Gresp15C

In my view, solo is the default for cycling. Almost all utilitarian cycling -- commuting, shopping, etc. -- is solo. The simplest way to enjoy recreational cycling is solo.

Group rides add a number of complications to cycling that automatically make it more of a niche activity. These include transportation to and from a ride, keeping pace, safety, etiquette, and so forth. So I would definitely expect group rides to be a relatively minor category of cycling.

surak

The longer the ride, the more I prefer group. Faster, less likely to get lost because someone will always be more familiar with a given area, more eyes to watch the bikes during breaks for food or facilities. Even a helping gulp of water or food if I fail to carry enough.

I've ridden exclusively solo or indoors since last March and I've struggled to decide where to ride outside when the weather's good. Every outing, I've encountered an unexpected and poorly detoured road closure. Riding out of my familiar zone is a necessity since I live in the city and there are too many stops everywhere, so it's inevitable that I end up perplexed when going solo.

cubewheels

I curl up into an aero tuck, coast, and move over to the very edge of the road when I'm giving up the front position! They'll be forced to pass me and move to the front

I do aero tuck and coast to stretch my back. Grab the topbar hard with the knees, head just an inch above the stem, and pull hard on the handlebar. Incredible relief for the back and you don't lose a lot of speed coasting in the aero tuck.

HD3andMe

Each has its own positives.

For group rides, whether on pavement or dirt, we try to always follow "The Rule of 4-6"

Ideal group size is 4-6, beyond that the chances of a mechanical, waiting for folks, folks getting lost, folks not being able to hang, etc. goes up pretty quick.

WhyFi

This is why I mentioned that results might be different in different forums. I'm primarily a road cyclist and I wouldn't at all say that there's a default either way - cycling is different things to different people.

NoWhammies

Solo. I can ride at the pace I want. Go where I want. Stop and take photos if I feel so inclined. Etc.

That said, I don't mind doing group rides from time to time. But given the choice, I'd pick solo.

downtube42

In the Audax world, the Danes are renowned for their excellent group riding skills. Smooth, steady, strong. Catch a Danish wheel and you'll have a great segment. Americans are known as ****** in a group. Can't ride a straight line, unsteady pace, dangerous, competitive rather that cooperative, blowing up pacelines. That's consistent with results here for preferring solo riding, and our culture of individualism.

Kabuki12

Hardly ever in a group , save for Eroica Ca. . I ride solo unless I am with my wife.

burnthesheep

Silly question, as it isn't my world............how exactly is the audax world related to pacelines or rotations? I thought audax and randonneuring were often days done without seeing a soul?

Next, even though I often have negative things to say about group rides or hammer rides around here, I'll have to make a small defense here. In the US, bike racing and bike sport in general isn't nearly as popular as Denmark. So, it's not just blowing up pacelines being selfish or competitive. We don't have as many groups and clubs. So folks likely do ride alone more often and don't develop the skills.

Next point against it being a "culture" thing here is that the Danes are a very track cycling heavy country. I could imagine this drives folks to be able to well...........literally and figuratively hold their line.

If I had to fault local group rides and hammer rides, it is simply because they lack an identity and leadership. Nobody ever owns them and sets the rules. Nobody before each ride really stands up and says "this is the XYZ group, we do 30mi at a 20mph pace, rotating line, steady, all together". They don't do roll call to see if they have a new rider with them. When you don't have any set ground rules for a ride and no ride leader............yeah, chaos may reign. Even hammer rides need this. A veteran of the hammer ride needs to stand up before the ride and say "welcome to.........we're here to have fun and workout, not die......so xyz will not be tolerated.......etc....". Nobody does that.

I used to like my in town ride I could do with folks and almost leave from my house to do. I stopped going. Nobody ever took leadership to say "this is what we do here". So, it devolved into people doing whatever they wanted and nobody liking it. Nobody said to not attack, so they do. Nobody ever said what the regroup spots are, or if there are any.......so if folks up front had a green light they took it. Then everyone would get angry. All it took was the leadership to own the ride and set forth the standards. That's all. I don't think the folks on the ride showed up to hijack it on purpose. If you don't know what to do, what are you supposed to ride like?

skenry

If it's a race or an event, I'll ride with other people. Otherwise, so probably 95% of the time, I ride alone.
I like it because I hate most people. I'm around people at work, but they pay me.

downhillmaster

Less people on solo rides

The Chemist

Solo. I don't know anyone that likes going on long rides like I do, and I prefer to go at my own pace anyway.

blacknbluebikes 

I find the conversation is better solo, and I'm always impressed with my performance.

TeamJAB

Solo or on the tandem with my wife, still by ourselves. Too many squirrel like riders out there to be in a group.

Troul 

when I ride solo, the only person i need to keep up with is myself. I try to drop the dummy, but there they are, blowing the red light trying to catch back up.

Eric F

In my experience with these types of rides (which were a large part of my training diet in my racer-boy days) there is a fair amount of self-policing going on, even without a defined leader. Experienced riders of the group will call out riders who are riding dangerously or doing things that are out of character for the type of ride, and direct them on the correct behavior (sometimes more tactfully than others).

Eric F

Another option...Find better riders to ride with. The cooperative efficient effort of a tight pack rolling easily along at 25+ mph where everyone is comfortable, confident, and capable riding close together is a magical part of the cycling experience (IMO).

caloso

Agreed. That's how it's always worked on those types of rides I do here.

downtube42

Audax is a big tent. Pacelines happen, sometimes for many hours. As for events, they range from a solo permanent to quite large events.

simoncyrene

I like to go on solo bike trips, once a week normally on weekends. I make a list of my trip essentials first, arrange them and go for decided place. In solo trip you can go for more distant places and it help me in thinking, like we do in walking.

Goofball

When riding solo I am a sleek, sexy, spandex-clad stallion on my way to winning another Tour de France
when riding with others I realise I am a fat, slow old slob 😭

rydabent

Anything below 60 degrees is not fit for man nor beast.

rydabent

While I like both, if I had to chose, it would be solo. When riding solo you get to make ALL the decisions. When I ride solo I usually have one of my routes in mind. But being solo I can make an instant decision to depart from that route if I see something that makes me want to change the route. I dont have to confer with anyone.

OldTryGuy

to BF

Eric F

This may be the most compelling argument on this topic so far.