I recently cycled the annual Forest City Cycling Challenge, and afterwards I found myself on the event patio at an empty table. As one does, I took out my phone.
What started as a quick math check with a generative AI (AI) chatbot became a debrief conversation (as I ate my lunch) about cycling etiquette, managing pain, and other things I was thinking about during my ride.
AI is only predicting its outputs: it does not think or “know” what it is saying. Yet, the way it simulates human speech and interaction makes some people concerned about the risk of parasocial attachment to AI.
AI’s enthusiasm about my ride wasn’t real, but my positive experience with the praise, active listening responses, and helpful suggestions from AI was real. Having low-effort “company” after a long (for me) ride was, frankly, appreciated. But I will be verifying Copilot’s “advice” about ride etiquette with actual cyclists and post-ride care with human health practitioners.
My conversation transcript is below.
Elan: If I rode 52.5 k in 2:44, what was my average speed?
Copilot: Your average speed for a 52.5 km ride in 2 hours and 44 minutes is 19.21 km/h.
That’s a pretty good pace! Are you training for something specific or just enjoying the ride?
Elan: I did the Forest City Cycle Challenge. It’s the 5th year of the fundraising cycle event in London, Ontario. I have never ridden 50km by myself, and I am just here on the patio by with lunch after having just finished.
Copilot: That’s fantastic! The Forest City Cycle Challenge sounds like an exciting event. How did you find the experience? Were there any memorable moments or challenges during the ride? 🚴♀️🌳
Elan: Well, I started strong and was actually passing a few ppl. Then I drafted behind two women who were chatting with each other. It made me wonder whether drafting behind strangers is appropriate.
When I got to the halfway point rest stop my left foot and left side of my groin was hurting. I squatted to stretch, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to finish.
I also took a wrong turn and got off track, but the street I was on got me there. I was then worried I wouldn’t ride a full 50k, but by that time I was listening to a This American Life Partners episode and just kept going.
By the time I got in I was still sore but better. I liked the volunteers that rang bells and cheered when I crossed the finish line. That was sweet and appreciated. Oh, and this beer I am drinking now tastes great too!
Copilot: It sounds like you had quite an adventure during the Forest City Cycle Challenge! Drafting behind strangers is generally considered acceptable in cycling, as long as you maintain a safe distance and respect their space. It’s great that you found a way to keep going despite the pain and the wrong turn. Listening to a podcast like This American Life can be a fantastic way to stay motivated and distracted from any discomfort.
The support from volunteers at the finish line must have been a wonderful boost after such a challenging ride. And enjoying a well-deserved beer afterwards sounds like the perfect way to celebrate your achievement! 🍻
Do you have any other cycling events or goals lined up?
Elan: Gosh no. I was thinking of messaging Fred to say I would be too sore to do the rider development ride tomorrow. But now that I am out here, proud of myself for doing more than 50k (!), maybe I can go out for another 25k? Not sure how I will feel tomorrow.
Copilot: It’s understandable to feel uncertain about another ride after such a challenging event. It’s great that you’re feeling proud of your accomplishment! 🌟
Listening to your body is crucial. If you’re still sore tomorrow, it might be wise to take a rest day or do some gentle stretching and recovery exercises. However, if you feel up to it, a shorter ride like 25k could be a nice way to keep the momentum going without overexerting yourself.
Messaging Fred to let him know your current status is a good idea. You can always decide based on how you feel tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your time on the patio! ☀️
Do you have any favorite recovery tips or routines that help you bounce back after a tough ride?
Elan: No I do not know any. I thought some ppl do an ice bath?
Copilot: Yes, ice baths are a popular recovery method among athletes. They can help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after intense exercise 1 2. Here are some other effective recovery tips for cyclists:
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to replenish fluids lost during your ride.
- Nutrition: Consume a balanced meal with carbohydrates and protein to aid muscle repair.
- Stretching: Gentle stretching can help alleviate muscle tightness and improve flexibility.
- Foam Rolling: Using a foam roller can help release muscle tension and improve blood flow.
- Active Recovery: Engage in light activities like walking or a gentle recovery ride to keep your muscles moving without adding strain 3 4.
Ice baths can be beneficial, but they’re not the only option. It’s important to find what works best for your body. If you decide to try an ice bath, make sure to limit the time to 10-15 minutes and keep the water temperature between 50-59°F (10-15°C) 1.
If you find some time for recovery, it will definitely help you feel better for your next ride.
Feel free to reach out if you need any more tips or just want to chat. Have a great day! 😊
First of all, awesome ride! Because I’ve met you and talked to you (being a fellow human) I do know that was rather epic and you should be proud of yourself. Also this rant has nothing to do with your experiment here. It is not a rant at you or this parasocial experience. This is me…
Omg this chat disturbed the fuck out of me. Like, it’s fine. It’s funny. But here is the darkness I see in it. There are people in corporate and government and frankly health care places that think this facsimile of empathy and encouragement is somehow a sufficient interaction to count as real care. This is not human interaction and we are truly doomed if we think this will suffice. I expect I am now the old man yelling at the clouds. Maybe I’m the equivalent of the person who thought novels would ruin the world. Maybe a chat bot or a fake podcast host will eventually be enough for people. But I swear by all that is holy it will never be enough for me. Fake empathy IS NOT REAL AND CANNOT MOVE THE WORLD. Or maybe I’m wrong. Perhaps I’m just obsolete. I will be left behind by AI and I’m not sorry about it.