Strava KOM hunter or cyclist who is really improving?

If you're a cyclist, or even an athlete, you're probably familiar with Strava, the app that turns every ride into a social and competitive adventure. But be careful: there's a difference between cycling to shine on Strava and training to actually improve. How reconto be born a cyclist obsessed with segments or reconsocial birth rather than its long-term performance? Here are the signs that don't lie.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: depositphotos.com, SRAM

For the past fifteen years, the virtual world has taken a central place in the practice of cycling, for better or for worse. While some have become home trainer champions thanks to connected apps, others shine solely through their Strava profile, the social network for athletes. Reflecting our era, social media allows us to open up to the world while controlling the image we project. But behind this window, concrete results or real-life competitive confrontations are sometimes absent.

Insidiously, many cyclists let themselves be trapped by Strava, without trying to create an image for themselves. Result? Theytagare, or even regress. Good news: by using the app intelligently, there is still time to rebalance your training to resume your progress.

Symptoms of Strava Obsession

• You go out “just to chase a KOM" : exit the structured training plan. You are ready to do anything to get the King of the Mountain on a segment – or even a collection of segments – even if it means ignoring your effort zones or recovery.
• You are riding in zone 5 instead of actively recovering : when you should be working on your basic endurance, you're pushing yourself to beat a personal record... or someone else's.
• You judge your outing by the kudos : not enough likes on Strava? The ride is considered a failure, even if it was perfectly suited to your plan.
• You describe your outings with false modesty. : a session at an average speed of 34 km/h becomes a quiet outing to imply that you still have room to move, or a slow exit is justified by the presence of a weaker partner.
• You constantly compare yourself to others : instead of tracking your own progress, you spend hours scrutinizing other people's rankings on the leaderboard.
• You are disappointed with a beneficial outing : because she doesn't look like stylish On Strava, a normally productive outing becomes a source of frustration.

In short, you're seeking approval from your Strava followers at the expense of your actual progress.

Why This Obsession Can Hold Back Your Progress

Strava is fun, motivating, and it pushes you to excel.But when the app dictates your workouts, it becomes a trap. Studies confirm: sticking to a structured plan is essential. Consistent training, with short-, medium-, and long-term goals, is the key to progress. Chasing segments at the expense of this plan can break your momentum.

Too much intensity is harmful : Too frequent high intensity (zone 5) or sustained endurance (zone 3) training unbalances your program. This leads to overtraining, causingtagnation or regression, unlike basic endurance volume which is rarely harmful.

Demotivating social comparison : Focusing on the performance of others can reduce your intrinsic motivation, the one that drives you to ride for yourself.

Ask yourself the question Why do you cycle? For the performance, the sensations, the connection with nature, or to shine in the eyes of others?

How to Use Strava Smartly to Improve Your Fitness

Strava can be a powerful tool if used wisely.Here's how to get the most out of it without falling into the segment trap: Stick to your training plan. Record your rides on Strava, but don't let segments dictate your effortsAn endurance or active recovery outing is just as crucial as a sprint for a KOM.

Focus on your data : track your watts, heart rate, or personal progress rather than other people's performance.

Celebrate small victories : a well-executed outing, even without a record, is a step towards your goals.

Keep your real goals in mind : whether it's for a race, a cyclosportive or a personal challenge, what matters is to shine on the day, not on your Strava.

Kudos are nice. Controlled watts are better.

Strava is a great tool for staying motivated and tracking your progress, but don't let kudos or leaderboards take overWhat will keep you moving forward is consistent training, smart intensity management, and a focus on your long-term goals.

So, the next time you get on your bike, ask yourself: Am I riding for Strava, or to become a better cyclist?

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