Why you should give solo riding a try

If you’ve only ever ridden your bike as part of a group, heading out solo might seem like a bit of a downgrade: there’s no one to chat with, no one to help with those pesky mechanicals, and no one to draft behind.

Really, though, there’s a lot to be said for riding alone. Here are a few reasons that we think you should ditch your mates every once in a while and give riding solo a try.

Headspace

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Riding solo gives you time to reflect

We all lead busy lives, full of distractions. But when you’re out on your bike, all by yourself, you finally get a bit of time to think. No screens, no chores, no small talk: just you, your bike, and the surroundings. Finally, a bit of time to digest.

Plan your own route

If you’re on your own, you can go wherever you want. Get lost; try new roads; add on an extra loop; cut the ride short: it really doesn’t matter. This can feel like a welcome relief from group riding, when there is, more often than not, an expectation that you’ll follow a set route and take a set amount of time.

No more waiting

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No waiting required on a solo ride

Latecomers. Slow people. Wee stops. When you’re riding in a group, you always end up waiting around for other people. ‘Faffing time’ is an inevitability when trying to do anything as a group. Ditch the group, and you skip the frustration. No more waiting around. No more faffing. Instead, you can get into your own flow and enjoy the feeling of constant, uninterrupted riding.

No one waiting for you

On the other side of the coin, if you’ve ever been the reason a group ride is ground to a halt, whether that’s because of a mechanical, because you’re a little slower than everyone else, or because you need to sort out your clothing layers or food, you’ll know that feeling of pressure that mounts as the rest of the group looks back at you impatiently. When you’re on your own, you can stop whenever you like; you can take your time with roadside maintenance; and you can spend as long as you like enjoying that coffee and cake halfway around. Freedom!

No need to plan ahead

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No need to plan if its me, myself and I

If you’re organising a group with a club or with friends, there’s got to be a where and when. If you’re organising a ride by yourself, well, you don’t need to organise it. You just chuck on your kit, pull out your bike and voilà. For a spontaneous ride when the sun shines, head out on your ones.

Peace and quiet

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No distractions, no chatter

Cycling can be a really sociable sport, and as the tarmac whooshes along beneath your wheels, it’s easy to while away the miles as you chew the fat with friends. Sometimes, though, it’s nice to just enjoy the peace and quiet – the sound of the birds and so on. So you’ve got two options: find a way to shut your riding buddies up (difficult), or head out for a ride by yourself (easy). If you are looking to immerse yourself in the sounds of the country, you’d better make sure your bike isn’t creaking or squeaking before you leave though.