Riding alone as to riding within a group

[Cosmicned]

Adolf- Im in much the same boat mate- but a lot older! I've really enjoyed going on 30-40mile jaunts on my own - and there's a great sense of achievement when you get back knackered but happy! But lately I'm thinking of giving the local Cycling club a go- trouble is they all seem to take it pretty seriously and I'll be pretty embarrassed if I cant keep up... but I am getting a bit bored of being 'Johnny no-mates'... out cycling...

 

[yello]

Adolf, cosmicned - have a look for a local CTC group. Not race focused, more inclined to be pootlers. Your problem is more likely that they'll not be fast enough but at least it meets the desire to be sociable!

 

[NormanD]

Well the best way is to join your local group for a single ride out with them, it don't matter if you get dropped or not, who cares, it'll give you a chance to find out if you prefer to be in a group or alone as you are now ... I spend all my time out on the road alone, in full lycra (because it's comfortable) and I can pick and choose what pace to set / what distance / what rout I want, it's not that I'm unsociable, it's just my cycle partner is always injured

 

[pepecat]

I"m a bit like you - prefer to ride on my own. Went out with a group once and didn't much like it. Wasn't keen on all the chit chat, or the long lunch stop, and the pace was a wee bit slow for me. But it was a 'leisure' group rather than an 'improving your fitness' group, so maybe that's why i wasn't into it.
Have thought several times about going with a CTC group or local club....but something always stops me. As others have said, the only way to find out is try it, and if you don't like it, go back to cycling on your own.

As for the gear, padded shorts are a must for me cos i don't want a sore butt....neither do i was material flapping about and annoying me so it's lycra I'm afraid. Cycle shirts are handy cos of the pockets for sticking stuff in - i don't wear anything flash at all, but i do wear the 'right' gear, cos it's more comfortable.

 

[HLaB]

I prefer to do both, somedays I just like the freedom of being out on my own and other times I like the cameraderie of a group.


Gear wise I wear lycra, etc because its more comfortable and performs better when wet (afterall I live in Scotland )

 

[GeoffCapes]

I've never been out in a group either. Kinda appeals but not sure about the pace they'd go at.

And the fact that I went and bought the 2011 Team Saxo Bank gear. And it's my only cycling gear! (at the mo). All the gear and no idea???????


I went out with a mate a while ago, but he's soooooooo much quicker (and fitter) than me, and I got the impression that he was getting bored of waiting.


I suppose it's just about finding your level......

 

[Seigi]

I've never been out in the group but would like to, especially after I get either a road bike or tourer (I'm still trying to decide which one, I like the idea of covering long distances and exploring so maybe a tourer?), but I'm afraid that I might be too slow or not have the stamina (As I haven't been cycling proper for too long, my average speed seems to be around 20Km/h solo). There's another issue, without sounding rude, my local CTC group (located in Dalston) seems to be full of people who are more than twice my age (I'm 19) and I don't know if I'd 'fit in'.

Is there anyone from the Eden Valley CTC on this forum?

 

[Adolf]

Ah it's good to see that I'm not alone then, haha I thought most people on this forum would be the Lance Armstrong type who just train solid and don't really do social slower paced rides or ride on their own (no offence to any of you people sorry if it comes across that way).


Even when I was in school I never really socialised, I enjoy doing my own thing if I'm honest and when I'm on my route Pink Floyd keeps me happy to be fair, haha.


I don't think they has been a time I've gone out without in my gear, the only I never wear is a helmet which I know... is a bit

I'm from Newcastle and not sure about local clubs...that are just about going out and not racing, plus I'm only 19 won't most folk be alot older?

 

[david1701]

I ride with people sometimes and alone sometimes, I find if I want to put down a proper distance I'm better alone because its a pain getting schedules together for everyone and finding people that want to go out all day

But the group ride to the pub, or Sunday morning blast is great fun, guy comes out sometimes who is 85, slow up hills but the best descender I know because he's been racing since he was a teenager you can learn a lot from other riders

 

[Michiel]

I can see the advantages of both although at the current moment mostly leaning towards solo ride... However having said all that, most of my rides this year having been with a friend, just the two of us .. although I mostly lead with him tagging behind somewhat (except one hill ride where I went to pieces...

The couple of group rides I have been on were more sunday morning recreational rides and didn't really feature a fast pace overall. But they were still quite fun.

As I said, I mostly decided to sort of ride solo as I got tired of making the calls on if we're going to cycle, where we going to cycle and every other single call in between. Things need a balance in my opinion...

 

[Adolf]

I've just always been a solo person I guess and my music keeps me company, but I'm thinking of giving it a go to go with a group to see the difference.


Without making a new thread, does anybody know how cheap you can get an old late 70s/80s Raleigh for example, I want a heavy old school bike to train on.

 

[NormanD]

Without making a new thread, does anybody know how cheap you can get an old late 70s/80s Raleigh for example, I want a heavy old school bike to train on.

You mean like This one in mint condition

 

[2Loose]

Riding with company certainly makes the time go faster.

 

[Haffers]

I have always gone solo apart from charity rides/sportives - not much of one for the chit chat but now feel I would like to try more group riding to learn how to ride properly in a group when on events. Seen a few prangs where riders quite close and don't want to be in one of them.

 

[Bicycle]

I enjoy both.

Solitude at speed on a Welsh country road in the quiet of the early morning is priceless.

When I'm alone, my main problem is the company I'm keeping (ha ha ha ha).

But seriously... I was alarmed recently to be riding with friends who were heavily tilted towards RLJ-type activities. Lovely people, but I found myself getting all Victor Meldrew about it.

So pick your companions with care. Even really good pals might be poor cycling companions.

Also, some people are intolerant of those less fit than themselves. This is rare, but can be a pain.

Others are smug about their higher fitness levels and will rub it in by making a big song and dance about having to wait.

My fave riding companion (other than my children) is a sports coach friend who is significantly faster (and knows it) and significantly more knowledgeable (and knows it). He never rubs in his obvious edge over me. He is always encouraging and often comes out with helpful tips about cadence, breathing, recovery techniques and similar.
Cycling is his 'thing' and he isn't smug about his knowledge or ability.

Also, if you're going to be doing biggish miles with two or three riders on each other's wheels, you need to have a lot of trust. I've never ridden in a big group, but even three bikes drafting at speed is a potential snarl-up.

As to gear, I like lycra but try to avoid visible branding and team colours. By coincidence some of my clothing matches - but I never wear matching items together. Really, that makes me a sad as the folk who insist on wearing matching gear, but I'm in denial about that last point.