I was out for a solo pootle today, and it got me thinking about whether I prefer riding on my own or in a group.

On balance I’d have to say that I prefer riding alone.
That’s not to say I don’t go on group rides occasionally, and I do have a couple of riding friends that I actively enjoy riding with as we have similar levels of skill, pace and taste in trails.

I like the self sufficiency aspect of solo riding, and the time you get to mull things over in your head, or just switch your brain off totally.

I don’t enjoy the stop-start type of riding that you generally get in a group of more than 3 or 4 people.

Mostly I think it stems from a couple of things…

Firstly, as a kid I lived in a pretty rural location. No bus stop, no local shop, nearest largish town about 12 miles away. So before I could drive, cycling was my way of getting about. That meant a lot of solo miles, even from quite an early age. At 10/11 I’d happily cycle 20 miles (10 there and 10 back) over the Berkshire downs to see my grandma.

Secondly, when I got my first MTB at the age of 13 or so I didn’t know anyone else with one, so the first year or so was spent going out on my own.
(That shows my age doesn’t it! Not as many MTBers around in the late 80’s)

I know some people who absolutely hate riding on their own, whether it’s from the social aspects of riding or from that ‘what if I crash and hurt myself whilst on my own?’ feeling.

So what’s your preference then?

Panthers hunt alone.

Road – either is good

MTB – prefer company

Mostly in a group, we’ve always ridden in a group and didn’t ride solo for years.

More recently though I’ve enjoyed my monthly solo rides, sometimes I go really fast, sometimes I pootle, depends on my mood – but it’s nice to set my own pace, go where I want and listen to some music.

Group riding always seems to involve faff. I can’t stand faffing.

I prefer to be with others, I just don’t ride the same when I’m on my own. I like the social element to riding with mates, But then I’ve never been a racer.

I’m like that about most of life as well though, I think too much when i’m on my own….

Alone.

Solo. But I’m grumpy 😆

Group riding always seems to involve faff. I can’t stand faffing.

This.

All too often an 11am start turns into 11:30 with a stop every 15 minutes. No interest in that at all.

I never ever ride with other people, it only spoils it for me.

mtb-alone ,road in a group.
No particular reason for this apart from the group of MTBers I used to ride with has gradually morphed into roady only. I am happy to ride on my own but don’t mind company providing they are not serial faffers.{which covers a lot of riders]

Mostly ride alone. I’ve only one mate who’s into mtb and he doesn’t live local anymore, but aside from that I appreciate the alone time!

Both, would hate to be only able to do one or the other!

I never ever ride with other people, it only spoils it for me them

FTFY 😉

Depends on the company. Big group rides are invariably a ballache though.

I ride alone 99% of the time. I don’t mind riding in a group but it is usually stop, chat, faff, sweets, off, and seems to be either slow pace of quite fast with me contemplating the death of all the gits still able to talk.

I’m grumpy and have to pretend to be nice to people at work, i try not to take my work home 🙂

Depends on the other people. Some of my best rides are with other people, some one to share the experience with. But on your own it doesn’t matter if you set off late, change your plan mid ride want to ride harder or easier. Also while having a couple of friends on a big ride is good for back up there is a lot to be said for being out on your own and self reliant.

I prefer company, but all my mates are pootlers, so its not much fun to ride at that pace, so generally solo.

I used to only ride in groups, but changed jobs so was only able to get out midweek daytimes on my own. Now I get fed up with every extra person adding 30 minutes minimum faff to a ride. Getting bitten to death in the Summer waiting or freezing in the winter waiting.

Old friends that I don’t see too often, that’s fine but on a regular basis I just don’t have the free time or patience.

I like it both ways and get sick of riding alone after a bit so then like to ride in a group. Currently on holiday in France and only brought my road bike and getting sick of going out alone and having limited choice. Having said that most of the people I ride with are slower or faff a LOT so I can only stomach it occasionally as well. Smaller group are better to reduce stoppage time too!

Road, definitely on my own. I like being able to just explore without having to explain my curious navigational choices.
MTB, with my best mate. We’ve been riding together years, are of similar ability (although he is better) similar fitness overall, and like similar trails. And he’s my best mate.

Not many people ride at my speed.

I prefer solo rides. I don’t get out as much as I would like to, so my fitness isn’t great and I would probably be the slow one in the group holding others up.

I don’t mind the occasional ride with others, but I am not that sociable by nature and kind of enjoy being able to go at my own pace, going where ever takes my fancy.

XC mincing alone, DH and Bike Lark with friends

I like to just be alone to process my thoughts when I’m doing any exercise.

Oh, I forgot, I tend to crash into things a lot, so best to have someone else on hand.

I ride alone a lot mostly due to timing. I like riding in the right group but the thread earlier today asking about group ride games would have me riding off into the distance sharpish.

Alone, almost every ride except for events, both MTB and road

I must be the only one who loves a massive group ride then? 15 riders sounds ace – yeah it takes ages to get anywhere but it’s usually good for a laugh.

Nope, group rides on trails we all know are ace. Best mate was the minimum requirement!

Both. Just depends on my mood (which goes up and down like a yo-yo at times).

Sometimes I like a group ride and it’s loads of fun, sometimes I want to get out on my own and explore or lose myself in the countryside.

Groups are mixed too. Social pootle types. Faster xc types. Some who like to belt down scary stuff and I’ll mince down behind 😀 . Don’t mind really, though again it’s down to the mood I’m in what I’m up for.

Night rides, generally in a group. Occasionally I’ll solo it, though feel more concerned if I go out solo in a more rural area at night.

Solo for me.

Last time i rode with someone was about a year ago whilst commuting home, a colleague didn’t know the way so tagged along. He’s a nice lad, but it felt weird having someone to talk to.

I prefer being alone in life in general anyway.

I swing both ways.

I prefer to go exploring or pootling around on my own. I’ll generally avoid anything too technical or gnarly just in case. Plus the fun stuff is more fun with mates anyway.

Never ride in a big group. 3 or 4 max. I just accept the extra faffing and time wasting as a trade off for a bit of socialising.

I like riding with one other or solo most of all. That said it’s nice to ride with a small group sometimes. Big groups are usually a nightmare.

50/50 here, nice long road rides on my own, more sociable, shorter ones with mates.

MTB it’s nice to head out on your own and at your own pace, but again riding with a mate or two is fun and seeing…

I probably ride more on my own now but that’s more due to a lack of calendar synchronisation than planning.

Alone- mtb and road. But it’s only because I have BO, constant wind, bad breath and my feet stink.

If I wanted company, I’d get a tandem.

If I’m riding trail centres then it’ll be with my twin boys (16 yo) as it’s what they like to do.

My preference is for riding longer routes on my local trails (Chilterns) with a coffee and cake / pub stop. As my boys aren’t in the slightest interested in this I’m flying solo.

If there are any other old, slow and technically inept riders around Stokenchurch then do shout. I’ll get the first round.

Tricky one for me. Some of my best rides of all time have been with my main riding mate, also with my 9 year old boy. But i also love days out Solo, just riding, taking a left or a right whenever the mood takes me, just picking a route/trail and seeing where i end up, it’s lovely.

So, i don’t really know.

Both.