Nat’s changing relationship to Strava

Wayyyyyy back in 2017 I posted a ride in Strava. It was an accountability post for my MS Bike Tour Team.

I don’t have a bike computer so I use my phone to record rides. It’s perfect for the distances I do.

I posted off and on on Strava over the years. I followed a few people. I couldn’t really relate to segments and competing for Queen of the Mountain (QOM). It felt alienating.

I deleted the app off my phone in July 2019 just before the MS Bike Tour. I had shared my training with my team and I broke up with Strava.

Goodbye unattainable accomplishments!

Goodbye comparing my little jaunts with epic rides others were doing!

Goodbye feeling “less than”!

Then I wanted to get back into riding in 2023. I was driving my beloved and his Randonneuring friends to cycling events and caught the bug.

I reinstalled Strava and followed my new friends but I didn’t spend much time there.

Then on one trip driving back with a carload of tired riders I had a great conversation with Mike. He’s a member of the Huron chapter of Randonneurs Ontario as well as an ultra long distance runner and lovely human.

He was sharing his experience of Strava and how he followed people he actually knows. He also follows athletes, professional and amateur that he can relate to.

I realized it was a great way to see all of the other fitness activities my friends do. So I started recording my short cycling commutes.

Then I got an Apple Watch in October and started sharing all of my workouts on Strava.

I love that it’s a place where I can celebrate my friends’ achievements. It’s where doing activities daily is normalized.

I’m so grateful for Mike sharing his enthusiasm and perspective with me. It’s made Strava a place I feel at home.