Touring- solo or in pairs or more?

[Oldhippy]

I've always gone on my own for no other reason than not knowing anyone else who might be interested in ambling about the countryside by bike. What do other CC'ers do or prefer?

 

[ktmbiker58]

I am Billy-no-mates when it comes to any cycling - in 50 years of cycling I've never been a member of a cycling club or been on a group ride, I have plenty of voices in my head to keep me company . Cycling to me is all about freedom and being able to do my own thing without being constrained by being part of a group.

 

[markemark]

Can't bear the thought of cycling with other people.

You want to cycle faster than me? Stop being such a show-off irritating idiot.
You want to cycle slower than me? Stop being such slow, inadequate cyclist.
You want to cycle at the same speed as me? So you want to hold hands and talk to each other? Stop being so needy.

 

[All uphill]

I start off and end alone, but meet plenty of people along the way, and have a chat.

I love it - no negotiations or disagreements, just a interesting conversation for two or twenty minutes.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I can definately say on my own. I was reminded by some friends the last tour we did as a group of 5 I kept getting very grumpy that they were too slow, or stopping to often to take photos of rabbits, so that was why they didn't invite me on a tour this year lol.

 

[presta]

I'm not keen on being around other cyclists whether I'm 'with' them or not, because they tend to get too close. They're also itching to cycle faster than I do, and I find myself adjusting my pace upwards without realising I'm doing it until I start feeling green round the gills. Chatting in the members kitchen at the hostel's ok though.

I remember leaving Buttermere car park at the same time as another rider I'd been chatting with, I could see him nearly at the top of Newlands when I was still at the bottom.

 

[chriswoody]

All of my big tours are solo, as are most of my day rides as well, solo has really been my default status for many years.

I do have some work colleagues though who are also into gravel riding and bikepacking. Last year three of us went out into the Hartz mountains for an overnighter, I was a little anxious about how it would go but it turned into a really chilled and memorable trip. This August two of us went last minute up to Hamburg and rode over the heathland back home, we bivied out under the stars and again it was a really relaxed fun trip. So I'm really not adverse to riding with others if I know them well and we have the same shared objectives.

 

[raleighnut]

Solo here too, just like my own company and the freedom of choosing my own routes and pace.

 

[blackrat]

Having done Audax rides one gets used to being with other riders, but there is nothing to say you have to stay together, If you meet up at stops, that's okay but otherwise the open road is ours to enjoy solo or with others.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I’ve done all three but mostly solo. This year I did a solo 9 day tour, but met up with a couple of friends for a couple of days. That worked pretty well, as we all had our separate tours with plan to converge, then head our separate ways again. Largest group I’ve toured with was a group of six. That was an off road tour.

Solo has so many advantages and allows the ebb and flow of the tour to match your mood and weather each day. You also always have people to chat with that you meet out on the road or at cafe stops with no commitment to ride together for long periods.

 

[steveindenmark]

Either on my own or with Jannie. We are of a similar standard and have ridden together for over 20 years. We both like the routine we have .

 

[All uphill]

Why would I need cycling friends?

I've got all you CC people to keep me company, and I can ignore you whenever I want.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

On a multi day tour, or even just the one day ride but a bit remote, I prefer being with at least another rider, in case something happens.

 

[fossyant]

Only ever done it with friends TBH - don't get the opportunity to go off on my own (married and working full time) but I'll maybe get a biking weekend away each year, and it's with the lads. Been mainly off road tours, or MTB Trail Centres/Routes. Not yet done a road one yet with them.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Pre kids I used to credit card tour with my wife.
The last 2 years I've camped on my own, which is probably a good idea as I've had little to no idea where I've been going when I left.