Riding Solo - Love It or Hate It?

It's 5:15 AM. My phone alarm comes to life as the first light of day breaks through the curtains, and I groggily burst out of bed to silence the gentle buzz before it wakes my partner. I stumble to the dresser, haphazardly don my riding gear, pound a shake I'd prepared the night before, stuff a granola bar in my pocket, and toss a leg over my saddle. As I pull my bike from the garage and set foot outside the cool air hits me in the face, and in that moment I feel awake. It's time for an early morning solo ride.

As my tires hit the singletrack I embrace the freedom to go my speed, take the turns I please, push limits on my terms, and focus on nothing but the trail ahead of me. It's addicting, especially when you mix in empty trails, soft light, and perfectly moistened dirt from the morning's dew.



I steer back into the driveway, grinning ear to ear and eyes wide awake. "This is better than coffee," I think to myself, and so begins my day...

For some, the thought of being alone in the woods is a terrifying prospect. Doubts fill our minds and we start to question if it's worth it. What if I crash? Get lost? Ride up on a grizzly? Break something on my bike I don't know how to fix?

Those doubts took me some time to overcome, but I'm glad I did. While riding with friends certainly fills a big need for me, there's something incredibly rewarding about spinning those cranks on my own. Which camp are you in?

{poll:280}