Funnily enough, it pretty much broke apart our weekend riding group. That was a mountain bike group, and in my city there were about 20 of us on those rides depending on a season. It didn't matter who was the fastest uphill or downhill, or who was the bravest to go on some scary drops and jumps. It was always just about having fun whatever your abilities are. It was always damned fun on those group rides. Ride a lot, talk a lot, enjoy the greenery and fresh air, beer at the end, what's not to like?
But little by little, and then all of the sudden, everyone had Strava, nobody wanted to rest on a nice place to stop, it was always segments, segments, and more segments. People didn't want session some nice jump or a section, it was always a white knuckle ride top to bottom with no technique, or fun, and just furious time comparisons on the end of segments. People would even heatedly argue about them too, and some riders I know don't talk to each other anymore because of it. Forget about chatting while riding, how you can chat if your heart is pounding and you're chasing that elusive KOM?
So with time, that diverse group fractured because the slower guys couldn't keep up with the "I only ride segments" guys, and smaller groups formed, but those were actually quite short lived. Some of those still ride, but mostly solos or in very small groups which is quite sad to me.
I guess Strava can definitely help you out if you're riding a road bike to find a group which suits your ability. I guess in every city you can have plenty to choose from. But that just doesn't work if your area has say 50 riders in total. Segments in the mountain are great, but only if you ride alone like a training, just don't drag a mountain bike group into it.
Just to make it clear, I don't blame Strava here at all, it is just people who get obssessed by numbers and see rivalry when none exist. Or as the saying goes: comparison is a thief of joy.
But little by little, and then all of the sudden, everyone had Strava, nobody wanted to rest on a nice place to stop, it was always segments, segments, and more segments. People didn't want session some nice jump or a section, it was always a white knuckle ride top to bottom with no technique, or fun, and just furious time comparisons on the end of segments. People would even heatedly argue about them too, and some riders I know don't talk to each other anymore because of it. Forget about chatting while riding, how you can chat if your heart is pounding and you're chasing that elusive KOM?
So with time, that diverse group fractured because the slower guys couldn't keep up with the "I only ride segments" guys, and smaller groups formed, but those were actually quite short lived. Some of those still ride, but mostly solos or in very small groups which is quite sad to me.
I guess Strava can definitely help you out if you're riding a road bike to find a group which suits your ability. I guess in every city you can have plenty to choose from. But that just doesn't work if your area has say 50 riders in total. Segments in the mountain are great, but only if you ride alone like a training, just don't drag a mountain bike group into it.
Just to make it clear, I don't blame Strava here at all, it is just people who get obssessed by numbers and see rivalry when none exist. Or as the saying goes: comparison is a thief of joy.