It started quite by accident. What began as a way to track and share statistics from recreational activities became a way to tell stories.
Not long ones, mind you, but at least a fun title, a few words and some pictures.
Most of the runners, walkers and cyclists I know and spend time with use a variety of tracking software and apps, most notably Strava. As cyclists we all say “if it isn’t on Strava, it didn’t happen.”
With a group that varies from retirees to engineers to marketing folks to medical professionals (and lots in between), we all love data. Strava allows us to gauge our progress as well as share it. Most of the events we record, when finished, come back with a basic title of “Morning Walk” or “Afternoon Ride” or “Lunchtime Run.”
Ah, but once I learned I could edit that title and add additional copy and photos, the game changed. My inspiration came one day when a cycling buddy, Andrea, labeled a ride “Wait, Richard, wait!” She was referring to one of our ride leaders who usually runs a weekend casual tour of local neighborhoods. However, it seemed that this one day Richard picked up the pace a bit. It wasn’t that she couldn’t keep up, it was that the pace was a bit faster than expected. Hence the title.
And so it goes.
Now this isn’t something unique to our cycling community. An internet search of “Strava stories” comes up with pages of links. Most notably is the company itself. It really is a social network.
However, it seems the current website needs an update with stories most recently from 2016.
But the basic idea of using this platform of smaller networks of friends as a defacto Facebook. While we also (at least I do) post to my personal Facebook page, too, this gives me another outlet for connection to friends and my biking community.
Some may say this is not a good use of time. But I disagree—it is a chance to further cement relationships and share information we all are interested in. It adds color and interest to our activities and keeps us engaged—and moving.
Networks are where you find—and make—them.
Relentless
