Riding solo

[bacarver]

I'm not sure just how this discussion forum works. I'm one of those techno-dummies who owns a computer and manages to get by. I moved to southern Indiana 17 years ago after living and cycling in Indy for almost 10 years. I actually lived next to the velodrome which was really cool. I rode with others who challenged me. I had it made. Now I live in a rural area where people look at me like I'm from another planet when I'm out riding. I've never had a partner in all the years I've lived here. I am proud of myself for always being so motivated. I ride a trainer all through the winter (talk about BORING!) I work full-time nights as a psych nurse. Somehow, I've been able to log over 1200 miles so far this year. I'm 46 but I feel really strong. My Trek 1500 rides like a dream. I bought it last year and I wonder why I waited so long to move up from the Trek 700 I was using. For all those who ride alone, I salute you. You rock.

[Popoki_Nui]

Howdy bacarver, and welcome! I'm one of the solo riders. I do ride occasionally with a local club, but those rides are more of the stop-and-eat-stop-and-pee-stop-and-yak type of social rides. Fun once in a while, for sure, but I prefer to mount up and ride for a steady couple of hours at least before stopping. So usually it's just me and my iPod (hastily donning my flameproof suit beacuse I ride wearing headphones :eek: ). One day I'm sure I'll find a riding partner with similar speed and endurance, but I've ridden alone for 40 years, so I'm happy either way.


~Sherry.

[presfoxm]

Welcome to the forums! I too ride alone quite often. Some days I find it relaxing, other days challenging. I have to whip out my trainer soon! ICK! I took last winter "off" and didn't ride the trainer, this year not so lucky! I can only watch my Tour tapes so many times before I stop caring, and with my new found boredom with Lance it makes it all the more difficult. Oh well. Maybe I will get some of the old school DVDs from World Cycling...

Have a lovely day.

Emily

[makbike]

Bacarver:

Welcome to the area. I'm not quite sure where you are located in Southern Indiana but I would encourage you to check out the Louisville Bicycle Club's ride schedule, http://www.louisvillebicycleclub.org/ . There is a 55/100 mile starting in Scottsburg, Indiana this Sunday if you are interested. In fact the club members who reside in Indiana offer many rides on your side of the river, join in the fun for they are a great group of people to spend the day with while you enjoy some beautiful countryside.

Marcie

[Geonz]

It's usually a lot easier to find groups who ride hard nad long than to find a social group! Don't give up yet :)

[Bike Goddess]

I too ride many miles solo. I often want to go further than my local club so I will often start off earlier and then meet them at a predetermined stop.

Most of the riders in my club are seasoned cyclists who have been riding many years. AND most of them are 10-20 years younger than I am so they are a bit faster than I am on the hills.

When I ride on my own, I still tend to push myself and get in a good workout. I don't mind going solo- I always go on roads where I can get help if I should need it.

[chickwhorips]

i am one of those solo riders also.

the most i've ridden with is my BF. i think it would be neat and scary to ride with a big group of people.

glad i'm not the only one out there riding solo. (no bears or fox don't count as riding buddies.)

[indysteel]

Hi BACarver. I'm from Indianapolis so it's nice to "meet" a former resident and fellow Hoosier on the forum. Where in Indiana do you live?

I just started riding this summer and most of the 1400 miles I've ridden since June have been on my own. I'm at the point where almost any ride still feels challenging, but I do feel like I push myself. In fact, in fighting the wind on my own, I think I've become a stronger rider than I would otherwise be if I'd had the luxury of drafting.

I just started doing club rides in September, but I find myself riding alone sometimes even on those rides because the group thins out so much. I've met a few people from the club to ride with and they challenge me a bit, but I don't get the same satisfaction that I get from my solo rides. There's just something very Zen about spinning alone on a country road. That said, I hope to join some training rides next year so that I acquire new skills, meet more people, and hopefully get pushed to go a little faster.

Do you like to climb? If you live in Southern Indiana, I imagine you can't avoid hills. As you know, Indy is pretty flat so I have to seek them out. That's my biggest training goal for next year so if you'd ever like to get together for some hill work somewhere in your neck of the woods, please let me know. I was already planning on going to Ellettesville to work on some of the hills included in the Hilly Hundred.

Kate

[Bad JuJu]

Welcome aboard, BA! I've been cycling for years, off and on, and almost always on my own. Just this year, just since late July, actually, I started riding with a local club on Saturdays. In that short time, I've improved noticeably in speed and climbing ability.

But I'm the kind of person who tends to twiddle along comfortably when I ride alone, enjoying the scenery, having a good time. I challenge myself occasionally, but not regularly. I enjoy riding alone enormously, but it'll never make me a better rider. On the other hand, the only reason I want to get better is to be able to ride longer distances. Other than that, speed and climbing ability don't matter to me that much.