Curse you, James Freeman!!!

[Kermit power]

This morning, I decided I felt rather good for a Friday. I also knew I wouldn't be cycling home this evening, and I didn't have my laptop with me, so I thought I'd see what sort of time I could set on my commute.

Having got home this evening, I've just uploaded it to Strava to check the results...

On the various segments covered, I managed PBs on four of them, and was distinctly chuffed to get to 9th place overall (out of 150 riders) on CS7 Clapham South to Clapham Common.

So, where does this put me in the narrower rankings, I ask?

Well, it puts me 3rd out of 44 for my age group (35-44), 3rd out of 29 for my weight group (over 200lbs ), and dead bloody last out of two for the Pistonheads club members!!!

Thus to the thread title - out of all the people on Strava who could've been in the eight people faster than me down that little drag, how come one of them had to be one of the elite band of 27 PH group members???

[Kermit power]

swerni said:

over 200lbs isn't very granular, that's only 14 stone 4.

I couldn't agree more!

If Strava didn't have 5 different versions of flyweight, then lump everyone from Middleweight upwards into one category, I might well be the fastest in that section!

[MadDad]

Kermy, you have a new P/H follower on Strava - that should motivate you to go faster/harder - because the unseen are watching you!!!

Strava can be a HUGE motivator and a total motivational killer all at once! I don't have the premium at the moment so cannot filter by age etc, which can be a bit frustrating as its not possible to compare apples with apples. I have been out on a few rides where I have applied 101% effort on some segments and expected to land in the top 5 but have been nowhere near! Eventually, after a little research on social media sites I realise that the people in the top spots are 15 years younger and ride for clubs!

Also, not everyone plays fair! I know someone who edits their rides to take out stops at lights, breaks etc, which drives up their ave speed!

Still love it though, and as much as I try to keep a steady cadence for an entire ride, can't help but go for it when I know I am about to enter a section!

[Kermit power]

That sounds about right for me too! Given that I'm 43, 5'10" and 18 stone 5, it's pretty safe to say I never expected to hit at top 10 spot, even on a segment which plays to my strengths like that one!

Of course, this now means I'll be hooked for life, just trying to better that.

[Rolls]

I really need to get involved in this strava malarky... - Just doing everything on connect at the moment!

[AyBee]

I appear to be slipping down the leaderboards, might have to get the road bike out and put in a couple of hard runs

[Kermit power]

swerni said:

how much have you lost mate?

Well, at one point 10kgs, but work has got in the way this year - too little cycling time and too many hotel bars and meals - so 4 of it has gone back on

Definitely much fitter under the insulation though, and looking forward to lighter evenings and my new road bike though!

[Johnny]

Rolls said:

I really need to get involved in this strava malarky... - Just doing everything on connect at the moment!

I started using it a couple of weeks ago, it's bloody addictive... I created a segment on the hill up to my house and then the next day the leaderboard was populated. Finding myself 14th of 29 certainly made me think. And determined to do better!

Another segment I'm 9th of 14. Or 2nd of 3 in my weight class. Which sounds far better

It's amazing how seeing other peoples results gives you a bit of a boost to do better & try harder. I still upload everything to Connect but Strava is a far better proposition.

[Kermit power]

It's a bit of a doublr-edged sword in London. There's loads of people using it on my route, so it's a real ego boost knowing that 9th is out of over 1,500 ride times.

On the other hand, as has been seen, there's an increased chance of another PHer being ahead of you!

[Kermit power]

It's a bit of a doublr-edged sword in London. There's loads of people using it on my route, so it's a real ego boost knowing that 9th is out of over 1,500 ride times.

On the other hand, as has been seen, there's an increased chance of another PHer being ahead of you!

[hoyin]

How do I find the other PH members on Strava?

I just signed up because of this thread and it is AWESOME!!! I cannot believe it is so good - how did I never find out about this site before? I just uploaded the past 4 years of rides on to it.

[Kermit power]

hoyin said:

How do I find the other PH members on Strava?

I just signed up because of this thread and it is AWESOME!!! I cannot believe it is so good - how did I never find out about this site before? I just uploaded the past 4 years of rides on to it.

Try here.....

http://app.strava.com/clubs/pistonheads

[okgo]

Won't be long before you're above me for those two segments you did today, Steve

[Rolls]

Oh dear... Looks like i'm going to need to get quicker over waterloo bridge....

[rhinochopig]

swerni said:

I'm in

I always thought you were out

[Rolls]

I've decided logging onto Strava is definatley a bad thing..
Decided to try to have a go at one of the sprints uphill on the way home (Amersham arms to the topp of the hill for those that know) - got 6th, which i figure is ok, but must have looked like an absolute nutcase in doing so...

Same again on friday methinks...

[andySC]

I've signed up....makes for quite a giggle.

I won't be taking it too seriously mind you but it's fun to compare your performance with your mates.

Just joined PH Strava group....

Andy Robinson.

Edited by andySC on Thursday 22 March 00:09

[thepawbroon]

I've just joined up too! I didn't know there was a PH Strava club

Being slightly more than 200lb (well, 17st10lb at the start of the year) I decided to lose some chunk and cycle to work sometimes. It's 20km from Carshalton to St.Paul's, so far I've done it on average twice a week since my new Revolution Cross arrive at the end of January.

Strava's brilliant for motivating me. Now I can see how far behind the other PHer's I am.

My best time is 51 mins. My objective for the year to to once do it in 43 mins, which is the "normal" time it takes on the motorbike. I'm going to need a fair bit of luck with the traffic and lights to achieve that!

[fromage]

Kermit power said:

This morning, I decided I felt rather good for a Friday. I also knew I wouldn't be cycling home this evening, and I didn't have my laptop with me, so I thought I'd see what sort of time I could set on my commute.

Having got home this evening, I've just uploaded it to Strava to check the results...

On the various segments covered, I managed PBs on four of them, and was distinctly chuffed to get to 9th place overall (out of 150 riders) on CS7 Clapham South to Clapham Common.

So, where does this put me in the narrower rankings, I ask?

Well, it puts me 3rd out of 44 for my age group (35-44), 3rd out of 29 for my weight group (over 200lbs ), and dead bloody last out of two for the Pistonheads club members!!!

Thus to the thread title - out of all the people on Strava who could've been in the eight people faster than me down that little drag, how come one of them had to be one of the elite band of 27 PH group members???

lol Just spotted this thread and wondered what I had done!

I very rarely go on the CS7 as I commute SW to SE London so doubt I will be on many other segments you use

[Kermit power]

fromage said:

lol Just spotted this thread and wondered what I had done!

I very rarely go on the CS7 as I commute SW to SE London so doubt I will be on many other segments you use

Oh right, just rub it in, why don't you!