Strava vs Komoot

Stephen Hickey has drawn my attention to an article by Paul Norman (dated 21st April) and featured on Pearson Cycles' website:

Strava vs Komoot

This is quite a hot topic for conversation amongst members including some who are also thinking of purchasing a Garmin or other device and several who already use the basic features of RideWithGPS and a few who subscribe to RwGPS ($50 p.a.) to use its advanced features.

Note that these are not the only products out there. My advice is to see how far you can get with the basic free feature set on any product before committing to a subscription. For navigation consider how you will attach your phone to the handlebars and how to keep it dry if it is not a waterproof model. All products require quite a commitment to learning how to use them to get the best from them.

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

5 Comments:

Unknown 25 April 2021 at 18:26 BST

I used komoot for a cross country ride in Surrey. It suggested a bridleway that had been closed and diverted at least 8 years before.

Neil W. 26 April 2021 at 15:21 BST

This comment has been removed by the author.

Neil W. 26 April 2021 at 15:25 BST

I have used Komoot for over a year, it is good for planning road/tour rides, and has quite good screen info for navigating a route. Audio turn by turn works well with bluetooth headset. Its easy to export gpx files and then import into Strava.
There are several ways recording can fail, note the tips following.
Recommended settings:
1. when using komoot for nativation, once you start navigation, have 'Store for offline use' active, for the map you are using to navigate
2. battery saver mode OFF : it is liable to stop recording if you have 'battery save' mode activated
3. mobile data off: on iphone having mobile data active drains the battery
4. Auto plan OFF : once you press to start natigation, hit the blue Controls button, check that auto plan is off. With auto plan on if you take a turn off the route it can redesign the route and may choose a shorter way to the end(!).
5. take an external battery pack (or three).

Tim C 26 April 2021 at 17:12 BST

Although I am a RideWithGPS bigot I am pleased that several members have been discovering Komoot and getting good use from it.

Apart from that I have never really moved on from Memory-Map which I still use for navigating every time, from routes I have planned in RwGPS.

Thanks for your advice Neil, all of which could save people from a lot of bother.

Sebastian Alasino 01 May 2021 at 05:55 BST

I’ve been cycling with CTC and TVC for a couple of years now. I’m just starting to recognise the some of the roads but I’m still pretty new in the area.

I found Komoot very helpful to find routes, segments and even full rides. I love all the recommendations and photos of other cyclist, and even to find nice coffee shops/pubs to stop :)

This is a GCN video about Komoot:

https://youtu.be/lArwlHtZfNE

Invitation to Join the B Group Ride, 28th April.

I have given myself the rare treat of leading the B Group on 28th April. You are cordially invited to join this ride. Steph, Tony Hooker and Tony Hopkins have kindly offered to be sub-leaders.

Elevenses will be at the Pheasantry cafe, Bushy Park, and lunch at the Watermans Arms, Eton. Tea, for those following the full route, will be at the Cowey Sale cafe, Walton Bridge.

The route to lunch is flat, 17miles, with a few gravel paths, and passes through Hanworth, Feltham, Stanwell Moor, Horton, and Datchet. After lunch there is one climb - from Old Windsor up Crimp Hill, (but with the descent of Tite Hill to Egham soon after). Thereafter the route passes through Staines and Laleham, following the Thames, in two stretches, to Walton on Thames. (16miles).

I'll be doing another recce of the route on Monday - with co-leaders if they wish, and will then put the route on the blog (in Garmin .gpx) or Ride with GPS if requested, for those wanting to follow the course on the day.

Unfortunately the Waterman's Arms pub doesn't take bookings for outdoor tables, but the landlady has assured me that there should be plenty of spaces from midday on Wednesday. Likely gaps in groups arriving should make it easier. We have also been requested, if possible, to use smart-phones to order food and drink from the menu. (There is also a very large beer-garden at the JD Wetherspoons, The King and Castle, just over the bridge in Windsor, should there be insufficient outdoor tables).

I'm aware that some riders may wish to avoid Crimp Hill, so if you could let me know, arrangements will be made for one group to follow a flatter route through Runnymede.

Please respond to:- gedlawrenson150@gmail.com if you want to join this ride. Deadline:- 6.00pm on Monday. 

Whilst Covid-19 restrictions are easing it is still vital as a club we ride in groups of six or less, keep in our groups during the day, and follow social distancing guidelines at all times. See our guidelines. There's a slight chance we may bump into the A Group around Bedfont - on their way to Burnham Beeches, so don't get caught-up with the greyhounds!

I'll email the groups and starting times on Tuesday, and look forward to riding with you on Wednesday.

Author: Ged Lawrenson

B Group - 21st April, to Tanhouse Farm

Pete with beer and climbing legs

Twenty-two jolly Wayfarers met at Layla’s café in Effingham (a new elevenses venue for us) and we were made very welcome.

After consuming coffee and cake we had a reasonably hilly ride over Ranmore and up to Abinger Hatch, then a very scenic route via Friday Street around the south side of Leith Hill towards Coldharbour. Then a very quick decent down Broomehall Lane to Ockley, then on to Capel, Rusper and Tanhouse Farm for lunch, interrupted by two noisy donkeys.
Bless them!!

John, Pete Foster, Paula, Clive

Paula and Clive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you all for joining me on my ride, so nice to see you all. A big thanks to David, Jennie and Christina for sub leading.

Pete B

______________________________________________

Jennie J wrote:

Stunning weather, can highly recommend the café, made most welcome by the owner, an excellent place to start. Four started, all slightly apprehensive about the hills, which proved unnecessary, as everyone coped very well. I haven’t cycled with Terry for a while, but my god, can he climb! If we didn’t have Covid I would have shaken his hand. At the end of Broomehall, we stopped to chat about the place where Oliver Reed lived, we continued onto Tanhouse where we caught up with Sue and Steve Foster, great to see them.

Terry and Pete

Steve, Sue and Jennie

Bob and Tim

After lunch, onto Denbies, where we stopped for tea, where if you want to sit at a table you now need to book, otherwise it’s the grass. Great day and company. A huge thanks to Pete for a great route.

______________________________________________

David J wrote:

Yes, a really good and challenging ride Pete, really enjoyed by my group. After lunch, we rode some well-known roads, Church Lane/Hoggspudding Lane by Newdigate church, and towards Denbies via Roothill Lane. From here we somewhat dispersed and made our way home. Well done Pete for the route and a truly great day!

Photo finish for David's team at Tanhouse Farm

Three geezers from Team 4

_____________________________________________

For Christina's group Helen wrote:

Lady's smocks, cowslips and bluebells...our B group ride to Tanhouse via Coldharbour, and Ockley was delightful with spring flowers flourishing in the woods and hedgerows along so much of the route. Inder joined our Wednesday ride for the first time, and I have not been out with the Bs for nearly a year, so we had a little correspondence beforehand about whether we felt quite up to it; but the weather was lovely, Steph was leading us and Brenda to coffee at Effingham from North Cheam, and Pete's route sounded lovely, so away we went. Coffee meetup was lively and social, nice catch ups with old friends not seen for a while.

Christina lead us out from coffee and we were all straight up the hill towards White Down. I'd heard that this was a terrifyingly difficult hill and drop and it's true, it's not easy up, but we did ok. Steph is a very kind and patient back marker... The drop is steep in places, but my brakes didn't squeal much and it was most enjoyable☺

Next was up to Abinger Common, such a pretty village. Christina lead three of us up to Friday Street , while Steph and I took photos at the well and cruised round the flat(ter) approach to chilly Coldharbour, enjoying some pretty outlooks along the way. There were still quite a lot of daffodils along sunny banks, (the ones in my garden finished ages ago!), including lots, a fabulous display, just outside Christ Church, where we rejoined the group. Here we visited the very well cared-for grave of the famous 20th century Polish poet and writer Marian Hemar and his wife Caja, who was the Columbia Films golden goddess. They settled in the area and made it their home after WW2, when Poland of course was behind the Iron Curtain.

 We enjoyed the longer and mostly more gentle ride down towards Ockley; the south facing slopes had many woodland bluebells in flower; halfway down a couple had parked their car and were taking photos. Generally from here the roads were a little busier, but most of our route to lunch was quiet traffic wise. We were very hungry by Tanhouse, where we arrived at about 1.30, and enjoyed their delicious lunch.

It was agreed not to stop at Denbies for tea. We all set off  towards Brockham. Inder and I headed along the carriageway from there, cutting through Pixham with Steph. Christina and Brenda went via the ZigZag while the rest of us headed up to Leatherhead, then back over Ashtead and Epsom Commons. Very tired over the last few miles, but so pleased and satisfied with our enjoyable day out.

Many thanks Christina for leading and Steph backmarking, and to all our group for kindness, support, fun and encouragement over the day.

Stephen, Christina, Brenda, Steph, Helen and Inder

______________________________________________ 

 

Author: Tim C

Invitation to Join the 'A' Group Ride on Weds 28 April

The 'A' Group ride  on 28 April will start from Molesey Lock (near Hampton Court Bridge).   Coffee shops and stalls abound in the vicinity (don't overlook Molesey Boat Club a bit further along the towpath) and the route begins 'very conveniently' as you'll see!

We're heading north west for a change, and co-leaders Frances, Hans and Mike have very kindly agreed to help me whisk you to lunch at the Fox and Pheasant, Stoke Poges ( https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/buckinghamshire/fox-pheasant/ - NB, there is an order and pay app you can download before setting off).

After lunch there will be a mini-tour of Burnham Beeches before we head back to tea at Shepperton or Walton.

The total distance is about 45 miles and the route is flattish by 'A' standards, with only about 850 ft of climbing (and some of that is footbridges)!   Quite a few cycle paths are involved, but virtually everything is well surfaced, and the remainder will not present any problems, so you needn't bring your gravel bike!

We'll be riding and keeping in groups of six and respecting Covid-19 restrictions and guidance.

If you'd like to sign up please e-mail me at cycledave23@gmail.com by Monday evening.

You can find the route at https://www.strava.com/routes/2819111915196439596 or I can send you the .gpx with your confirmation.

Dave

FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS (!)

Weds 12 May - 'A' Group ride planned from Shepperton to Velolife Bike Cafe, Warren Row (nr Henley) and back to  Addlestone/Walton, about 50 miles round trip.   Volunteer co-leaders needed, so please let me know if you could help.   Optional recce ride to be arranged.

Author: David W

A Tribute to Mike Morley from St. Raphael's Hospice.

This kind tribute to Mike Morley appeared in the recent edition of The Raphaelite, the newsletter of St. Raphael's Hospice. Lets hope many of us are able to ride the Hilly 50 this year - the new Paul James's edition, or the original version, and support a worthy cause dear to Mike's heart.

Author: Ged Lawrenson

A Group to Puttenham, 21 April

What a lovely day for a ride in a 4x5.   Twenty riders gathered in various places around Bookham at various times, the leaders having to round up their flocks for the ride to Puttenham, with two different route options.  It was nice to see John Bassett, who came to elevenses to say hello and then returned home.  First off was Neil Warland's group, who chose the off-road route using the old Saxon drove road along the top of the Downs to Guildford, with a bit more off-road along the Christmaspie trail after lunch:

Great Bookham has a few things in its favour as a start location, riders visiting this for the first time may try Claire's cafe up from the loos, but it is not a cafe to repeat visit if you like good coffee, whereas the bakery down on the High Street does great coffee and Portuguese tarts. At 10:25 I went in search of two missing members of the group, they had chosen Claire's, and we set off a few minutes later. The weather was so much better than forecast earlier, and stayed surprisingly good through the day. I set a keen pace up Green Dene, then we had the offroad section. It was paths like this that led me last October to get my current bike with wider tyres, I can't say it was smooth, but it must have been a rougher ride for others. Exiting the trail at Newlands Corner was a wonderful view. We visited the memorial telling of the gift of Pewley Down lands by Friary brewery, next time we see their beer on tap we should get one and thank them. After Farncombe rail crossing we climbed the understated Farncombe Hill, ( really, only 10%!?). Then looking over the spires of Charterhouse I recounted something of their most famous pupil Lord Liverpool, Disraeli dissed Liverpool's Prime Ministership as 'Arch-mediocrity', but without his effective leadership, Abba could not later write "My, my - at Waterloo, Napoleon did surrender". Dave B. added one essential fact about Charterhouse - it was where Genesis got together. Nice lanes and views to Puttenham, especially Cuttmill Lake, the Good Intent service was again good and prompt, more great touring lanes getting close back to Ripley. Thanks Simon for a great route.

Cuttmill Lake

Newlands Corner

Second off was Ged's group, who chose the on-road option:

The road group five soon became four after Sebastian departed after Shere, leaving me in the company of Frances, Fiona and Janice to tackle the road route. We were forced to stop at the Farncombe level crossing, giving me the chance to mention the 10% Farncombe Hill ahead: at the top we caught our breath and agreed it felt steeper! A missed right turn at Hurtmore - on the way to Shackleford, was soon corrected, proving that two Garmin's were better than one! The sunny Good Intent garden was reached at 12.20pm for an early lunch. Frances and Fiona pressed-on at tea, leaving two for tea, shortly joined by Neil's group. After tea - and proving we were not just roadies, Janice and I crossed the bone-dry Prince's Coverts to Claygate on the way home.

Ripley roaders

Next came Dave Vine's group with more off-road, and a bonus bit of off-road that Ged's on-road group were very lucky to escape:

We left around 5 minutes late, and the climb up Green Dene warmed us up. After that initial exertion your route along the Downs was almost entirely downhill. Even those of us who are off-road sceptics, including me, could agree that it was a nice change from busy roads, and the view from Pewley Down was superb. The final descent around Guildford Castle gives one the feeling of following an ancient trading route.

I can't say the later climbs through Farncombe and up Suffield Lane were welcome but we were in Puttenham just after 1pm, which I think was on-schedule. All our food arrived quickly, except my sandwich which disappeared into a black hole somewhere between the pre-payment and the kitchen. Eventually it emerged, but I fear we delayed your group's departure as I saw that you were obliged to while away the time with coffees in the sunshine.

After lunch we struggled with lactic acid and the gradient of Wanborough Hill and soon appreciated why our morning progress had been so easy, as the lively NE wind set in. No matter, we plugged on. Denied access to Chitty's Common by a huge truck delivering building materials we took local advice and rode a boardwalk across the common. A photo would have been nice, but I think we were all concerned not to fall off into the alligator swamp below.

After that excitement it was just a case of hiding from the headwind as much as possible. Nobody fancied tea by the busy Ripley High Street, though the Bakery was tempting for some, so we parted company for home.

Thanks to Sue and Gina for their company. Neil backmarked when he wasn't up front keeping the wind off me, when Dave took over. Finally, Jackie couldn't be with us today, but hopefully will next week.

Pewley Down

... but I had saved the cream of the riders for my own group: Pete B, Alan, Brian and David F tackled the off-road route, which was so dry that it was a bit lumpy in places.   We had to stop once or twice to make sure no bits had shaken loose, from us or the bikes.  Gently downhill all the way from the top of Combe Lane to Pewley Down - ah, we could imagine how the Saxon shepherds would have followed ye olde lambs frolicking on the way to market.   Then a vertiginous drop past the castle into Guildford - maybe they just rolled the sheep down that bit?   We were almost at lunch, but I know how keen the A group are, so the route didn't take the first signposted turn to Puttenham, nor the second.  A meandering route, in the vertical direction as well as the horizontal, allowed us to work up an appetite for lunch.   As we arrived we just saw Ged's group disappearing up the slope away from the pub.

The Good Intent seem to have it all worked out well.  Lunch was swiftly served, and we were thinking about going, but there was a problem.  Dave's group were being entertained by a story from Neil C.   In order to preserve a polite distance from them on the road, we ordered some coffees.   Drank them.   The story was still ongoing, but it finished shortly after that; nobody was in a hurry it seems, and it was a lovely day for sitting in the garden in the sunshine.   Suddenly! Just as we left a fierce headwind sprang up, and we had to battle with it all the way home.  After our lunch we were riding powerfully and we were soon overtaking lorries and cars as we climbed up the steep slope over the Hogs Back.  (The traffic was stationary.)   We luckily avoided Dave's detour into the alligator swamp, as the delivery truck was just leaving, and headed back to Ripley, arriving just in time to place our last orders before they closed for tea.   

Newlands Corner

Pewley Down

Thank you to our co-leaders for their help in making a successful day, and to Brian who back-marked for our group, something which he said was easy with a small group, but it is still reassuring.  Also to Mark who showed us the drove road route in December(!) 2016.

Author: Simon L

1 Comment:

Dave F 23 April 2021 at 09:56 BST

Claire's Café: Please note that I believe they do actually offer real coffee as well as their "No-nonsense "range - Nescafé. My mistake then! The huge slab of freshly baked fruit cake and seating in the sunshine on a wide through-traffic free footpath more than compensated. I will be back - just don't order No nonsense coffee.
It seems from assorted Strava records that the three off road groups all completed door to door rides at an average pace of between 12 and 13 mph. Only the roadies blasted away at 14 or slightly more.
Great ride, thanks Simon. Brian, Alan and I kept in the spirit of your ride by coming home from Ripley on a more scenic route via Downside and Bookham common, considerably reducing headwind and traffic.

The Return of Wayfarers Group Rides: Don't Delay - Have your Say.

 A Framework for the return of normal Wayfarers rides was posted on the blog on 12th April.

Do you want to return to riding in large groups, or stick to smaller groups now running? Your views will shape how Wayfarers rides are run in the future.

If you haven't already done so please respond by Monday 26th April.

Author: Ged Lawrenson

12 Comments:

Tony 20 April 2021 at 15:59 BST

Back to normal and large groups please!!!

Janice 20 April 2021 at 22:13 BST

Let’s keep small groups please! Much more flowing rides, no long waits on corners, no long queues of 24 or more to order lunch (and the ensuing long wait for food).

Unknown 21 April 2021 at 08:34 BST

I like the smaller groups as they are much easier to manage for the reasons Janice has said.
I remember the look on the faces of bar and cafe staff when 20 people all turned up at once wanting to place orders.
I also think it makes sense to organise groups according to speed etc where possible as it's more enjoyable if you are riding within your capability and better for the rest of the group.

Patrick W 21 April 2021 at 10:42 BST

I feel these smaller groups are the way forward for reasons stated above also helps with time keeping. However, the social side of the bigger group is missed so maybe we could do a large group ride every 2 months or whenever. Swings and roundabouts....

Fixie-Dave 21 April 2021 at 20:22 BST

I would concur with what Patrick has said.

Unknown 21 April 2021 at 20:57 BST

I like riding in a small group as it's easier to chat with the riders and I find that when the groups meet for elevensees or lunch it's a chance to chat with the larger group.
Dudley

Steph 22 April 2021 at 06:42 BST

I d like to see groups of 12. It's a manageable number and allows for a more social mix. I d also like to see rides graded a little more eg it would allow for a faster/slower B ride .

Geoff Gregory 22 April 2021 at 13:02 BST

I agree with Patrick and Dave, I also think that riding in small groups leads to less frustration to other road users, groups of 10 would still need to multiple spacing

Unknown 22 April 2021 at 14:32 BST

From my brief experience I’m very happy with the small group rides especially if groups are of similar ability etc. Also agree with above comments of easier logistics on the roads and food ordering etc. Thanks, Inder.

Paul 22 April 2021 at 16:08 BST

I like your plan of splitting each of the As and Bs into two but would like it to be slightly more flexible, in that a ride leader could if he or she wanted, make it, say, three groups if he/she had the leaders and the ride was proving popular.

It might be Post-Covid Stress Disorder, but I do not fancy leading groups of fifteen or eighteen through the Surrey lanes, mainly on cycling safety grounds as well as post-Covid recovery grounds. I feel eight or ten is enough. Tony's All Day Ride through London the other Saturday worked a treat. He told the co-leaders the route and left it to us whether we rode it beforehand. We left at ten minute intervals, I think, and each co-leader chose where to stop for refreshment and, to some extent, the route to take through the major selling points. The result was that we had some overtaking on the road and some re-arrangement of group order through using differing routes. We saw some other groups at a distance in Richmond Park, or Battersea Park, or Wandsworth Common, sometimes near enough to say hello, and we all made our way back through slightly different return routes. I had the feeling that I had ridden in a larger event than just the group of five which I led. It would have been even more enjoyable if we had been able to lunch at the same venue and properly chat, as should be possible in future. Of course, in the countryside we would not have such a wealth of stops from which to choose and lunch in particular would have to be fixed.

Thanks for doing this.

Paul

Steve D 22 April 2021 at 21:54 BST

When we can meet in larger groups safely I would still favour small groups riding for all the reasons already stated. However I feel we are in danger of losing some cohesion of members in the club. It is more than a year since as an A group rider I sat and chatted to a B group rider. As a suggestion when we are able, meet with the B riders again at the same start point. Another way would be to reduce the timing gaps between the small groups maybe to 5 or 10 minutes so we can bring back the social element we have all missed so much. As far as pubs getting our food out on time, they are going to have to perform or we won't be using them again. It is not our responsibility to run the efficiency of the kitchen. Finally if there are indeed faster small groups who start first the timing gaps will open naturally.

Frances Stewart 26 April 2021 at 18:07 BST

Hi smaller groups are more user friendly and safer as we move back into busier times.
I agree its great to mix socially and miss Cobham RL get togethers but maybe in due course we can meet at end of a ride for tea across all groups to chat.