I Ride Alone. Yeaaah, All By Myself
08-29-14, 07:04 PM
#26
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I agree with just about everything said here. I relish the time alone. The first few hundred yards are positively exhilarating. As I ride all the problems, and what I just read on Google news fade away as I look at the next intersection, hill or pedestrian and think about how I'll deal with them. Two hours completely immersed with my own thoughts and challenges.
Rich
Rich
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..life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. ― Andy Rooney ...enjoy what's left!
..life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. ― Andy Rooney ...enjoy what's left!
08-29-14, 07:19 PM
#27
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
08-29-14, 07:58 PM
#29
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90% of my rider are solo.
I telecommute so many times I go out when I can take a 3 hour break. Sometimes it's at 6:00am, other times its in the afternoon and others its at the end of the day. i tend to start at my house and not drive to a starting point. Being alone allows me to go at my own pace, take the roads I want and change my ride depending on how i feel. Sometimes I do more hills and others I like flat and fast.
Once I get a few miles in, my mind clears and I do my best thinking. The constant attention to the road right in front, the road 100 yards down the cars parked on the right, the cars passing and all sounds lifts the haze of daily pressure and clears my mind.
I get migraines for the past 35 years and riding is the best stress relief i've found.
Don't get me wrong, riding with a group is very social, if they're faster then it pushes me and I learn new route.
But I like to ride solo because it's "all about me"... until I get home.
I telecommute so many times I go out when I can take a 3 hour break. Sometimes it's at 6:00am, other times its in the afternoon and others its at the end of the day. i tend to start at my house and not drive to a starting point. Being alone allows me to go at my own pace, take the roads I want and change my ride depending on how i feel. Sometimes I do more hills and others I like flat and fast.
Once I get a few miles in, my mind clears and I do my best thinking. The constant attention to the road right in front, the road 100 yards down the cars parked on the right, the cars passing and all sounds lifts the haze of daily pressure and clears my mind.
I get migraines for the past 35 years and riding is the best stress relief i've found.
Don't get me wrong, riding with a group is very social, if they're faster then it pushes me and I learn new route.
But I like to ride solo because it's "all about me"... until I get home.
08-29-14, 11:07 PM
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08-30-14, 03:20 AM
#34
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08-30-14, 03:42 AM
#35
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I do sometime sing when riding solo...
But never Celine Dion.
But never Celine Dion.
08-30-14, 04:00 AM
#36
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I agree with just about everything said here. I relish the time alone. The first few hundred yards are positively exhilarating. As I ride all the problems, and what I just read on Google news fade away as I look at the next intersection, hill or pedestrian and think about how I'll deal with them. Two hours completely immersed with my own thoughts and challenges.
Rich
Rich
08-30-14, 04:04 AM
#37
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prefer to ride solo. can crank the speaker as loud as i want without disapproval from riding partners. plus that whole waiting for other people thing is so 20th century.
if i wanna go fast, slow, in between or all 3 in the space of 5 minutes, i don't need to justify it. plus, i like to randomize my routes. some days, it's all roads i've never ridden before
and probably never will again. sartre had it right; hell is other people.
if i wanna go fast, slow, in between or all 3 in the space of 5 minutes, i don't need to justify it. plus, i like to randomize my routes. some days, it's all roads i've never ridden before
and probably never will again. sartre had it right; hell is other people.
08-30-14, 05:58 AM
#38
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I was just thinking about this very thing last night. I have signed up for a couple of organized charity rides that take place in the next few weeks, but have never ridden with anyone other then my wife. So, I asked around at a couple of the LBS about group rides. All the rides in my area seem to be horrendously short and slow, or very fast and long (for wanna be racing types). I've been tempted to go on the long and fast group ride, but I don't think I'd enjoy the pretentious atmosphere.
Besides, when I think about it, just about every time something goes wrong it seems to involve other people. Why would I want to let a stranger spoil something as preciously sacred as cycling?
Perhaps I'll warm up to the idea someday; but for now I guess I'll have to be a happy introvert while on two wheels.
Besides, when I think about it, just about every time something goes wrong it seems to involve other people. Why would I want to let a stranger spoil something as preciously sacred as cycling?
Perhaps I'll warm up to the idea someday; but for now I guess I'll have to be a happy introvert while on two wheels.
08-30-14, 06:02 AM
#39
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Riding in groups can sometimes turn into a competition hammer fest, which is sometimes fun.
I actually enjoy riding by myself, I get off work at 6am then do my own thing, intervals to just a nice 50+ mile ride.
I find it relaxes my mind and body, like a 2 wheel meditation and I can wave to myself if I choose...lol
The other day was interesting, riding home from work at 6am on a short 20 mile ride, dark and rainy.
A squirrel almost took out my front spokes, a rabbit came out of nowhere and hit my pedal, I ran over 3 small frogs and a raccoon tail.
A full size buck almost took me out, that was scary.
Perhaps my bright lights froze him...
Who needs coffee to awake when you have a full size buck waiting to take you out...lol
I actually enjoy riding by myself, I get off work at 6am then do my own thing, intervals to just a nice 50+ mile ride.
I find it relaxes my mind and body, like a 2 wheel meditation and I can wave to myself if I choose...lol
The other day was interesting, riding home from work at 6am on a short 20 mile ride, dark and rainy.
A squirrel almost took out my front spokes, a rabbit came out of nowhere and hit my pedal, I ran over 3 small frogs and a raccoon tail.
A full size buck almost took me out, that was scary.
Perhaps my bright lights froze him...
Who needs coffee to awake when you have a full size buck waiting to take you out...lol
08-31-14, 05:46 AM
#40
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08-31-14, 08:33 AM
#41
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Just finished two 50 mile days on the Katy Trail by myself and enjoyed every minute. The couple of times my wife met up with me at various trail heads I felt like she was invading my event. It was just me, my cycle computer, and my GoPro and we all got along just fine.
Still there are times when I enjoy riding with a close riding companion who seems to match my attitude and physical abilities perfectly.
mike
Still there are times when I enjoy riding with a close riding companion who seems to match my attitude and physical abilities perfectly.
mike
08-31-14, 08:41 AM
#42
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I just started riding this year and all but one of my rides has been by myself. Once in a while it's nice to ride with others, but I enjoy riding on my own. Besides, no one wants to get up at 5AM to ride with me anyway.
08-31-14, 09:27 AM
#43
Banned.
I love riding with people when I need a good push/workout.
Other than that, I like riding alone, taking in the sights, going at my own pace.
Other than that, I like riding alone, taking in the sights, going at my own pace.
08-31-14, 11:52 PM
#44
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I prefer riding solo, to. It's nerve wracking when a rider comes up behind me and is right on my rear wheel. It seems pretty silly for someone following me to trust that I don't do something unexpected. I pay closer attention to cars/road when I don't have to worry about another rider. Also, riding single file might as well ride alone. The real reason is that I suck so bad at hills and prefer to ride alone.
09-01-14, 12:45 AM
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09-01-14, 03:16 AM
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Riding alone in the predawn is when I truly feel free....leaving home in complete darkness, to watching the eastern sky slowly lighten, to seeing the first rays of the new rising sun. Almost no cars on the road, just the sound of the drive train on my bicycle breaking the quiet of the early morning. Very peaceful and inspiring.
09-01-14, 04:12 AM
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09-01-14, 04:44 AM
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09-01-14, 04:46 AM
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09-01-14, 04:52 AM
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