Who uses Strava?

I'm seeing a lot of folks talking about Strava lately, but their site doesn't really allow much of a view of the product without signing up.

My question to those Stravaites here: Why did you pick it? Is it worth switching from a different logging app? Why?

I know that the Schueys us Strava...

am unfamiliar as well.  Would like to know pros/coms.  cost.

All I know is, once I signed up (which is required to even look around the place) and started trying to spy on Facebook friends who use it, I suddenly started getting followed. It's a cult!

I use it, and I love it.  

Originally got it for cycling, as the cycling community is much larger on Strava, especially in Sacramento.  Here in VA/MD/DC, the running community is huge on Strava, so it's nice.  

Tim and Wendy use it.  Schueys sort of do.  Martin hasn't logged a run in months.

Pros: can be set to auto-sync with your Garmin Connect, so no manual upload required.  Pretty much the same data as Garmin offers, and it's free (like Garmin).  Has leaderboards for segments, can identify if you've run with a person who also uploaded their run (even if it's just part of the run together)...  They recently introduced a "Races" feature where you can sign up and set a goal time for a race and see who else is running it/see their training starting 12 weeks out.  

Cons: some features require a premium membership.  These include setting segment goals, weekly mileage goals, in-depth pace/HR/race analysis, etc.  But at that point, it's kind of like a virtual trainer.  I guess you could technically creep on people, since your GPS data is there, but you can set up a privacy zone around home and work (1mi radius) so no one can see it but you.  Also, you can set yourself to private so only your approved friends can see your runs.  

Feel free to ask any specific questions.

Mike MacLellan wrote:I use it, and I love it.  

Originally got it for cycling, as the cycling community is much larger on Strava, especially in Sacramento.  Here in VA/MD/DC, the running community is huge on Strava, so it's nice.  

Tim and Wendy use it.  Schueys sort of do.  Martin hasn't logged a run in months.

Pros: can be set to auto-sync with your Garmin Connect, so no manual upload required.  Pretty much the same data as Garmin offers, and it's free (like Garmin).  Has leaderboards for segments, can identify if you've run with a person who also uploaded their run (even if it's just part of the run together)...  They recently introduced a "Races" feature where you can sign up and set a goal time for a race and see who else is running it/see their training starting 12 weeks out.  

Cons: some features require a premium membership.  These include setting segment goals, weekly mileage goals, in-depth pace/HR/race analysis, etc.  But at that point, it's kind of like a virtual trainer.  I guess you could technically creep on people, since your GPS data is there, but you can set up a privacy zone around home and work (1mi radius) so no one can see it but you.  Also, you can set yourself to private so only your approved friends can see your runs.  

Feel free to ask any specific questions.

Since you're not on FB, how do I creep on your workouts?

Also, does it include a space for notes on the workout itself? Looking back on other folks' workouts, I don't see notes. Maybe they're just the strong, silent types, but maybe not.

Yes, you can add notes.  It will show up on the actual workout page in the box under the title.  

Search my name (Explore ---> Athlete Search)

Mike MacLellan wrote:Yes, you can add notes.  It will show up on the actual workout page in the box under the title.  

Search my name (Explore ---> Athlete Search)

Aha! There you are. I own you now.

Shit, now you're gonna know when I'm padding my times on my blog.

Mike MacLellan wrote:Shit, now you're gonna know when I'm padding my times on my blog.

Mmmf!

"Now."

Funny.

Mike MacLellan wrote:Shit, now you're gonna know when I'm padding my times on my blog.

Ok, I'm going to follow you now too!

I guess the natural progression is to create a V-Team group on Strava.  Done!

T Miller wrote:I guess the natural progression is to create a V-Team group on Strava.  Done!

Clever idea, Tim! Thanks for setting it up.