Why I Prefer Riding Solo: The Freedom of the Open Road

 

A rare photo of me doing what I love most: riding solo.

Last Updated: November 17, 2025

Why I Prefer Riding Alone (And Why It Makes Me a Better Cyclist)

Quick Take: I’ve ridden well over 150,000 miles, and while I enjoy a good group ride now and then, I’m a solo rider at heart. Riding alone gives me freedom, focus, and the kind of quiet challenge that keeps me coming back to the bike year after year.

When you spend as many miles in the saddle as I have, you start learning something about yourself. One of my truths is simple: I’m a solo rider at heart.

I don’t hate group rides. I’ve done plenty of them, and some have been a blast. But when it comes down to the kind of riding that actually resets my brain, strengthens my spirit, and keeps me hungry for the next mile? I want to be alone.

Solo Riding = Real Freedom

When it’s just me and my bike, I get to ride exactly how I want:

• My pace: fast, slow, or somewhere in that “old guy grinding into a headwind” zone.
• My route: I can change it on a whim without apologizing to anyone.
• My stops: take a photo, stretch, refill a bottle, or just stare at the scenery for a minute.

There’s no drama, no group politics, and no unspoken pressure to match someone else’s ego-driven pace. Just simplicity. Just freedom.

Meditation on Two Wheels

Riding alone forces you to be present whether you mean to or not.

You hear the road. You feel every micro-shift in the wind. Your brain slowly starts unloading all the junk it’s been carrying around.

Some people meditate on cushions.
I meditate on asphalt.

If you’re a senior or returning cyclist who feels overwhelmed by life, by noise, or by the constant pull of other people’s schedules, a quiet solo ride can feel like hitting a reset button in your head.

A Ride I’ll Never Forget

A few years back, I was somewhere between nowhere and nowhere else in New Mexico — about 45 miles from the nearest town. The desert was dead quiet. The sky was so big it felt like it could swallow me whole.

No cars. No houses. No voices.
Just my breathing and the soft hiss of tires on hot pavement.

I stopped whenever I felt like it. Took pictures. Drank water. Let the silence get inside me. That ride still sits in my bones to this day.

Rides like that don’t happen very often on a busy group ride with people talking, surging, and chasing the next town-sign sprint.

Related rides and stories you might like:

• Cycle Touring for Seniors: Tips and Tricks
• Should a 70-Year-Old Ride a Bike?
• Top Cycling Visibility Tips for Riding in Traffic and Low Light

The Good, the Bad, and the Competitive Side of Group Rides

Group rides can be great — in theory. The best ones offer encouragement, shared effort, and maybe a good coffee stop at the end.

But too often, there’s that one guy.

• The guy who treats a casual Saturday ride like a time trial.
• The guy who sprints every hill to “prove something.”
• The guy who turns what should be a relaxing ride into a silent race that nobody agreed to.

Good for him, honestly. That’s his ride. It’s just not mine.

I’m not out there chasing a trophy or a social-media flex. I’m in it for the journey, not the rivalry.

I’m Not a Racer. I’m a Tourer.

I get my challenge from distance, not speed.

Give me:

• A 50-mile headwind in West Texas,
• A slow, grinding climb in New Mexico,
• Or a long, lonely stretch of highway with nothing but me and the sun,

and I’ll show you what a real challenge feels like.

Those rides beat you up a little, but they also give you something no race ever will: quiet confidence. Every time I make it to the end of a tough day, I’m reminded why I ride.

None of that requires another cyclist next to me.

Safety First on Solo Rides

When you ride alone, staying visible and aware is non-negotiable. One simple tool that has helped me more than once is a small rear-view mirror that attaches to your glasses or helmet.

My suggestion: if you ride solo — especially on country roads — consider adding a mirror before your next big ride. It’s inexpensive and can give you a crucial split second of warning when a car is coming up behind you.

👉 Check out the mirror I recommend on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t change your price, but it helps support this one-man blog.

The Best Part About Cycling: You Get to Choose

That’s the real beauty of cycling: you get to choose the kind of cyclist you want to be.

• If you love the social side of group rides and café stops, ride that way.
• If you thrive on racing and numbers, go chase all the segments you want.
• If you’re happiest grinding out miles in the quiet, far from the noise of the world — welcome to my tribe.

There’s no “right” way to ride. There’s only your way.

So, What About You?

Do you prefer the company of a group, or the quiet of a solo ride?

I’d genuinely love to hear how you ride and why. Drop a comment below and share your perspective — every cyclist has a story, and yours might encourage someone else to ride their own way too.

FAQ: Solo vs Group Riding

Is it safe to ride alone as a senior cyclist?

It can be, if you plan ahead. Tell someone your route, carry a charged phone, use bright lights and reflective gear, and ride routes you know. A mirror and a good rear light go a long way toward staying aware of traffic.

Will I get stronger riding solo or in a group?

Both can make you stronger in different ways. Group rides can push your speed; solo rides can build grit, endurance, and mental toughness. I’ve built most of my long-distance fitness alone.

What if I like both?

Then you’re in the sweet spot. Use group rides for fun and social time, and sprinkle in solo miles when you need peace, focus, or a personal challenge.