guybierhaus

My usual ride is alone, with mp3 player. I tried a group last year, but with one biker wanting to chat and riding on my left, I soon found myself boxed in with a slower rider in front, edge of road on right. I needed more space. Group stopped every 5 miles to regroup, I usually go 10 miles before a break. At end of ride group leader told me I had to wear a helmet next time I rode with them. So end of that group. I think I wouldn't mind a partner. As in one. Riding with son in law was fine. But the poor fellow has to work during the day and perfers mountain bike, I'm a roadie and occassional flat crushed stone trail.

I participated in a few "Tours" with my sister, but she can barely do 10 miles at 5 mph, so I part with her quite early. As another has mentioned I did enjoy the tours with large participation as I like the presence of others on the route, and occassionally would pace myself off of others. But I did keep my distance. On rare occassions I eventually passed, but mostly I was left behind.

Actually I prefer to do everything alone. I think I don't like people.

Little Darwin

I am almost always alone when I ride, but I generally have no preference as to riding with others or not.

Both are nice.

SlowSpinner

I know exactly what you mean being not the fastest or the slowest. In the group I ride with it is called being half fast.

jppe

A good number of solo training rides for me but also a lot more group riding as well. Probably 75% in groups and 25% solo. I've found that if I'm interested in improving my fitness, speed, endurance, etc, I need to ride with others that are better riders than me. It hurts for a while-both physically and mentally- but it's really rewarding to see the marked improvement in fitness. It's the only way I can force myself into continued improvement on the bike. I just don't have the drive that's needed to greatly improve my fitness level solo. I can sustain a fitness level but cannot move it to the next level without assistance.

But, I found some solo rides to be some of the most incredible adventures I've ever done. So, I guess for me each have its purpose and something I really treasure.

Beverly

This is my first year riding with a cycling club and I've seen my average speed increase by 3 mph. I doubt I would have seen such an improvement doing all solo rides.

crtreedude 

When I ride my regular bike, I almost always ride alone. When I ride the tandem, there is usually someone always someone with me...

Bacco

I ride alone around home and generally prefer it that way. When I do event rides, I enjoy riding with friends and socializing. Given a choice, if I'm riding somewhere that I am not familiar with, I prefer company because I'm good at getting lost!

Coyote!

Hey Joe. Is that a Surly Pugsly? Too cool, what ever it is.

monk

Sometimes with a friend or two but mostly alone. I'm not a big fan of riding in large groups where I kill myself to hang on to the wheel in front of me. I don't see anything around me, don't talk to anyone hardly, etc. I know it's a good workout, but I cycle for much more than the exercise. I guess I consider myself more of a "fast recreational" rider. Anywhere from 17-20 mph on the straights and take the hills in stride. If you can find 3-4 guys partners to ride with that are about your same level it's great. You'll ride a little bit harder, but still talk and "smell the roses."

Joe1946

Yeah, it's a great beach/snow bike and I have a 29er wheelset for road use and just purchased a second set of Large Marge wheelset to use 26x3.0 Kenda Flames for road/trail use.

Frankenbiker

Ahhh. Peaceful. Quiet. Solitude. Just me 'n my bike...

sknhgy 

I always ride alone. The other day a friend suggested we ride together. At first I thought it was a marvelous idea. But when I thought about it, it didn't sound so good.
Just call me Mr. misanthrope.

Tom Bombadil

We've had 142 respondents.

From almost the beginning, the number indicating that they ride alone at least "much of the time" hovered right around 80%. That's higher than I expected it to be.

Digital Gee

I ride alone, but on sunny days, I am pursued by, or right behind, my shadow. What's up with that?

Tom Bombadil

You obviously aren't pedaling fast enough.

Journeyman

Interesting thread, generally I ride alone and have thought that I should find a riding partner? But after reading some of the posts here maybe riding alone is not such a bad idea after all? I enjoy going where I want to go and at my own pace. It provides me with a chance to really relax after spending the entire week at work and busy.

jman

NOS88

It's usually me, myself, and I. Maybe 15 to 20 rides a year with someone else and perhaps 3 or 4 large group rides. Riding is as close as I get to solitude.... something sorely missing in today's world.

BluesDawg

+1
I'm not so surprised by the number of responses saying they enjoy or even prefer riding solo as I am by how many seem to really dislike riding with others.

seacycle

While I do enjoy riding alone, I most often ride with a friend. I had a too-close encounter with a perv one day while out by myself and no longer feel comfortable in isolated areas by myself for very long. The experience has served to help increase my speed, though...when I do venture out alone, I now pedal like the wind through those deserted areas !

roccobike

I enjoy riding in a small group when I'm riding on the road. On single track, I'm too slow to keep up with younger MTBers and I've only seen one other MTBer close to my age at the local trails. So I just ride alone. Besides, I value keeping the bike upright rather than going fast and crashing hard, more than most others.

cranky old dude

I almost always ride alone. Bike time is MY time! I ride where I want, as fast(or slow) as I want, stop to gaze and ponder where and when I want, and come home when I'm ready. For me, the freedoms of biking are precious. If I just want to poop around I take the hybrid, adventurous moods calls for the mtn. bike and cruisin' gets done on one of my road bikes.

I've ridden with my three daughters enough to show 'em the ropes, both on tandems and single bikes, and my bride of 32 yrs. will ride the bike paths with me occasionally. I enjoy sharing those rides with my loved ones....but I'm in my SPECIAL zone when I'm out alone.

Cassave

Every weekday alone (commuting)
Group rides with my local club on Saturday.
Sunday - group ride or long solo ride depending....

Riding in a fast group hones bike handling skills like nothing else can.

MarkAJ

I mostly ride with one other, but enjoy riding alone. I enjoy riding in groups or organized rides too. Riding in group rides has improved my bicycle handling, knowledge, workout and friendships. Saturday I don’t care if I ride alone or with my friend, but Sunday I look forward to riding with the SFVBC. It is social and my recovery ride. Besides, I ride 14 miles solo to the starting point and another to get home. February 10th I ride The Tour de Palm Springs which usually has around 5,000 riders. It is the only ride I know that has no limits on riders. I understand going into this ride what I am doing and enjoy having all the other riders around. If I am lucky enough to have several friends join in the ride it is understood we start together but everyone rides at there own pace. See you at the car. It is a fun time. I would trade all the above if my wife rode a bike with me. But that is another thread.

centexwoody 

I either ride with my wife or alone. Since I've upgraded my bike, our paces are pretty different so often I'll ride with her for half the ride then shoot ahead or go longer. She wants to ride her pace that is really too slow for me as any real form of exercise but it is a great time for us to talk without interruption. She says she likes riding with me even though I'm faster because she's motivated to keep up her pace.

There are club rides around here but I always forget about them or just see them in passing out on the road. Have never done a regular 'group ride' because my work schedule & therefore riding schedule changes every semester. This summer I may try some group rides to see if a greater sociability improves my fun. Since I spend so much of my work time with other people, I usually look forward to the solitude of riding alone or the quiet companionship of my favorite wife, (my cro-moly baby - she of tensile strength and fierce love).

Glewis333

For years I enjoyed riding alone. Two years ago I started doing club rides 1-2 days a week and the rest of the week solo. I liked the club rides, we would usually stop for food and coffee, and everyone was friendly. Because of the different abilities of the riders I would either really push myself, to keep up with the faster group, or I could slow down and ride with the slow pokes. Riding with others did help me increase both my speed, and climbing. Lately, I’ve been getting bored with the group rides, they tend to always ride the same course, and I have started to go back to solo rides. I enjoy organized rides where everyone rides at their own pace. I would like my girlfriend to ride with me, but she would rather go to a spin class.