DISQUS

Mike Marx · 4 months ago

Great tips Rob, but you left out the single most important thing for solo riders to do...make sure someone else knows where you are riding and has a window of time when you are expected to be back.

I always write down the trail I'll be riding, location of my car and expected return time on a piece of paper and post it on the message board at home. This way if I haven't called my wife by my return time estimate (give or take an hour) she can start to get worried...and has all the trail info she needs to send in the rescue team if I never show up.

Whether it's your spouse or a friend, make yourself accountable to check in with them when you are off the trail. It only takes one bout of forgetfulness for disaster to hit, just ask Aron Ralston.

198 · 4 months ago

Mike...

You are right. Great piece of advice for solo mountain bike rides. Thanks for adding it on.

mihai · 4 months ago

mike is right..

Besides...advice "Bring your cell phone" and "Bring extra water and food", "Take it easy" is actually solo-ride specific.

The rest is esential for non-solo riding also.
- "Do you have everything with you?" - well, if you do not have most likely your co-riders wont have it either.
- "Have working knowledge of simple maintenance" - i guess you dont have a team mechanic with you in every ride
- "Eat before you are hungry and drink before you are thirsty" – this seems like a personal advice anyway, im not sure how friends can help here. Even if you get it wrong they cannot help you and you ruined their ride also.
- Map or Garmin – i've seen cases where people got lost all together

198 · 4 months ago

Mihai...

I have found that a lot of riders do not bring certain items on a ride or do not know how to work on their bike because they always rely on one or two people to be there and take care of things. Simple bike maintenance is one of the most overlooked necessities in my opinion.

Michael · 4 months ago

I ride solo probably 2 to 3 times a week. (I clearly need to find a similarly-skilled group to ride with!) In the case of a wreck, I've found that I ride in populated trails with people who look out for each other. The last time I had a rough fall at Big Creek I had two guys who came over to check on me.

As for mechanical issues, it only took not having a spare tube with me once to ensure I always have extra gear. Tire levers, at least 1 spare tube, my mini-pump and my multi-tool.

Great post!

David · 4 months ago

Solo rides r great way to chill + get a great exersize. Map is a must have, i got a little bit lost first ride in the Cheviots (NE England/Scotland)thought i could memorize map from mag. Got Dark so i thought i'd take a short cut down a path which was so much fun going down but dead end. So hike bike began, got to the top couldn't see the road, to many rolly/polly hills, lucky for me i could see the poles in the distant for the real trail. After much hike a bike got on the trail started riding a few miles before i noticed i was going in the wrong direction. Still a great ride out, learn't an invauble lesson always know were your going with a map.Completely dark when i arrived @ girlfriends home, they were worried so learn't to tell someone where ones going 2 aswell. Allway's take ya tools, snapped a chain once but forgot to carry the tool. Walking back to car suck's. Broke spokes once glad i had my spoke tool, got to finnish ride allbeit lack off some spoke's from rear wheel.
Just because your on a group ride take ya tools ! there's always some tight ass turn up to the party empty handed.
Cheers

Jason · 4 months ago

I always ride solo. I have never ridden with anyone. I know I am missing out but being a somewhat solitary guy and not knowing a lot of the riders here leaves me there. I am fine with that. I built my own bike from a frame up and know it like the back of my hand.

I bring a 3 litre camelbak, numerous clif bars, an extra bottle of sports drink, tubes, levers, bike specific multi-tool, a medkit and ID as well as the usual keys/wallet/cell.

I've had a few instances where I got lucky and didn't need much medical attention, but I know one day I'm going to get it out there and wish I had a partner. Until then I will continue to ride solo. No big reason why I just don't like to compete with anyone other than myself.

Ride on friends.

Geoff Harris · 4 months ago

Make sure after all the excellent posted advice that you also remember to close your tool pack before setting off after the repair/adjustment.. having a second puncture to find all your tyre levers & tools have fallen out somewhere...GASP & other !@#$%^&*() ..It happened to me!!!!

dustjunkie · 3 months ago

Most of my rides are solo, as I can't consistently find people that want to ride all days of the week. One thing I always carry with me is my SPOT tracker. Fortunately I have never had to use it mountain biking, but i have had to use it more than once on my motorcycle, and it likely has saved two people lives. I don't work for, or represent SPOT in any way, but I suggest you check it out. You don't always have cell coverage out on your favorite trail.

Jkae

Alex · 3 months ago

Great article Rob.
Couple of additions to your tips, make sure your cell phone is protected in your hydration pack. Just a month a go, i had a crash. landed on my side and back. Fortunately no broken bones but my phone was ruined.

another item, is carry a bike light. just recently i was riding with some friends. One of our guys had a mechanical problem in the middle of the ride. by the time we go to our cars was almost dark. i did not had a light, so it was a bit scary on the last mile.

Alex