Solo riding, or “ridin’ solo, solo”

I never thought I would be quoting a Jason Derulo (JAsooon Deruuulooo, yeah, I can hear it too) song in association with my bike riding but in the infamous words of his 2010 hit: 

 ‘I’m solo,  

I’m ridin’ solo,  

I’m ridin’ solo,  

I’m ridin’ solo, solo!’  

…and yes, that is how many times he sings it, in fact in total the line appears 30 times in the 3:36 duration of the song.  

But I’m not actually writing about Jason Derulo and his oh so catchy hits I’m writing about why I ride on my own.  

I was asked recently, why I’m not in a club. I’ve dabbled, been out on one or two group rides over the last few years but I never end up going back… it’s true I recognise that joining one would likely bring on my riding not least because I would get to sit on someone’s wheel! I made an excuse about not being that interested in riding with a bunch of blokes my dad’s age who aren’t my dad. That’s really not very fair of me since I have ridden with both women and men on group rides and everyone is usually very welcoming. 

I wondered about my reluctance today while out on my bike.  

I wondered if it was about my fear of being too slow for the group. Which is a valid concern, it would be embarrassing to hold everyone up but really, I know that there would be a group riding at my pace and that faster riders would wait for me at the top of climbs that took me longer. There is also the fact that I’ve improved hugely over the last two years, my speed and my bike handling is much better and I could likely hold my own.  

Then of course there’s the evidence that I managed on all of the previous rides I’ve been on. I would even say on the intermediate women’s ride I took part in while on holiday at Club La Santa in Lanzarote I held my own.  

It would be safer to ride in a group, people to help with punctures, look out for each other in amongst suspect overtaking from other road users (ahem…BMW 4x4s) 

And if I wanted to ride with women, I am sure I could explore some clubs, meet some like-minded ladies and set up our own side ride. But actually, it’s not really about that either…  

I LIKE RIDING ALONE.  

That’s all it comes down to.  

There are practical things: riding alone means I can choose my route, my pace, my distance, my rest stops or no rest stops. I don’t have to worry about admitting to a group of people my legs haven’t got it in them (which happens).  

And then there’s the mental side, riding alone is peaceful. I don’t get much time to myself in the week my job is pretty sociable and even when I’m writing I’ll break my streak to answer a WhatsApp or call. But on a ride, pedalling along the Sussex lanes it’s like my mind expands.  

Problems I didn’t know were bothering me are suddenly solved. Ideas flood my system, for work, for the blog, for my novel, new ideas, new ways of looking at old ideas…  

Whether it’s the white noise of my bike whirring below me, the blood racing around my body from my heart pumping or the endorphins that can be so strong I’ll inadvertently dance a little bit in my saddle, a joy for all to behold, it just feels like magic. Even when I’m chewing the stem into a headwind cursing the fact, I don’t have my dad’s wheel to hide on something about being out there on my own makes me feel powerful, in control and creative in ways other activities just don’t.  

I think these solo rides are my version of meditation.  

Club rides are absolutely not ruled out but for the time being this busy minded, busy person the solo rides are more joyful.