I get a lot of enjoyment out of tracking my cycling "numbers." I have computers on all of my bikes, and I record the time and distance distance for every ride at on-line cycling log. It tells me my average speed and charts all of the information by week, month, year. I find the information interesting, entertaining and helpful for maintaining my bikes, tracking my fitness and motivation.

If someone else has no interest in such data, that's there business, but I don't see anything anal or ridiculous about tracking their cycling information. The world runs on data. Having that data doesn't detract in any way from my enjoyment of cycling and IMHO enhances it. Noting my mileage and time at the end each ride takes practically no effort and doesn't take anything away from my riding experiences.

Recording the data is just another way of experiencing a ride, such as taking photographs or talking to friends about it. I don't know why so many people get their panties all in a wad about bike computers.