MIjoe

Hey everybody, how many of you feel comfortable riding trails alone?

I was itching to break in my new Rockhopper Comp and couldn't find anybody to ride with, so I went out alone. This always feels like a bad idea to me. If I'm alone I always take it pretty easy, but you never know when some freak accident is going to happen, leaving you stranded out in the woods for hours with a broken leg or something. Knowing how others feel about this could either scare me out of doing it or make me feel more confident about it.

KleinMp99

I hate to admit it, but I have a fear of biking alone, especially on some of the trails up here. Who knows...there could be some crazy guy in the woods with a gun.......a bear could attack you......or you could break a leg or get hurt like u said......maybe f*** up your bike enough to not be able to ride it back. I just dont go alone.

aerobat

I know how you feel Mljoe, I share those thoughts both biking and x-country skiing. That was one of the main reasons I decided to break down and get a cell phone. I know lots of people here have issues with them, but there are some times when it's a comfort to have along. Long road rides are another case in point. But don't ride and talk at the same time.

Dirtgrinder

I go out alone most of the time. But I usually tell my wife where I'm going so if I don't come back she'll at least know approx. where to start looking for the pieces.

martin

I ride alone most of the time. Two tools that have come in handy that always go with me are the cell phone and a 10mm Glock. Concealed carry is a wonderful thing out on the trails. I'm more worried about 2 legged animals than the four legged type.

MIjoe

Cell phone, why did I never think of that before?

I seem to live in some sort of alternate reality because, believe it or not, nobody that I'm around on a daily basis has a cell phone. This may be a good enough reason to break down and get one.

amigo

One day i might take a bike. That day i asked to my friends go to bike with me. With the time nobody stayed with me, they said "Are you crazy?" "that zone? no!" etc. Then i try go with those who organize journeys: too much conditions, too much money... Ah!.-
Well that day i decided go alone. Fear?, yes american i felt fear, more when you see all that crosses in the road. But i think the fear is part of this, make more amazing the travel.-
mmmm, this sound stupid but is the way i make the fear catharsis.-

The Toninator

I’ve been mtbing solo for about 10 years now. Be prepared. Fluids are your friend and powerbars too. Cell phone is really good too. Don’t try new tricks (30 foot gaps etc) but you don’t have to go at a granny’s pace either. Have fun.
t

The Toninator

ps rate your survivability factor on how hard you should go.
Scale:
1 - No one ever rides this trail = Granny pace because I’ll die of exposure because no one ever comes here.
10 - Soccer moms jogging with baby stroller - Haul *** because the soccer’s moms have cell phone hot lines so their plastic surgeons can call them anywhere’s in the world to notify them of their new liposuction procedure the “leaves not marks.”

joeprim

Mostly I ride alone.
I don't have a cell phone, but I bought them for my daughters i.e. ther are a good idea.

My other hobbies are weight lifting and target shooting But mostly I see animals. Actually the scarest thing was when a skunk raced me down a hill - good think he thought it was fun. A few minites I had to swerve to avoid a rabbit family. That and counting the deer it was a good ride.

amigo. I think what you are trying to say was said best in the original Tarzan movie. Jane and her father just finished a dangerious climb. F says "where you scared" J "yes" F "Isn't it great that's how you know your alive.

Joe

amigo

Yes

BrianH

i ride alone (except for my dog Bart). i have topo maps of my area with my rides color coded with aprox times , then all i do is let my wife know which color trail i'm taking and she knows aprox when to expect me back. go burn up your trails you only live once

Buddy Hayden

These days I mostly ride alone,I got tired of the group going as fast as they can and missing those things like views , animals etc, some of my most memorable rides are where I've just cruised along at my own pace, It's sometimes nice to stop for a break when YOU feel like it,or hammer when YOU want to !. I think maybe I'm mellowing out as I get older and I see an enjoyable ride as a whole bunch of different things and not trying to get from the trailhead back to the car as quickly as possible .

Richard D

In my neck of the woods I'm happy riding on my own. We don't have any dangerous wild animals (well some of the squirrels can be a bit savage) and nowhere is what you'd call wilderness - I doubt whether it would be possible to be much more than two miles from a farm. I don't carry a cell phone because I hate the things, but I suppose if I lived somewhere a lot wilder with good reception I might consider it. I carry a basic first aid kit, and if I'm going off-road a map, so I feel fairly happy.

Richard

VegasCyclist

mostly I ride alone, actually I've have only done a few group ride I guess it's two things, one would be I grew up in the desert and about the worst thing you'll find is maybe a rattle snake... the other is my adventure spirit, the biggest enjoyment I get about riding on trails is going somewhere I've never been before. of course I do tell someone where I'm going to be and how long... and yes I've only had to carry my bike back 2 times, but it was only like 2-3 miles

newmtb

Well if it helps you out at all. i only started out last year and I have always riden alone. For two reasons mostly. First because the area I started in it seems that no one was really interested, and second I was just learning and i wouldn't wnt to bother another rider with my slow pace. So long story made short. Use commen sense and take a little power bar or two some drink cel phone if you are down with that. and most of all keep it real.