Mountain Biking - Riding Alone or Together

I often ride alone, because there aren't many other people of my age who wish to go far. I like to go far, but the furthest I've ever gotten was on my new bike with a friend was only about 20 km and our average speed was 16kmph beacuse we were chatting so much lol.

So do YOU ride alone or with a friend? Usually with a friend? Usually Alone? Always with a friend? Always alone? And how many miles have you ever gotten in one day on a bike. Doesn't matter if you repeat sections or whatever, just how many km or miles have you gone in one day in one trip out.

For me, it's like Xbox's ad "It's good to play together" because for me, it gives me mroe encouragement to keep on going without getting bored or lonely.

together

I ride alone alot, prefer to ride with a group but timing is off soooo .When the urge to ride comes .........I ride local single tracks . if I ever get hurt the coyotes will find me before anyone else does .The most important thing is to ride within your abilities..and have fun.You are never alone in the woods.

If you do ride alone, be smart, take your cell phone!

Don't take as many risks alone as with a group. For one, theres no one there to prove that you did that crazy section, for two, if you get hurt or knocked out, no one is around to help you. Take a cell phone, etc. Ride smart=stay alive

Alone 98% of the time.

About 50/50. I've got a limited window of opportunity, and it's hard to hook up with friends that can also ride during that limited window.

I actually find that I crash MORE when I ride solo. Why? Because I ride more cautiously, hit sections a little slower, with a bit more trepidation.

When I'm with my buds, it's "$crew it" and I'll bomb a section or ride stuff in an agressive manner. Regularly with good outcomes.

Of my last 6 crashes where I've hurt myself, or damaged my bike, only once was I with some friends.

Go Figure!

L8R

95% along with a friend... or 5.. its just funner.. and we're all about the same fitness level so nobody drags oneanother

Mountain biking, I almost always ride with other people. I don't like the idea of being out in the woods by myself, which is the same reason why I always hike and camp with others too.

Road biking about 50/50, and commuting is always by myself. I'm usually closer to home and/or civilization, so if anything happens I've either got my cellphone with reception to call someone, or will be seen reasonably easily by a passer-by.

If you ride by yourself, do take a cellphone, but more importantly make sure someone knows where you've gone and how long you expect to be gone for. That way if something happens to you, at least someone will start looking for you!

I almost always ride with a group on the weekends, during the week I commute 70% with riders from the weekend group/30% alone. I used to ride alone but when I moved I discovered the local riding club and have to say I prefer riding in a group. It is a social event, you have a helping hand if you need it and it is safer (provided everyone has good skills). Does anyone else carry a first aid kit?

Longest rides: 85 miles (off road), 155 miles (road).

50/50...any time I am tringto progress I have someone there.

preferably with friends, but we are not all at the same level of riding, so sometimes our rides are compromised to shorter routes. personally, around 20miles in one day is a pretty good workout for me.

If I did 20miles on the trails here, I wouldn't actually be able to leave the woods (it would take me 3 days camping to put that amount of time in). Most pros can't do that distance in a day on the single track here. Man I would have a heartattack. I really need to find some trails like taht :)

Me and my friend did almost 85km of paved roads in 6 hours. Took a break here and there. But it was fun since we ventured downtown and let the riding take us to places we have never been to.

85km?...jeez did you end up in Guelph. haha

mmmmm...ontario

I usually ride alone...becasue there really isnt anyone my age who wants to go out...but if you go with others, it is fun...time flies too

longest road ride....40 someodd kms...20 back towing my cousins bike with him on it....

i usually ride alone or with my kids.as stated by others its not easy to find people who are willing,able ,or like to ride in the woods.i run with others i meet on the trail but thats usually the only adults i can get to go with me.i do take my cellphone with me and let my wife know the approximate location (which park,trails near home etc.)and i usually will try things alone that i would not do with my kids or with a total strangermy shortest ride was in the snow a couple months ago.i didnt even make it out the neighborhood.my longest was about 30 miles.my average is between 6-10 miles 5 days a week

If i can, i ride with others, but if i can't then i still ride. so it's 50.50. The most km i ever got in a day would probably be about 45k. From Newmarket, to Holland Landing, then Mount ALbert, then going back through East Gwilumberry. (maybe some of you ontarionians are familer with those towns)

Usually I'm riding alone. I like to ride with other folks, but schedules normally don't allow it. C'est la vie.

Always with someone else. Thats a minimum of 1 other person up to 10 others

75/25 my wife will ride sometimes but i have to guilt her into it and my brother busted his el cheapo. dont mind being in the wood alone i passed land nav and survival training. i do keep a cell phone just incase i get crazy and hurt myself . but all in all i enjoy myself when i do get out and i tryi to stay out about 2-3 hrs

I'd say 99% of the time I ride by myself. I've been trying to meet new people, though. Met some girl at the trails yesterday and got her number, so I might have a new riding partner which would be cool.

hmmm, I almost always ride alone. If others want to ride, then I'll go earlier in the day for my workout and then come back and ride with friends. Long road rides- 60-80 miles (tomorrow's ride will be 84, and Saturday will be a 40 mile singletrack/fireroad/paved ride with some teammates)
long singletrack ride 25-30. No, I don't have a cell phone, but I'm not so worried. After all, people rode before cell phones, and I'm pretty tuff.

There are barely any people who wish to go biking AT my age. *sigh* It gets sort of boring around here.

Holligan,

You find any teams to ride with, what about dropmachine (a TO based site). I also know of a bikeshop in Guelph that organizes rides...but they do a lot of travelling :)

Much of my riding is done solo, simply because I like to go to places and through terrain that other people around here generally don't like. I have some company occasionally, but I'm just as happy on my own really. There's no point in me having a mobile/cell phone as said terrain makes reception just about impossible in many areas (regardless of the level of coverage). Having said that, I'm thinking of getting one for my urban commute -- mainly so I can call the cops should I encounter another punch-throwing yobbo.

Much of my riding is done solo, simply because I like to go to places and through terrain that other people around here generally don't like. I have some company occasionally, but I'm just as happy on my own really. There's no point in me having a mobile/cell phone as said terrain makes reception just about impossible in many areas (regardless of the level of coverage). Having said that, I'm thinking of getting one for my urban commute -- mainly so I can call the cops should I encounter another punch-throwing yobbo.


What the hell? You can't just throw a bomb like that and not explain! Someone tried to punch you on your commute?

What the hell? You can't just throw a bomb like that and not explain! Someone tried to punch you on your commute?

Yep, and in broad daylight too.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=46327&highlight=Targeted

I ride alone about 99% of the time. I'm an "old guy" of 49, for a few more months. Most everyone I know thinks I'm nuts to be riding a bike as much as I do. Especially when it's only 20 degrees outside. They just don't understand how good it feels to get outside in the crisp cold air in the winter and we have a lot of winter in upstate NY. They think it's time for me to settle down and take it easy. I have a road bike and a mountain bike but usually ride the MTB even for long road rides. I just like the comfort of my old Cannondale. Also gives me a better workout on the road than my skinny tires. I usually ride 3-5 times a week and if I can't get outside I'll park my butt in front of the TV on my trainer and watch some quality TV like say, Jerry Springer. I do find it great therapy though to get out on the road or some easy trails with just me and my thoughts. I do carry a cell phone and most of the time try to let people know about where I'm going to be. You just never know when an "old guy" like me just might do something stupid to feel young again.

My dad is older.

i always rode alone >>>>lucked into 2 guys who all live within 1/2 mile who all go out @ 5:30am. it's hard to make gains alone.

training partners are hard to find.