Solo riders
#76
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SoCal T.O.
Posts: 2,172
Bikes: CAAD9-6, 13' Dawes Haymaker 1500
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
300k is my longest solo ride.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/54815576
I have gone a little further on my own on group rides.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/54815576
I have gone a little further on my own on group rides.
#77
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Fuji Tahoe, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 722 Times
in
366 Posts
It was tougher the other way (though I was on day one of a two day tour, so held back on the climbs).
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/109644336
Riding is fantastic down here
on a good day.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/109644336
Riding is fantastic down here
on a good day.
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Örebro, Sweden
Posts: 1,315
Bikes: Monark sportser 1970, Monark sportser 1970ish, Monark folder, Mustand 1985, Monark Tempo 1999, Monark 318 1975, Crescent 319 1979, Crescent 325 c:a 1965, Crescent Starren 2002 (hybrid/sport), Nordstjernan 1960`s cruiser.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I´ve entered several centuries/sportives by myself, but once you hack yourself into groups along the way it aint solo anymore. I´ve done 120 km solo a couple of times as preparation before centuries/sportives. I quite like it.
#79
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
85 Posts
No solo centuries yet. I normally do at least a 45-53 mile ride on a Saturday or Sunday and get 15-30 mile daily rides in during the week. However, now that I am retired, this is going to change. Longest solo ride was 57 miles.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#80
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
300k is my longest solo ride.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/54815576
I have gone a little further on my own on group rides.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/54815576
I have gone a little further on my own on group rides.
When I was in Manitoba, I did the events (200K, 300K, 400K, 600K, and 1000K) mostly with others ... my longest solo stretch was about 300K in the middle of a 600K. I got dropped by a group of riders, and sort of hung about waiting for a couple I knew were behind me, but didn't want to wait too long so I kept moving and rode through the night by myself.
But in Alberta, there were fewer riders, and we were scattered all over the province, so I did most of the events solo (including, as I mentioned earlier, a 600K). At first it wasn't so bad, but after several years of that, it kind of dampened my enthusiasm for the really long events.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#81
Portland Fred
It's just a matter of what you like to do. I like riding solo, and at least half of my centuries are solo. I've never been bored on a bike or found myself feeling lonely.
Don't worry about having issues when you're out there by yourself. The solution is the same whether you have one or two people. The only difference is that you've just doubled your chances of the ride being affected by a problem.
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,516
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20808 Post(s)
Liked 9,450 Times
in
4,668 Posts
see I always thought people rode in groups or pairs...I truly enjoy riding with my friend and don't enjoy my rides alone so much. I like knowing that I'm pushing a little bit harder because I'm trying to not be the slower rider, I know he does the same. If I do solo rides I usually do the regular 22mi route I hate and I try to do it fairly quick...I have an avg time that I try to beat.
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,653
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 156 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2323 Post(s)
Liked 4,936 Times
in
1,763 Posts
Except for the rare event ride all my riding is solo. Several centuries by myself and pretty much every weekend I get in solo 40 -60 mile rides. Am closing in on 7000 miles for the year with only one 100+ Grande Fondo event where I actually road with people.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#85
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,429
Bikes: 2013 orca
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Other than the increased efficiency of group riding, I don't think that there's anything inherently social when it comes to riding. I think that a tendency to ride with groups or ride solo says more about the nature of your personality than the nature of the activity. Personally, I relish the occasional time alone.
I really would like to try a century by myself...need to break the 50mi mark solo first.
#86
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,342
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6200 Post(s)
Liked 4,201 Times
in
2,357 Posts
Longest distance solo: 1000 miles over 3 weeks from Sioux Falls, SD to St Louis, MO. I was also carrying everything that I needed to live.
Longest distance in the most remote location: 350 miles in a week in central Colorado...on a mountain bike...over the mountains...with a full touring load.
As for issues, you just deal.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#87
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,429
Bikes: 2013 orca
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Longest distance in a single day: 100 miles.
Longest distance solo: 1000 miles over 3 weeks from Sioux Falls, SD to St Louis, MO. I was also carrying everything that I needed to live.
Longest distance in the most remote location: 350 miles in a week in central Colorado...on a mountain bike...over the mountains...with a full touring load.
As for issues, you just deal.
Longest distance solo: 1000 miles over 3 weeks from Sioux Falls, SD to St Louis, MO. I was also carrying everything that I needed to live.
Longest distance in the most remote location: 350 miles in a week in central Colorado...on a mountain bike...over the mountains...with a full touring load.
As for issues, you just deal.
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,251
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8261 Post(s)
Liked 8,996 Times
in
4,455 Posts
One thing that has always amazed me about Bike Forums is the number of people who do most or even all of their riding alone.
I've been riding road bikes since the early 80s and most of it has been with others. Sure, after work rides are alone but I am a member of a road club and there is always someone to ride with on weekends. If not the club I have other friends who ride, too.
To answer the op I have done solo rides around 50 miles, 4 hour climbing rides alone, and multi-hour off road rides exploring new areas.
I've been riding road bikes since the early 80s and most of it has been with others. Sure, after work rides are alone but I am a member of a road club and there is always someone to ride with on weekends. If not the club I have other friends who ride, too.
To answer the op I have done solo rides around 50 miles, 4 hour climbing rides alone, and multi-hour off road rides exploring new areas.
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
see I always thought people rode in groups or pairs...I truly enjoy riding with my friend and don't enjoy my rides alone so much. I like knowing that I'm pushing a little bit harder because I'm trying to not be the slower rider, I know he does the same. If I do solo rides I usually do the regular 22mi route I hate and I try to do it fairly quick...I have an avg time that I try to beat.
#90
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
As a follow up, if you think "competing" with your buddy/buddies is fun over a 30 mile ride, try it on a Century. A Century is nothing more than a 1 day ride/race with stages. If you are evenly matched, everything is critical. Bathroom breaks, hills, etc. are all important. A 100 yard break early or a slow rest stop may be the difference. Are you the hare or the turtle? It's up to you. That's what makes it fun. It can be your 1 day version of the Tour De France!
#91
Senior Member
I wish I had a Garmin 800 so I could go out further (longer distances) to places I haven't been
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
Why do you need a GPS for that? Look at a map, route your ride and go for it. Back in the day before electronics, somehow people got by. I'm assuming you can read road signs?
Last edited by seypat; 11-04-11 at 08:52 AM.
#93
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Morrisville, NC
Posts: 141
Bikes: Raleigh Mojave 4.0, Univega Via Carisma
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My longest solo is ~55 miles. but of my 3200 miles this year 99% is solo usually in increments of 20-35 miles.
#94
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
#95
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
#96
1.21 gigawatts!
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: League City, Texas
Posts: 51
Bikes: 2011 Trek 1.1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Before getting my new bike, I hadn't been on one in years and had never been on a road bike. My first time out I did 20 miles. The next week I did 40 miles, then 60. Admittedly I started out in really good shape because I'm a runner, so no way I could have hopped on the bike and done 60 miles that soon otherwise. I still paid for it though as cycling works your muscles in a different way than running, but it was still a great ride! Some people prefer to stay around 40-50 miles solo because it can be difficult without having someone to draft at times when pedaling into a head wind, but otherwise I enjoy riding long distances solo. It's good, quiet, alone time. If you get out in the country, you feel as if its only you, the road, and nature. Really a peaceful and rewarding experience.
Last edited by Tex81; 11-04-11 at 09:26 AM. Reason: clarification
#97
Portland Fred
I've gotten seriously lost only once in my life using this method. I was so disoriented that I didn't even know which direction my home was. So I just asked some guy in a small town if he could point in the general direction of my town. He was pretty shocked when I was happy to hear I was only 40-45 miles away.
#98
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
Question to the OP,
What is the longest ride you have been on period? If you are worried about a 50 miler by yourself, I wonder if you have been on any rides above 50 miles anyway.
I think an interesting topic for another thread is how one's cycling interests evolves or changes as he/she get's older and more experienced. Some of the best rides and experiences are the ones like banerjeks example above.
What is the longest ride you have been on period? If you are worried about a 50 miler by yourself, I wonder if you have been on any rides above 50 miles anyway.
I think an interesting topic for another thread is how one's cycling interests evolves or changes as he/she get's older and more experienced. Some of the best rides and experiences are the ones like banerjeks example above.
Last edited by seypat; 11-04-11 at 10:53 AM.
#99
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 300
Bikes: 2010 Specialized Roubaix comp (SRAM Rival), 2009 Trek 7.3FX, Early 80's steel frame Suteki road bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh, and to answer the original question, a couple of solo centuries would be my longest solo rides. But 80% of my riding is solo, so I'm doing 60-ish mile solo rides just about every weekend.
#100
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
Bear in mind, as the rides get longer an old school Fredly metamorphosis might take place. The full race CF bike might give way to something more suited with bigger tires. The matching team kits start getting replaced with more subtle clothing. Then next thing you know you are looking at rear racks and handlebar bags! Finally, you turn full circle when you decide to ditch the compact crank for a triple touring setup! Oh the horror!