Solo vs. Group Cycling — Which One Fits You Best?
Last updated: October 22, 2025
Quick Answer: You don’t have to pick a side. Solo rides give you freedom and mental clarity; group rides add motivation, safety-in-numbers, and new routes. Choose what fits today—the road’s big enough for both.
After 150,000+ miles, I’ve learned cycling is as much about choice as fitness. Some days I want silence and a steady rhythm. Other days I want the shared grind and the laughs at the stop sign. I’m not loyal to one camp—I ride what fits my head and my legs.
🚴♂️ Riding Solo: Control, Clarity, Zero Drama
When I ride alone, I set the pace, pick the route, and stop when I want. No egos, no clock-watching. My most peaceful ride? A stretch in New Mexico—45 miles from the nearest town. Just me, the road, and a sky big enough to swallow noise.
- Full flexibility—pace, route, rest stops, all yours.
- Mental reset—quiet miles do their job.
- Train exactly how you feel—no compromises.
Tradeoffs: It can get isolating. If something breaks (or you bonk), you’re your own team car. And motivation can dip without someone on your wheel.
🚴♀️ Group Rides: Push, Learn, Stay Seen
Good groups make you better without turning every ride into a race. You share wind, share work, and learn new roads. On tough days, that little nudge from the bunch keeps you rolling.
- Motivation from the pack—steady wheels = steady effort.
- Safety in numbers—drivers notice a group before a lone rider.
- Exposure to new routes, tips, and pacing skills.
Tradeoffs: Requires coordination. Some groups are too fast or too cliquish. If status games start, the “ride” becomes a low-budget crit. Not my scene.
🧭 How I Decide Today
- Headspace: Need quiet? Go solo. Need a push? Find wheels.
- Route risk: Remote gravel or highways? A buddy improves odds.
- Training goal: Intervals = solo; steady tempo = group.
Safety note: Whether solo or social, make yourself visible, ride predictable lines, and assume drivers didn’t see you. A bright rear light and mirror aren’t optional on busy roads.
Gear I Actually Use (or would buy again)
- MIPS Road/Urban Helmet — comfort + crash protection that’s worth it.
- Rear Radar + Tail Light — early warning for approaching cars; game-changer solo or in small groups.
- High-Lumen Front Light — be seen in daylight, actually see at dusk.
- Bar-End Mirror — constant rear check without swerving.
- Flat-Fix Kit (Multi-tool + CO₂) — don’t walk it in; fix and roll.
- Reflective Bands — cheap visibility that punches above its weight.
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Related Reads
- Top Cycling Visibility Tips for Riding in Traffic and Low Light
- Should a 70-Year-Old Ride a Bike?
- Is 30 Minutes of Cycling a Day Enough to Lose Weight?
Want to dig deeper?
FAQ
Is solo cycling safe for seniors?
Yes—with visibility gear, predictable riding, and a simple flat-fix kit. Share your live location with family if you’re out in remote areas.
How do I find a group that isn’t “race mode”?
Call local shops and ask for “no-drop” rides with posted average speeds. If a group feels like a flex-fest, try another. The right fit exists.
What’s the best starter upgrade for either style?
A bright rear light and a bar-end mirror. Visibility and awareness pay off every mile.
Your turn: Do you ride mostly solo, or do you thrive in a group? Drop a comment—I read them all.
Solo cycling. I’m in control of when I stop to rest or take in a view. Since lockdown of March 2020 I’ve enjoyed night time cycling. All I needed was a good set of light plus back up ones…..and of course a bike!
ReplyDeleteI ride at night occasionally. A lot of people think it is unsafe to ride at night but I find it to be safe because there are less cars on the road. I ride on a lot of county roads and see very little traffic at night.
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