Mountain Biking - Should I go by myself

Ok the ride is about maybe 10+ miles but the thing is, I will have to go by myself. I'm going to a party and I want to ride but when I do ride it's usually with my best friend Tommy but he can't go. So, should I go by myself or get a ride?

I would ride. A lot of time you have no choice but to ride by yourself. I would much rather ride by myself than not ride at all.

I ride by myself everyday--its my favorite part of the day. I have a nice 12mi commute before and after work to just be alone with my thoughts. Some days I go easy and enjoy the scenery (I work in a very scenic old semi-rural town), other days I push myself as hard as I can. Its fun to not be bound to a set schedule/pace by other riders.

I dunno I just get scared when I ride by myself guess ill just take a cell phone lol

I dunno I just get scared when I ride by myself guess ill just take a cell phone lol

Just be careful and if you come across any cars, assume they don't see you and act accordingly. Also, make sure you have lights (front and back) and leave them on blinking mode. If you don't have lights then buy them or get your parents to buy them for you.

oh ya dont got a helmet and ill be damned if im buying and wearing one of those goofy ass lookin helmets, sorry but they could have done better in designing those things

I dont ride trails unless I have a friend with me. Its too lonely going alone and If someone gets hurt, most likely the other rider can get help. The trails I ride are technical and fast, so IMO, its too dangerous to go alone.

oh ya dont got a helmet and ill be damned if im buying and wearing one of those goofy ass lookin helmets, sorry but they could have done better in designing those things

Now that's just a stupid comment. A cracked head looks goofier than a helmet. Get and wear a helmet.

Don thy flame suit.

motorcycle helmets look cool
ill wear one of those

motorcycle helmets look cool
ill wear one of those

Hey, if it's that bad, just build a roll cage. :p:rolleyes:

I dont ride trails unless I have a friend with me. Its too lonely going alone and If someone gets hurt, most likely the other rider can get help. The trails I ride are technical and fast, so IMO, its too dangerous to go alone.
Same here. Some of the trails that I ride I've messed up pretty bad on and luckily I always had at least one friend, if not two, to help me out. I've ridden by myself but it's not as fun and I force myself to go slower and more carefully so as not to have an accident. Sure, I have my mobile phone but sometimes that's not enough. ;)

motorcycle helmets look cool
ill wear one of those
Sure, just wear one. If you don't have any helmets yet then check out the 661 Full Comp/Full Bravo and the Bell Bellistic. :)

Hey, if it's that bad, just build a roll cage. :p:rolleyes:


Have you seen the bike on the Scallywag site? Here, I nicked this photo off their site.

I plan on riding by myself when my bike comes in. But in the mean time I talk to myself in preperation/anticipation of the ride...it's a zen thing, I keep telling myself ;)

LOL Zapcod.

I have most of my fun rides riding in groups but I prefer to do my training rides by myself. I like to ride at my own pace during those rides, not wait up for others or worry about others waiting for me. Plus I like to do intervals and a lot of climbing, it's hard to do these things when you have other people around.

As for not wearing a helmet to each his own I guess. I know I won't get on a bike without a helmet, it's not worth the risk. I would much rather look a little goofy than to have my friends and family visit me in the hospital looking at me with a tube going down my throat and me not even know they are there. Around here you would have to be an idiot to not wear a helmet, one second your riding along, next second your front tire hits a slick rock or root, next thing your head is bouncing off of a rock.

Later on you will find that a lot of people won't even ride with you if you don't wear a helmet. I know I don't want to be responsible for getting someone out of the woods due to a head injury when it could have been avoided by simply wearing a helmet.

motorcycle helmets look cool
ill wear one of those

Do that and youll quickly learn what the term heat exhaustion means.

This (http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/ItemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=HL%2DGIR%2DSemiMX04&MatrixType=1) is the nicest non-fullface helmet that Ive seen to date.


http://www.bikesomewhere.com/images/large/giro_semiMX.jpg

I rode by myself today(15 miles of trails).I met some people that were lost and gave them a tour. I always find sone good folks to ride with when I go alone.

I never ride by myself when heading into mountain lion territory..... but otherwise, I love solo rides.

Do that and youll quickly learn what the term heat exhaustion means.

This (http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/ItemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=HL%2DGIR%2DSemiMX04&MatrixType=1) is the nicest non-fullface helmet that Ive seen to date.


http://www.bikesomewhere.com/images/large/giro_semiMX.jpg


Looks like someone got a full-face and took some of it off with a hacksaw :p
I think I need a fullface because I just don't feel safe when doing large hucks anymore. (I feels like my jaw is open to hit something.)

Do that and youll quickly learn what the term heat exhaustion means.

This (http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/ItemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=HL%2DGIR%2DSemiMX04&MatrixType=1) is the nicest non-fullface helmet that Ive seen to date.


http://www.bikesomewhere.com/images/large/giro_semiMX.jpg

Those are the Gyro Semi MX. I just bought one a week ago for $19 @ Performance. Hell of a lid.... I got the Black one, but it's "glossy", not matte....

Those are the Gyro Semi MX. I just bought one a week ago for $19 @ Performance. Hell of a lid.... I got the Black one, but it's "glossy", not matte....
19 dolllars... Here they're around 80 euros... :lol:

You should see what the are at cost :eek:

oh ya dont got a helmet and ill be damned if im buying and wearing one of those goofy ass lookin helmets, sorry but they could have done better in designing those things

Yes, I understand now. You want a friend around for the time when you crash and open up your skull.

I've given up trying to convince bare noggin riders to wear a helmet. Ultimately, a crash won't really matter for them because they're already SO STUPID that brain damage won't make a difference.

Well today I was in a crash on my roadbike and I am definately glad I had my helmet on. The wreck involved four road riders going between 16 - 18 mph. There was a good bit of road rash and some damage to the bikes. One of the riders landed on the back of their heads but the helmet did it's job. It was cracked on both the inside and outside.

We all got up from the crash without having to make a trip to the ER. Oh, only two bikes would make the rest of the ride though. Two of us had to wait for the other two to bring a car back.

Oh yeah, the guy that crashed in front of me didn't even feel my front wheel plant into him. Him and another guy got their handlebars together and then went down, I didn't even have time to hit my brakes before I was flying thru the air. Just thought I would add that since it didn't seem to matter that the crash wasn't my fault, crashes just happen. You never know when they are going to happen so you had better be prepared.

Total damage:

Mine:
Front rim, nipple, wheel build - $80
Rear rim true - $20
Ruined saddle (Fizik Aliante) - $200
Bruises, scrapes - free

John:
Jersey - $60
Bibs - $80
Front wheel - $150
Carbon fork - $300
Right shifter / brake lever - $140
Dent in top tube - freebie

Dave:
Shifters - $250
Derailleur hanger - $20
Road rash - free

Amy:
New helmet - $130
Road rash - free

All of us walking away - $$$ Priceless!

Here's the link for all you who don't believe me....

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19764

I bought mine last week when they had 99¢ S&H + 20% off..... Too late now.

I alraedy checked them out, poor selection now. Oh well.