Why Ride Solo? 8 Benefits! 

Riding is my "Me Time". I don't want interruptions, distractions, or hassles.

Cycled on your own is the ultimate definition of freedom. Can’t picture myself cycling with group.

All I do is solo riding. It gives me the time to think about everything or nothing.

My solo rides are often very contemplative . . .I sync my breathing and pedal strokes to a very natural 6/8 rhythm. It sends negative thoughts away...and allows me to listen to what is going on around me . . I'm often tempted to post some social media crap about how good it was, and then I think . . nah, these are my memories . . .sorry, not for sharing... Back in 1971, a 13 year old me would sneak out of the house at night and ride a flat curvy route through my subdivision in Calgary Alberta, Canada . . . I had no clue about Criteriums back then . . . I just loved how the streetlights created a shadow rider that would overtake me and then vanish in the next streetlamp . . pushing me on...and on . .. I'm so grateful for those memories . . .

Solo riding, which I do most of the time, is my moving "Zen" meditation.

I like wearing just one wireless ear bud, and listening to music, and I can still hear cars and things in the other ear….solo rides are just convenient in that you can go ride at a moment’s notice when you have unscheduled free time, that’s probably my biggest reason, I never really know when I can go sometimes, so when the opportunity comes, I just go…

Pretty much all I do is Solo riding. Not too many people want to ride with an old man. I’ll put on my Shokz bone conducting headphones, a good message from Pastor John MacArthur, and enjoy my ride. Thanks for the video. Grace & Peace

You mentioned all the reasons why I love solo riding. For me the chatting is disturbing. Nice vlog!

Headphones is not something I would consider. I depend on my hearing to help with intersections with poor sight distance. I also enjoy being out in nature. I enjoy the wind in my ears and all the different bird calls.

My solo xc mtb rides are so meditative. Ride up a hill and just forget everything and enjoy the breeze

Group rides are only good for maintaining friendships with riding buddies as long as things go to plan I think. Solo rides cut out all of the annoyances such as getting to a meeting point, waiting for late arrivals, waiting for mech issues to be sorted that should have been done before the ride, speed differences, getting stuck at a traffic light whilst the group disappears into the distance, having to adhere to a bad choice of route, looking bad in a social media group photo etc.

Too true! I ride solo all the time. I don’t have to meet up with others and decide on a route. I can cut my ride short any time I like to escape bad weather, knowing there’s always tomorrow. I don’t have to listen to other people’s BS, yet can chat for as long as I want to at a ‘coffee stop’. Riding alone is not at all anti social , why should it be? Thanks for the vid

Pure thoughts and wind in hair, freedom in soul...

Agree - love a group ride, but also love an early Sunday solo ride …. No pressure to leave at any particular time, ride at my own pace, no needless stopping (more and more of my rides I don’t stop these days - coffee stops are lovely, but there is a joy in doing a non-stop 100km for example) … I also ride with music these days - not so loud you can’t hear the traffic but it takes anyway the awful wind noise and passes the time a little quicker

I ride converted rail trails, and always wear headphones. Nothing to do but put in the miles and enjoy the scenery!

Thought about these headphones but I realized I enjoy hearing my surroundings (and bike) on an outing.

Used to like group rides but these days I appreciate the lone ride as stated in the video , I go where I like when I like and in the bit of Australia I live in every ride is a treat

I’ve never ridden with a group but from what I’ve heard from people that have, it’s all about going hell for leather and there is always a clash of egos, I can go faster and longer than you etc etc etc…..hence i always ride alone. Lovely video and thank you for taking the time to film and post.

👍🏻 Just got back from a solo ride along the remote Siberian / China border with some epic climbs and amazing views. Solo = freedom to explore, you can stop and admire nature, you can really push or just relax when you want and plan new routes on the go. Group rides can be social or competitive and def have their place, but for me I prefer 80% solo riding because cycling for me is about exploring, not shying away from tough new routes, no group etiquette, just open roads.

I always ride alone. Bike time is MY time. I pack a small stove, a mug and some tea bags. I stop where I want, pop the kettle and enjoy MY time MY way. It's good for my physical and mental well-being. Love it.

The majority of my rides are solo due to family and work commitments preventing me from joining a local club. To be honest I enjoy the complete detachment from work and family issues and I find that time incredibly important to work on my own mental wellbeing. I often find a lunchtime ride can unpack a work or personal problem in a way that wouldn’t happen sitting in front of a computer screen.

To each their own, but I wouldn't ride with headphones. No way.

Love riding Alone also couple times had use of headphones which after all makes me realize my little speaker is the way to go:) The reason why won't ride with Groups is I can take breaks any time I needed or I can ride for 2 to 3 hours strait. Of course there is riders who have their reasons for not ride Alone. Despite all differences both sides are right of their own. Happy Rides:)

I’m cycling around the New Forest solo by default at the moment. Only started riding at 62 last November, become a little addicted to be fair and now buying bike 3 lol! Problem I have is loads of mates but none are cyclists and fully aware that although my fitness has taken a surprisingly leap forward I’m not convinced I’m fit enough to fit in with a cycling club and meet like minded older chaps like myself. Great content on your channel by the way, learnt loads from it so far thank you.

I would add that riding solo there is less risk of getting involved in a crash.

i'm a solo rider for years. i love it

What a nice mic, barely any wind noise. Thanks for the video.

We Go out in a Group More For Fun, but Sometimes it's nice to venture out on your own.

I love solo riding!

I almost always ride solo, love it. It’s my time and no one can take that. I also use bone conducting headphones and I think they’re fantastic! Recommend them for anyone. You can hear the road and you can also hear whatever content you listen to. Highly recommended.

The best part about solo riding is that you can go riding on your own schedule.

Personally I’ve never used headphones whilst cycling. I’m lucky enough to cycle in the countryside here in the far north of Scotland and I love hearing the the birds, cows, sheep and even the sound of a farmyard machinery in the field . When I was younger I used to love tractors but not anymore. I guess that makes me a extractor fan 😂. Keep smiling and keep the videos coming. Thanks 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

as both a mountain biker and roadie, I only use earphones on a trail ride where I'm alone., and no danger of other trail users coming up to me. On the road, I use the speaker on my phone to motivate me with tunes. No worries of not hearing traffic around me.

Definitely love to listen to historical podcasts. It’s a must for me.

I like both group & self-supported rides. Tomorrow I’ll meet a group for the first 40 miles, then another 25 alone. I feel ‘safer’ / more visible in a group, but definitely like the freedom of solo.

I’m an older rider with A fib (71)who used to do a lot of group riding but now I ride solo. I found that I have to go at my own pace. As much as my previous cycling companions say they will watch the pace , they don’t, and I end up hanging on for dear life. When I stick to my own pace I can go for ever and enjoy it, but if the average speed is say 2 km faster than my average I blow up and get no enjoyment out of it.

Cycling is my meditation and my alone time so yeah. Riding solo all the way

From the Caribbean. Enjoy solo riding. Able to enjoy the scenery a lot more not to mention being able to stop and rest whenever. 😂😂

I love the freedom solo riding brings. Often I’m out on a ride and just planned to do 30km but I’m feeling good, the weathers fine and next thing I know I’ve done 40km and explored a bit more of my environment.

I bought a mtb in 1991 but only started riding regularly at 71, using the same bike. I'm fairly obsessed with cycling now and always ride solo (and who wants a 74 yo and not a speed freak along?). I've always been a loner and find my own company more enjoyable, especially when travelling, and travelling alone I meet a lot more people. As for sounds while on the move I don't like things shoved in my ears and prefer to take in and think about where I am and going to.

A combination of being retired and the recent / enduring poor weather we're experiencing in the UK has prompted me to increasingly ride solo, partly for the flexibility. Why get wet and blown to bits on the weekend club run when it's nice and dry during the week. Funnily enough, it feels like I've re discovered the true joy of cycling and have experienced all the positive benefits you've described here. Also, to be on the safe side, I've taken out cycling breakdown cover, in case the worst happens, and I can't sort it out myself at the roadside. If I were to mention some of the more negative aspects of group / club riding that solo spins improve on, then it would be as follows: 1. That guy (its always a man) who turns up and is way stronger than anyone in the group. They ignore the suggested pace and turn a pleasant pacy club run into a grinding smash fest. They enjoy being the big fish in a small pond and never countenance joining a stronger group, lest they have it done to them. 2. The half wheeler (see above) 3. The frequent puncture / mechanicals. Its usually the same person, who never seems to have the necessary spares or tools ( likely why they never ride solo) 4. The guy (again, it's usually a bloke) who rides erratically, often on an inexpensive machine, who occasionally crashes, or worse, brings others down, but somehow manages to stay upright. 5. The non-stop talker. They turn up and select a victim, and once riding next to you in formation, you're stuck while they unload without pausing for breath. 6. The person who requires they be the centre of attention at the cafe stop. Sometimes, this will be the same person as above but not necessarily. You might want to sit quietly or indeed have stuff you want to catch up on yourself, but no quarter is given by this dominant, self-centered individual. I think the secret is to find "your people" and have nice like-minded company to ride with , then group riding has its benefits. Until then, solo is just fine 😂!

Rode my first century (and a bit more) on Sunday, spoke to no one aside from one or two coffee barista’s….the joy of seeing the coastline, the wind in my ears..amazing solo day 👍 Earphones and cycling?! No no no..

Love your video and sentiments about solo rides. You can sometimes have short chit chat with cyclist you meet up with on your ride then you both go your separate ways. Yes bring all the stuff required just in case of problems. As a gal riding solo ride for years there has been some cyclists who have not gone prepared and need my pump. The joy of riding alone in nature and just breathing. 😊

Good day, Sir! Safe ride/vlogging! Senior solo biker here from Philippines. GOD Bless!

Big one for me is that you can go out when you want and from where you want. Headphones are fine providing you can still hear around you and traffic is low.

Good vid mate.👍🏻 I generally ride solo. I don’t mind riding with one or two people. Love sportives. But not really a regular club rider. Just love the freedom of solo riding, go where you want when you want as fast/slow as you want. I would tent to use just a left hand earphone, so I can hear cars behind. I can see by the map you’re very near me. Can you recommend any good routes in the New Forrest or anywhere that’s worth a trip? Maybe a vid on some good routes? …Been down the LBS and my order is in, so new bike day for me soon!😁😎👍🏻

As you get older you prefer riding by oneself !

My experience with group rides has been nothing but drama. Solo all day!👍

I am solo rider still getting my confidence up using the road. Solo I prefer at the moment. Plenty people to chat to at rest stops. Always found alone time good for my welbeen

Group riding always reminds me of the first grade, everyone lined up to be marched to the bathroom.

Hi Forest, great video! I also ride primarily solo. For me it's a great workout, but more importantly every solo ride is a mental health therapy session. I also use bone conducting headsets, I find it doesn't impede the important external noise and audio clues I require to cycle safely. I also use a mirror, a front light, and rear radar to improve safety, it all helps. Thanks for posting this video!

I only ride solo. I don’t advocate using headphones. The only time I think about doing more group riding is as a result of being targeted by other motorists as someone to intimidate/abuse.

I also use ear phone but for one ear only, always on my right ear, and my left ear is free . So I could hear clearly for road awareness.✌️😉

I only Solo ride on the Road. My time to be alone with my Dad ( God ) , I like MTB with others usually.

I enjoy my solo bike riding, I synch w/ the beautiful nature and concentrate on my pedaling. I think that If I was going to ride w/other riders I will be pressured by trying to ride faster, go where they go, and too much pressure. Solo rider is the best! I love listening to music/podcasts.

I love my solo riding. I did a group ride once and i had to keep stop pedaling because of the draft. Solo is much more challenging in my opinion. Also i use open ear headlphones. I can hear music and traffic too.

Solo ftw!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 just have the shokz 🎧 and ur good!

I only ride solo. Unless I get a flat or get run over by a car, riding solo is drama free.

See my comment above, but on reflection, I realised I'd missed someone out from my list. So in at No7 is the Snott Flinger. Again its always a bloke, often turning up on a Club Ride with a nasty head cold and a nose full of crud. They proceed to ride at the front or mid pack, and without warning blow a bolus of mucus into the fresh air. They'll make some half hearted effort to move one foot to the side, or adopt an odd crouch, lowering their head towards the handlebars before letting rip! In certain light conditions you can see the droplets heading for your face and there's often little chance to dodge the green bullet / mist of mucus. Worst still they think it's pro to blow. I once made the mistake of riding behind our aging and well respected Club Captain, whilst he blew his hooter continuously without budging an inch. I cant say here where some of it landed, but believe me it was not pleasant 😅

Nice ty for the motivation I like solo riding just like you said I don’t need to slow down anybody or I can go as fast as I want when I want and stop whenever I want lol I’m 62 and just purchased a used Quintana Roo 2013 try bike , and just went to the process of stripping the paint and repaint it my way, and change the handlebars to a drop bars and old school friction stem mont shifter that way it’s easy to ride in a group but we see how things goes and like you said I just need to get there and put the miles in once you get started. It doesn’t matter how far you go. You’re gonna have to ride back and that’s the most fun, when you’re on the bike solo

So true. I do ride with one ear piece and listen to music. I do enjoy riding alone because I can focus on myself. With group rides they can become distracting, too much going on.

Always push myself when solo riding. Just me against myself. spin and smash attack all the climbs. Newbie here.lol

I do a bit of both. But I prefer solo rides for my long, hard rides. I don’t have to worry about whether the others are frustrated about me going too fast or slow.

For me i do both. I ride with my brother and ours friend and do solo riding also. I do listening to music/podcast all the time.

With a solo ride you can go anywhere and don't have to keep up with anyone or wait for anyone to catch up with you. And with headphones as long as you can hear traffic you will be fine. Don't have music or podcast too loud because then accident might happen.

I always ride alone and I would not even like ride in a group. As you say, you can do excactly as you like and why not 🚴😘👍🙋

Groups are cool but the first purpose to ride for your health and to get away. Personally I either listen to music or audiobooks to free your mind or to learn while exercising the body.

Always ride on my own now days. More freedom, flexibility and stop/start when I want. They only time I ride with others are my sons, that is it.

Thanks for helpful tips

I wear earplugs to block out the commute of others. Mute enough to focus on what I love the most, my ride.

Since I picked up cycling, I have never ridden in a group! I usually go on long rides, and I don't like stopping here and there, waiting for others to catch up, etc. I just keep going until it's time to return.

Headphones with good music with the scenery becomes a whole other superior experience. I rode in a group once and there were many factors which shocked me frankly. Namely egos, weird hierarchical behaviour and racing like silly little boy's when it wasn't a race. Nah man I'll be pumping my adrenaline+20% harder solo thanks 😂

I went riding with others just twice, they either want to take too many breaks or look at wildlife, that just interrupts my Zen, Solo it is!

I bring a JBL Flip on my rides. And tend to ride solo most of the time.

Nicely filmed i only ride solo purely because no one can stay with me so even group rides end up solo ha ha I do get excited when i find someone faster than me i know it sounds like i,m full of it but in aus there are not many fitt people .

My name used to be Anti-Social on Strava. Enough said. I always prefer the solo ride.

I don't mind riding with others or others riding with me. I do, however, do more solo riding since I don't have to adhere to anyone else's time, speed, or distance.

I do some of my best thinking while alone on the road.

I just try to group ride with solo's that outpace me, pushing me to be better. I've only been riding 1 month, chasing roadies on my full suspension mtb. I love seeing people make way for the lead cycle then turn and see me chasing them with tires twice as wide and no hands on the bars in an aero tuck with my hands behind my back. I use a bike computer, it logs every path i take. So a group ride would easily be repeatable if i desired

i prefer solo. I'm only doing solo all year this year.

I use to ride with a neighbor which was cool but he always kicked my butt but now his health is bad and he don't' ride anymore so I've been mostly solo and I love it. I don't listen to anything but nature and all that is around me. I still ride with some other guy's once or twice a year and that is fun too but I prefer to ride alone most of the time as I leave early from my house and am back before most folks are up and out of the house. I always try to ride out into the wind then back with the wind, doing the opposite sucks.

I've no interest in riding with a group, riding solo helps me "get out of my head" for a few hours. I pack a camping stove and lunch stop whenever I want

Solo rides I can easily choose where I slow / stop to allow drivers past when safe, ear phones ..not for me I want all my senses functioning, agree it makes you more independent on tools etc , I choose the route / pace. Group rides you have to be very aware of everyone and don’t often get to see much of where you actually are.

It cracks me up that most of the bike riders I see are all dressed up like they are pro racers and riding $10k or so bikes. Hey that's cool I guess if your young and can afford all that. I have bike specific clothes but rarely wear them anymore. I wear gym shorts and stay dry shirts, use platform pedals and wear regular shoes. I have a two year old Steel frame bike built up with Shimano 9 speed dura ace which is from the early 2000s. My steel bike is a Rivendell bike designed by Grand Peterson. I'm not a pro racer and don't pretend to be. My steel frame bike can handle 40 mm tires has a long wheel base and rides like a dream. I'm 62 and am all about comfort not speed. I average between 13 and 14 mph on 20 mile rides which isn't horrible.

Not a fan of the ear buds. The sound I love is the meditative tone of the tires rolling against the road.

I ride solo so I don't have to follow their strict rules

I guess headphones are quite save as long noise canceling isn't switched on. Never ever had a surprise and the radar helps to

I agree, Solo has great benefits. We are all at different levels.like your vid.makes it look as if your moving at 40 KPH -@ all the time. Maybe you are !

I always listen to music when I ride

Very informative I will take that on board

I ride 98% solo for most of the reasons sighted. Best reason, I’m the leader and navigator. Always headphones but bone conduction only.

Solo all the way. You ride with someone and then they feel this need to talk to you, when all I wanna do is listen to music and get a workout in.

I use earphones.when in the car I don’t listen for other vehicles and on a motorbike no is hearing what’s around them. Now motor vehicles have rear view mirrors so I should invest in some sort of rear view device

I’ve ridden across the USA 4x alone

Regarding headphones, I will never wear them if doing road rides. If I'm doing a gravel trail ride on a dedicated walking/cycling path, then yes I will wear earbuds. Roads with cars is just too dangerous, and you need to have all of your senses to be aware of your surroundings.

I only ride solo. It's time to get out of my head, and enjoy nature, the wind, the smells, the speed, etc. Constantly talking to a group would remove all of that. Solo only!

Solo riding, mtb or road bike is becoming more and more common than it used to be. And its due to electric bikes, if there is a group of you, its not a level playing field anymore like it was ten years ago, now there will be some on normal pedal power bikes purchased to a price point or regardless of cost those that just want a traditional push bike and some on e bikes, because they are the 'best' and more expensive, why not, if you are spending 4 or 5k or more? Why pedal? The problem is, its created a division in the group outing, mtb now and coming to road. Ten years ago a 1k bike took the same effort to pedal and the rider reached the same levels of fatigue as someone on a 10k bike. Both Motorless. I hardly ever see any non electric mtbs in the peak district now, thats why I ride solo on my Scott scale, I couldn't keep up with any of them.

I never have used headphones. I would say my rides are like meditation, which is why if someone blows a horn at me it makes me jump 5 miles out of the seat.

I prefer a speaker to headphones

i want to have a bicycle but icant find a new one in morocco all we have is old or being used 😥. Enjoy man 👍🏼