Since my first bicycle computer was the kind that clicked up the miles when a pin on the front wheel engaged with a cog on the device strapped to the fork, modern technology seems close to magical, though not always useful. Apple Health informed me, on my return to the hotel, that I had spent more time working out than usual over the last five days. Like I might not have noticed.
Other applications are very useful indeed. Marmot's route files are exceptionally good and well-prepared (by humans!), and my Garmin delivered all their directions and information faultlessly. Where I missed a couple of turns, that was down to me (and the Garmin immediately says 'off course').
Strava provided this heat-map of the roads I've covered in the past six days, and the week in figures: 838 kilometres of riding, in about 48 hours on the bike, and 16,181 metres of vertical ascent, only a little shy of twice up Mount Everest. And (did I mention?) six Challenge routes in six days, which was the challenge I came for.
Garmin also tells me about my fitness and recovery, and usually knows better than I do when I've been overdoing it. It's being quite restrained: 'Try decreasing your training load a bit.'
