8 Essential Tips For Cycling On Your Own!

There are so many benefits to riding SOLO, you can go at your own pace, ride any time you like, ride wherever you want to and escape the stresses and strains of a busy life. We're here to share some tips and tricks, so that when you decide to head out on the bike on your own, you can go with confidence!

Useful Links:

Watch more on GCN...

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
What a Way (Instrumental Version) - OTE
Tin man - Ava Low
Vince, Hack Comedian - Harry Edvino
In the Cypher - Bonkers Beat Club
Je T'aime - OTE
Knowledge Is Power - Matt Large
Parallax - Luwaks
The Changes - Hara Noda
Don't Say No - Mike Franklyn
Future Is Now - FLYIN

#gcn #cycling #roadbike #roadcycling

The Global Cycling Network (GCN) is the largest online cycling channel in the world, bringing together a global community of road cyclists to celebrate everything that’s great about the world of cycling.

Our videos bring fans compelling daily content including expert tutorials, techniques, training, racing, cutting-edge bike tech, unparalleled behind the scenes event coverage, humour, entertainment, and more.

Presented by ex-pro riders, GCN offers a uniquely qualified insight into the world of cycling, and most importantly it’s fuelled by our passionate and enthusiastic fans – everyone who makes up the GCN community. We also bring the latest and greatest tech to your attention, showcase the best places in the world to ride and get exclusive access to events and races.

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside Cycling

Thanks to our sponsors:

Watch our sister channels:

[gcn]

What are your tips for riding solo? Share them with us 👇

[권용대-bv]

Another small tip for solo riders - Listen to our body signal. Sometimes the same pedals feel strangely heavy, and it’s ok to change the plan. This flexibility is one of the best advantages we can have when riding solo.

[chrisholton]

"when riding on your own.... you're on your own"

It is ground-breaking insights like these that keep me coming back!

[mikerowave]

99% of my rides are solo rides. Riding solo gives a lot of freedom. You can change the route, you can go in your own pace, you can take or skip stops whenever you want. For me the best part in solo riding that I am on my own. It is only me and my thoughts while riding. One of the best ways to clear my head is to have a solo ride.

[Mysixshooter]

I always ride solo and love it, my top tip is to check wind direction and plan your route for a tail wind homeward bound.

[abedfo]

I've always ridden solo for 15 years since I was 15yr old. Finally joined a club and going for my first group ride on the weekend 🙌

[pagesculptor]

I ride solo 95% of a time. My husband's rule is to only call him if it's an absolute emergency. In Alaska, there are few places to stop at times. I've learned to make friends with every business owner, random home owners, and locate all the pit stops. They'll let you use their bathrooms, feed and water you in a pinch, and give you encouragement.

[liuyuhui]

i ride solo because i dont have friends

[nrose]

I rise solo all the time. I always carry an extra tube, co2 cartridge, ID, cash, credit card and a fully charged cell phone. My rides are anywhere between 50 to 100 kms & have been doing this for over 30 years. Love riding.

[dnac]

I ride solo 90% of the time. it's very therapeutic. No distractions. I simply focus on my pedal stroke; getting through the next mile, hill, etc. I compete against myself. I love it.

[mmmbass]

Solo riding toughens you mentally. It can be difficult to get motivated early in the piece, but once you’re in the groove of going alone, you can manage and overcome most challenges.

[CaptainRon]

Even in broad daylight I have my red LED lite flashing on the rear of my bike along with a bright chartreuse jersey. My main priority is to be as seen.

[awildcyclistappears]

Honestly, riding solo is the best thing ever. I've ridden in a group few times, but nothing beats solo. No one whines, no one stays behind, no one complains that there is a headwind and so on...

[stewieDM]

One great tip for riding (or just travelling) solo that a motorbike friend gave, edit the lock screen on your phone so that it shows the number of an emergency contact. That way if something bad happens (like losing consciousness) people know who to speak too.

[bengt_axle]

My tip: study the weekend commuter train schedule, take the train out when traffic is low and ride back or in some rural area. With a train ride as a bail out plan, you can ride in nicer places, at your own pace and on quieter roads.

[chrisconnors]

I’ve never ridden in a group. Once I rode with one other person. It was fun but I’ve always preferred solo riding. And, yes, a puncture kit is essential. It’s saved me a few times now.

My only tip is to check wind direction. When possible I like to ride into the wind for the first few hours and then take advantage of tail winds on the way back. I’ll base a whole route around that strategy. Not sure how well that translates to other countries though. In Canada we have some long stretches going in one direction rather than lots of twists and turns.

[kchall]

Solo riding is pretty much all I do. I carry a few more supplies to be safe, even though it means extra weight.

1. 2 extra tubes and 2 co2 cartridges, along with a small hand pump strapped to the frame.
2. Levers and a multitool
3. 2 small single-use tubes of chamois cream
4. Credit card, ID, and a $20 bill just in case
5. 3 or 4 gels
6. 2 large bottes, one water and one energy drink

I tend to make a route in advance with convenience stores strategically placed for obtaining provisions. For safety I use Strava Beacon and Life 360, so everyone can keep tabs on me.

[timpenney]

A cable lock is sometimes a good idea, if you need to stop in for a quick pee or purchase in a high traffic area it gives a shred of security for a few moments.

[iberiksoderblom]

I've been riding solo from age 7. Now 59 !
Had no "situations" (except when clicking out of the pedal fails once a year. Always in front of a lot of people :-D )
It's a matter of situational awareness and common sense.
Todays younger riders (up to 30+ years) are not as used to everyday riding to/from school/sports/comrades in all kinds of traffic and weather.
I've made the same error for my youngest kid, and he has the traffical awareness of a 5-year old now that he's 14...

[Philobiblion]

I'm 75 and have ridden thousands of miles, almost all solo, excepting a bike tour of France and Italy with my wife, when we were very young. I would add to the list, 1) a few, specific mechanical components that could fail: for example, a rear wheel cluster-side spoke and a cassette remover tool (much simpler than the old days when pulling the freewheel needed shop tools); 2) a patch kit BESIDES a spare tube, and the knowledge of how to actually patch a tube outdoors in the rain; 3) some duct tape rolled up on a pencil stub and some short zip ties (why? When you need it, you'll understand); 4) a multi-tool in addition to the Topeak or whatever standard, like the Leatherman Skeletool that has pliers, screwdrivers with considerable leverage and a serious knife blade. Plus, I would make sure to equip your bikes (like all five of mine) with a mounted rear light and a front light that is powerful enough to make you seen, if not to actually see. All this adds weight to your kit, but over hundreds of rides I have found the need for all of these things one time or another, and 90% of this experience was logged before the era of cell phones, mostly out in the Hinterland, truly alone. I have found you can go with a single-strap cross-body, light bag that you forget you have on. The extra kg is worth the weight in self-reliant confidence if you're riding 100+ k.