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@TheorySwine
I think it's inevitable that at some point a rider wants to measure themselves against what amounts to nothing more than guesswork before having a device which fills in the blanks. I'm not too sure that they don't in some way ruin a ride, unless poring over data is your thing.
I don't have a Garmin either, but I do have a cateye, and I'm hooked already. Trouble is I can't keep my eyes off it. I want to know how fast I'm going/how far I've ridden all the time - I need to keep an eye on my average speed, after all.
Before owning one a ride was all about looking at stuff. A device has, in my case, made it a contest. But I can't imagine going back to riding without it. Not only can you compare your own progress, but you can also compare how you may stack up against other riders. I can see how that's a problem, but it's an addictive one, and conducive to bettering your ability. I do like heading out on routes I've devised myself without the help of navigation, but that will be the next step for me too.