[SabbathU71]

I recently started riding with a group - MTB club, that is. Its great. Nothing like riding in a pack. The feeling you get when your in your element with your own kind is almost unexplainable.

But this weekend, there are no group rides scheduled in my area. I am actually looking forward to riding solo this weekend. I don't know if its because its at my own pace or the exploration factor - I can stop and smell the sulfur if I want to.

So, what do you think? How do you like it?

Group or Solo?

 

[okkra]

It depends...

on how big the group is I guess. If it is any more than three people then I rather ride alone.

 

[bob]

What okkra said

I ride solo most of the time just because it's convenient and I enjoy being alone. Maybe it's a reflection of growing up as an only child? I have four other friends who I also enjoy riding with because we all ride the same stuff, are in about the same condition, and all have a great sense of humor. There's a ton of heckling on those rides.

But, as far as riding with a large group or club.......no way. People always show up late to the trail head, have to talk for a 1/2 hour before the ride starts, and the ride is always stopping and starting. It's just not for me.

 

[hill_climber]

i usually ride alone on the weekdays - on the weekends i will head out with a friend or two. i like riding alone - its really quiet, i can work at my own pace, and it gives me the time to figure out the technical stuff i need to figure out on my own. there are a bunch of spots that hang me up on some local trails here, and being alone, i get a chance to work them out by stopping, and trying again and again until i get too beat up or i figure out how to get over the stuff... i like being able to do that. its also nice to be out in the woods when you stop, and there is no one immediately around. in comparison to riding with friends, right now i prefer riding alone.

however there are some group rides around here (NJ) that seem really cool, so i am planning on joining up real soon (once i finish up grad-school - LAST FINAL THIS TUESDAY!!!), and when i get my bike back from my LBS (new rear shock) next week.

 

[fred-da-trog]

I recently started riding with a group - MTB club, that is. Its great. Nothing like riding in a pack. The feeling you get when your in your element with your own kind is almost unexplainable.

But this weekend, there are no group rides scheduled in my area. I am actually looking forward to riding solo this weekend. I don't know if its because its at my own pace or the exploration factor - I can stop and smell the sulfur if I want to.

So, what do you think? How do you like it?

Group or Solo?

I like both. Solo lets me rerun technical sections, ride at my pace, see, listen and smell the trail, try different mechanical adjustments. Group rides let me meet and visit with people of common interest, improve my skills trying to hang with the "A" group, renew the joys of mountain biking with the "B" group, encourage and help skill the "C" group.

 

[bsr35802]

Depends on the situation but i generally enjoy riding with a small group of friends (3 people max). i love to talk and just enjoy the time... only time i rather ride alone is when i need time to think

 

[Blue Shorts]

I recently started riding with a group - MTB club, that is. Its great. Nothing like riding in a pack. The feeling you get when your in your element with your own kind is almost unexplainable.

But this weekend, there are no group rides scheduled in my area. I am actually looking forward to riding solo this weekend. I don't know if its because its at my own pace or the exploration factor - I can stop and smell the sulfur if I want to.

So, what do you think? How do you like it?

Group or Solo?

Like others have said, both. Group rides are fun. You get to share experiences and as someone else said, it's fin be with others that are like you and enjoy what you enjoy.

I still like riding alone, too.....setting my own pace...not having someone else watch while I crash. It's all good.

 

[Jorgemonkey]

It depends on my mood whether I ride solo or in a group. Whenever I go nite riding I'm always in a group. On my afterwork rides, my buddies are usually still working so I normaly go alone. When I go solo, I usually hammer pretty hard and riding pretty much the same training loop I try to beat my old times or push myself harder at a section that I might have missed the last time. On group rides, I'm usually in the middle of the group just having fun, enjoying the ride.

 

[Rufudufus]

I did group rides for years, then started doing solo rides this winter. I really like going my own pace, the time to think. See a lot more wildlife when I'm solo.

Still enjoy the groups though. I'll clean sections in a group ride that I chicken out on when I'm alone....with no one to pick up the pieces if I crash. And solo night riding freaks me out...though I'll probably keep doing it, just for the rush.

 

[Stinky D]

I like the company when I pedal up the hill. Especially if there's faster people than me. I helps me to stay motivated to keep pedaling.

I like solo when I go downhill. I don't like having to slow down for people in front of me, or having to wait for people to come down the hill.

 

[Hello Kitty]

So, what do you think? How do you like it? Group or Solo?

Mostly solo. I hate stopping. And loath trail chit chat. My philosophy: You can rest and talk after the freaking ride. The ride's about chemistry, rhythm; and after you've dialed in both, seeing God. When riders share these preferences, then I prefer to ride with them. When they don't, I prefer to ride alone.

 

[ArmySlowRdr]

eh

I grew up alone too. And am pretty much of a loner---or so I always thought. Now as I grow older I recognize it's just that I need to be around someone a bunch of times before I feel comfortable. Biking in a group has helped with that way more than a team oriented culture such as the Army even.

It's to the point now where I'd prefer NOT to ride solo---especially if it's a trail I'mnot exceedingly familiar with. Although recently I have had excellent solo rides on the Big Island and on Oahu.

Just depends on the situation.

I ride solo most of the time just because it's convenient and I enjoy being alone. Maybe it's a reflection of growing up as an only child? I have four other friends who I also enjoy riding with because we all ride the same stuff, are in about the same condition, and all have a great sense of humor. There's a ton of heckling on those rides.

But, as far as riding with a large group or club.......no way. People always show up late to the trail head, have to talk for a 1/2 hour before the ride starts, and the ride is always stopping and starting. It's just not for me.

 

[jrm]

purely situational

I recently started riding with a group - MTB club, that is. Its great. Nothing like riding in a pack. The feeling you get when your in your element with your own kind is almost unexplainable.

But this weekend, there are no group rides scheduled in my area. I am actually looking forward to riding solo this weekend. I don't know if its because its at my own pace or the exploration factor - I can stop and smell the sulfur if I want to.

So, what do you think? How do you like it?

Group or Solo?

sometimes schdules dont work out and sometimes they do..

 

[Circlip]

Why limit yourself? As with some other posters, I can put myself in the right mindspace to enjoy both types of rides equally, whether it is an 8hr epic with the pedals turning 99.9% of the time, or a group ride of diverse abilities and fitness where it looks more like a slinky on the trail.

However, if you've found a certain type of ride (solo or group) that is most enjoyable for then all the more power to you.

 

[LyNx]

Sometimes Solo, sometimes group all deoends on how I feel and what type of ride I want and if I can find people to ride with.

 

[Rainman]

Nowdays I prefer to ride alone, because I use this time to 'not think'.

When I ride I 'zen' out. No thought...just reactions.

This helps me to cope with the rest of my life.

I don't need to 'chatter' or listen to others on the trail, I just need the quiet and peacefullness.

I used to ride with a small group, but most of them stopped / moved away / are into other sports.


R.

 

[Ol' DirtDawg]

Solo for me

Many years ago, I was a "Road Captain" for a local motorcycle group. Every weekend we hosted a group ride (anywhere from 10 to 100) to where ever. Now I know motorcycles are vastly different from mountain bicycles, but my point is, I had my share of large group rides, looking after newbies, blocking traffic, road side breakdowns, etc,..etc.

I got into mountain biking to have another activity to share with my two children, we ride as a family just the three of us, and on the weekends I don't have my kids, I ride solo.

I like the peace and quiet, to rely on my skills and preparedness, to take my time and enjoy the sights, smells and being one with my bike.

If I want to be around other MTB people, I will hang out at a local trail head, swap stories and tall tails, praise and admire others bikes and relax after a nice ride.

Then again,...after a nice solo ride, i'll gather a few MTB friends and head down to the local pub and enjoy a few brews.

I enjoy the company of others, but I also very much enjoy my solo time on a nice XC or single track.

"nuff said"

LIve long,...Ride hard

Ol' DirtDawg

 

[CalEpic]

Both

As others have mentioned, both are great for me. The social aspect of group rides is the attraction to that type of ride for me. I particularly enjoy the post-ride beers and talk. Solo rides are great too. I'm riding more solo now than group and find that I push myself harder on solo rides for some reason and find myself cleaning things I never have on group rides. I feel like I'm more in touch with nature when I'm solo. I notice a lot more wildlife.

C

 

[brado1]

Solo with Others!

Usually starts as a group ride, but i end up solo which is cool... i dig riding solo and once i get into groove i don't like talking much anyway (besides half the time i can't breathe let alone talk to someone) so i'm only with the group at the start, at the top and at the trailhead parking lot!

 

[Call_me_Clyde]

Both have their merits

For me personally, I enjoy both for different reasons. On a solo ride, I like the peace and tranquility it provides, and it also affords me the opportunity to just do what I want to do, go where I want to go, and make the ride as long or short as I like.

On the other hand, I find that I don't challenge myself enough on solo rides. I do make a point of trying something new each ride, be it conquering an obstacle I typically walk around, or making it 10 feet further up a hill.

When I group ride, my confidence seems to get a boost. I typically ride towards the back of the pack, and in doing so, can see those ahead of me and the techniques they use in clearing technical sections. Logs over 12 ", "build ups" (what I call large logs with smaller logs cascading both sides to make a ramp over them) and downhills are my nemesis. If I see others clear these obstacles (even though I've walked my bike over the obstacle, or down the hill in the past, and it's obvious I have the clearance) it gives me that much more a boost in confidence in attempting to clear that obstacle. This is where I challenge my abilities and become a better rider. It also helps in that I come away assured that the bike is made to do these things and to trust more in the bike's capabilities.

All in all, I guess I just like to ride my bike in the woods.

Clyde