Mountain Biking With Others Or Alone, that is the question
Mountain biking is not just a sport, it’s part of your lifestyle. It can become a passion where you conquer rugged terrains, explore scenic trails, and embrace the beauty of nature. The experience of mountain biking can become even more exhilarating and enjoyable when shared with like-minded individuals.
Mountain biking with others may not always be possible. Life simply gets in the way and time availability may not line up with any fellow riders. That’s OK, and even preferred in some cases as I have had many epic rides while alone. Probably 50% of my rides are solitary whether on singletrack or days at the downhill bike park. Do what works for you, just make sure you get out and ride.
The biggest downside to riding alone is safety in case of an emergency. On several occasions I have had to walk or ride out under distress, and I can attest that it is not easy or safe to do. It is important that someone else knows where you are. I use the Strava App to record my rides and it has a beacon feature that allows others to track you remotely on their phone – well worth the minimal cost. You may also opt for something more sophisticated, such as beacons used by skiers, hikers and mountain climbers that are satellite based and will work in the most remote areas, such as ACR ResQLink View – Buoyant Personal Locator Beacon with GPS.
Mountain Biking With Others
Mountain biking with others has many benefits that I would like to touch on. The first being that riding with others enhances safety by helping in case of accidents or emergencies. Additionally, having multiple sets of eyes on the trail can help identify potential hazards. I have been on both sides of this one, I always offer to accompany an injured rider out of the trail, please do not ever let an injured rider to fend for themselves or ride out alone.
Riding with companions can also boost motivation levels and push you to improve your skills. There are many times that we set off to have a “chill” ride, but then something happens and everyone set a bunch of personal bests. Encouragement from fellow riders can also help you tackle challenging trails and overcome obstacles you might have hesitated to face alone, such as skinnies, drops and jumps.
When it comes to facing obstacles or wanting improve skills in general, riding with more experienced cyclists offers opportunities to learn new techniques, refine your skills, and discover different riding styles. At the beginning you may find yourself at the back of the pack, falling behind and constantly chasing the group. That’s OK, keep at it, you will improve and start to move up in the pack as your skills strengthen. Also included is sharing the thrill of conquering a difficult trail, achieving a personal best time, or witnessing breathtaking vistas with others creates lasting memories and strengthens bonds among riders.
Lastly, you can’t beat the comradery. Mountain bikers are a special brood of human, you will often find a group of riders hanging out at the trailhead post ride with portable chairs, food, drink and music. I’ve never witnessed a group of people so chill.
So it’s up to you, to ride alone or in a group, just make sure you get out and ride!
In my next article, I’ll talk about how to find some of these groups as many of you are new to the sport or maybe just a little shy.
We may earn a small commission with the purchase of the mentioned products.