Bucknuckle

Does anyone use Strava? Do you like it?
I used the "map my run" but it always seems to loose signal under the trees when I'm running or biking.

deapee

Losing signal is indicative of the GPS hardware losing signal of the satellites, not strava or mapmyrun.

But yes...I use Strava. My activities automatically sync up there, I can analyze my own efforts vs previous efforts, see where I stack up among the competition. It's a great app and widely-used even in a lower-population area such as where I live. There's not really a downside to using Strava - you use it how you want. You can make everything private so just you see the stats or leave it public for your peers to see your stuff. You can even make it so you have to approve followers, or it will abbreviate your last name to just in initial for some anonymity. There is a configurable safety zone to place on your maps around your house, or work, or wherever. It's a greap app - mapmyride is too, but Strava is the leader in that market as far as I'm concerned.

samblam

I use strava on all of my rides, or runs for that matter because it is literally a hand held daily reminder and it keeps me accountable.

jeffreythree

I like strava the most currently, and I am currently running both at the same time. You could try the same and see which you like in a side by side comparison. GPS signal problems are a device and location issue.

02Giant 

Strava will cause you to ride like a maniac on the MUPs, running over the elderly and children on your way to setting PR's and KOM's...

therunt

I love the Strava app. Aside from being able to track all of my rides, and racing against myself, the app allows me to see other's rides/times and introduces me to routes I may not be aware of.

Machka 

I think most cyclists use Strava these days. If I'm not mistaken, I'm the only one who doesn't yet. But my husband does ... so close enough.

jefnvk

That is an issue with your phone itself, not the app. If Map My Run loses GPS, Strava will too.

I don't use the Strava app, because it doesn't exist for my Windows Phone, but I do use the service and sync the actual app I use on the phone to it. I like it for YTD mileage and general statistics to give me an idea how I am progressing in my riding overall.

Jarrett2

It's funny you say this. I'm actually sitting 4th on our local MUP It was stupid of me to even make an attempt that segment, but testosterone got the better of me that day.

For a cyclist, this is the only reason not to use Strava. It promotes competition, which can induce some stupidity.

If that is not an issue or you are strong enough to resist the temptation, then there are no real downsides.

It is better than the rest of the options out there.

Bucknuckle

Thanks for the replies. I think I might try it. Can you also manually enter milage? In case you for get your phone or batt. Dies.

bulldog1935

there's a greenway/MUP thread going next door
The biggest con of Strava is people compete with each other for time records on these paths, and it can promote unsafe riding around pedestrians, dog leashes and young children on bikes.

Bucknuckle

I did not know that. I live in a very rural area. I would prob be using it to track myself. I'm not too concerned about what others are doing,that's not my bag. Thanks again for all the response

jefnvk

There are some manual entry options on the web page, either a straight up distance/duration, or manually uploading GPX. There are also ways to edit rides, so if you occasionally forget to shut it off when you take off in a car, you can trim the segment.

bulldog1935

way cool - just wanted to say it somewhere, some time

bruce19

The Strava concept is genius IMO. And, when it works it is very useful. But, God help you if you ever need Strava Support. I am a Premium member and, theoretically, get 24 hr. service. I was without access to uploading on Strava for a month and the "support" I got from Strava was the worst. It took them 3 days to respond to my 24 hr. request and they never did fix the problem. Garmin OTOH was excellent to deal with. I actually got to talk to someone who helped me resolve the problem. FWIW, after the problem was sorted out by Garmin I got back into Strava but Strava Support has yet to get back to me to see if my problem was resolved. As far as they know, I'm still twisting slowly in the wind.

beechnutC23

Biggest pro with Strava: you can embarrass your friends.
Biggest con with Strava: your friends will embarrass you.

Hiro11

The positives of Strava have to do with the product itself while the negatives are mostly due to the people using it.

Pros:
1. Your friends are on it. Being social is good.
2. Segments are fun.
3. It's as accurate as anything else out there.
4. The app and website are very stable and mature at this point.
5. Flybys are a bit creepy but interesting.

Cons:
1. Accuracy varies by device causing ego fails. I've had people I'm riding with post an avg. up to 1 mph faster than me over a relatively short ride even though they're sitting on the wheel and I'm taking pulls (swear to God). I got a new phone and suddenly my AVG dropped by at least 0.5mph over courses I ride all the time. Also, comparing it to a wheel mounted computer shows that Strava's avg is a bit wild.
2. You get to a segment, you're pulling, someone on your wheel pulls around you at the last moment and claims the KOM. Or you get to a segment, someone riding a draft bridges up to you and gets the KOM. Happens all he time and results in more ego fails.
3. Stupid cyclists defining segments that have lights, dangerous downhills or other obstructions. This encourages dangerous riding. Also, people not being careful with the start and end point of segments (e.g. putting the end point right at the light rather than 50 yards prior to the light and giving people to slow down) causing the same issue.
4. No accounting for riding with a group, headwinds or surface conditions (e.g. you might be riding on gravel) make the power estimates and ride-to-ride comparisons difficult. Also, every single KOM in my area was almost certainly set with a group riding in a strong tailwind.

NYMXer

Strava is a good tool for documenting rides and the data collected. It keeps track of routes and times, so if you want, you can try to improve on your time reriding the same route. Some (me), use a Garmin and link that to Strava. My Garmin will tell me if I am behind or ahead of my best time on that route and also tell me when to turn. Good stuff!

Cons would be like others have mentioned, it will make a fun event competitive if you let it. So, what's wrong with a little competition? lol

Milton Keynes

I don't use Strava or MMR, but I use the Runtastic road cycling app. Been using it to track all my rides for a little over a year now. The good thing about it is that I don't have to worry about all that competitiveness as on Strava.

LaughingLots

Another reason, if you're not running in "private" mode, is that it broadcasts riding on unsanctioned trails. Which in some cases can be a problem.

CliffordK

Is Strava like Pokémon Go for adults? Running virtual races all over?

I enjoy some of the challenges with Strava, and think it is helping me get stronger/faster.

I do consider safety as key, and will only race a segment that seems safe. Likewise, I've created a couple of segments that I felt were generally safe for riding.

I've been doing some of the challenges which are interesting. I can come close to hitting the 1250 km (800 mile) challenge if I have a heavy commuting month, plus perhaps one century ride.

The climbing challenge takes a bit more work. I barely got in the 8000 meter climbing last month, and this month's 11,000 meter climbing is much more daunting. Where do all those people ahead of me get so many meters climbing in?

I like the dashboard with RideWithGPS a bit better giving speed, average speed, climbing, elevation, etc. Strava seems to block all the interesting stuff from their free apps. But, RWGPS doesn't really have as much social/challenging stuff. Plus, the Strava routes are available, and the RWGPS are locked.

However, I started comparing climbing between Strava and RWGPS. I think Strava actually comes pretty close, where at least the real-time RWGPS climbing is quite high.

drlogik 

I run Strava and yes I like it but I don't take it too seriously. I like seeing how well I did on a particular leg though. It motivates me to push harder; and no, I don't try to "compete" against other riders but I do like to see how I stack up.

It's fun for groups to as a bunch of folks at work have a work group set up and it provides a fun venue to see who did the coolest ride over the weekend replete with photos of said event. Pretty fun in that regard.

I have found that the numbers posted by Strava need to be taken with a grain of salt though. I've made the mistake of not stopping my ride, hopping in the car and driving around town. WOW!! My average speed miraculously improved!! ROFL!

beechnutC23

Haha, I've made that mistake as well. However you can use the crop ride feature to crop out the car portion and get a more realistic assessment of your capabilities

I've caught a few KOMs that were clearly done in a car, and reported them as well. Theoretically they should be removed from the leaderboards.

beechnutC23

No problem resisting the temptation, what the testosterone commands the body can no longer deliver

Also at my age I prefer hanging on to what I have left of my testosterone for more pleasurable activities

wphamilton

Yeh I see that a lot, living right off the Greenway here. But you know what, I think that Strava is unjustly maligned for it. I can be out for an afternoon and see a dozen yahoos shouting down kids on trikes and baby bikes, double passing, cutting the left side on blind corners and so on, and later see not a one of those rides on Strava. I think it's just the way some people are, with or without Strava.