Her Active Life

Click here for the Lead Stories

Bike Computers and Exercise Gadgets

Posted June 12, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Martinique Haller

Section: Her Fitness, Calculators & Tools, Her Health, Body Image, Her Motivation

Some people like to run or cycle for the sheer, unfettered joy. They love the feeling of escape, the internal push, the connection to their body. But sometimes you want information. Heart-rate monitors have become pretty popular with runners, and cyclists have their equivalent in the bike computer. Depending on what kind you get, it can tell you how many miles per hour you’re traveling, your trip length, average speed, maximum speed, heart rate and more.  Some computers have more or less.  I recently installed a computer on my bike, the sigma 1106, and I have really enjoyed riding with it. Mine is not connected to a heart rate monitor, but it does tell me my speed.  This has been very informative in trying to develop a steady pace and for pushing myself. When I used to run more frequently, I often had difficulty staying at the pace I had developed on a treadmill.  When I’d get out on the streets and run off the treadmill, I wouldn’t have a good concept if I were going to finish a 5k in 25 or 35 minutes because I lacked the experience to ‘feel’ my pace.

The bike computer helps with the same dilemma. I took the computer out for my a ride and was very excited to see what different speeds felt like. I had assumed my average speed was a little faster than ten miles per hour. I was surprised to realize how much faster I am than that!  I can easily maintain a speed of 15 mph, and love the physical push required to maintain a speed of 17 or higher.  Seeing my mph motivates me to push harder as I sit on my saddle and remind myself that “I am the engine, not the rider.” I like noting how much slowing down for a rough patch of pavement reduces my speed and the energy required to pick it back up. It has made me make better use of my shifting to maintain a steady pace, too.

Playing with new toys in your activity of choice can be a lot of fun. It’s refreshing to approach what you normally do in a new way and to motivate yourself differently. Whether it’s the Nike+ I-pod kit, a heart rate monitor (see this post to calculate your heart rate), or a bike computer, it can shake things up, and that’s always a good thing.

2 comments, add yours | Permalink | Share this article

Tags: bike computers, biking, cycling, electronics, equipments, gadgets, heart rate monitors, maintaining speed, martinique haller, nike+ kit, running tools, treadmill

Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!

2 Responses to “Bike Computers and Exercise Gadgets” (Leave a reply)