Non club and casual riders, speak up
#101
minimalist cyclist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,762
Bikes: yes please
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1132 Post(s)
Liked 1,674 Times
in
959 Posts
I don't do much solo riding on open roads since I was hit by a truck mirror years ago, and several of my cycling friends have had bad accidents from unobservant drivers who put them in the hospital while riding alone. I firmly believe in the safety in numbers aspect when riding on traveled roads. I have found some very secluded routes for solo rides but on these I have to do loops.
#102
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Fairhaven Ma.
Posts: 132
Bikes: Trek Multitrac 750. Scott Addict . Motobacane La Champion Trek Crossrip, Scott Scale 925 mountain Bike Centry
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 52 Times
in
35 Posts
I prefer riding solo. It allows me to be in charge, it gives me freedom to do what I want. I ride as slow or as fast as I want, I can stop as many times as I want, I can choose whatever route I want. I don't have to worry and stress myself about trying to keep up with anybody. Just not interested in competing against a group or having to follow other peoples standards.
Likes For jsilvia:
#103
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,845
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1956 Post(s)
Liked 2,201 Times
in
1,339 Posts
Likes For 70sSanO:
#104
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,818
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4605 Post(s)
Liked 5,146 Times
in
3,180 Posts
I don't do much solo riding on open roads since I was hit by a truck mirror years ago, and several of my cycling friends have had bad accidents from unobservant drivers who put them in the hospital while riding alone. I firmly believe in the safety in numbers aspect when riding on traveled roads. I have found some very secluded routes for solo rides but on these I have to do loops.
I ride solo much of the time, but like you I use secluded routes and a Garmin Varia for early warning.
Likes For PeteHski:
#105
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,983
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 988 Post(s)
Liked 534 Times
in
366 Posts
Agree about how annoying that can be, especially "car up" when everyone can see what's coming. We've got a small group of 5 riders who are the more serious riders of a larger, but still small town club. We only call out the basics like "clear back" before a left turn and the more serious holes or debris. We're all over 50 and most retired so we can do weekday morning rides. We were lucky to get by many years of dark riding starting a 5:30 in the winter when some of our group were still working 9-5. We never worried too much about cars riding on our mostly quiet country roads because we were lit up like Christmas trees, but animals darting out from the side were the big fear.
I don't do much solo riding on open roads since I was hit by a truck mirror years ago, and several of my cycling friends have had bad accidents from unobservant drivers who put them in the hospital while riding alone. I firmly believe in the safety in numbers aspect when riding on traveled roads. I have found some very secluded routes for solo rides but on these I have to do loops.
I don't do much solo riding on open roads since I was hit by a truck mirror years ago, and several of my cycling friends have had bad accidents from unobservant drivers who put them in the hospital while riding alone. I firmly believe in the safety in numbers aspect when riding on traveled roads. I have found some very secluded routes for solo rides but on these I have to do loops.
Big enough for visibility and dealing with dogs and mechanicals.
I do like my occasional solo rides, where I can do exactly the ride I want -- fast, slow, stop for photos, check out a new road, etc.
But the planned small group rides get me out of the house and motivate me to keep my fitness levels.
#106
your god hates me
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,600
Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1277 Post(s)
Liked 1,332 Times
in
729 Posts
Interesting premise. tbh back before I became a "club rider" and was just a casual, solo, non-diehard rider -- what I now know would be called a "utility cyclist" but at the time I just thought I was a "cyclist" ...and which I did/was for ~40 years before I became a non-casual, diehard "club rider" -- it would not have even occurred to me to join a cycling forum!
#107
Made it to 84 WHOOPIE
Thread Starter
Interesting premise. tbh back before I became a "club rider" and was just a casual, solo, non-diehard rider -- what I now know would be called a "utility cyclist" but at the time I just thought I was a "cyclist" ...and which I did/was for ~40 years before I became a non-casual, diehard "club rider" -- it would not have even occurred to me to join a cycling forum!
Likes For gobicycling:
#108
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,818
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4605 Post(s)
Liked 5,146 Times
in
3,180 Posts
At the time the 50 plus form was started, almost 20 years ago, one of the objectives was to encourage people in the 50 age group to bicycle to start or continue bicycling. Many folks thought 50 was too old. I remember seeing articles in the newspaper about this amazing 50 plus Rider who was accomplishing some feat or another. There were other goals for the 50 plus forum, but that was one of them. It looks like things are changing! Well time does that. Have a good day
Likes For PeteHski:
#109
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have some simple personal rules: I don't ride at night, and I don't ride in the rain. Neither are fun. That said, I am also pretty careful about who I ride with...simply because at my age...well...a mistake might be my last.
#110
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,514
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2723 Post(s)
Liked 6,036 Times
in
3,082 Posts
Interesting premise. tbh back before I became a "club rider" and was just a casual, solo, non-diehard rider -- what I now know would be called a "utility cyclist" but at the time I just thought I was a "cyclist" ...and which I did/was for ~40 years before I became a non-casual, diehard "club rider" -- it would not have even occurred to me to join a cycling forum!
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#112
Just Pedaling
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: US West Coast
Posts: 1,091
Bikes: YEP!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 356 Post(s)
Liked 580 Times
in
382 Posts
I don't know your age or personal history, but at 74 I really enjoy night riding when the streets are almost deserted and the wild life is out foraging. I ride solo with some good lights and I think it's 'FUN;
#113
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,535
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8430 Post(s)
Liked 9,359 Times
in
4,596 Posts
At the time the 50 plus form was started, almost 20 years ago, one of the objectives was to encourage people in the 50 age group to bicycle to start or continue bicycling. Many folks thought 50 was too old. I remember seeing articles in the newspaper about this amazing 50 plus Rider who was accomplishing some feat or another. There were other goals for the 50 plus forum, but that was one of them. It looks like things are changing! Well time does that. Have a good day
I never joined in any of the 50+ get-togethers but I enjoyed the pictures and the stories. Looked like a lot of fun.
Thanks for your part in it and you have been one of the nicest, most accepting members here.
Likes For big john:
#114
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,212
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 2,357 Times
in
1,137 Posts
I had a spell about a year ago where I was waking up about 2:00 every morning. Wide awake. I got some pretty enjoyable rides in. And I don't mind riding in the rain as long as it doesn't affect visibility, it is the cleanup afterward that sucks.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
Likes For Chuck M:
#115
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,656
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 955 Post(s)
Liked 2,091 Times
in
590 Posts
But riding in the rain sux.
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
#116
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,514
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2723 Post(s)
Liked 6,036 Times
in
3,082 Posts
You just busted my rule: Nothing good happens after midnight.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#117
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,570
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3261 Post(s)
Liked 2,581 Times
in
1,535 Posts
I thought knight riding was done in a vintage black Trans Am.
Likes For seypat:
#118
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: San Diego
Posts: 718
Bikes: 1978 Bruce Gordon, 1977 Lippy, 199? Lippy tandem, Bike Friday NWT, 1982 Trek 720, 2012 Rivendell Atlantis, 1983 Bianchi Specialissima?
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 353 Post(s)
Liked 186 Times
in
114 Posts
At the time the 50 plus form was started, almost 20 years ago, one of the objectives was to encourage people in the 50 age group to bicycle to start or continue bicycling. Many folks thought 50 was too old. I remember seeing articles in the newspaper about this amazing 50 plus Rider who was accomplishing some feat or another. There were other goals for the 50 plus forum, but that was one of them. It looks like things are changing! Well time does that. Have a good day
#119
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,818
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4605 Post(s)
Liked 5,146 Times
in
3,180 Posts
Having graduated this year from the 65-69 Strava age group to the 70-74 age group, I was somewhat shocked at how many fewer 70-74 riders there are on any given Strava segment - in general it seems to be one quarter to one third as many. Hopefully it has more to do with who is inclined to use Strava than who is biking.
Likes For PeteHski:
#120
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,634
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1071 Post(s)
Liked 804 Times
in
511 Posts
Hopefully muscle strength will return along with endurance so I can rejoin the group I once rode with.
Last edited by OldTryGuy; 12-06-23 at 12:51 PM.
Likes For OldTryGuy:
#121
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,284
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3584 Post(s)
Liked 3,766 Times
in
1,876 Posts
EDIT: There's an error in the above graph. The 25-34 age group is missing.
Here is a corrected and updated graph for 2023 to date:
Last edited by terrymorse; 12-07-23 at 10:36 AM.
Likes For terrymorse:
#122
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,570
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3261 Post(s)
Liked 2,581 Times
in
1,535 Posts
I've never ridden with Strava. Started riding around age 45. 58 now.
#123
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,818
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4605 Post(s)
Liked 5,146 Times
in
3,180 Posts
#124
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: San Diego
Posts: 718
Bikes: 1978 Bruce Gordon, 1977 Lippy, 199? Lippy tandem, Bike Friday NWT, 1982 Trek 720, 2012 Rivendell Atlantis, 1983 Bianchi Specialissima?
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 353 Post(s)
Liked 186 Times
in
114 Posts
Does use of Strava preclude one from being a "casual rider"? (Not a serious question). I like Strava for the heatmaps. I used to highlight AAA maps on all the roads I'd ridden. I kept losing them though. I've even recreated tours of old in Strava to get them on my heatmap. I also like it for tracking mileage but all the other stuff is fun too, for me.
#125
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Fair, but I live in an urban environment, and road ragers are everywhere. I agree lights help, nd maybe a ride on Seattles famous Berke-Gillman Trail would be safe enough.