Hi Jonathan Frost how are you? Yes I did think about our conversation a few weeks back. Hope you are enjoying your rides!

Good point regarding new users. I guess most people got into Strava because they were curious how their friends are doing. So perhaps "new user" stickiness is not going to be at risk as basic social functionality remains, but I agree the extra performance-oriented features would have pushed or motivated some casuals athletes to become more regular athletes, and the removal of those is a shame!