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.

jack pot 

it is easier to talk to yourself when you are alone

tomato coupe

It also makes it easier to shout at clouds.

Troul 

don't interrupt me when I talking to myself! that's just RUDE!

OldTryGuy

Conversing when group riding is always enlightening and cordial when done with me, myself and I. Never a political or religious disagreement and never insulted when called >>>

Milton Keynes

With me it depends on my mood. I do like group rides for the socialization and camaraderie. But I also like solo rides because I can set the route, go at my own pace, and don't have to hurry up for or stop & wait for other riders. If I want to stop and take pictures in the middle of the ride I don't have to hold anyone else up. Plus the solitude helps me clear my mind and get rid of things I may be worrying about.