I try and get out cycling whenever I can although my wet weather radar is set reassuringly low. An essential piece of equipment for each ride is a cycling computer or trip meter that measures speed, distance, average speed, and various other indicators. I fitted a bike computer from the start which means that whenever I leave home without it, I feel like I am not getting the best out of any ride.
There are a wide range of cycling computers that you can get these days. From basic speed through to models with wireless technology and even models that will display your heart rate. I’ve not been brave enough to measure heart rate since I was cycling up through Macclesfield Forest with a monitor strapped to my chest. The rapidly increasing numbers were a bit worrying as I approached the top of the hill!
Apart from the heart rate measurement in some models, the other indicators like speed and distance are things that I need to know on every ride … even if they are not particularly high figures! If I have not ridden for a while, I use the average speed to tell me how (un)fit I am. Otherwise, I just like to see how far I have cycled.
Evans Cycles has a reasonable range of bike computers. Try the Cateye Enduro 8 (above) for a reasonably priced example.