I think that if all C&V people were to be interviewed and recorded, there would be a huge spread in terms of objectives and motives for riding. I must be on one end of the spectrum. I ride alone. There is an archaic computational instrument buried in some part bin. Never used it. Some days I am tired mentally and physically. Often, the ride itself cures that. Sometimes it doesn't. I just grind on to the finish. And no big deal. I try to ride every day — as hard as I can over a relatively short, predetermined course. My saddles and riding demand that I ride in Spandex bottoms, regardless of how slow I may be compared to the dudes who pass and drop me on my course. I've taught myself NOT to compete with these strangers on their carbon rockets.

My success comes when the doc checks my blood pressure, blood sugar and other stuff out of the blood work. I have often arrived home and said to my wife, "I don't know what I would do without cycling!"

Many of us are galaxy away from the more "sporting" folks among us. But, and nevertheless, when I enter my driveway after a ride I am usually full of all those lovely, "feel-good" brain chemicals — the natural high. Only then do I know that I've 'done gone good'. For me, that is the only computer I need. And this follows on a life-history of contact sports, rigorous dance training, yoga and plain, hard physical labour.

I really respect all the riders who monitor their rides and training. Good on ya!