Originally Posted by
chasm54
Seriously, why?
I use a Garmin with a HRM when I'm training, because I want the HR data. But for just riding around, having a good time, getting fitter, why do you want to know how far and fast you have gone? There are downsides to becoming obsessed with measuring everything. Maybe you just need to get out and ride and enjoy it.
For me (and I can't answer for anyone else), it helps me see progress. Or even if I'm backsliding, the lack thereof. That's a Good Thing to me. Being informed doesn't automatically imply going overboard - It's not obsessive, just quantitative. I also find that, even as moderate as my efforts may be from time to time, I still do better with a goal in mind. If that's just noodling around on the bike and "simply" enjoying myself, then fine. But I can also set milestones (no pun intended) to keep me honest and keep me trying. It's also nice to review old rides and (hopefully!
) see progress over the long run.
Originally Posted by
kingston
The problem with a smartphone app is that they don't tell you anything while you are on the bike. You can just look at it later, which is nice, but not that helpful if you are trying to follow a cue sheet or if you need to make sure you're home before dinner.
I use Sports Track Live (on Android). In addition to post-ride data, I can view this onscreen (assuming I want to take the battery hit by having the phone display on constantly). This is while sitting in the house, but it's not too far off my actual ride numbers:
Website:
Sportstracklive - share, train and compete in your sport
Sample - My ride from this morning:
Sportstracklive | lphilpot | Cycling
I also have a Cateye Strada Wireless (CC-RD300W) I use live on the bike. I just use STL on my phone to record the ride, then upload it later. I don't have a HRM, which is something I'm considering, but it would have to interface with STL/phone since the Strada won't do HRM. The actual cadence value isn't too important to me at this point - I can feel when it's wrong.