Saturday 12 September 2015

Woeful Garmin Connect App

You might have seen my previous post on this issue. Well after 2 x updates of The Garmin Connect App, things are not any better.

If you have a look at the reviews on the App Store you will see lots of people in the same boat as me. Putting it simply you cannot sync rides with your iPhone as you used to be able to and have to go home and plug it into your computer. 

What I find really hard to fathom is that the people making this app release it but don't seem to test it is working on various Garmin devices - in my case the 810. 

Come on Garmin! You really do need to get your act together. I have been thinking about a cheap Android mobile that is waterproof with all manner of cycling apps at my disposal as it just might be more useful - and work!

UPDATE: After another app update it actually works again. I can upload my rides via my iPhone. I have yet to give the live track feature a go as I gave up with it ages ago for just not working. Perhaps someone out there who uses it can post a comment. 

I still cannot understand why so many app updates were released and yet it didn't work? Just glad it works now!

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Morning Commute - the changes

I have been commuting to and from work on a regular basis for getting on five years and in that time I have noticed quite a few changes.

Five years isn't long I hear many of you cry. That is true but before then I was only a once a week commuter and fair weather at that. It wasn't even on a Brompton but an ageing mountain bike. When I started to cycle to work regularly, I didn't really see too many other cyclists in the part of London work in. How that has changed!

I more or less set off for work at the same time every morning (going home is quite varied) and other cyclists must do the same as I pass certain familiar faces and bicycles at the same points on my commute. Some I know by name and say hello to and when at lights we have a brief chat, which is much longer on a Friday as we usually tell each other our cycling plans for the weekend. Some cyclists I merely nod to and they nod back. There are three other regular Brompton riders on my commute and more oft than not we ding bells at each other.

The biggest change I have noticed is that I am no longer alone. There are many more cyclists out there and in all weathers. On my commute this morning alone I saw the following bicycles:

  • Road bike x 9
  • Mountain bike x 11
  • Mountain bike with those massive tyres x 1
  • Hybrid x 5
  • Fixie x 2
  • BMX x 3
  • Brompton x 2
  • Electric hybrid x 1
  • Strida x 1

In addition to this I pass a tube station and the bike rack with bicycles locked up was packed. There are definitely more cyclists appearing every week. This is certainly true when transport strikes are on. My theory is that some people have a go at commuting on their bicycles, like it and never go back.

Whatever it is I am pleased that more and more people are taking to a cleaner and more healthy form of transport. I only wish that the cycling infrastructure would keep pace and make cycling in London and other cities in the UK that bit better.

What do you think. Have you noticed an increase in cyclists where you live. Leave a comment and let us know.