Why I don’t ride in big groups

I’ve never done a big group ride. Some of us are lone wolves, and some enjoy a pack ride. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with group riding, but I prefer to ride alone or with just one or two other people.

When you’re alone, you’re on your own time. With your own agenda. If you want to stop and check out a view, pop into a place that looks interesting, or whatever the pit stop may be, you can.

I’m prone to getting lost quite a bit. Admittedly, I’m terrible with directions. When I’m on my own time I’m not bothering anyone with a detour — planned or otherwise.

Now, this is not to say that I don’t love riding with a few select friends from time to time. We know each other’s riding styles very well and I think it’s very cool to know someone intimately on the road. The stakes are high. There’s something magical about spending time sharing a lane or cruising along on a curvy mountain road with a riding partner. It’s quite a special thing to do together.

I’m just a bit more cautious when it comes to riding in a group or with people I don’t know. I simply don’t put myself in a situation like that. The chances of something going wrong increases with more variables, like riders with very different skill levels or unfamiliar personalities. There is more room for error when there are fifteen bikes versus two bikes.

When riding with others, it can be dangerous to push past your own skills, whether it be from the pace of the ride or pressure from other riders. No matter the case, when you set the pace of your own ride, you are in control and it is easier to remember to ride within your limits. Beginner riders are often cautioned against jumping into group riding right away for this reason.

No matter what, I always ride my own ride. Whether that be solo or with others. That is the number one rule to staying safe and having fun.