[macmac]

Hi there fellow Canucks.... I was just wondering if anyone here rides alone? I don't have a riding partner so i just ride alone, wherever and whenever I can. Just wondering if anyone else is in a similar position.

 

[rocks'r'friends]

I used to get a lot of solo miles in, worked odd hours and split shifts so all my nine to five pals were unavailable. Once you are confident in your skills and knowledge of the trails solos can be some of the best rides. I miss the rides where there was no one to worry about, no on to talk to, just me, my bike and the trail. I never had any major mishaps, making sure I was riding within my abilities, our trails are pretty technical in spots, and made enough noise to keep the bears away, usually. I always made sure that someone knew where I was and when I should be back, plus I carry a cell phone in case i decide to go longer (or taco a wheel). I did use a GPS for a while, when I first moved to town, which made route finding a fair bit easier.
These days rides are much more social, my schedule is pretty set, very few mid day rides, so I only get one solo a week when I am lucky. My g/f loves to ride so we ride together 3-4 times a weeks and other friends join us from time to time. I guess I am pretty lucky.

 

[Swerny]

all the time.

it's like a therapy session for me.

Alone on the trail, clears my head of the day to day grind, getting exercise at the same time.

I think I'll grab a ride today after work!

 

[mtbmeister]

Almost all the time...

Except for the Tuesday fun series at Albion and the odd ride with a bud, I almost always ride alone. It's not that I don't want to, it's just suitable to my schedule and training objectives. It's quite peaceful, and you get to go at your own desired pace. I too, carry a cell phone for safety purposes and try to ride within my abilities...

The nice part about it is you don't have to wait for your late buddies to show up and then start messing around with their bikes before you head out...It's just pick a time, go, ride, go home, and plan your next outing...

Neil

Hi there fellow Canucks.... I was just wondering if anyone here rides alone? I don't have a riding partner so i just ride alone, wherever and whenever I can. Just wondering if anyone else is in a similar position.

 

[canadian-clydesdale]

i'm 50 50 for solo and with friends.

Like the peace while solo

Like the comraderie and pushing limits with the guys

 

[SuperNewb]

Lately its been alot but it doesnt bother me. I carry a cell as well just incase as its always good to have one wherever you are. A couple of my riding buddies are like that too that wait till the ride to "tweak" their bike.

 

[Dmytro]

The nice part about it is you don't have to wait for your late buddies to show up and then start messing around with their bikes before you head out...It's just pick a time, go, ride, go home, and plan your next outing...

Neil

I've never understood why people do this. How can fixing a bike in the parking lot be more time efficient then doing so in the garage on the stand (if you have one ...) with all of your tools and parts available.

 

[2WD]

I've ridden alone when I had scheduling conflicts with me being able to ride with my friends and always brought a cell phone with me.

 

[calma]

Me and the dog - my time to depress the day and enjoy the outdoors.

I do get in a ride with a bud once a week.

Only negative thing is, you really never know how you are doing for speed, fitness and skill until you test it with others.

 

[zedfoto]

Most of the time I don't have an option but to ride alone. It's nice to listen to nature and the wind rushing by. Although I do like to stop and talk to other riders that cross my path, and sometimes hook up with small groups.

 

[BlackCanoeDog]

I ride alone lots, even night rides. I also often xc-ski alone, and sometimes do solo canoe trips. Similar reasons to other folks. I work Mon-Thurs with 3 day weekends. I also have about 10 weeks off each year. So I just have more free time for riding,skiing, or paddling than most of my friends. As a previous poster said, I also like to "just go" when I am ready, not have to adjust to a ride buddy's plans/schedule. Have done a lot of camping & night riding so I don't have any issues with being out in the woods alone, day or night. On weekends I always make a point of riding, skiing, or canoeing with my wife - even though the "pace" has to be slower than I would prefer. I like to think that has helped keep us together for 30 yrs . I see lots of guys out riding with just other guys, never their wives or girlfriends.

 

[[CrazyRick_11]]

I have 2 main riding partners, my girlfriend and her brother. I do prefer to ride with someone because it's more fun to have someone to follow, but I do enjoy the peacefulness of going on a nice MTB ride by myself from time to time. I try to get out as much as possible usually one of the two are free and want to come along.

 

[rkj__]

lately, most of my mountain bike rides have not been solo. i ride with a group once a week, and usually get in a race, or a ride with a buddy. throughout the school year, about 99% of my rides are solo.

i am doing a bit of commuting this summer, and naturally, all of those rides are solo.

 

[SSteve F]

I ride mostly solo, and sometimes go in less populated areas. Important thing to remember is not to do anything too crazy that will leave you vulnerable. If I am not 100% sure, I will walk a section rather than risk putting myself in jeopardy.

As others have said, sometimes it is just getting out by yourself, riding at your own pace and enjoying the ride.

 

[kaikara]

Most of my riding is done alone. I work strange hours so when I have the time to go riding i will just go. Most of my group riding is done on the weekends. I do enjoy riding by myself though - it is nice to get out and not have to worry about anyone else. But I have always been somewhat of a loner.

 

[Lt.Saad]

Yeah almost %90 of my riding is alone. I get off work at 2 everyday and most of my buddies work till 5. I go to Blue alone too which i must admit gets kinda boring on the drive up and down. But once i hit my first jump or drop....its all worth it

 

[bermluvr]

Almost always.
I used to ask all my friends if they wanted to come before I went on a ride, and used to get a lot of no's... I used to think that sucked but now I just casually ask and when people decline, I just look forward to a great time out by myself, going at my own pace.

I like riding with buddies, but a lot of the time, an average weekday after work or something, I just prefer going on my own and shredding at my own pace. Way too much fun!

 

[Ricksom]

Yes and no

Good to ride on group rides, as you get social contacts for other activities, and you meet people outside of your "worker drone" environment. Clubs and bike shop rides are good for this. You also ride harder, learn from others, and get that "team" feeling of having fun together.

Good to ride alone, as it gives you time to think about life and clear your mind of that other "crap". Sometimes you just don't want to arrange and coordinate and compromise with someone else, especially if you really want to explore a place that has been on your list for a while. And sometimes you just want to ride outside your door for an hour......because you have time right now.
Just be aware of not getting into trouble while riding alone.

 

[thecrazyfinn]

Just about always alone. I don't have a car and live in downtown TO, so my riding is pretty much restricted to what I can bike to.

 

[1mystk]

Just started recently

I just started riding alone. I was wondering if it was such a good idea for a person who has only been on the trails since Oct.2006... I am starting to learn the trails at Albion and I also have gone on two Ravenshoe rides on my own...

Hard to get people to ride with you all the time. Still getting used to the idea... but the only way for me to get better is to rack up the miles... no matter how... with or without company...

I do my group rides on Mondays... and sometimes that is too much as there are too many people in a group - when you are the only one riding a Single Speed it gets tough, but I still enjoy my rides.

MILESMILESMILES