Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - solo vs. group

Are most of your LD rides solo or in a group? I feel kinda weird going out in the middle of nowhere by myself.

Solo, without question. I hate having to worry about other people. Short-distance rides are one thing but long-distance is another matter entirely. I like knowing that I can ride at my own pace as I choose. No the safest method, but, still my preference.

It just depends. Solo is cool, you can set your pace, and stop when you want. But it you go riding with a few people (who have the same general pace as you) it's pretty fun. It especially helps for when you need to duck in to get a water or use the bathroom, and a buddy can stay with the bikes.

Like ice said, it helps that your riding-friends a) know what they are doing b) have the proper equipment to manage their own issues c) are the same fitness level and endurance.

Most of mine have been solo. Solo centuries, solo 300Ks, solo 400Ks, solo 600Ks. However, quite often there has been someone with me on at least part of my 200Ks.

I like riding with someone now and then ... and preferably someone I know well. On some of my longer rides in Alberta, I was accompanied by my father for all or part of the ride. And now that I'm in Australia, Rowan will accompany me on longer rides.

As for riding in a group ... it's OK occasionally, although I do tend to be more nervous about the ride if there is a group of people involved. I relax a lot more if it's just me, or just me and someone I know well.

Mostly solo, although sometimes I'll find someone who rides at a similar pace as me. When I'm riding in a group though, it's more like a group of solo riders -- together but not drafting.

mostly solo, but you can ride with groups, do a big loop before heading to a group ride, do the ride and then ride home again has worked for me.

mostly solo, but you can ride with groups, do a big loop before heading to a group ride, do the ride and then ride home again has worked for me.

When I lived in Winnipeg, I joined the local cycletouring club, and did exactly that a few times. They'd meet at a certain location about 50 km from where I lived, so I'd ride out there ... ride with them ... and then ride home. I could get some decent centuries and slightly longer rides in that way.

As a lazy person at heart, I like the challenge of pushing myself both in distance and pace. I prefer that to being part of a group for rides over 100 miles. Anything less, I do enjoy having the company of riders with like ability and fitness.

Riding Solo is the best way to build a base and improve fitness. It's almost impossible to ride several days a week with a group or partner that is at your fitness level.

However, riding alone gets dull. Riding with others is more fun especially if the individuals are a good match.

Solo. Hard to find folks that want to ride 100 miles unless they get a t-shirt or goodies or something. Even harder today when it's supposed to get to 100 with wind gusts to 40. Off I go. :-)

I've done everything from 200k's to 1200k's solo and it's ok (as long as you get along with yourself :D) but my funnest and most memorable rides are always in groups. Sure there are sacrifices you have to make regarding speed, whatever but with the right group the companionship and encouragement that you get in a group can be the difference between a finish and a DNF if things are not going well. If I have my choice it's group every time, even if I have to ride slow!
I should add that groups are very nebulous, especially longer rides like a 1200k. I often flit from group to group depending on how I'm feeling. Guess I'm just a social butterfly. ;)

Solo 99.9% of the time. The .01% is when I catch up to another roadie on the road, strike up a conversation, and click of a few miles with 'em before continuing on.

~kn

Riding Solo is the best way to build a base and improve fitness. It's almost impossible to ride several days a week with a group or partner that is at your fitness level.

However, riding alone gets dull. Riding with others is more fun especially if the individuals are a good match.


I will say the opposite, riding with a group that is slightly faster than you is a great way to rapidly improve speed. It pushes you beyond what you would push yourself.

Of course, this is only true if you are the slow rider. When you one of the faster riders, the group only slows you down.

My training rides are all solo, brevets are a mix of solo & group riding - the big brevets start in packs of 60-100 riders, but of course the hills split things up.

Over time even if I'm riding with friends we'll inevitably end up with different paces, schedules, or senses of urgency. I like to stop and take pictures along the way, whereas some people only want to stop at the controles, and then for 5 minutes max.

SiR brevets are so big that if you're in the middle of the pack (where I'm usually found), you're bound to see other riders along the way no matter what. Most riders I encounter are willing to chat, and sometimes even happy to find someone else out there on the road at 2 in the morning. It's nice to know that people are behind me and if I had some huge mechanical, perhaps they could help me out. I've been at the back of a 600k, and it wasn't a good feeling!

I think the most efficient way to cover ground is in a pack of 6-10 people, sort of a double paceline but not always rotating.. but efficient doesn't always equal fun. I can watch a wheel for an hour or two, but not for 10+ hours.

Are most of your LD rides solo or in a group? I feel kinda weird going out in the middle of nowhere by myself.

It would depend in part as to what one considers a LD ride to be. For some a LD ride is 20 miles for others it's a century. But generally I prefer riding alone, because I can ride at whatever pace I'm comfortable with and not have to worry about leaving someone behind.

It would depend in part as to what one considers a LD ride to be. For some a LD ride is 20 miles for others it's a century.

In this forum, the Long Distance forum, a long distance might start at 100 km or 100 miles, and then go up from there. :)

Are most of your LD rides solo or in a group? I feel kinda weird going out in the middle of nowhere by myself.

I've done enough long solo rides where I kinda feel the "middle of nowhere" is my private playground.

I've done enough long solo rides where I kinda feel the "middle of nowhere" is my private playground.

OK, but you still have to keep your shorts on. ;)

OK, but you still have to keep your shorts on. ;)

so many restrictions

About 99% of my training rides are solo. On Brevets and other group rides, it just depends on how things shake out. I really enjoy riding alone, but I also really like the speed and security you get riding with a pack. Generally, if I get with a good group early in a ride, I'll stick with them until the end. But it has to be a group that rides a pace I like. I'm willing to ride a little faster than my usual pace to stay with my group, but I'm not so willing to ride slower. I guess I'm a snob that way.

My training rides are 100% solo. Nobody else around here is crazy enuf to want to ride 100+ miles in March. I'm one of two active randos in this town of 80,000 and the other guy trains with the racer-boys, so my choices are ride solo or don't ride. Once brevet season comes around it's nice to go across the mountains and ride with other people for a change...

SP
Bend, OR

In this forum, the Long Distance forum, a long distance might start at 100 km or 100 miles, and then go up from there. :)

Thank you for the clarification.

I've ridden solo, with one other rider, or very rarely with what could be called a "pack" but I have no idea the % spent at each. For the past couple of years, in the CA Triple Crown double century series, I've found a woman who is just about exactly my speed, so I've ridden with her a lot.

We get along well, have hours of interesting conversations, and can laugh at ourselves or each other as the circumstances indicate at the time, so yes, a lot of fun and I prefer that to hours and hours of solo riding.

Rick / OCRR

Almost 100% of my long rides are with others. On brevets and on the few organized long rides I do these days, I adjust my pace to ride with other folks. I enjoy having company more than riding alone. The few LD races I do each year it's the same deal. They're drafting-legal so I try to stay with others as much as possible. Not only is the companionship nice, but so is the help.

100% of my training is done with others. I rarely ride alone these days. 'Bout the only rides I do solo these days are commutes.

if any of my buddies got into cycling the way i am i would def rather do a group. but since its mostly strangers i see out on the roads it tends to be solo

97% of my centuries were solo. I just have this thing that my rides have to be my efforts. If I od a 5:45 century, it's cause "I did it". Buds have invited me to try a 5 hour with partners. Just doesn't interest me.:D

99.9 % of my riding is actually solo efforts. My wife rides my wheel and maybe 10 other guys that we know. But I just don't care to ride the others. If some stranger offers, I refuse. It just feel like cheating to me.:p

Almost all my riding is solo. I ride a lot, mainly as a commuter, and I'm pretty confident of my bike handling skills, traffic strategies, etc.

But I did a metric double last April, in a group of six or seven riders. Riding in the group was a totally new experience for me. Part of the time I was thinking, these guys don't know what they're doing, they are all over the road, inept shifting, crazy lane changing, and just rude (to car drivers); part of the time I was thinking I was the one who didn't know what he's doing. Bottom line, it seems riding in a group is a skill (and a style of riding) that I just don't have.

But riding that distance with people to talk to was really a blast. The miles just flew by, and pacing was unusually easy; I just had to keep up with the other guys, not let myself get ahead or behind. I didn't even have to navigate. It's nice to be able to go both ways.

99.9% of my rides are solo. It helps clear my head from a long day at the office, etc. I can also be 15+ miles away from the next sign of civilization so I do have protection with me when I ride just in case someone decides to mess w/ me. And no, I don't mean the Trojan Man kind of protection. :lol:

99.9% of my rides are solo. It helps clear my head from a long day at the office, etc. I can also be 15+ miles away from the next sign of civilization so I do have protection with me when I ride just in case someone decides to mess w/ me. And no, I don't mean the Trojan Man kind of protection. :lol:

Um... Maybe a dumb question, but are you saying you pack heat on rides?

Any company for a ride is usually inversely proportional to the length of the ride. Who wants to ride a triple century with me next week?

Um... Maybe a dumb question, but are you saying you pack heat on rides?yes it is a dumb question, don't go there, PLEASE...

99.9% of my rides are solo. It helps clear my head from a long day at the office, etc. I can also be 15+ miles away from the next sign of civilization so I do have protection with me when I ride just in case someone decides to mess w/ me. And no, I don't mean the Trojan Man kind of protection. :lol:

I think you have that backward, from my experience, civilization is the place you would need protection if you feel you need it. 15+ miles away from the next sign of civilization is usually the safest place to be...too many Mad Max movies maybe...;)

My regular loops of 1.5hours is usually solo. My slightly longer rides (80+km) are with a partner. We ride two abreast and chit chat. I'm a socialite who enjoys company while relaxing.

If I'm going over 120km (which isn't much for you guys, I know, but I'm a noob still), it's usually solo. My buddies can't ride that sorta distance at the speed I ride at, unless they draft me the entire ride... but where's the chit chat in that?

I think you have that backward, from my experience, civilization is the place you would need protection if you feel you need it. 15+ miles away from the next sign of civilization is usually the safest place to be...too many Mad Max movies maybe...;)

I live where there are a lot of jacked-up pickup trucks with gunracks in the back who don't take too kindly to guys wearing tight, funny looking shorts. Not saying everyone in a pickup is like this, but I've had run-ins with folks like this before. I'd rather not be in the middle of nowhere with nothing to protect myself but a frame pump.

It's a personal decision. I'm just more comfortable knowing I could defend myself against loons if I had to. It only takes one weirdo.

I live where there are a lot of jacked-up pickup trucks with gunracks in the back who don't take too kindly to guys wearing tight, funny looking shorts. Not saying everyone in a pickup is like this, but I've had run-ins with folks like this before. I'd rather not be in the middle of nowhere with nothing to protect myself but a frame pump.

It's a personal decision. I'm just more comfortable knowing I could defend myself against loons if I had to. It only takes one weirdo.

I live "in the middle of nowhere" and the vast majority of my riding is "in the middle of nowhere" (it's 110 miles for me to go around the block) it's my experience that the guys and gals in the "jacked-up pickup trucks with gunracks" are actually some of the nicest people. They wave, stop and say hi. Give you water when you've run out and it's 110 degrees. They stop combining the field for you when you ride by so you don't get dusted out. Maybe you live near that Deliverance part of the middle of nowhere? :) To each his own. As long as you're out there riding guess it doesn't matter.

The rednecks around here aren't too bad.... They wait 'til AFTER they've passed you to launch their PBR empties out the window. ;)

~kn

The rednecks around here aren't too bad.... They wait 'til AFTER they've passed you to launch their PBR empties out the window. ;)

~kn


Usually those are the "wantabe" rednecks from town who come out to the country to party and leave their trash all over the place. :(

I live "in the middle of nowhere" and the vast majority of my riding is "in the middle of nowhere" (it's 110 miles for me to go around the block) it's my experience that the guys and gals in the "jacked-up pickup trucks with gunracks" are actually some of the nicest people. They wave, stop and say hi. Give you water when you've run out and it's 110 degrees. They stop combining the field for you when you ride by so you don't get dusted out. Maybe you live near that Deliverance part of the middle of nowhere? :) To each his own. As long as you're out there riding guess it doesn't matter.

If you notice, I said not everyone is like this and it only takes one idiot to mess things up for you and do permanent damage to you. I have 3 metal rods and 11 screws in my legs because ONE person wasn't paying attention when they were driving and hit me. It only takes ONE person out of a lot of nice people to decide they are going to make this a bad day for you. That's why I've made the decision protect myself against that one bad seed. You don't have to do the same. It's your life. :thumb:

If you notice, I said not everyone is like this and it only takes one idiot to mess things up for you and do permanent damage to you. I have 3 metal rods and 11 screws in my legs because ONE person wasn't paying attention when they were driving and hit me. It only takes ONE person out of a lot of nice people to decide they are going to make this a bad day for you. That's why I've made the decision protect myself against that one bad seed. You don't have to do the same. It's your life. :thumb:
Now you have me confused. Are you going to shoot someone because they aren't paying attention? I'm not sure of anything that will save you from that particular scenario and it makes you sound a little bit off. That's a little different than some hooligans threatening you which is what I thought you were talking about. If it's legal where you are and you feel the need, that's fine with me. What bothered me was the impression that riding out in the country was somehow a dangerous thing when in fact it's probably the safest place to ride.

BTW I t-boned a van at 40mph that turned in front of me (in a town). You're not alone in having that happen.

Now you have me confused. Are you going to shoot someone because they aren't paying attention? I'm not sure of anything that will save you from that particular scenario and it makes you sound a little bit off. That's a little different than some hooligans threatening you which is what I thought you were talking about. If it's legal where you are and you feel the need, that's fine with me. What bothered me was the impression that riding out in the country was somehow a dangerous thing when in fact it's probably the safest place to ride.

BTW I t-boned a van at 40mph that turned in front of me (in a town). You're not alone in having that happen.

You're missing the point and I'm tired of the thread.

I almost always ride with others. Sometimes when the "group" ride ends, I may go around the block a second time for some added miles, but thats about it. The social element of riding is a big part for me. Also, other people are just so much fun to be around.

When I am by myself, I am not packing as I have never had bad encounters with rednecks in the middle of nowhere. Every now and then, a few kids having fun, but no real threat.

Most of my long rides are solo, just because my schedule doesn't fit with other riders. It would be nice to have another rider to chat with every now and then, but I kind of like the solitude as well.

Im glad i live in gainesville
Group rides most of the time