Strava?

In 2012, I signed up on Strava as part of Team Wattie Ink because the whole team was on it as a group, but I never had any intention of using it.  The whole premise sounded ....well...exactly like it is.  Posting your training to compare to others to be competitive even in training.  Barf.

So not me.

The account has been inactive since I signed up.  I didn't even know what a segment was.

When I met some riding buddies here, they insisted I get on Strava so we could plan group rides.  I activated my account and well, it is exactly as I thought it would be!

- I still think it is weird  douchey to post all of my training.  Who cares?  And I don't want to see everyone else's either!  (I added someone as a friend the other day and instantly regretted it.  Do I really care how/when that person trains? No, I don't!  Is it going to hurt people's feelings if we aren't "friends?")  I train and race for my own personal goals.  I just have never been into this.  I don't post my training on Facebook or social media either.

- So I notice people go out on really windy days to get a tail wind assisted QOM/KOM.  What is the value of this really?

- Or a big, meaty group ride would probably do the same.  Just hang on to really fast people for a crown.

And what I thought it wouldn't be that I like.  

- I can find new riding places.  When I see people have ridden in a certain area, it helps me feel confident I might be safe there.  This is awesome for a new city.

-I have met new friends through it that I recognize on the road.  This has given me some new riding opportunities.  Or, like the guy the guy that completely ignores me.  I saw him tonight and know who he is, thank you Strava!

- I can communicate with other riders on where/when to meet.

- I like that I have a training log with a map, HR, etc.  I don't have a premium Training Peaks account anymore, so this is nice to see.

- It is kind of fun to find out who rides here.  Who are the girls?  (I don't know any of them).  What are the teams?

So, Strava, on a limited basis, is kind of fun.  But the reality is the real KOM/QOM aren't even on Strava and have ridden every segment faster than we ever have.  So for me, probably like every other bit of social media, I'll sparingly post on it for a while and then forget about it.  But until then, you will see be on there a few times ...riding the same ol' route by the river...literally.