Road Cycling - I only want to ride alone.....am I weird?

As you know (or maybe not) this September I am doing the MS150 here in NC. I have been training for about 3 weeks and I am very happy with how it is going right now but, I read in my training sheet that it will be time to start to ride with other riders so I can get used to riding in a group but I dont want to. I got into riding a long time ago because I like the solitude and it helps me clear my mind (kinda Zen thing) so the thought of riding with other people makes me feel sick. I know I must overcome this but how?
None of my friends ride and I dont know anybody that does..............am I weird and how can I fix this.

Thanks everyone

Riding alone definitely has it merits - I do it 4 days a week. But on the weekend, I love to ride with somebody else, if only to share the experience.

Yes, it does cause you take a different frame of mind but a great one nonetheless. Working with others in a paceline is one of the most exhilerating experiences a cyclist can have. The highs are higher - imagine averaging 30 mph for miles on end because you are drafting with slight tailwind, and the lows are far more tolerable - imagine that same group turning into a 20 mph headwind. And then imagine doing it alone.

I'd suggest checking into any clubs in your area and also for any organized rides through the local shops. If you've never done it, it's worth it to check it out.

55/Rad

As you know (or maybe not) this September I am doing the MS150 here in NC. I have been training for about 3 weeks and I am very happy with how it is going right now but, I read in my training sheet that it will be time to start to ride with other riders so I can get used to riding in a group but I dont want to. I got into riding a long time ago because I like the solitude and it helps me clear my mind (kinda Zen thing) so the thought of riding with other people makes me feel sick. I know I must overcome this but how?
None of my friends ride and I dont know anybody that does..............am I weird and how can I fix this.

Thanks everyone

I only ride alone on my road bike doing laps. On my freeride, nobody will ride with me in Manhattan. I wonder why...

If it aint broke don't fix it.

maybe you have social anxiety disorder

I always rode and ride alone and had absolutely no problems riding with groups such as Ride the Rockies and Centuries. However, I do not do pacelines, and if that is your goal, you should practice ahead of time. Otherwise, you are not weird (unless I am!) On a group ride, I just do my own thing. I talk to folks, but vary who I talk with depending upon who is passing whom. I do find that climbing hills is a heck of a lot easier when you are chatting with someone as you climb. Makes the miles fly by.

Hey Liverpool-
YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE

...but you can ride alone. I do quite a bit.
~cheers

Hey, it's not that you don't want to ride with others. You just don't want to converse with people while riding. You feel uncomfortable riding with others if there is no communication. Nothing wrong with that.... I don't have much to say myself while riding with others so I usually talk about bikes. I'm not a good verbal communicator.

Riding IS my alone time... I do ride with others occasionally but more often than not I prefer to be alone as well. I always tell people its my time to recenter myself a bit. Like I tell mom, bikes are cheaper than therapy.

Its kind of a mental block to ride with a group, I think for people like us we have this idea its going to be competitive (assuming this since its sounds we ride for the same reasons), and not as fun... typically on group rides I've found its a great social event.

I drop in with the moderate crowd, talk the whole way, we joke around and have a good time. On the first century I did I just hooked up with a complete stranger and wound up having a great time talking to him and learning from his experience as a cyclist and in life. Its a long ride so you really can get some great conversation going, and find out a lot about some people. Theres always a few tools that are "too cool for school" and blow you off because they are so fast they can't waste precious oxygen to say hello, but like I said, they're tools.

Lots of riders on these big group rides like the MS150 DO ride alone but its a much more rewarding experience if you meet and talk to people IMHO.

I ride alone as well, I like the fact you can do your on pace set your own goals take a different turn if you wish, as long as your not going to ride in a pace line I would think common sence would surfice ( it has when I have been caught up in big groups for short periods)

I usually ride alone and prefer that. I don't care for group rides at all. On longer weekend rides (50 - 100 miles) I do like to ride with one friend who is a good rider and doesn't need to talk all the time. We can ride with a good flow, we both know how to ride and don't have to guess what the other person is going to do next.

On the other hand, I have a friend who finds cycling to be as much a social activity as exercise, and I avoid riding with her at all cost. On top of that, she has no riding common sense and the ride is herky-jerky, not smooth.

Alone 98% of the time.

Thanks everyone, I dont feel as weird now. I think since I have not compared my skill level of riding with anyone else, I dont want to be left behind by riders with the "top of the line" bikes and look stupid. Also, I dont want to ride with people who feel the need to talk while riding when I am trying to beat a personal best but I also dont want to appear rude. Thanks for the comments, I new you guys would help me out.

Well, not only do I like the solitude, I like being able to ride for as long as I want and go where I want without having to negotiate that with other riders.

maybe you have social anxiety disorder

Nah, I'm a just little crazy at times.

I ALWAYS ride alone except for RARE occasions. I get asked quite often to join a ride or someone askes to come along, but I hate the "what time do we leave, how far do we go?, Blah- blah blah. Its my personal time to myself. I rarely know what I'm going to do Ride wise 2 days in advane (route, pace, even bike) so why make it complicated. ENJOY!!!!!

i ride with a group 98% of the time but I yearn to ride alone a lot. Sometimes you only want the wind in your hear and the thoughts in your head. Riding with people def. betters your game.

Thanks everyone, I dont feel as weird now. I think since I have not compared my skill level of riding with anyone else, I dont want to be left behind by riders with the "top of the line" bikes and look stupid. Also, I dont want to ride with people who feel the need to talk while riding when I am trying to beat a personal best but I also dont want to appear rude. Thanks for the comments, I new you guys would help me out.


The engine is more of the reason then a top of the line bike.

Hey, it's not that you don't want to ride with others. You just don't want to converse with people while riding. You feel uncomfortable riding with others if there is no communication. Nothing wrong with that.... I don't have much to say myself while riding with others so I usually talk about bikes. I'm not a good verbal communicator.

Maybe it's that... thing... in your mouth that hinders the small talk. Does that have 16 teeth? Gives you more than a lotta people in this area.

I thought I only liked to ride alone, mostly because I didn't think I had any of the skills or speed of other cyclists. Broke the ice on a couple 80 k rides and did fine. Still like my quiet time though. Nothing like suffering alone on a hill.

Ride alone 95% of the time...great God time!

I ride sometimes alone, and on other times ride in a group.

When riding alone, its quiet and there are no pressures.. pace line, etc... Its good having fun by yourself.
But I would not do a 80+km ride alone, it would take too much time since I would not be able to maintain a fast pace, and I only have a limited riding time(i'm very busy now-a-days) allocation each day -- about 3hrs, including stops etc... So on longer rides, I ride with a group, assuming you consider 3 riders a group. This way we can keep our speed up throughout the ride.

I usually ride with a group for the better part of a ride. I do an easy weekday ride with my wife and one or more of her friends. On another day I'll go out with a few of my riding partners (usually 2-3). On Saturday I lead a group ride of about 40 and on Sunday I try to hang in with a fast group of racers as best I can. Don't have much conversation while moving, on the Sunday ride.

maybe you have social anxiety disorder

If he did, he would know that by now.
That illness isn't a joke.

I always liked riding alone. I figure I would dislike group rides, because I cannot just go at my highly variable tempo.
I was the same way with ATV rides.

social anxiety disorder isnt easy to catch and its not a joke.

Face it, most folks ride alone. Its hard to find people to ride with depending on where you live. I see few other cyclist on the road in Cleveland, the season is short, it rains a lot.

I have friends that ride, and when we get together it is fun and special. We've done smaller charity rides (300 +/- riders) and enjoy those more, even though they are not 100% supported. The MS150s are a big cycling circus. All kinds of riders, bikes, food, sag wagons, more food, more breaks....they are parties.

You might sign up for a couple other charity rides before the 150. You would meet people who are likely doing the 150 as well. If they seem cool, ask if you can hook up with them. If it turns out weird, bail?

Hope this helps,

Have fun,

ehenz

Most of the time I will ride alone. Trying to merge riding schedules with other peoples is mostly a nightmare. I have a select few folks I ride with that I like to hang out with but that is it.

I almost always do my seriuos training rides alone. Others can be a distraction when I am focusing on a goal.

As far as enjoying my rides, I do seem to get the most out of being out on the road or trail alone. I can ride the pace I want and not worry about either keeping up or pushing my buddies too hard.

But I do ride with others about once per week if the schedule allows for it.

Riding alone? I'm not really riding alone.
It's necessary sometimes. Your own pace, your own route, rest when you want, pee when you need to.
Previously scheduled group rides are good to hook up with. You already know the route and you know the pace. Nothing required except showing up. If you're not into it, make a left turn.
Social rides can be fun too. If it's a rest day why not? Take in the view, chat...
Charity rides are a blast. You meet people from all over. You generally ride some of your best performances if you hook up with a fast pace line.

Previously scheduled group rides are good to hook up with. You already know the route and you know the pace. Nothing required except showing up. If you're not into it, make a left turn.
While the route varies, our group ride starts every Saturday at the same time and same place . A fair number of people start out on our group ride and then go off to do their own thing at some point. Other times people will pick up our ride "en route". I only request that people who drop off the ride let me know so I don't worry about whether or not anything happened to them.

I got into riding a long time ago because I like the solitude and it helps me clear my mind (kinda Zen thing) so the thought of riding with other people makes me feel sick. I know I must overcome this but how?

We are all weird in some way. Hey, I ride alone 99% of the time for the same reason you do. And I like to do things my own way, and I rarely get the chance with most other things in life.

Maybe I will see you around, but will be sure to avoid eye contact... ;)

100 mile ride out through the desert solo is an amazing experience (especially if you are prepared). Usually by the time I get back I have an amazing attitude about things. A lot of thinking time over a hundred miles. So no you are not crazy. I actually prefer touring alone but enjoy getting out with the club occasionally too.

As you know (or maybe not) this September I am doing the MS150 here in NC. I have been training for about 3 weeks and I am very happy with how it is going right now but, I read in my training sheet that it will be time to start to ride with other riders so I can get used to riding in a group but I dont want to. I got into riding a long time ago because I like the solitude and it helps me clear my mind (kinda Zen thing) so the thought of riding with other people makes me feel sick. I know I must overcome this but how?
None of my friends ride and I dont know anybody that does..............am I weird and how can I fix this.

Thanks everyone

I've ridden over 3000 miles since August. I haven't ridden one mile with anyone, they have been 100 % solo. (unless you count the two female road bikers that i quickly caught and passed on my mountain bike on Sunday)

My rides are VERY alone. I ride most of my miles in the country where i see nothing but pheasants, quail, snakes, cows, horses, wild turkeys and farm dogs. Not one of them has said a word to me yet but I thought i heard some horses insulting me as i rode by early the other morning. :p

Face it, most folks ride alone. Its hard to find people to ride with depending on where you live. I see few other cyclist on the road in Cleveland, the season is short, it rains a lot.

I have friends that ride, and when we get together it is fun and special. We've done smaller charity rides (300 +/- riders) and enjoy those more, even though they are not 100% supported. The MS150s are a big cycling circus. All kinds of riders, bikes, food, sag wagons, more food, more breaks....they are parties.

You might sign up for a couple other charity rides before the 150. You would meet people who are likely doing the 150 as well. If they seem cool, ask if you can hook up with them. If it turns out weird, bail?

Hope this helps,

Have fun,

ehenz

I'm going to hijack the thread ... Hey ehenz, have you ever been over to this small bike store in a plaza on the south side of Chagrin near the intersection of Chagrin and Lee. The owner's name is Mitch and he's a total FREAK ... but I used to find some real "diamond in the rough" type deals on clothing and gear. I'm sorry that I can't remember the name of the store.

-mark

I'm going to hijack the thread ... Hey ehenz, have you ever been over to this small bike store in a plaza on the south side of Chagrin near the intersection of Chagrin and Lee. The owner's name is Mitch and he's a total FREAK ... but I used to find some real "diamond in the rough" type deals on clothing and gear. I'm sorry that I can't remember the name of the store.

-mark

"Bicycle Boulevard", perhaps?

A bit too far east for regular contact, but I will look for it when I'm out that way. I'm always looking for new shops, as a lot of the ones I liked, closed down. :mad:

I do a bit of everything, big groups (85+), small groups, and solo, and each has its merits.

The big group I ride with on Sat and Thur, is extremely fast and helps me push myself. The downside is that you cannot relax. In a group this big there is always a person in front, in back, and on at least one side.

Small groups are really fun. You can relax a bit more but really push. I did a century this weekend and did a lot of riding with one other guy. We had a lot of fun and kept up a good pace.

Solo. Lets you push hard on just your goals. Or, you can relax and let you mind wander.

The only real recommendation I have is this. A charity ride is a GROUP event. If you are used to riding solo, keep in mind that will often be someone behind or passing you. Check behind you often. There may be someone drafting you that you are unaware of (rude or not). You can stay by yourself if you want. But just stay aware. You will see some of everybody. The main point is to have fun. And that means different thing to different people.