QUESTION: As an aspiring randonneur, I’ve always counted ride time from start to finish and included time off the bike. What’s the correct way to do it? — Manny R.
RBR Replies: Good question! For training diary purposes, I count only the time the wheels are actually turning.
Most bike computers do it automatically, pausing when wheels cease rolling at traffic lights and rest stops. I like it this way because I only want to credit myself with actual pedaling time.
Whenever I ride without a computer — my mountain bike doesn’t have one — I check the time at the beginning and end of the ride, then subtract an estimate of how long I stopped to look at the scenery or have a snack.
For randonneuring events, though, you really don’t have a choice. The clock is always running, and you must reach each checkpoint before the hour it closes or be disqualified.
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