Why ride with people?

[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!

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 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.

[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...