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Should Stops Count in Riding Time?

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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Comments

  1. Agustín Selfa Cubedo says

    May 4, 2023 at 7:41 am

    Como aficionado randonneur pienso que el tiempo importante es el de principio a fin del recorrido, el tiempo en movimiento o la velocidad media en movimiento representan bien poco, por eso en las BRM se cuenta el tiempo total del viaje, cuanto menos paras mejor tiempo al final y si corres mas y paras menos, mejor tiempo final. No es lo mismo completar 200 km en 13.5 horas que hacerlo en 15 horas, los km son los mismos pero se ha parado más a descansar o a arreglar averías. Además es el tiempo sobre el que puedes actuar más fácilmente, si quieres mejorar, simplemente no pares.
    Mientras estás parado baja tu velocidad media, el reloj sigue corriendo pero los kilómetros recorridos son cero.

    Reply
    • Barry Bogart says

      May 4, 2023 at 11:53 am

      Exactly. The clock does not stop, and you must maintain an AVERAGE of 15km/hr. Over 100’s of kilometers that is more difficult than it sounds! Successful Randonneurs do not waste time doing anything off the bike.

      Reply

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