" (the one I usually aim at) and another that is for when I'm really trying for a best time. The weird thing is that they are only about 1-2mph apart...
  • keithc440
    keithc440 Posts: 277
    Took my computer off several years ago and have not missed the speed function at all. You can become obsessed by it forgetting that weather and form vary all the time. Now all I do is glance at the clock as I leave the house so when I am back I know how long I have roughly been out. Not out to beat any times but I can fairly accurately predictl what time I will be back if I know the route all without the help of a computer. Occasionally feel the distance funtion would be useful but overall prefer my riding without one.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Once you start watching those little screens it seems to become sort of addicting.
    More than a few times I find myself glancing down for a bit and then looking up and going
    "oh sh*t" because I'm about to hit a rut in the road or possibly worse. Hasn't caused
    an accident yet but I think I'll try to cut back a bit on watching. Maybe even go for a ride
    WITHOUT turning the computer on(what am I saying?) :lol::lol: Can something like that even be done? It must be illegal or something? Maybe "THEY" will take away your bike
    for a crime of this nature? You get pulled over by the computer police and "what, you
    don't have your computer on?". Maybe even shot on the spot? It's that important.

    Dennis Noward
  • Aidanw
    Aidanw Posts: 449
    I have gone crazy now. I have one of the Garmin 305 GPS things, so I can have a moving "map" (route really no road maps), Heart rate, Speed, Cadence... various times and averages! It is more effort than cycling :D

    My intention is to have only the cadence really, cos I need reminded to keep spinning fast, but I do like all the data when I get home!

    Not *quite* sure what to do with it all though!
  • nickcuk
    nickcuk Posts: 275
    Its satifying to record speed / distance / time and watch for improvements in the early days. I kept track over 1400 miles / 4 months and still like to see regular loops taking less and less time
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    was fixated on it in initially, but now am not so bad - even have one bike that does not have a computer on it :lol: . I can see the need for them if you are a competitive roadie but as i only cycle for relaxation, leisure and fitness i think sometimes it can be a distraction from enjoying yourself.
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    I can't go anywhere without having my cadence displayed on the screen!
    If I'm not monitoring it, then I quite often find myself grinding a big gear, instead of spnning the pedals.
    I even have the sensors on my MTB, FFS!!! :oops:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • Barrie_G
    Barrie_G Posts: 479
    I like to have my cycle computer on the bike so I know what sort of distance I've just done, unfortunately it means that I also get hung up on average speed, though I try not to have it displayed while I'm riding the bike.
  • Patrick1.0
    Patrick1.0 Posts: 290
    It makes sense to turn it off sometimes. If I am not feeling great I don't even wear a watch let alone a computer that tells me what my average speed is. It doesn't matter when you're tired. Average speed should take care of itself. If you stop thinking about it and just keep your work rate the same for each of your rides, providing you have a good training regime, your average speed will go up slowly as you get better. I think the phrase: "too many mind" is quite apt for a lot of cyclists and athletes. Just stop thinking and ride to how you feel. There are days where you can work hard at a tempo and there are others where your body doesn't want to. I think you have to listen to it on those occassions.

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