Cycling on your own

[Aquila]

I'd like to second what Darcy said above about feeling stronger and such from riding alone. I carry a cell phone, my wallet, and car keys, and wear a road id on my shoe (some folks already suggested those).

For me, riding alone on the country roads is like being a kid and getting that feeling of freedom and exploration (except I explore 20 or so miles at a time and am way more fit than when I was younger). And people on the roads and such tend to wave and smile, and I always feel good about that.

[SouthernBelle]

Paige,
Also check sites like routeslips.com and bikely.com to see if anybody has posted routes for your area. You can get elevation and distance data.

If there is an area I'm interested in riding that I'm not familiar with, I'll drive it first to see if it looks viable.

[Starfish]

I ride alone a lot...up to 80 miles this year. I also find that it increases my confidence for the rest of my life.

I do a few things to try to be prudent, such as leaving a message on my brother's answering machine about which route I'm taking so that they would know where to start looking. I take my cell phone, but I often go places that don't have reliable coverage.

And, something that has made a big difference for me is that I have simply made peace with the fact that I carry a whole lot of cr@p that makes my rides heavier and dorkier, but contribute to my peace of mind. That includes a pump that is big and dorky, but that I can use if I mess up with my cartridges. It also includes a third bottle cage on the bottom of my bike. And, I always pack too much food.

All this came about because one time I had a cut tire and blowout 40 miles from home with few services around. I didn't have all that stuff with me, and although I gained confidence because I was able to limp home, it took me FOREVER, and I was tired, hungry, thirsty, and sunburnt. I decided I wanted to be more prepared.

Whew, this got long! I say go with what feels right to you, but consider that riding alone can sometimes give you a great feeling that carries over into the rest of life.

[Bad JuJu]

I agree with Pedal Wench--you might try riding with the slower group just to find out whether there's anyone in it who would like to try going faster. Maybe you can recruit a riding buddy who at least wants to attempt your distance and speed or can work up to it.