From showing numbers to using them
Once your computer is mounted and reading correctly, the next step is learning what to do with the figures. A single ride’s numbers say little. A handful of rides over several weeks say much more, because they smooth out the effects of wind, weather and a bad night’s sleep.
The aim here is steadier, smarter riding, not records. This article assumes your computer is already set up; the pillar guide on riding with a bike computer covers that.
Pick a few numbers and keep them consistent
It is tempting to track everything. Start with three:
- Distance: how far you rode.
- Time: how long you were riding, preferably moving time, which leaves out stops.
- Average speed: distance divided by moving time.
A quick check on the arithmetic: if you ride 24 kilometres in 1 hour 30 minutes, which is 1.5 hours, your average speed is 24 divided by 1.5, which is 16 km/h. In miles, 15 miles in 1.5 hours is 10 mph.
Keep the same units and settings from ride to ride. Changing wheel size, units or whether stops are counted makes comparisons meaningless.
Compare like with like
The most common mistake is comparing a flat evening ride in still air with a hilly morning ride into the wind. Average speed will differ for reasons that have little to do with your fitness.
For useful comparisons:
- Use a regular route you ride often, such as a commute or a favourite loop.
- Compare rides in similar conditions where you can.
- Look at the trend across several rides, not the best or worst one.
- Note the conditions in a line or two: windy, hot, tired, new tyres.
If a number is lower than usual, check the cause before judging it. Headwinds, heat and fatigue are often the explanation, and the article on windy day riding explains why wind has such a large effect.
What trends can tell you
Over weeks, patterns may show up.
- Longer rides feel easier. If the same route takes a similar time but feels less tiring, that is a good sign even if the numbers barely move.
- Steadier pace. Seeing less difference between your first and last hour suggests better pacing. The article on pacing effort looks at how to spread effort.
- More consistent riding. Distance per week is often more telling than any single ride. Riding regularly tends to matter more than occasional big efforts.
These are general observations. Results vary between people, and the numbers cannot promise improvement.
Using data to ride more steadily
A few practical ways to let the numbers help.
Pace the first third. Many riders start too fast. If your early average is well above your usual, ease off before you pay for it later.
Stop for the right reasons. If the data shows long stops, think about whether you need them. Short, planned breaks for water or food are sensible; long, unplanned ones may signal that you started too hard or did not eat enough.
Increase gradually. If you want to ride further, add a modest amount to a regular route rather than jumping suddenly. The article on your first long ride gives general preparation ideas. If you have any health concerns about increasing exercise, speak to a doctor.
Look for safety patterns, not just speed ones. If your record shows you often ride at dusk, for example, that is a cue to check your lights.
When the numbers are not helping
Data can slip into pressure. Signs it is not helping:
- You feel anxious about a slow ride.
- You ride harder than you want to just to beat a number.
- You are looking at the screen more than at the road.
- You skip a ride because it will not look good.
If that sounds familiar, try a week without looking: cover the screen or show only the clock, then check afterwards. Riding should remain enjoyable, and the best data is the kind that makes the next ride a bit calmer or more comfortable.
Keep your eyes where they belong
Even when you are curious, keep glances short and save analysis for stops and for afterwards at home. Information is only useful if you arrive to use it. In traffic, junctions and on rough surfaces, the screen should be ignored entirely.
A final suggestion is to keep a short note after each ride: how you felt, the weather and one thing you noticed. Matched to the numbers, those notes often tell you more than the figures do by themselves, and they help you set small, realistic goals for the weeks ahead.