Why ride with people?

[Cassandra_Cain]

Sooooo, I was having a chat with a fellow TE'r recently. Actually it was in the midst of a nice cross-town ride here. I had asked about her experiences with bike clubs in the area, etc.

This sort of broadened into a more general question...

Why ride with others?

Is it to be around a group of folks who like to drop the proverbial hammer and go as fast, or close to it, as they can? See who survives, who doesn't? Conversation discouraged, grunting/huffing/puffing encouraged? Competition heavy?

Is it the opposite....less effort/moderate pace, more conversation, socializing, talking, chit-chatting, sight seeing?

Why do you ride with others and what do you want out of those rides?

Thankfully, I rode with someone who was on the exact same wavelength as me.

[SadieKate]

I ride for all of the above. Just depends on what my personal goal is for the ride that day, even solitary rides. I like to mix it up (shaken not stirred).

[KSH]

Well, I go on different rides to get different experiences.

For example, if I want...

1) A slow ride where I get to chat- I ride with my Sunday group.

2) To hammer it some- I ride with my Tuesday group.

3) To go the distance and not get dropped- I ride with my Saturday distance builders group.

4) To go the distance and rest every 10-12 miles- I ride with my Saturday no drop ride.

You get the point.

I know that I can't do one type of ride all the time. I change it up often, so I can stay interested and challenged.. and it keep it's fun. If I ride with groups where I get dropped all the time... that is NOT fun.

[greenmachine]

Well, I go on different rides to get different experiences.

I know that I can't do one type of ride all the time. I change it up often, so I can stay interested and challenged.. and it keep it's fun. If I ride with groups where I get dropped all the time... that is NOT fun.

This describes me as well. I have to mix it up too. Different routes, different types of rides. And, I don't like riding alone...I wish I did.

There is always something to learn from riding with other people; training tips, etc., but that doesn't mean that I'm always chatting on my rides.

I really enjoy group riding, but I'm often riding by myself within the group as the group spreads out.

If I had to name a perfect type of ride for me it would be a ride with some hills and beautiful scenery, wildflowers, stuff like that!

[yogabear]

I think it depends on my goals :)

[Eden]

I have a hard time not hammering if I ride on my own. Don't know why, but its hard to not treat a solo ride like a personal TT for me. Riding with someone else and chatting helps me keep myself in line when I know I need to be doing a recovery ride.

[KSH]

And, I don't like riding alone...I wish I did.


That's a challenge for me too.

I have been riding alone lately though... on a 24 mile loop/bike path... and it has taught me how to keep my average/speed up without someone pushing me.

It's been a good learning experience.

BUT.... I refuse to ride the city streets alone. I'm all about safety in numbers.

[SalsaMTB]

Different times, different reasons...

I mainly ride with DH. When I say ride with DH, I mean drive to the trail together, start trail together, he drops me, we meet up at the end. If it's a longer trail, he'll wait for me every few miles.

I enjoy this because I know someone will be know if I get hurt, someone is there to motivate me when I'm tired, someone is there for the pre-ride talk and the talk on the drive home. When he rides behind me, it helps push me to take the downhills a little faster.

Also, I would never ride offroad at night by myself. That feels way too unsafe to me. I don't think I would even show up to a random group ride at night unless I personally knew someone on it.

I like to ride with other people (not DH) sometimes to compare myself, sometimes for social rides, and also to motivate some of my friends to try riding.

[DDH]

I mostly ride by myself, mainly because I don't have others to ride with, but also I enjoy being by myself and reflecting. I am not sure I am ready to ride with others anyway, I would feel like I was slowing them down. I already feel like I slow DH down whenever we get to ride together, which is not very often. It kills me, no more often that he rides and he can still get on and leave me. :confused:

What is a recovery ride?

[Eden]

After you've done a hard ride its good to get out and go easy the next day - so you do a "recovery ride". The basic idea is to keep it easy spinning and keep your heart rate down.

[greenmachine]

That's a challenge for me too.

I have been riding alone lately though... on a 24 mile loop/bike path... and it has taught me how to keep my average/speed up without someone pushing me.

It's been a good learning experience.

BUT.... I refuse to ride the city streets alone. I'm all about safety in numbers.

Hmmm, there is a loop around here I could try solo. The problem is, I do about 10 miles and then I feel like being done. I know that ALL miles count, but I'm more inclined for longer distances when I ride with other people... If anyone has any tips for me about riding alone more often, I'm all ears.

I agree with you too about the city streets. There IS safety in numbers.

[Bikingmomof3]

I have yet to ride alone. I do not like it. Maybe it is because I am so new to cycling or I just do not feel safe. I am not certain as to the exact reason, and so far I have not had to ride alone.

[chickwhorips]

i mainly ride solo but its also because i don't have anyone to ride with.

on BF's easy days he will ride with me bc he has a hard time going out easy and it keeps his hr lower. so his easy days are my hard days. i have a hard time going hard when i'm by myself. so he helps my do more of a training/get my butt in shape/better cyclist ride.

[pyxichick]

The groups around here run the gamut from hammer down all the way, nothing so much as an introduction to everyone in the group, to social, 10-12 mph. 25 mile rides with a rest/coffee stop halfway and dinner afterwards.

The only way for me to find out how different groups operate was to ride with all of them and now I can pick my group rides based on how I feel that day.

I like to be somewhat social, but if people are too busy talking to realize that they are riding four abreast on a city road, then I get frustrated.

Last night I got spanked on a ride with a new group. But it was probably good for me.

[Cassandra_Cain]

This is really interesting, kind of a sub-thread emerging of riding solo or, not.

I ride solo 99% of the time, in fact this weekend was the first time I've ridden with anybody in about 7 years. I enjoyed it a great deal though as I said before, we were on the same line of thought for the ride.

Riding with others can be, I think, more rewarding but also, infinitely more work. The big issues alway emerge - riding style, pace, speed, etc - which can lead to frustration, anger, etc. Unless you are unusually similar, there is going to be some kind of compromise. It is a compromise that is rather challenging - if my experience (and others I've heard of) with groups is any proof.

When I ride alone, which is most always basically, I feel comfortable doing whatever. Whether an intense straight-up all climbing ride, or an easy spin as this afternoon will be.

[Kalidurga]

When I ride alone, which is most always basically, I feel comfortable doing whatever. Whether an intense straight-up all climbing ride, or an easy spin as this afternoon will be.

I've also always ridden alone, partly because I enjoy the solitude, partly for the same reason Cassandra gave above. The few times I tried to ride with the ex-BF, we were not on the same wavelength. Since joining the TE forum, I've made half-hearted attempts to hook up with other women in my locale, and I've thought about joining some of the group rides sponsored by various LBS's. I'd like to try riding with others to see what I can learn from it, but it's hard to take that step and give up my anti-social ways. When I ride, I don't necessarily want to make the compromises necessary to "fit" with others. I want to do what I want to do and enjoy it.

[Trekhawk]

I do the majority of my road riding on my own and I enjoy it. Its a time for me to unwind and enjoy the peace (three sons dont equal peace and quiet).:D
Its my form of meditation.

When I have ridden with others (really only on charity rides) I have enjoyed being with other riders and feeling that comraderie.

I always mountain bike with another rider but thats a different thing from road riding - no meditating on single track:eek:. I enjoy the chance to discuss the technical parts of the ride and how to nail them.

I would like to try club riding one day maybe when I go home as all the clubs around here are a little too fast for me.:)

[tomgrrrl]

I tend to ride solo most of the time as well. For one thing, it's easier...it's hard enough to manage my time (and my daughter's) so that trying to coordinate rides with others can be difficult.

I also tend to find that I enjoy the alone time. For me it really becomes a form of meditation. When I'm with another person (or rarely a group) I often spend a lot of time worrying about my pace, their pace, etc. When I'm alone I have only myself to worry about.

I would like to find more friends to mtbike with since when I ride solo on my mtb I keep to well-traveled fire trails. If I had a riding pal, it would be easier (and safer) to ride some of the more remote trails.

[makbike]

I ride 99% of the time solo simply because of where I live, my schedule and the fact that I've always been a loner. In fact, I've typically always ridden solo. I feel safe on the road when I'm by myself but I'm also aware that at anytime things could change drastically and I could find myself in a nasty situation.

I do ride with our LBC a 1 - 2 times a week. The advantage to riding with the club is I can really pushy myself and when this happens I typically find myself riding solo again. I'm not fast enough to keep up with the really fast group and I'm too fast for the slow group so I end up between the two. I may pass other medium speed riders along the way but I usually find myself out there pedaling all by myself. That said, knowing there are others out ahead of me or knowing there is someone behind helps to push me. The socal aspect typically comes into play before the ride or after the ride in the parking lot.

I find riding a large group has a tendency to frustate me as well. I hate to get caught in a group that is spread out across the road and moving slower than I like. I find that when my cadence is broken like this my only desire is to find an opening and move ahead of the pack. I find getting caught in this same situation climbing a hill really increases my desire to break away from the group so that I can climb at my pace and not waste a lot of energy speeding up and slowing down as we make our way to the top.

[Dogmama]

1. Nobody wants to get up at the crack of dawn to ride.

2. I hate having to watch other peoples' wheels and predict what they'll do.

3. I want to be alone, think, enjoy the scenery.

I am considering training for El Tour de Tucson, which means I'll have to start riding with a group on Sunday to refresh my group riding skills. Hmmm....

[Kalidurga]

I feel safe on the road when I'm by myself but I'm also aware that at anytime things could change drastically and I could find myself in a nasty situation.

That's definitely part of the challenge. I hike, bike and kayak alone all the time and I take great pride in knowing that, whatever happens, I'll find a way to deal with it. Granted, I've been fortunate so far and nothing really extreme has happened, but the day I stop feeling capable and self-sufficient is the day I curl up and die.

This is a very interesting thread. In spite of my own comments, reading the comments from folks who do ride with groups makes me still want to give that a try. Is there a way to turn this into a poll?

[Tater]

I too, am a loner. Mostly it is because I haven't met anyone to ride with. Now that I have moved to a more populated area and found some weekend rides (thanks, Kano!), I may start riding with a group on a weekend or two. I don't mind my solo rides, though. I think that is because I have always run alone, and now I bike alone. It doesn't bother me.

[mimitabby]

I am a bit timid and though I have to ride alone sometimes, I like company. I find that unless I am commuting; when riding alone i tend to cut the distance
like; if i plan to ride 25 miles I will end up riding 21 instead...
with no one else there I am less apt to keep going.
Being smaller and female, I have no great joy in the solitude, I am very wary all the time. I was born the year of the rabbit, and damn, that's what I am.

[SadieKate]

Ha! Mimi, you made me remember that I wanted to look up my Chinese sign again. After reading the wonderful book about Christopher Hogwood (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345481372/sr=8-1/qid=1156430836/ref=sr_1_1/104-5707523-2635148?ie=UTF8), I wanted to check. Yep, I am a pig. Explains a lot about me.:rolleyes:

http://chinese.astrology.com/pig.html

[Cassandra_Cain]

Ha! Mimi, you made me remember that I wanted to look up my Chinese sign again. After reading the wonderful book about Christopher Hogwood (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345481372/sr=8-1/qid=1156430836/ref=sr_1_1/104-5707523-2635148?ie=UTF8), I wanted to check. Yep, I am a pig. Explains a lot about me.:rolleyes:

http://chinese.astrology.com/pig.html

Hey! Stop hijacking my thread! :p

Ok fine, be the way....I'm a rabbit :D http://chinese.astrology.com/rabbit.html

Back to riding....

[SadieKate]

Sorry! :p I do think that it is descriptive of why I ride with different people or even by my 'lil lonesome.

[caligurl]

well... i ride alone mostly.... hubby rides with me sometimes... depending on how he's feeling and what he's up to...

there aren't any other riders in my area for me to ride with.... the very FEW riders there are.... either don't ride much.... or are tri-geeks who i don't know and are out for a FAST ride...

i rarely see other riders.... i MAY pass one on a saturday or sunday if i'm lucky!

i used to pass eric (saunders) once in a while (pass as in going opposite directions) until he moved!

[weathergal]

Except for charity and other organized rides, I ride alone all the time. Like caligurl, it's mostly because I live in a town with no LBC and very few cyclists. I think I can count on one hand the number of other cyclists I've seen around this summer, and I've been riding a lot. Plus, my schedule is crazy, so even if I did know other cyclists in town I may have trouble meeting up for a ride.

I do think that riding with a group would be helpful, though. I have very little skill with things like drafting and pacelines, and tend to weave all over the road. :rolleyes: I also don't push myself as much as I could, mainly just tootling along.

[salsabike]

I love riding alone on my single bike. Don't have any desire to change that at all. It lets me work as hard as I want without worrying about anyone else's desires, welfare, skills, etc. I truly love it.

And of course I also love riding the tandem with Mr. Salsa. But for single bike riding, alone works great for me.

[tygab]

I do not like riding alone, but I do kayak alone. I can't say it's really relaxing unless I am on a low traffic road and I feel like I can look at the scenery, and with someone who I know will stop and wait if I have an issue. Almost all my rides have been with my husband and the remainder in groups with or without him along.

In the kayak, I am relaxed and just enjoying.

I would love to have some riding friends to go out with but right now I don't. I love that most of you like to ride alone, it gives me hope!

[Bad JuJu]

I love riding alone, but I tend to just twiddle along and enjoy the scenery when I'm alone. Nothing wrong with that, but I'd like to increase my speed somewhat so I can do longer rides in reasonable amounts of time. When I ride with others that are faster than I am, I work harder and therefore get stronger and a little faster. I'm already almost a couple of mph faster after only about a month of riding with a club--and not even making it to every club ride.

[Cassandra_Cain]

How funny JuJu - I say that because I'm the opposite!

The few times I have ridden with others, I tend to relax, not be in a rush, savor everything, converse, etc.

While alone, I am much more focused on riding hard, pushing myself, and all that sort of thing.

What I have learned from the responses in this thread is just how much variety there is in the collective motivation of all the ladies who responded. Some ride alone to relax, some ride alone to push it, some would never ride alone, some would only ride with groups, some would never ride with groups. Somehow, we all enjoy riding, in one way or another.

[Bad JuJu]

How funny JuJu - I say that because I'm the opposite!
The few times I have ridden with others, I tend to relax, not be in a rush, savor everything, converse, etc.
While alone, I am much more focused on riding hard, pushing myself, and all that sort of thing.
What I have learned from the responses in this thread is just how much variety there is in the collective motivation of all the ladies who responded. Some ride alone to relax, some ride alone to push it, some would never ride alone, some would only ride with groups, some would never ride with groups. Somehow, we all enjoy riding, in one way or another.

Roger that, Cassandra. And hey, the reason I work harder when I'm in a group is that they're usually all out in front of me and I'm working to keep up! :eek: :D

[ace]

I do ride alone sometimes, but much prefer riding with my local club for a bunch of reasons:

1) I'm a group exercise kind of person- I feel like I go faster and longer in a group

2) I've gotten lots of technique instruction, which is great since I'm a beginner

3) I can try rides harder than I think I can do because the group I ride with is no drop, so even if they have to wait for me pedaling 5 mph up the hills, at least they wait and I know I'll finish

4) It's inspiring- I've met some cool women who started out rank beginners like me a couple of years ago and are now doing double centuries

5) It's a fun way to be part of a community group. I'm constantly amazed by the mix of folks who ride with us

6) I have zero bike repair skills, so riding alone is scary. That one I gotta do something about!

[Trekhawk]

6) I have zero bike repair skills, so riding alone is scary. That one I gotta do something about!

Have a look here
http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp

[CorsairMac]

Sounds like a country-western song;


I Ride Aloneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :p

Anyway, I ride alone also. (actually it's me Cassie is talking about lolol)......I wouldn't mind riding with a club but 3 of the 4 clubs I know about in town are all racing clubs and the 4th one is a racing wannabe club. They don't have "no-drop" rides and while I agree riding with them would probably push my skills I'm A)not sure why I Want to push my skills and B)won't ride with a club that leaves ppl on the side of the road with a mechanical. (yup, they did it - twice, both times I was the only one that stopped and stayed with the person until the rider was back up and riding, good thing...the second time it happened the guy forgot his CO2 cylinders and needed to borrow my pump)

One thing I will say I've noticed tho (commuters can yea or nay say me on this): since I ride every day to work, my outlook on weekend rides does tend to be different than the weekend riders. Come Sat I've already ridden for 5 days so getting a ride in isn't as vital to me as it is to others.

For those of you that were wondering how to push yourself just a little further when riding alone: my suggestion would be to stop for a bit, have a bite to eat, maybe stretch your legs a tad and then hop back on the bike....I believe it'll help to push you past that point where you wanted to stop. The other thing I do is Tell people how far I'm riding, most of them want to know how my ride went and I would hate having to tell them I didn't ride the whole way! lol I also plan my ride so my halfway point is the farthest point from home, now the only way I can quit and go home - is to ride it back home.

I have enjoyed riding with Cassie and another friend I met on a club ride but I also really enjoy riding alone.

[caligurl]

I wouldn't mind riding with a club but 3 of the 4 clubs I know about in town are all racing clubs and the 4th one is a racing wannabe club.


the CLOSEST club is palm springs (and it's still an hour away!) but IF they did no drop rides.... we would probably make the trip on some/several saturdays.... heck.... we're down there shopping anyways! but they area all hammerhead recer wannabe's :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: so i just tool around up here in the high desert... and go to organized rides and do my own thing! lol!

[RoadRaven]

I like a combination of both.

Riding alone gives me a chance to really work on the head stuff (like Corsair intimates), makes me focus on my rythym, lets me attempt Personal Bests. Riding alone is a great way to get stronger because there is no opportunity for drafting and every gust of wind builds your strength.

Riding with 1-3 males (my partner and sons) gives me an opportunity to be pace myself - that is I sit in their draft and they ride 2-5kms above what I could do by myself. This gives me a good mind-set in a race because I know I can ride at that pace so to ride a bit harder is an achievable goal. I can also discuss and practice technique (like riding in a paceline) and race strategy (like when to sprint) with my men, because they have much more experience than me.

Riding with 1-2 females (work-mates) gives me a chance for a steady moderate-paced ride, with lots of time to socialise and chat.

Riding with a bunch (I only do this in races) teaches me good mindset, focus, group skills and awareness of how never to assume that others know what is my head or I what is in theirs (that is, defensive driving skills). Riding in a race situation lifts my performance (like sevaral other have already said - for example, JuJu and Ace) and gives me benchmarks to measure my own performance against.

[HipGnosis6]

I ride alone. I don't have anybody to ride with.

One friend always says "yay ,let's go for a ride!!!" and flakes out every time. Okay, a lot of people do that. I quit asking after a while.

[snowtulip]

I usually ride alone. It's easier because of my work/school schedule and my varying levels of fitness throughout the year make it easier for me not to worry about keeping up.

The only time I start to creep out about riding alone is when the occasional mountain lion stories start up. But I do enjoy being on the mountain alone.

[bluerider]

When I first started a year ago, I rode alone because I knew no other female riders (or male ones for that matter). I felt I would've been too new, slow, etc. After riding alone for a year, I still love to do some of my rides solo. The ability to know that I don't have to wait on others' schedules, excuses, fitness level, etc, gave me a lot of flexibility on where and when to ride. I improved a lot on my own as well, gaining confidence on my bike, on the road to handle idiots, cars, dogs, etc. Without those solo rides, I don't think I would've been as confident about riding today as I am.

I then showed up at a predominantly guys' ride this early spring and challenged myself to hold on, with the hope of meeting other like-minded riders. So after riding with them for a great season, I've improved so much and have fallen even more in love with the sport. Drafting, group riding skills, and a sense of watching out for each other, plus a few laughs has only enhanced my riding experiences. Group rides have introduced me to new friends and new routes.

I only ride with the group once a week with the rest of my rides on my own. I think everyone should try both if the opportunity exists. Both give you a unique experience and I wouldn't say one is better than the other one.

[li10up]

I prefer to ride with others. Even though I'm not much of a talker sometimes, I like to listen to the conversations that take place. But here is a perfect reason to ride with other, at least for me.

I've been trying for some time to bring my average speed up to 15mph but can only get to 14.8 on a regular basis. Thursday I rode the "moderate" ride with the club. To my surprise I was able to hang for 10 miles. After that 3 of us dropped back. Long story short. At the end of my ride my avg. speed was 16mph! On a bike that is a pretty big difference. I was soooo excited!!! Every time I looked down at my speedo I was shocked to see how fast we were going. Too bad the hills knocked my speed way down. Now I'm thinking about riding with them more often.

[RoadRaven]

The only time I start to creep out about riding alone is when the occasional mountain lion stories start up. But I do enjoy being on the mountain alone.

I know its an easy thing for me to wish, and maybe if I lived near mountain lions I wouldn't make this wish...

But I wish my rides took me somewhere where I might see a mountain lion or two...

[Trekhawk]

I know its an easy thing for me to wish, and maybe if I lived near mountain lions I wouldn't make this wish...

But I wish my rides took me somewhere where I might see a mountain lion or two...

Ive often though Kiwis might be braver than Aussies (home of the Bungee jump and all) but now I know its true. One of the places I mountain bike actually has warning signs about Mountain Lions. I guess they could be in most areas I mtb but the signs freak me out each time and for awhile after I jump at every squirrel or rustle in the bushes. I would love to see a Mountain Lion in the wild from a safe distance with my binoculars but not while Im on the trail.

[CorsairMac]

ya'll are welcome to come on over anytime - I've got lots of room! Don't know if you'll get to see any mountain lions but it's ok if you don't....you can always see bear or deer or rattlesnake or coyote or.......................:D

[deedolce]

i prefer to ride alone. It's more stressful for me to ride with a group, watching for cars and pacelines, and chit chat, and wanting to go faster, or feeling too slow. I've started riding with a girlfriend, which has been nice, but went for a 50 miler myself and it was great! I like to just be in the moment, and not have to think or talk, I have to do lots of that in my job as a school teacher. I like to do my imaginary races, trying to catch people up ahead, or not let some roadie catch up to me before random finish lines in my imagination. I also like to leave my routes and milage open, depending on how I feel.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks Corsair - a bear or snake would be really interesting - though I'd be less inclined to meet a bear on a trail than a mountain lion...

We have deer here... but I'll keep the bear invite in mind and come calling if I'm over your way to go for a ride :p

[quint41]

I don't like riding alone, either. I tend to not push myself, I get bored and I just can't wait for the ride to be over.

I ride with my Wednesday group because we've all gotten to be friends. We're all at different levels, but the more experienced riders challenge me and I work harder and learn more. At the same time, we will never leave the slower riders in the dust. And we always go for pizza and beer after!

In between when I want a leisurely ride, there are certain friends who I will call because I know they ride at a slower pace. There are other friends I'll call when I want a challenge.

It all depends what I need on that day.

[Raindrop]

I ride alone mostly because of my schedule and because the DH really hates riding and has to have "perfect" riding conditions, (i.e. not too hot, not too cold, not too windy etc.).

Sometime I ride with my clients (I'm a personal trainer), if they choose to do an aerobic workout on the bike. Unfortunately, that opportunity doesn't happen near often enough.