I do like my bike computer, if only to show me my speed. It also beeps when the radar detects a car behind me.

Another huge benefit of a bike computer is that you can pair it with a rear facing radar. This has transformed my biking on roads. It absolutely doesn't replace looking over your shoulder, but it increases your awareness. You now know that there are three cars approaching from behind so you know what to expect. There is no way I'd go on a long cross-country ride without a radar.

You don't have to keep looking at it: a quick glance when you're coming to an intersection, to know if you have to slow down and get ready to turn or just keep going.

As other said, it can also provide additional features like warning you about cars coming from behind or reminders to eat/drink.

And contrary to some other comments, it's not another screen asking for your attention. Setup correctly, it's just a map that refresh itself and follows you. Allowing you to focus only on your sensations, instead of having to think about where you are, where you're going...

Finally, cue sheets are nice, but even if you don't care about being "lost" or having to find your way by yourself, you'll probably end up on bad roads with lots of traffic. Meanwhile, if you're just following precisely a nice route going only on quiet roads/paths, you won't end up in bad situations and you'll find your ride more enjoyable.

I think we might have copied that from you here in North Rhine-Westphalia, and the nice thing is, that by law the have to replace the signs when they are broken/missing (they are legally similar to road signs for cars). However, it sometimes still isn't always possible to just follow numbers because might might have missed or misread a sign, and you might just find out a kilometer later...

Anyway, it's ten thousand times better than in our neighbour state Rhineland-Palatinate

Edit: the Knotenpunktnetz NRW, if anyone is interested: https://radservice.radroutenplaner.nrw.de/rrp/nrw/cgi?lang=D... (you have to zoom in a little too see routes ... if you zoom in more, every sign is shown!)

I’d prefer turn by turn instructions rather than documentation of future suffering.

I love that someone makes these things though.

https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-made-a-printable-cue-s...

I still like to memorize the route these days. When I do that, I mostly don't use the map feature of the bike computer: I look at my speed, cadence, and heart rate.

Means he can lead rides confidently and fluidly while also being completely present and aware.