Are you a lone rider or group cyclist

[pjd57]

I enjoy both.
I hadn't been on a group ride until last year.
Free Wheel North opened a new base in an old canal side pub, the Whitehouse on Maryhill rd in Glasgow.
They have rides aimed at beginners and folk returning to cycling.
They usually toddle along at about 10mph. An hour out. Tea break , then an hour back.
So I go along to those. Like most who go I'm not a beginner or returning ,I just tried it and enjoy it.

I still like to get out on my own as well. When it suits , I combine both. An hour or so on my own then join the group at 11.

 

[screenman]

The local one here doesn't do that afaik. Their slowest speed ride is around 15 mph.

What about all the members that do not go on those rides. It is a shame that cycling clubs are so poor at getting the information out there, we have many members riding daily at single digit speeds who would welcome company.

Out of interest, what is the name of the club?

 

[Reynard]

What about all the members that do not go on those rides. It is a shame that cycling clubs are so poor at getting the information out there, we have many members riding daily at single digit speeds who would welcome company.

Out of interest, what is the name of the club?

Ely CC

Having said that, their rides are mainly on Saturday mornings, which are no good for me.

 

[screenman]

Ely CC

Having said that, their rides are mainly on Saturday mornings, which are no good for me.

They have loads of members that organise their own rides during the week.

 

[Reynard]

I do see them out and about, have to say.

 

[iandg]

I'm a loner (I did a solo audax super randonneur series by GPS on Lewis/Harris and all my touring has been solo), but do like the 'group thing' on occasions.

 

[Simontm]

I got back into cycling after I moved back to my home village. I generally cycle on my own but a mate has picked up a road bike so I go out with him when he wants to.
Afas clubs are concerned, when getting back on the bike, all I saw were annoying, arrogant tosspots in club colours - disclaimer, I know it could be a minority- which put me off, especially Dynamos and Kingston Wheelers. bizarrely although I know they exist I have never encountered the Ditton Velos or Collets.
I know I'm bismerching club riders but the close passing and general tossery I've seen over the past few years put me right off. Actually after the behaviour of some chains on Ride London a couple of years ago, I said to my wife that it reminded me why I don't join a club.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Funny how many people like to be in their own, yet come on here so often.

Mostly alone here nowadays this may be changing soon as I intend to up the mileage again.

I spend all day surrounded by people, I think they claim to be project managers, who want a piece of me. Any wonder that a spot of outgoing introversion is what I am after when re-creating.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'm with @GrumpyGregry here. I ride solo, or with the CTC, or with mates, or with other CycleChat peeps. It's all good.
A ten day tour on your tod gets a bit lonely, but it forces me to talk to people, which I sometimes find a bit uncomfortable. Especially if I have to do it in French.

Sunday. My first Audax this century. Involved talking to strangers re admin. Involved talking to strangers when passing. I even voluntarily joined a conversation, hopefully not clumsily, about reading glasses on bikes to advocate for Hydrotac lenses.

Out of my comfort zone but pleasurably so.

 

[Snizzlepops]

I was a lone rider for about a year...then I found a group of women to cycle and be social with! But actually at the moment I just want to go out by myself and discover a few routes on my own. I have a couple of cycles planned in the next week all on my lonesome and I can't wait!

 

[JasD]

I always ride solo but occasionally with my wife, though she's not big on longer distances and tends to complain a lot whenever there is a hill

 

[John the Monkey]

I like being left alone;
I like clear blue skies, chocolate pies, and a glass of cote du rhone.
I like summer, I like fall, I like spring but most of all
I like being left alone.

 

[3narf]

I just ride alone. It would be nice to have friends but, in truth, I don't have any.

 

[John the Monkey]

Funny how many people like to be in their own, yet come on here so often.

Mostly alone here nowadays this may be changing soon as I intend to up the mileage again.

This place doesn't stop me cutting a ride short if my mojo has gone, make me turn up at a particular place at 9am on Sunday to start a ride, or prevent me checking out an interesting looking alternative route mid ride. I'm OK with other people liking club or social rides (I have occasionally too) but all that group ride faff[1] just isn't for me at the moment.

[1] Probably irrational, but the group ride ettiquette, and fear of doing something wrong makes me think it's best to keep things simple.

 

[mjr]

The local one here doesn't do that afaik. Their slowest speed ride is around 15 mph.

Hop on a train up to King's Lynn (or sometimes Downham Market) and join a KLWNBUG or Pedal+Chat ride. Various evening start times, or Saturday or Sunday 10am starts, although Sod's Law means the next two KLWNBUG rides are oddities which don't fit that pattern of course. But anyway - there are 10mph rides around if you want them.