Anyone out there have a pulse? We need some conversation on these boards to start motivating the masses.
Here's a start: My wife bought me a Garmin 500 bike computer for Christmas. I left it in the box over by the fireplace until last week. She kept making comments about me possibly not liking it and taking it back. I told her I was just saving it for the spring and my new road bike.
I finally pulled it out of the box and charged it up. Got on line and started reading the manual and all the "bells and whistles" etc...... and what it could do for me as far as measurable data.
I'm not a real tech guy when it comes to all the electronics that allow our youth, and too many adults, to spend too much time playing and being entertained by gadgets. I'm a go out and do it person. The best way to get good at riding your bike is to ride your bike. You'll find that the guys that are real fit and fast ride allot and they do so at higher intensities. My new computer not only does the regular speed, miles, etc.... but is also a gps so I get accurate tracks for routes and info about climbing. It has heart rate and power capability. I'm using the HR function and will eventually add the power function will I want to plop down the money for a powertap wheel build up. It will happen. Those little carrots keep you motivated with the training and even if I'm just out riding my mountain bike to work on tech skills, I'll have some fun data to play with.
Training with data is the only way to go. When you can measure power and heart rate and compare the same information over time using the same routes, you get a better picture of where you are and where you need to get to accomplish goals.
Enough of this tech talk. I'm heading out to ride my bike this morning before we get more snow.