Veloviews for June 16, 2023 – Group Riding Versus Solo Riding

I’ll freely admit that I prefer to ride by myself versus with another rider or in a group. It’s a way for me to clear my head while at the same time getting some exercise and fresh air. But I do get the best workout? Do I learn some essential cycling dynamics? Do I feel as challenged as I could be? Probably not. Group riding and solo riding both have their good points and bad points.

Benefits of Participating in Group Rides

Cycling is a solitary activity, much like running. It is one of those sports or activities where you don’t need another person to get in a workout. That said, the biggest single benefit of group riding is the social element. If you want to encircle yourself with people who have the same interests as you and who will push you out of your comfort zone, then group rides can be beneficial.

In an article over at the Road Bike Action Magazine website, Chris Carmichael, owner of Carmichael Training Systems (CTS), talks further about group riding benefits. He stresses that the social dynamic in cycling achieved with group riding is important because it teaches a rider to “bump shoulders, draft in a pack, or pull through in a tight pace line…”

Carmichael also points out that group riding skills are even essential for cyclists who have no desire to participate in races or events with many other riders. He states that for “your safety and theirs, it’s important to be comfortable and confident when riders are next to or in front of you, sitting on your wheel, or passing you.” Other benefits of group riding are these:

• Varied intensity.
• Better or improved bike handling skills.
• Faster speeds.
• Increased reaction time.
• Improves overall performance and fitness.

Negatives of Doing Group Rides

There aren’t a lot of negatives to doing group rides. However, there are a few things to be aware of, especially if you find that most of the cycling you do is with a group or other people.

For one, if you are the type of cyclist that has a set of goals you want to achieve during individual training, group riding can mess with that in a big way. The other element is that group rides can either be too hard or too easy and those points can also interfere with solo training efforts.

Benefits of Solo Riding

If you’re a cyclist and in love with the sport as I am, then you might do a mix of solo and group rides. As I mentioned earlier, solo riding is my preference, but I have gained important knowledge from doing events. That said, to me, solo riding has many positive attributes.

Over at the Training Peaks website, O’Brien Forbes mentions some benefits of solo riding. I also add some of my own, especially since I tend to ride for fitness, endurance, renewed headspace, and for mood enhancement. And of course, I love cycling in various locations, which is what this blog is all about.

• You can focus on yourself and your own training.
• Build mental toughness.
• Set your own goals.
• Try to improve your form, position on the bike, pedaling techniques, etc.
• Work on areas you feel that could be improved, such as climbs, sprints, intervals, etc.
• Focus more on fitness and clearing your head versus speed and competing against others.
• Take your time and ride at the pace you want.
• Stop for a drink, a gel or bite to eat, or even to take a picture.
• Choose your own route, the time you want to go out, how many miles you want to do, etc.

Negatives of Solo Riding

It’s weird to think there are negatives to riding your bike by yourself. After all, you are out riding, so that is a positive on its own. But believe it or not, there can be some negatives to riding solo.

• You might not push yourself hard enough.
• How often you ride might vary.
• If you have a route you always ride, you might get bored with it.
• Neglect to focus on bike handling, pacing, etc.
• Stop to rest too frequently.
• Easier to blow off training or riding.

Last Thoughts

Group riding and solo riding both have their pros and cons. There are things that we as cyclists can learn from both. The one question to ask yourself maybe is (especially after you’ve been a cyclist for a while or even if you’re new to the sport) why do you want to ride and what do you want to achieve. Answering the question for yourself is important.

But I would say, if you haven’t done a ride with a group of other cyclists, you should try it, at least once or twice, even if it is just to learn you don’t like it. Either way, you’ll come away with some new knowledge you can put into every bike ride you do from that point on.

Have a good weekend everyone!!! And I hope you get in some solo rides or rides with your training partner or local group ride.