It took many years for this luddite to decide to fit a computator to my bicycle. And I've been rubbish with them - breaking them in so many inventive and unusual ways that on a couple of occasions i decided I didn't deserve to have one
But I do have them on most of my bikes. Only the Carlton doesn't. Even my Rudge has a wireless 'puter ready to be fitted discreetly.
Why?
Well, I like the data. That's part of it. And the ritual of entering the figures when I get to my desk as I'm waiting for the main database to open its creaky gates decide to let me through is a nice start to the day.
And, fundamentally, I'm lazy. If I didn't have targets to aim for, I'd never reach a 25kph average; I'd almost never beat a 40kph max; I'd not beat a 25min cycling time. I'd be slow(er), and not getting any fitter.
I like looking at the stats of a ride and finding how far I've ridden. Superstoker was made up when he knew we'd done almost 18miles on saturday, or 25miles for Freewheel. And my sore arse in Goole may have been slightly soothed by knowing that we had pressed on for an unplanned 100k ride.
Sure there's a value in just riding, and on my Carlton, I still get door to door in 30min without having the little nag on the bars, yet it feels like a much more gentlemanly pace of life.
Dunno. I like the little things, but my life wouldn't be spoiled if I didn't have them.