Some reasons to ride alone
Riding in a group comes with many benefits, namely having a bit of company and having people to keep me out of the wind when it's not my turn to suffer. But riding alone can also be enjoyable, offering me the peace and quiet of the road and a little 'my time' that sometimes I crave for. So here are a few reasons why heading out on my own is brilliant.
I CAN STOP AS MANY TIMES AS I WANT
Is there a stunning view or lovely vista I want to grab a quick photo? Too tired to go on? That is all fine when I'm on my own. If I want to stop 10 times, I can do it without hearing complains or annoying someone. Is my heart about to explode? That's OK, I can stop for a while and rest for two minutes.
IT GIVES ME TIME TO THINK
This has to be one of the biggest bonuses of riding solo, it gives me time to either really let off steam or to just trundle along in nature and clear my mind from whatever has been getting to me over the days or weeks before. While group rides are excellent for socialising, the constant chat can get in the way of actually enjoying myself, which is sometimes all I want to do on a ride.
IT'S EASIER TO STICK TO A TRAINING PLAN
If I have a training plan to follow or to stick to, or I'm taking on some personal challenges, then I want to be doing it on my own anyway. All good training comes from a plan and if I'm doing a different plan to my riding companions then things can get a bit sucks. If I'm looking to concentrate on interval splits, or a climbing session, then cycling on my own is definitely the best way. Get my head down and it'll all go to plan.
I CAN GO WHEN I WANT
Solo riding, though, means I can head out whatever time I want and just keep pedalling from the minute I leave the house. I can choose if my riding is one hour, two or more hours long. I can start pedalling in the morning, in the middle of the day or in the evening, depending of my working program from my job.