Long training rides solo??

[gabriellesca]

I did my first century in 2008 - but I've been totally off my bike (though spinning) since, but I REALLY want to get back into it this summer and sign up to do a few 50 milers.

Here is my dilemma - even though I've done a century my fitness level on the bike is super low - so I'm not sure about joining a cycling club. But when I do build up to longer rides (for me anything past 15 miles) I would like to have a group or partner to ride with. I don't like the idea of doing long rides on my own - even if I learn how to change my flat, etc.

How do you guys deal with your long training rides?

[Veronica]

I really enjoy riding by myself. There's less to think about. I don't have to worry about am I going too fast or too slow... I can tootle along or hammer depending upon MY mood.

Veronica

[ny biker]

I do almost all of my long training rides by myself. I usually can't find anyone who wants to ride the distance I want on the same day at the same time.

My longest training rides these days are approx. 70 miles. I have a 24-mile route that is a modification of a weekly ride that my LBS sponsors. The location where it begins and ends has lots of free parking, plus a decently clean public bathroom and a water fountain. I load up a cooler with all the drinks I will need for the entire ride, plus snacks and drinks for post-ride. So my car is the "rest stop."

I start early in the morning and load up myself and my bike with all the supplies I would bring if I were doing a regular metric century (i.e, no returning to the car until the ride is finished) -- 2 full water bottles, 8 packets of gu, etc. Then I go out and I ride the 24-mile ride loop for the first time. Back at my car for the first reststop, I refill my water bottles, then I hit the restroom and go out for the 2nd loop. Back at the car again to refill the water bottles again, stop at the restroom and then do the loop for a 3rd time. That makes a total ride of 72 miles.

I carry a spare tube, patch kit and pump on my rides in case of a flat tire. I have the phone numbers for several local cab companies written on the cue sheet in case I have any serious mechanical problems or can't ride back to the start for any reason. So far (knock wood) I haven't had to call them. I note the location of useful places like grocery stores and bike shops on my cue sheet in case I need to stop anywhere. I also note short cuts back to the start if I can't do the full 24-miles for some reason.

For other rides I do by myself, such as a hilly 30-mile ride that I can begin from home, I make sure I know the area beforehand. At the very least, I study google maps to familarize myself with the route, and I bring maps with me as a back up. I stick with residential areas so there will be people around if case of emergency. And I make sure there will be adequate places for refilling water bottles, finding bathrooms, etc.

So far it's worked out pretty well.

[gabriellesca]

Good point Veronica - you must be very confident with fixing a flat and bike repair?

I figure if I want to do longer rides I could do the same 10 mile loop 4x - so I'm never more than 10 miles from my car - as long as its hilly enough to be a challenge!

[Veronica]

Good point Veronica - you must be very confident with fixing a flat and bike repair?

Yeah... I guess. I've been riding for a long time.

Veronica

[LizzyBee]

So far so good for me although I was commenting in another thread about getting bored. I live in an urban area near the beach so I have to be careful about crazy drivers and my safety in general. I agree with what the previous poster said about riding at whatever pace you feel like; don't have to worry about leaving others behind or keeping up.

I've been battling boredom by changing my routes. There are a few paved bike paths and beach bike paths around here. Sorry, have to brag....it's nice riding down Pacific Coast Hwy this time of year, being able to see the snowy mountains to the east and the big, blue Pacific Ocean to the west!

Enjoy getting back on your bike!
L

[tangentgirl]

Riding alone can be great. I look at it as a time to clear my thoughts; it's almost meditative. But with cars, so not too meditative.

If you are worried about the tire changing, have an evening of tire changing practice. While you are watching TV or a movie (or not), sit down with your wheel and tools and just plain practice taking the tire off, taking the tube out, putting it back in, and putting the tire back on the rim a few times. It shouldn't take long to get familiar with how it works so that you can do it on the road easily. Also be familiar with getting your back tire off of your bike and putting it back on.

When I'm alone, I always have a phone with me and always let someone know where I'm going and when I expect to be back. The bf was gone last weekend and I did leave a note on the table with my route *just*in*case*.

Finally, Lizzybee, word on the SoCal riding and the beach and the mountains. Wait until you get into the hills!

[ny biker]

Good point Veronica - you must be very confident with fixing a flat and bike repair?

You should really learn how to change a tire, and practice it at home a few times. Flats happen to everyone and they're generally not a big deal.

If you keep your bike in good working order, you shouldn't have many problems with major mechanical breakdowns while riding. Clean and lube the chain regularly. Pay attention to changes like shifting problems and unusual noises, and have them checked out at your LBS if you can't figure out and resolve what's causing them. Take the bike to the LBS for service (overall clean and lube) at least once a year, or more often depending on how much you ride. That should be sufficient to prevent most major breakdowns during your rides. Then have a backup plan if something does go wrong that prevents you from riding back to your starting point -- enlist a friend or relative that you can call for a ride, have taxi numbers ready, be aware of nearby public transportation options, etc.

[SadieKate]

I go for a ride knowing:

I can change a flat
I can deal with basic mechanicals
I have a flight plan filed with someone
I have a communication device appropriate to the flight plan (cell phone, SPOT)

[beccaB]

I'm not good with a flat yet, oddly enough I have not had one in 5,500 miles. And I've said that out loud too and not had one. I just arrange to have a friend know I'm out and I try to do a loop where the friend would not have to drive more that 10 miles or so to come get me if something happens. I try to have the friend be someone who lives in the general direction I will be riding.

[Karma007]

I used to go on 50 miles rides solo, but after a crash last year, I'm not so bold. I'll go about 30 miles these days. Any farther, and I find a group ride, and with my schedule it can be pretty difficult.

One thing I DO plan to try soon is to ride a riding/walking trail with no cars out and back, which will take me 50 miles. I'm a little more confident out of traffic, and it's still pretty urban, so I can get help if I need it. It wouldn't be such a big deal, but I work weekends, so my husband, etc. is at work when I ride solo during the week.

[indysteel]

Good point Veronica - you must be very confident with fixing a flat and bike repair?

I figure if I want to do longer rides I could do the same 10 mile loop 4x - so I'm never more than 10 miles from my car - as long as its hilly enough to be a challenge!

I really like riding by myself. I ride in familiar areas and make sure to carry a cell phone, my Road ID, cash, food and sufficient water.

The fact of the matter is whether you're 5 miles from your car or 30, you need to know how to change a flat and make basic repairs. The same holds true for personal safety. Regardless of how far you're going, make sure someone knows where you're going to ride and what time you expect to be home. Ride safe, pay attention to your surroundings and know the area.

[malkin]

If you don't like riding alone, find someone to ride with.

[channlluv]

I've had two flats. One happened as I was heading out on my final circuit of my favorite 5-mile route, and I was only a quarter mile from the car, so I just walked her back and fixed it at home.

The second happened about a half hour before my very first tri experience. I'd over-inflated my tire and it blew while Sparrow (my bike) was on the rack, waiting to go. Thank goodness the bike shop sponsor had a booth with mechanics and spare tubes at the ready, because even though I can change a back tire, I wasn't comfortable with the pump I had used, and it was 0'dark thirty and I didn't have enough light to do the job well, so I headed over to their tent and they did it for me.

I tend to do my long rides on closed circuit cycle-friendly routes around lakes and small islands designed for recreation. If I have a problem, there are usually lots of other cyclists who are available to assist.

I do it a lot like ny biker. I load up everything I'll need for a long ride (longest to date was 50 miles), and I ride the loop and come back to my car as a rest stop. It's much safer to me than riding on regular streets, although I'm interested in what beach-side bike paths LizzyBee is cruising on.

Roxy

[shootingstar]

From someone who has not had a car at home for many years:


I still am not good about changing a flat tire but nevertheless I still go on long bike rides by myself. Except for biket vacation trips out of town, all the cycling that I do is within my home city area and hence, quite urban. And in Toronto, where I used to live. But both city areas are huge...so I do cycle 45 kms. often... for 90 kms. occasionally by myself. One can devise all sorts of long, interesting routes without going outside of the suburbs into rural areas for either city.

Both cities have commuter trains/subway and local ferries which allow bikes. All of Vancouver's buses have bike racks...another reason why I'm not worried. Toronto only started to install bike racks on their buses last year or so. Yet, that never stopped me and cycled there for over 10 years before moving out to Vancouver.

Yea, sure I've spent time walking for 1 hr. or less ,with a flat to get home or to a bike shop. But rarely happens. I don't do long rides at night, so it doesn't freak me out to walk anywhere in either city. Shrug. It was never a situation where I was late for work or to meet someone when I had a flat.

Phoning my partner is useless: we don't have car. And there was period of 2 years where he and I lived in different cities.

It helps to become self-reliant and confident ..to have fun on your own.