Mountain biking is a wonderful way to connect with others. Spending the afternoon riding with others who share your goals and interests makes for a great day.

However, sometimes it’s nice to go for a solo ride and enjoy the solitude. Of course, riding solo does come with its risks. We have come up with several tips on how to have a safe and successful solo ride.

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Why it is important to do activities alone sometimes

You always hear about how important being social and having a sense of community is, and they are, but learning to do things on your own can also be beneficial.

Going for a solo mountain bike ride allows you to go at your own pace, take breaks when you want, and don’t have to worry about being “on” because there is no one around.

You will get to know yourself through seclusion, have time to reflect, and clear your head.

Planning a solo biking adventure

Plan the route you will be taking

When you ride with a group, there is lots of room for taking routes on a whim or going for a ride without a plan. This isn’t a very good idea when you are by yourself. You want to plan out where you are going and the paths you are taking so you don’t get lost. It would be ideal to ride on a trail you are familiar with, so you don’t have any surprises while riding. If something should happen on a route you are familiar with, you likely won’t be as stressed, so you can think clearly about how to get out of trouble or get back to safety.

Tell someone where you are going.

Tell someone about your solo riding adventure. Give them all the details of where you will be, your path, the time you are going, and how long you anticipate being out. For extra precautions, you can drop a pin on Google maps so they know exactly where you are and how to get there if necessary.

It is not likely that something will happen, but if it does, you want someone to know where you are and when you had planned to be back.

Don’t deviate from the plan.

Fight the urge, as tempting as it might be, to rip down a hill or take a right turn instead of a left. You don’t want to go off the path you planned out for yourself, and then something happens, and no one knows where you are.

Check the weather beforehand.

Staying on top of the weather is important whether you ride alone or in a group. It will make for a very unpleasant experience if you are blindsided by a storm or need to layer up, but you didn’t bring anything.

Anticipate things that may go wrong

While it is true that you cannot plan for everything, you can plan for things that are most likely to happen. Pack a backpack with a tire patch kit, first aid kit, snacks, water, and extra clothes. Being prepared will help you to feel more comfortable knowing if something does come up, you can handle it.

Take something to protect yourself with 

Preparing for anything is important when you do anything alone, but heading out to the woods or mountains alone, you may find yourself running into an unfavorable person or two. Having pepper spray, a taser, or something else to protect yourself is a good idea. It’s not likely that you will ever run into a problem, but you do not want to be unprepared in a situation like that.

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Benefits of riding solo

Brings clarity

Taking some time alone and pushing yourself physically is a great way to empty your mind. You will allow yourself to find clarity on issues you have been facing, or maybe even some much-needed peace.

Balances mind, body, and spirit

If life has been putting you through the wringer, a solo ride might bring about some relief. Getting yourself out into nature and reconnecting with your body can help to bring you back in balance. Enjoy a leisurely pace and take lots of breaks to convene in your natural surroundings.

Find some peace

Enjoying your own company is an excellent way to hear your thoughts and find much-needed peace. You can enjoy an exhilarating ride with no obligations or compromise with other riders giving you the relaxation you deserve.

Get into the groove of moving meditation.

Clearing your mind and going with the trail flow will help you achieve a state of moving meditation. Try not to give too much attention to your thoughts while riding. Notice them and let them pass. This is a terrific way to get into a mediative state. Meditation isn’t about not thinking any thoughts. It’s about observing your thoughts. If you have a mind that is constantly trying to sort things out, it will feel liberating to clear your mind and go with the flow of the trails.

Nature will heal you.

Mountain biking in solitude will pull you out of any funks, heartaches, or other negative spaces you may be living in these days and shift your energy to pure and positive energy. You will come out of your ride feeling like a new person and hopefully with a new perspective on life or solutions to problems that have been plaguing you.

Conclusion

Having a mountain biking community to feel like you belong is important, but sometimes taking a ride alone is also necessary. With some preparation, you can easily have a safe and satisfying mountain biking solo experience.

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