I ride alone a lot these days mostly because of everyones family commitments. I take the dog and off we go. It's better as I don't have to wait or be waited for, I usually see someone I know for a chat and the dog stays thin.
On the downside I have yet to train the Lab to call 999...
I hate it when it's grimly heads-down-lets-get-on
But that's the best bit!
Although as a happily married man with two kids, I can fully understand the oggling bit. Look-don't-touch-don't-get-caught-looking is fine.
Like both to be honest. Can't beat going out on your own. But then do love the jokes/banter with mates!
Some peaks pootles were crazy long!
I do both, if it's for fitness/training nearly always on my own. Have never understood the whole ride to socialise, why not just go and have a coffee or a drink and chat ? Look the person in the eyes ?
I ride with friends from time to time in smallish groups.
Big Group rides can be good fun, I had a great time with all the Spanish riders at Innerleithen last weekend, I love showing our trails to new people and seeing how much fun they are having.
I have also been on forum advertised rides (no naming any names not this forum) where the majority of the group were complete dorks, sorry I mean just not my cup of tea, so there are groups and there are groups.
my weekend rides are usually alone, and are usually my bigger rides too. my mate comes out with me at least 1 night in the week which is cool, we are proper riding buddies, time doesnt permit him to come out at weekends, which is a shame, but kids etc etc its understandable.....
i enjoy both, i used to go on major rides with some one as mainly as i didnt know the route/area well, or for fear of falling and killing myself alone....however as time progressed i know do these rides alone, and know the areas....i enjoy it immensely sometimes as i go at my own pace and push myself much harder alone, but on the flip side its nice enjoying descents with other people.....
either way it doesnt bother me, ill ride no matter what, whether its alone or with people. Not keen on big groups, but a max of 5 is ok, i like riding in groups of 2 to be honest!
Have never understood the whole ride to socialise, why not just go and have a coffee or a drink and chat ?
most people cannot sustain a protracted conversation without boring me silly, so multiple snatched encounters are much more fun 
Also we mostly talk about what we're doing, the exciting shared experience, not the price of fish.
I love showing our trails to new people and seeing how much fun they are having.
definitely! That's one of the main reasons I lead a beginner ride every Saturday - the looks of surprised awe and happiness are hard to beat :o)
I like riding with one or two others but i really hate trying to pull people away from drinking excessivly the night before, I feel like im nagging people and i can't be arsed with reminding and mothering people. So I end up on my own alot, which I really enjoy. However I don't really like going off in the wilderness on my own too much for safety and so on so i end up at trail centres more often than not. Not a great result but I am happy when i get out either way.
mostly solo here. love riding with mates but most that want to do the same line of rides are too busy with kids etc or that's what they tell me 
but i really hate trying to pull people away from drinking excessivly the night before
I would never attempt that! Riding is WAY more fun than drinking. If people turn up hung over then they get teased mercilessly. Extra points if they hurl
I like the climbing as much if not more than the downs, 95% of my riding is done alone occaisional ride with Daisy-Duke who likes stopping less than me.
For me its about pushing very hard and thats what I enjoy.
Its not for everybody but horses for courses etc, I get frustrated with people who are slow or want to stop so I dont put them or myself through it!
All ok SFB? You seem angry(?) lately 
i love listening to tunes when i ride. Bit dull for everyone else if i'm on a group ride.
Time, kids, work, all get in the way of joining in with anyone else.
Love to ride on my own, i can go any speed, whichever trail i want, fast or slow, and go home when the mood takes me.
PLus, i'm slow and old and everyone else seems fitter, and more keen to go fast up hill. Not for me, i can tell ya.
For me the weekday night ride is the social one. Stop as often as needed and a beer at the end.
The week-end (Sunday) ride tends to be on my own, when I want to fit in a longer ride. The 3 kids are in bed at night (hopefully) and the wife doesn't care that I am not around. Sunady its a different kettle of fish and time is a a premium.
All ok SFB? You seem angry(?)
hmmm, if you can interpret anything I've said as anger I suspect it's you with the anger problems I'm only angry about poverty and injustice, not about how many people ride together
Almost always alone, as if anything is arranged I can guarantee that something will happen to prevent me going + working shifts doesn't help. Also on days off I have 'custody' of the 2 dogs and I'm not keen on leaving them for more than a few hours so it's much easier to go out as and when I feel like it. I do enjoy group rides for the 'craic' but there is something a bit special about being on your own in the coutryside away from the constant barrage of phones/internet etc.
I also view cycling as purely relaxation/pleasure and although I'm usually competitive in other sports, my mediocre skill and fitness level makes that aspect irrelevant.
I'm off out in about 1/2 hour as the sun is shining and if I'm out for and hour or 3 hours it doesn't matter as there is no-one to dictate the route or time. I'm also very fortunate to be 'offroad' 10metres from my door. Wonderful 
when i'm out on my own i can always descend like Peaty an climb like Miguel Martinez - but when i'm in a group all i can do is mince 
Not so bad riding alone, I intend on doing a lot of that next yr when hubby plans to do mega avalanche - hopefully granparents will baby sit for the few days and I can go riding - alone! and sometimes with hubby. I go riding mostly with hubby we are quite lucky that our jobs allow us 4 days to play with most of the time. he can do the riding alone as could I he still rides with his mates however most have entered the dark side( road biking) and don't like playing in the woods anymore! I think there is nothing wrong with riding alone as long as your having fun! 
I do most cycling through the week on my own as my mates tend to be busy with shifts/wife/kids etc. I like going out in small groups, normally at weekends and if there's different skill or fitness levels people can push their own boundaries a little each time through the encouragement of others.
I like the flexibility of solo riding. I can explore and enjoy the courtside. But then I tend to ride at 70-80% effort uphill (lazy) or downhill (safety). But groups are good as long as everyone is properly prepared - like sharing trails and chatting about stuff.
I use to ride 90% alone, now its 90% with a small group of riders.
I do still ride solo, but keep the solo outings to a fast pace, which can be difficult in a group. I quite often have plenty of time (no wife, family etc
But I understand and appreciate that some riders have limited time and therefore just want to ride for however long they have.
Night rides are far more enjoyable solo, if you have the bollocks for it. Just bring a spare light otherwise it can get "interesting"!
Solo most of the time, groups are good fun but anything more than 5-6 can be a pain.
enfht - Member
Night rides are far more enjoyable solo...
I find it is more enjoyable if you watch the Dogs of War first
I've just moved and know **** all except one guy who is not into exercise other than driving is A6 and ciggs.
Guess I'll explore the area and join a local cycling club!
I do most of my riding in a group, as im usually busy or knackered during the week. I prefer riding in a group anyway, chasing each other downhill and banter on the way up. Peak pootles are great, but that 7 hour epic was a bit too long for my liking.
teased mercilessly
Is that anything like being ravaged by a dead sheep?
Is that anything like being ravaged by a dead sheep?
less smelly and funnier (for everyone else)
Kids and irregular shifts make 95% of my riding alone, and this suits me. I've tried a few group rides, but they are not for me, too much waiting around, and small talk conversations which I have do too much of at work. I'm happy riding alone, and others enjoy riding in groups, it's all good.
sambob your still at school you shouldn't be knackered during the week 
Dear Gawd, your supposed to be full of zeal and energy at this age
(Or is that angst and morbidity?)
Hora, i have at least an hour of hockey everyday, and im generally sleepy during the week anyway. Weekends are either riding, hockey ( ) or coursework 
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