Why You Should Keep a Log of All Your Rides and What Information to Include

If you're a regular cyclist or just starting out, keeping a log of your rides can be a great way to track your progress and keep yourself motivated. Whether you're cycling for fun, fitness, or commuting, there are a variety of benefits to keeping a record of your rides.

Why Keep a Log of Your Rides?

Track Your Progress: By logging your rides, you can keep track of how far you've ridden, how fast you've gone, and how long you've been cycling. This information can help you set goals and track your progress as you become a better cyclist.

Motivation: Seeing your progress and achievements can help keep you motivated to continue cycling. It can also be satisfying to look back at your rides and see how far you've come.

Safety: Keeping a log of your rides can also help you stay safe. You can note any potential hazards you encountered on your ride, such as a busy intersection or a pothole, and avoid them in the future.

Plan Future Rides: By keeping a record of your rides, you can plan future routes and rides based on your previous experiences. You can also note any areas you'd like to explore more thoroughly, and plan routes that take you through those areas.

Memory Keeping: Lastly, keeping a log of your rides can serve as a great memory keeping tool. You can look back on your rides years later and remember the sights, sounds, and experiences you had while cycling.

What Information Should You Record in Your Ride Log?

Date: The date of your ride is important for tracking your progress and planning future rides.

Time: The time of your ride can help you plan future rides based on the time of day that works best for you.

Distance: The distance you rode is important for tracking your progress and setting goals.

Route: Note the route you took, including any landmarks or intersections that may be helpful to remember.

Weather: The weather conditions during your ride can be helpful to remember, especially if you encountered any particularly challenging conditions.

Terrain: Note any hills, steep inclines, or particularly challenging sections of your ride.

Gear: Note what gear you used, including your bike, helmet, and any other accessories.

Notes: Finally, leave space for any additional notes you may want to add, such as how you felt during the ride, any challenges you encountered, or any particularly beautiful sights you saw along the way.

It is really easier than ever to keep logs if you use an app like Strava or Wahoo or MapMyRide, etc. These apps will keep most of the information you need but some people like keeping their own log. I used to have a small calendar like the one in the picture that had squares for each day and would write my information in every day that I would ride. I seldom checked back from week to week but I was always interested to look back about 5 or 10 years to compare how I rode then versus now. Needless to say, I ride slower than I did then but I still ride as much and sometimes more. I'm glad I kept logs just to see this.

Keeping a log of your rides can be a great way to track your progress, stay motivated, and plan future rides. By recording important information such as the date, time, distance, route, weather, terrain, and gear, you can create a detailed record of your cycling experiences. With the help of your ride log, you can become a better cyclist and enjoy all the benefits that cycling has to offer.

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