Pieter’s Principle: simple and functional
“If I can use it easily, anyone can.”
Pieter (53) works as a physiotherapist, running his own practice. His athletic roots lie in motorsport, where he achieved remarkable success, including becoming the Dutch Motor Enduro Champion in 1991 and competing in world championships. From this background, he discovered his passion for mountainbiking.
“My first mountainbike was a Giant, without suspension, with 26-inch wheels and narrow handlebars,” Pieter recalls. Later, he added road cycling to his repertoire, becoming a dedicated touring cyclist. Pieter now splits his time evenly between riding the mountain bike and the road bike. “I love the freedom and the sense of discovery,” Pieter shares. For him, cycling isn’t just about speed; it’s about adventure and keeping things straightforward.
From Odometers to Advanced Navigation
For years, Pieter relied on a simple setup: an odometer and a good sense of direction. “Sometimes, I’d just ride straight for an hour and then turn right to make my way home,” he recalls. But over time, his curiosity about more advanced tools grew.
When Pieter decided to invest in a cycling computer, he had one non-negotiable requirement: it had to be easy to use. “I’m a bit of a technophobe,” he admits. “If I can use it easily, anyone can.” For Pieter, The One turned out to be the perfect fit. He was initially drawn to its sleek design, but it was the combination of user-friendly navigation and elegant aesthetics that won him over.
Navigating with Confidence
Pieter’s first experience with navigation quickly paid off. During a group ride, everyone insisted on turning right, but his device advised them to go left. “And that was correct,” Pieter recalls with satisfaction. Since then, he’s been planning routes using Komoot, effortlessly loading them onto his cycling computer. “I just step on the bike the next day without giving it a second thought. It works seamlessly.”
Even on challenging mountainbike trails, like the ones in Schaarsbergen, Pieter’s navigation system has proven reliable. “It even picks up the narrowest paths with ease,” he says.
Constantly Improving
What Pieter truly appreciates is how the technology behind his cycling computer is continually evolving. Updates like a sharper display and faster uploads to Strava have enhanced his experience over time. “It’s great to see all the improvements in the software,” he says. Pieter enjoys contributing his ideas as well, such as a “surprise me” route function that could generate unique rides on the fly.
For Pieter, the formula for a good cycling computer is simple: ease of use and functionality. “It just has to work. That’s what makes it so appealing to me.”
