It was my first time using Strava on a bike ride, and the day was perfect for a spin. The addition of bike lanes has increased the number of cyclists all over Lima, and I’ve been one of them.
I’ve been hitting the biking trails almost every other day for the past two months. In many of these rides, I kept thinking about using the Strava app, but it always slipped my mind. Not this time, though. I made sure to activate it before embarking on today’s route. My plan was to make the most of the ride and grab a couple of items I needed for my bike.
Lima, with its heavy traffic and narrow streets, has its challenges. While there are some broad avenues, they’re not the majority. Fortunately, during the pandemic, the government took a positive step by encouraging the creation of bike lanes across the city, offering an alternative to public transportation.
As life returns to normal, Lima’s traffic has become less cyclist-friendly (and also challenging for those on motorcycles). The introduction of exclusive lanes for biking has been a game-changer. The cyclist community has grown, and I’m just one of many who have reaped the benefits.
I wasn’t about to let it defeat me because building the habit of cycling was something I was determined to do.”
Back in Two Wheels
Getting back in shape hasn’t been a walk in the park, even with my commitment to cycling about 9.5 km three times a week. It’s proven to be more challenging than I initially anticipated. But, I wasn’t about to let it defeat me because building the habit of cycling was something I was determined to do, and I’ve stayed true to that commitment. That’s why I felt it was time to step up the pace.
It’s been years since I last rode a bike. I used to enjoy it immensely in my younger days, but as life unfolded with new responsibilities, travels, and other interests, cycling faded into the background. However, it’s been a few weeks since I got the Easy-Try, and with each passing day, I find myself enjoying these rides more.
A lot has changed since the late eighties. Bicycling used to be a simpler pastime, but today, there are numerous accessories and apps tailored for cyclists. One such app is Strava. I’ll admit, understanding it has been a bit of a challenge for me, much like any other social network I’ve started using. Perhaps that’s why it took me a while to get the hang of it.
I seized the opportunity to pick up some new shifters to replace the generic ones that came with my bike.”
Different Plans
So, this is my first time dabbling with Strava, and I must admit, its features were a bit of a mystery to me initially. My main curiosity revolved around how it tracks my route for progress monitoring. As I delved deeper, I discovered that Strava measures a bunch of other things too, so I figured, why not explore it further? Even though the free version seems somewhat limited at first glance, I decided to give it a spin.
I seized the opportunity to pick up some new shifters to replace the generic ones that came with my bike. I had already planned on upgrading to Shimano shifters, but I also had my eye on those grips with handles I spotted a couple of weeks ago. They make the grips super ergonomic and add an extra hand position on the handlebars.
The outing wasn’t just about getting new accessories; it gave me the chance to discover other bike paths and explore alternative routes. The plan was to head towards Miraflores, passing through Magdalena first, and then cruising along the Costa Verde bike lane. However, once I hit the boardwalk, I couldn’t resist soaking in the breathtaking ocean view it offers.
Even though I’ve had the chance to travel along the shore, the view from the cliff remains absolutely breathtaking.”
Ocean view.
I can’t help but express once more my love for the ocean—not so much for diving in and swimming, but for simply gazing at its vastness. Honestly, it brings me a sense of relaxation. Even though I’ve had the chance to travel along the shore, the view from the cliff remains absolutely breathtaking. As always, I surrendered to the beauty and decided to capture some photos. Perhaps next weekend, I’ll venture there again.
The grass hasn’t completely covered the slopes of the cliff yet, but I hold onto the hope that, with time, the entire San Miguel area will be as lush green as other parts of the Costa Verde, living up to the name of our coastline. After a while, I continued my journey. A few blocks ahead, I realized my glasses were missing. I immediately turned back to the park where I had paused and found them right where I left them.
The idea of losing my glasses was quite unnerving, so I decided not to stray too far. Instead, I called the owner of a trusted store to inquire about grips and shifters. He mentioned having them, but the store was on the opposite side of my current path. I made a U-turn and headed towards La Perla. Upon arrival, I instinctively paused Strava, then detached the shifters. However, the grips I was specifically looking for were nowhere to be found.
Last but Not Least
I rang up my mechanic and asked if he had some free time to swap out my shifters and give the bike a light maintenance. Lucky for me, he was available, despite usually being busy. I dropped off the bike, and he made the necessary adjustments. While he took care of that, I checked the data Strava had collected during its active time.
Afterward, I headed back home, feeling a bit disappointed about not getting the grips, but there will be another opportunity. The key thing is that with the new shifters, my bike’s gears shift much smoother, and, finally, I went out for a bike ride. Additionally, I’ll continue logging my rides with Strava; I liked the app, and for now, I can’t ask for more.
By the way, I must say that Strava provides a lot of data, so I’m pleased with the app. I’ve filled in all the info the basic version allows, although it’s tempting to go for the pro version—I’ll evaluate it a bit more. Also, Strava asked for bike details, even prompting me to give it a name. Obviously, it couldn’t be anything else: NEMGF I.
Meet you at the next entry.