Billy no mates here 
Bike Forum
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Riding alone?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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My motivation to go out alone relies upon setting a goal, like average speed. Saying that... after struggling to organise off-road group rides to new places I started going out alone in summer... and had a MAJOR accident in the 2nd last week. I'm lucky to be alive - I couldn't get mobile signal and had to ride with a badly broken leg for almost an hour before I found help. I won't be going out on my own again unless its a familiar trail...
Posted 2 years ago # -
I mix it up, I used to ride on my own 99% of the time but now I've moved it's nearer 50/50 because the local club/riders are good.
Plan routes, targets, things you want to explore or just go out and ride till you don't want to anymore.
I still really enjoy riding on my own. Gives you a chance to "session" a section you find hard. Push yourself, or not, on the hills. Go on long rides at your own pace so no need to stop and wait just riding continuously. Or just sit in a field, on a hill, by the sea and take it in.
Riding with mates is very different but equally as fun.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I am also really slow, so I am always worried about holding people up
this must be the #1 anxiety of most bikers. You have to get over yourself :o)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Mostly ride with 1 or 2 people who are both equally matched, so we don't hold each other up, but I'm happy to go alone, seem to do most of my road riding on me todd
Posted 2 years ago # -
I can happily ride all day on my own, however these rides tend to be more for the scenery and wildlife, never any planned route just what takes my fancy as i'm passing by(quantocks luxury) i'm only riding at 70% or less on solo rides, no one too chase or be chased by and no one determining the climbing rate.
If i find i'm doing it alot it does become tedious, fortunately i've a great varied network of riding friends around here so group rides are never far away.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Gary_M - Member
I prefer to ride alone as generally I don't like people. On the rare occasions I ride with someone else I generally don't enjoy it as I can't stand faffing, going slow and having to watch where I blow my snot rockets.Thus spake the misanthrope
I like to train by myself and piss about with other people. Road riding I think I prefer alone, but not really ridden enough in groups to make fair comment.
Posted 2 years ago # -
50 / 50 here.
Both have pros and cons.
I do like riding at night solo.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Don't think it's been said yet, so...
Get out and ride you pussy!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I do most of my rides solo, but I do enjoy a miserable group trudge when it comes around.
I much prefer exploring solo as you can try anything that looks like a trail without fear of annoying the rest of the group with your meticulous hunting.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I ride alone and run alone, its just to much trouble bothering with other peoples petty excuses. Its cold, its wet it looks like rain, he's to fast/slow, i'm not riding there cos its etc etc etc. Just ride the ferking bike will you.
However, when it feels like everyone else it wrong its time to start looking at yourself.........
Posted 2 years ago # -
I like both equally, that said, I've not been on may big group rides since I had the kids, as they seem to take up all day and cover the same distance I can cover in under 2 hours on my own!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I ride alone. Not by choice really, my friends aren't really active types.
If anyone wants a riding buddy in Bristol give me a shout!Posted 2 years ago # -
Evening/after work rides tend to be on my own, since it's usually a case of nipping out as soon as opportunity (i.e. kids in bed) arises. If and when I get chance for a longer weekend ride I'd rather go with mates, but I do get frustrated sometimes by the hanging around waiting for others
Posted 2 years ago # -
I ride alone quite often.
Normally on route/circuits that I know well, for XC/race training.....Oh and for burning calories.
I'll also ride alone for route finding. If it's a dead end it's my fault and only me who has to backtrack.
SB
Posted 2 years ago # -
I was not sure about the forum rides (strangers, stoppages etc) until I did them - they were ace!
1) loads of new people all very nice
2) loads of chatting incl sharing routes
3) no pressure at all, no silly ambition, just fun with like-minded folkAnd I was so pleased to show visitors around the Mendip and they seemed genuinely pleased with trails. I felt good for having helped visitors have a fun day - Poddy said it was his "ride of the year"!
Posted 2 years ago # -
John_Rowlands
I fired one at a girl behind me once
Yeh I often do that too.
Got it in one jojoA1.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I am Billy no mates
It's all good tohugh as it means more riding less chatter.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I ride by myself all the time, but then I'm a social cripple and realise that anyone who spends too much time with me wants to be somewhere else.
Posted 2 years ago # -
If I'm sorting a big loop and/or exploring a new route in the middle of nowhere I far prefer to ride alone. I plan ahead, carry extras, sort out where bothies etc are. I.E. bail outs, just in case. I love solo rides, esp night rides but don't get enough of them as I tend to ride with mates a lot and it's a bit difficult to tell them you want to do a solo ride...
I really don't mind what terrain I'm on- trail centre, open moor, High Alps, Middle of Iceland, they are all good solo. Weirdly though, once finished riding in any of these situations the cafe I would least like to visit is the trail centre one- too full of groups of bonding mates.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Enjoy both, but only one or two max.
Enjoy the Syfydrin at Nant-Yr-Arian solo.
Going for a week on Saturday, alone.
Will put in two laps on one day, just to test my old legs.
For me,riding with company has got to be with the right partners.Posted 2 years ago # -
its just to much trouble bothering with other peoples petty excuses
I'm not sure of the relevance of this, what matters is not who doesn't ride but who does :o)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Meant to add- I look forwards too a three day solo trip each year. Mind you, 2010 promises a boys trip to PassePortes du Soleil. So definately NOT solo!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I ride by myself 100% of the time. Alps, road rides, xc pootles, I just like riding alone. In fact, one of the main attractions of riding for me is the opportunity to be alone in the countryside...
Posted 2 years ago # -
90% alone. Go where and when you want, stopping whenever you like.
Also... I don't know many people who'd be happy if I took them on a ride which turned out to be a 2 hour hike!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Late post - just back in from the pub (just to evidence that I have at least three friends!)
...99% solo...
- because it suits my sad, sad personality where I need an escape every now and then
- it fits in with the random family / work balance ... get the three kids in bed and then f-off up the hills for a couple of hours
- also do Mayhem and Trailquests solo. Not very well, but solo...takes the pressure off (all parties) - more of a personal challenge for a hefty 42-yr old !Posted 2 years ago # -
I like both too, I do find I explore more on my own.
Then I can take the small group of regular riding mates, otherwise known as Team Raven, on the best trails with the minimum of navigation faff.
I also find I ride harder on my own at least on trails I know, no stopping, no discussions and few mechanicals
Posted 2 years ago # -
I prefer to ride alone as generally I don't like people. On the rare occasions I ride with someone else I generally don't enjoy it as I can't stand faffing, going slow
This is me. No problem riding alone and with a youngish family its difficult to stick to arrangements. Like riding quite hard and fast as I can but techy stuff is difficult for me.
Rode recently with some local guys. Great bunch but work commitments make a regular meet difficult.
Daisy_Duke is also great to ride with and knows some awesome trails in the Clywydians!!!Posted 2 years ago # -
Only been back into biking for about 18 months. Started riding solo but then joined the Manchester Mountainbikers club and it's so much more fun.
At the start I was at the back all the time. I remember my first ride with them and I died on the first climb. I was so frustrated with my lack of ability as they rode away from me whilst chatting to each other! Really conscious that I was holding everyone up but everyone was really patient. Stuck with it and now I'm in the middle of the pack.
I find riding in a group so much more motivational and I feel much safer. I can go as fast as I like down a descent knowing that if I come off someone will make sure I'm OK. Really conscious of that when I'm on my own, and probably the main reason why I don't like going out on my own.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I am perfectly happy riding by myself, but I tend to push myself more when i'm with other people that have more talent or fitness.
I don't think you can (or should) make your self ride alone if you're not that sort of person - you won't enjoy it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ride by myself much of the time, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy riding with mates. Both have their place.
That said, solo loop of the woods at dusk, followed by sneaky pint = contentment.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Very surprised by the number of people who ride alone!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I like a quick training type run on my own after work somewhere where I could walk back if I needed to or would be found if I was in the bushes with my helmet/head split open
I have had too many scares/scars to risk riding somewhere where I'm totally alone as a mechanical failure or unconsciousness may leave me stranded or seriously in danger.
Normally I ride in a pair, I don't like big groups- too much democracy in where we go and you're always waiting for someone- usually me.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Very surprised by the number of people who ride alone!!
In my faster running days I often ran in an (quite elite) group and the issue was often that the pace was relentless.
When the kids came along (Mrs Surfer also works) it became difficult to commit to meeting times etc so I started running on my own a lot. This has continued for me and I have no problem running/riding until my eye balls pop on my own.
Got used to it and although I enjoy company I can train daily for weeks without running with another runner, except my dog!Posted 2 years ago # -
I prefer to be on my own, as I tend to hold up groups as I'm far from quick..and hate to think I'm slowing people up..
And always ride on my own on the road..
Posted 2 years ago #
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