The Strava IPO and My Desire To Quit the App

Reading Time: 2 minutes
This morning I woke at 0530 and thought "I can’t be bothered to go for a ride so early." Within a few minutes I was up getting ready. I put on my Autumnal cyclist stuff and pumped the tyres to 80 bar. I then road to the meeting point. I arrived 15 minutes early and was surprised not to see anyone appear until 5 minutes before. I had considered going for a solo ride as a result.

Svelte Experience

The group rode fast this morning. Everyone was at a good level so no one was left behind, struggling to keep up. During this ride I noticed that the continental GP 4 season tyres I now have on my bike felt great. They felt so smooth and comfortable.

I first mounted these tyres a year ago, and then after just 200 kilometres I swapped them for GP 5000 tyres because Autumn had turned into Summer. In summer it makes sense to use summer tyres as they’re lighter and faster.

A Gravel Experience

On sunday I rode them on stony gravel between Grilly and Sauvergny and then again along a forest road towards Décathlon and Chavannes Centres and seemed to have no issues. In theory they’re road tyres, but since they’re meant to have good puncture protection I am being a little rougher than I should.

The rough treatment was not intentional. I noticed a cycling route sign that I had not seen before so I turned around and followed it. At first the road was fine, and then it became a dirt track, and then it became a stony track.

With the GP5000 I have been on such road segments and they survived, so I expected that the GP 4 Seasons would handle this terrain just as well, if not better. It’s a few days later and the tyres still hold pressure.

Of Price and Curiousity

There are winter tyres for 15 CHF but the Continental GP 4 Season are around 40 CHF each, so it’? tempting to buy and try cheap tyres but, at the same time, since I expect GP 5000 to last four thousand kilometres, I expect the same from the GP 4 Season tyres.

I am curious to test cheaper tyres, but for them to be cheaper they need to last at least two thousand kilometres. If I ride with a group then I need to have fast tyres.

And Finally

The tyres felt great today. They felt really smooth. Having said this, I felt that I had to work harder to keep up with the group than with the other tyres. If I see someone get dropped I often slow down for them, as it gives me an opportunity to rest. I am cautious, however, because dropping back can encourage people to slow down, and then when you drop the group it will take a big effort to catch up again.

If I was riding solo, or in a slow group I would have more freedom with tyre choice.