Unsocial networking my ride

I've been using Strava.com for a couple months. In case you don't know, Strava is a social media site that lets you upload ride data from GPS devices, and compare your rides with others around you.

Fortunately, my subscription is coming to end, and I won't be renewing.

The service, which is new, has become fairly popular in a short time, with riders using it either to compare ride metrics, or just to track their own riding. One of the most popular features, though, seems to be the KOMs (or QOMs, for members of the better-smelling sex). When I first joined, and plugged in my Garmin 500, the web site automatically update all of the ride data I'd saved since May. Every Derby, lunch ride, Prospect Park loop, and tired, post-crit Sauerkraut Lane traverse.

I also learned that I'd accumulated a couple-dozen KOMs, which was awesome -- except that I suddenly cared whether or not someone had posted a faster time than me on Reservoir Road, or on Northeast approach to Lake Desolation. I used to care about the people I was riding with on any given day, but now, suddenly, I had a means with which to care about people I'd never met.

So, that's been nerve-wracking.

In addition, when you're a type-A cyclist like me, there's the added stress of having everyone know when I was taking a slow day, but not being able to explain it ("I raced both days this weekend, my legs were tired.") The feeling I had, whether or not it was justified, was that everyone who happened to see my rides were judging me. OK, it was probably justified. I shouldn't have cared what other people thought of my rides -- if they were even looking, which they probably weren't -- but I totally do.

Also, for me, riding has largely been a social activity for me -- like, the kind of activity you do with people, not online avatars, so wasting time uploading ride data was taking time from I should have spent writing here, cooking, or, most likely, sleeping.

Maybe it's for some people. Also, I'll miss the ability to find rides in new places -- or new rides at home. But I won't miss the (limited) anxiety it caused me. Enjoy Strava responsibly.