General Cycling Discussion - Do you mind riding alone or would you perfer a partner???

I mountain bike and I got my husband into mountain biking 2 years ago, but for him its not something that he loves to do. He does it mainly to support me. He also is more of a linebacker kind of guy so his body is just not made for biking. Well now I'm going to take up road biking and this is something that he will totally not do. I'm just wondering if people out there like to ride alone and if so why or do you prefer a partner. Before I would mountain bike with other men cause they would push me harder then I would push myself, but I'm all new to this road thing and not sure how its going to be by myself.

Are there any cycling clubs in your area? Anyother like-minded women?

I think it's probably safer for women to be riding with partners (not that I think it's particularly unsafe.) Typically, my wife rides by herself to reach a meeting point where she hooks up with her friends during the week. On weekends, she does a club ride one day, Saturday, and the ladies do a ride together on Sunday.

I actually prefer riding solo, but I often ride with my girlfriend. She's a triathlete, so on days she's in the pool or running, I'll be on my own. I get a little nervous about her riding by herself, so on her bike days I go with her as often as I can.
I enjoy the solitude of the solo ride, it helps me work out the stress of the day or clear the mental cobwebs. Plus I can ride at my own pace without annoying someone by pushing too hard or not, poor route choice, etc. From what I hear, a lot of runners enjoy going solo, but like company once in a while. I guess it's kind of same with me on the bike.

I actually prefer riding solo, but I often ride with my girlfriend. She's a triathlete, so on days she's in the pool or running, I'll be on my own. I get a little nervous about her riding by herself, so on her bike days I go with her as often as I can.
I enjoy the solitude of the solo ride, it helps me work out the stress of the day or clear the mental cobwebs. Plus I can ride at my own pace without annoying someone by pushing too hard or not, poor route choice, etc. From what I hear, a lot of runners enjoy going solo, but like company once in a while. I guess it's kind of same with me on the bike.

I prefer to ride alone, I don't like waiting for others, not just riding, but stopping/starting and so forth.
That being said, I would like to do a couple of group centuries.
For day to day fitness rides, solo is the way to go.

i seem to have fallen into a 3:1 ratio. 3 solo rides to every 1 group ride. if i ride too much by myself i get burned out, and if i ride too much with others i feel cramped.

I prefer to ride solo. You can pick your own route, see more stuff, go as hard or as easy as you want, etc. It's also quieter and more peaceful.

I'm like that with everything, though...I like to be alone.

I say try a couple both ways and see what you like best. Variety is also good...I do a few group rides every once in a while just to shake things up.

I like riding with other people. Helps motivate me and helps me progress. That and its like the buddy system. Riding in deep in the woods on your own is pretty dumb and very dangerous. (in my situation anyways)

I do ride with my gf on casual xc rides. I know it helps motivate her so I go, she can only do the easier trails at this point, but she won't ride alone on trails at all.

Since you are getting into road riding try putting your Hubby on a 'bent. It might be more condusive to his comfort. But once he gets in shape you might just be chasing him! As for me my commutes and errands are solo but I try to do one or two club rides a week. The club rides are mainly social rides sometimes with stops for ice cream and pizza.

'bent Brian

I commute solo. My commuting buddy moved last year. I like the solitude. However, if you are contemplating racing, you will need to ride in groups to learn how to negotiate the pack. Riding with groups will help your bike handling skills, and will push you to go faster. Since you are a mountain bike rider, your bike handling skills are already pretty good, no doubt.

In my racing days, I wished there was a group of competitive women cyclists to ride with, but there was not back then where I lived. So I rode with the guys. While it may have made me faster, it was a bit intimidating, and I had to endure really gross guy bike talk for miles and miles.

Conclusion: I like solo, but there are definite advantages to group riding. A good balance would be ideal.

Well like others have said I like both. A solo ride is very nice but there are times it would be cool to have someone to talk to, draft with etc.

A recreational cyclist, I enjoy riding solo for the solitude and freedom to pick my own pace, route, and rhythm to the ride. I also enjoy group rides for the companionship. In short, I have no preference, but enjoy both in the moment. When alone, I do tend to ride slower, as I tend to enjoy the scenery.

For me, much of the joy of riding is the time alone, doing what I want, going where I want. Even for centuries, etc. I mainly go to large ones so I can blend in and be lost in the crowd.


SS

I prefer riding with someone.

Riding in a group and riding alone are two completely different experiences. I enjoy both--depends what kind of a mood I am in.

I mountain bike and I got my husband into mountain biking 2 years ago, but for him its not something that he loves to do. He does it mainly to support me. He also is more of a linebacker kind of guy so his body is just not made for biking. Well now I'm going to take up road biking and this is something that he will totally not do. I'm just wondering if people out there like to ride alone and if so why or do you prefer a partner. Before I would mountain bike with other men cause they would push me harder then I would push myself, but I'm all new to this road thing and not sure how its going to be by myself.

I not only "don't mind" riding alone; I actually prefer it. No one to slow you down (or try to keep up with). I can think (or not think), drool over the hotties without getting the evil eye from the wife, go slow, go fast, whatever.

Bottom line: it's my time out there, and I like that.

Riding in a group and riding alone are two completely different experiences. I enjoy both--depends what kind of a mood I am in.

Ditto

Solo.

XC riding is fun on my own or with a friend, but jumps and freeriding is better with friends as you push yourself very hard to improve and keep up with your mates :)

I'm new to biking and mostly ride solo on my weekday afternoon rides. At first, I just didn't want to slow down my experienced friends and had to build a little fitness. I've got a couple of friends that ride the same routes and now I often hook up with one of them . They're mostly a lot stronger than I am and, though they're gracious and ride my pace, I end up picking up the pace when I ride with them. My wife and I usually take a long weekend ride. She's got fewer miles under her than I do, so that slows my pace but I enjoy the long casual ride and the company. She rides solo if I'm not around and she feels safe on our local bike trail. That's not really an answer but the message is: just ride and your habits will evolve.

I like riding solo, most of the time I prefer it. I would like to hook up with just one other person to ride with but it doesn't look like that is very likely (even in this big city). I have ridden with a group a couple of times and that was fun, but most of the time I don't feel like I am a good enough rider to be riding with a group. I'm trying to improve my riding skills and hopefully some day soon I will be more confident. On Saturday's my husband and I will ride the tandem, he knows my confort level, which is really nice and we can be together and usually end up going to lunch some where, that is probably my favorite time to ride.

I love having someone to talk to, as I've already seen all there is to see on any of the routes I can go riding on. I'd ride with someone every chance I can, but there doesn't seem to be anyone around here who wants to ride with me. I'm too fast for the casual people (who won't ride on the roads anyway), and too slow for anyone who's truly serious about riding. :(

I would say that 70% of the time I like to ride solo. On longer rides it is great to have the company.

I like to ride solo on my training rides. It allows me to push myself to my limits without worrying about anyone else. If I feel strong I push real hard, if I feel fatigued, I can bring it down a notch. However, my wife has recently taken up cycling, so on Sundays I do my recover ride with her. It forces me to not push too hard, and it gives us a chance to ride together without me feeling like I am missing out on my training.

I like to ride with some one at night but not in the day!

I like to ride with some one at night but not in the day!
and why is that?

I prefer riding with soemone at all times, it just makes things more interestng

Solo. But my riding is mostly commuting, running errands and touring. I've done some touring with a good friend, and that's OK. Much more than two and methinks you need to start to make sure everyone knows how to ride in a group (I wouldn't know, for example). You also have to start paying more attention to route planning, breaks etc. Touring and strict rules / schedules do not mix well, IMO, so I prefer solo.

--J