So I took a solo ride alone in the deep dark woods or NW NJ. I usually ride with my brother but today I decided to take it alone. NWNJ is home to deer & bear & well some scarey dudes. As I rode alone I was very aware of my surroundings as with out a buddy to chat and compete I was left focused on myself and wondering if I will see my 4th bear of the season. As a result I fell a few times and got lost. 2.5 hrs later I returned to my car. No bear, a few deer a jacked up legg and resolve not to ride alone.

I've ridden alone before at the end of the day when it was getting dark'ish.... While somewhat fun, it was a bit creepy. + it's "more" fun to ride with other people... so I never did it again.

A few weeks ago, alone, I popped three spokes, 4 miles out on the Mouse Branch of TSALI and had to walk out in the dark. Scary as hell

I would never ride alone mountain biking!!I had a friend who wrecked and had to crawl out to get help

To each their own. I love riding solo.

Carry a pack with plenty of munchies, a shell and/or other clothing as the weather and season dictates, a headlamp if late season riding or late afternoon otherwise in some spots, and if going somewhere where things could get hairy - tell the wife where I'm headed. Yeah, riding some stuff a bit more conservatively isn't a bad idea either. I also have a rather decent sized first aid bag in there, and means of starting a fire, and iodine tabs. Small pack for local and short rides, big pack if going somewhere bigger or longer.

Life is too short to spend time cowering under the bed, worrying about what might happen.

Solo is great, no pressure on you and you get to go at your own pace.

I ride a lot at the local mtb park and its not very big so its not really spooky enough to scare me considering i know it like the back of my hand. I love riding solo their. I always do much better because i dont feel like i gotta push my limit to stay ahead. Its funny though it feels like im more relaxed but i always get better times alone. No matter how fast i feel im going im always faster solo for some reason.

I like to get out there alone sometimes. After reading jboyd's tale, I think I'm gonna pack a mini flashlight even if I plan on finishing my ride at noon, just in case.

Always leave info about where you're going with at least one friend.

I ride solo all the time - I like to hit it as hard as I can without worring about pushing somone else too hard, or about popping and not keeping up with others. The rides I do are remote, and I have been traveling a bit light lately - no pack- tool, tube, patches and a couple C02s, cell, ID, credit card, and cash shoved in the jersey pockets. With the weather changing the pack will come out soon.

most if not all of the people i know who ride ride alone sometimes. and we ride alone on 3-4 hour rides, really really out there. just you and nature, nothing scary about it.

I ride alone all the time. I tell the wife where I'm going and carry a cell phone which gets usable service most of the time. I'm not worried about it.

I used to get a little nervous riding after dark, but I've gotten over that. The most dangerous IMO is when I ride solo, after dark, during the winter. It's marvelous being out in the silent white darkness all alone but if I were to crash and become immobilized then hypothermia could set in really quick.

If you find yourself hiding from something that goes "bump" in the night...on the trail...it's probably just me riding solo.

No worries.

Completely agree on this point. Those are the rides I take it easy, and have extra stuff to wear in the pack. Even walking out would be much, much colder. Most places I ride, you can get cell reception. There are a few spots around me though that you'd still have a hard time getting rescuers to you if needed. Ride smart is all.

I ride alone all the time but I always ride with ID, a cell phone, spare tube, pump, etc.

I ride alone all the time . I'm young and stupid so I don't take anything with me, I don't even have a spare tube or a pump. One time I poped a tire a couple miles away It wasn't that bad.

Wow, you MUST have been scared.

I like solo adventures. If I see something shiny in a different, I like to go see what caught my eye. But I do take some extra care when alone. I've been solo and in a bad way a couple of times. Can't do that anymore.

HEY-I missed out finding a body because I've been riding a road bike lately. Henderson, NV police found the body of a dead drug dealer in an area I usually take a morning ride in. Dang, I would have run over the corpse if I was there first.

I ride solo a lot. I like riding with people, but if I never role alone, I'd hardly ever ride.

Hahaha... co-incidence of not?

Do it all the time. it it kind of relaxing. I used to try and get other to ride with, but then you have to wait and all that. So, it is easier to go on a ride by yourself.

I ride with a guy who fell on one of trails. He ended up braking his leg. He recommends taking a whistle with you 'cause you can make noise for a longer time period and at a louder level when someone is looking for you.

I ride alone a lot. But the trails near me are relatively well used. The exception being in the dark and winter. I am a patroller so I normally take a bunch of stuff with me. Even when I don't take a bunch of stuff, at least a tube and cell phone.

No need for a whistle if they have oak trees where you ride. You can almost always find an acorn cap within arms reach.

Hey buddy, just so you know.. going into the woods with other people isn't so hot either!

I've been thinking about this lately. When I hike or am out I pack a gun just incase of bears or mountain lions so wonder about biking. We will see I guess as I venture out on my bike..
Glad to hear most of your trip went ok..

Get a bear-spray instead - a gun won't stop an attack. The spray is easy to aim. I doubt you'll have time to get to either if you're mauled while ripping it on your bicycle. Better to ride with a buddy who can save your ass from being eaten.