do you guys do most of your bike rides by yourself or with a group. this summer i’ve often done 2 out of my 4 weekly rides with a group. i was wondering if i’d be better suited by riding only by myself or with 1 or 2 others instead of a group since i’m training for triathlons? the group rides are pretty welled organized, so i take my far share of pulls but i sometimes feel like i’d get more out of my bike training if i rode only on my own.
Depends on the group. If it’s just a bunch of tourist types, then no. If they’re racers, then the chances are much better. But you could get in on some of the weekly training races and get a much more intense workout (in the Seattle area we have a Tuesday night road race series and Thursday night crit series that runs through the summer).
I enjoy riding by myself so that’s what I usually do. I’ve never done a race in which drafting was permitted so it makes sense to me that I shouldn’t be drafting during training rides.
I also don’t want to feel like I’m responsible for the safety of other cyclists and I don’t want other cyclists to jeopardize my safety. If I crash when I’m alone then nobody else suffers.
It does seem peculiar to me that triathletes are so willing to draft during cycling training and yet usually swim alone. It’s during swim training that we should practice drafting and operating in a group.
While it’s true with the swimming, that draft training SHOULD be done, it’s a skill that’s pretty easily mastered.
But to neglect group riding because you don’t race in a draft is to ignore the benefits of group riding – essentially giving that advantage to those who choose to do so.
The problem I have with riding solo is that I can’t stand my own company. In one word - boring.
I ride my P2K solo, but I’ll take a group ride on my road bike any day over riding solo on my tri bike. The roadies will push you much harder than if alone, unless they’re tourist types.
The big advantage of the Tuesday night hammerfest is that you learn bike handling skills in the group.
You don’t learn bike handling skills riding solo.
I agree with C Guy. I tend to punk out when I am by myself but the group dynamic always kicks it up another notch.
Do you have a road bike or a tri bike? Because I’ve never felt more scrutinized and loathed (including walking into a Jack in the Box in a nasty part of San Diego) as when I’ve showed up at group rides with my tri bike, which, due to finances, is the only bike I own.
If you own a road bike then definitely go. Otherwise be prepared to spend a lot of time in the drops and at the end of some steely gazes.