Originally Posted by
Seattle Forrest
I still don't understand how it's useful, though. If my best time on a certain route is X, how is this different from just knowing that, and having a watch...?
It's really not different and that's why I mostly do the same as you. The only difference is that you get a visual representation of how far ahead(time and distance) of your desired pace you are so it cuts down slightly on the constant checking/computing/comparing allowing you to concentrate just a hair bit more on turning the pedals over. So far I've only found it useful in re-doing courses that I set as benchmarks before I crawled down to the basement for the winter. But like you mentioned the same thing can be done with a stopwatch since the previous times are already known,.