Group Riding vs Solo Cycling - Which Is Best In An Ultra Endurance Cycling Training Plan?

[@ShawnIsBatman]

I understand what riding with others can do for your fitness and that for some people, the social aspect of cycling can be the most important part of the experience. For me, I do all of my riding solo. I have increasingly come to love the solitude of my rides and what that does for me. In the end, cycling is a big sport with room for everyone.

[@theroadprovides]

I’d say I’m mostly in the same boat there mate, I try to do both but ultimately tend to be a one man Wolfpack 🤣

[@lydiagould3090]

As I get older I'm beginning to hate group rides even more. I hate riding at other peoples pace , and generally get a bit grumpy, mainly because they are faster than me. I prefer training on my own, and racing with other people, then I do enjoy the post race camaraderie. Each to their own ,I guess😄

[@theroadprovides]

I prefer solo myself to be honest :)

[@gaza4543]

I find ride riding with others can have the opposite effect on fitness especially friends, if I ride with them regualy the fitness really starts to go down hill. I guess the key is to find a group that are at your pace or little above.

[@theroadprovides]

Agree with you there, I think chasing whippets around on a bike that’s twice the weight is where the fitness comes from. We gave 4 levels so can always go up and challenge yourself, if you want to do that that is

[@alistairmacfadyen9365]

Good on you Andy, I much prefer the solitude of riding my bike..

[@theroadprovides]

Me too mostly, but group riding can be pretty exciting too

[@Housecathst]

I love that climb up beacon Hill, from behind the shoe inn, it’s great for the south. Having young children has really stop me doing group rides, just can’t get away with the time it requires on a sat/sun. All my miles are done between 4:00am and 9:00 in morning, also have the roads to myself which is great.

[@theroadprovides]

It’s a great climb yeah, about as long as we get around here, good work still getting rides in at that time. It is a great time to be on the road, especially in summer, if you can get up that early 🤣

[@WPKSC]

I love riding with my local club, meeting up with like-minded people for a good laugh over coffee and cake and playing chase up hills etc. and on the flip side solo rides also to keep the balance. The club rides as you say make a big difference. Nice video again Andy, look forward to what’s next 👍

[@theroadprovides]

Defo agree, thanks for watching 😁

[@hughgrainger3766]

Nice breakdown of the pros and cons of club riding. Thanks Andy. Looking forward to some decent weather.

[@theroadprovides]

Same here mate, it feels like day 2,200 of winter today 🤣

[@Jaqaroo]

That group ride looked pretty fast - they were not messing about! You've got me curious about my local cycle clubs here in Tokyo. Thanks Andy!

[@theroadprovides]

It is a lot of fun, I didn’t realise you were in Tokyo, I bet you’ve got some fun clubs there

[@Jaqaroo]

@@theroadprovides Originally from Bristol, now living in Tokyo.

[@-Steve-01]

Smashing the watts out there Andy! Never want to generalise, but the road groups I see are more often than not a bit 'attitudey' and despite getting a bit lonely sometimes on long rides, I just could be bothered with it and all the 'pro wannabe' hand signals and stuff. But they do go a lot faster in a group which would be nice! Prefer to work to my own route and timings and fitness. I still stop and check if I see someone with a puncture etc.

[@theroadprovides]

I think my power meter is over reading actually 😬 group riding definitely varies group to group, some I’m sure are a nightmare but not always. We use hand signals ourselves but it’s all for safety, holes and obstructions etc otherwise crashes would be way more likely

[@charleslewis1357]

Another great video Andy. Boy those guys looked fast! Reminds me of days gone by when I was younger and ( a lot!) fitter. Hats off to you for the promotion of club cycling, I agree with you about the mudguard thing! This will always divide opinion but personally I think that as they keep you drier and cleaner as well as your ride mates….why wouldn’t you have them?

[@theroadprovides]

I know mate, that said I can’t wait until I don’t need them anymore 😁

[@A_AAA232]

nice video Andy, good to see the PNECC crew smashing it through the lanes - they really would rip my legs off and leave me for dead especially up harting hill! I know what you mean in terms of riding with others and how you really do pick up the fitness and pace quickly, but I'm too slow for group rides to be fun so I'll stick to solo miles and just trying to push and improve myself - without being destroyed trying to keep up with the power and KOM heads! :) cheers

[@theroadprovides]

It was a lot of fun :) there are several groups below this one in pace, the social group is very casual and conversational 😁

[@chrisjoyce5539]

Great video, i ride solo but i have audax uk this year😊

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks mate, enjoy that then, group riding definitely has its benefits and audax is great fun

[@paulbhoy1888]

Hi andy...new subscriber...looked great high intensity ride. Can you please tell me the song/tune you have playing while on ride bro?

[@theroadprovides]

Thanks for getting on board :) that’s called goals by Rex banner 👍

[@paulbhoy1888]

Thank you for the reply bud

[@Gledii]

Andy, im not sure you´ve mentioned before about the heart rate zone you mostly ride in long distance, i dont know your max heart rate but it seems that you were pushing around your tempo. do you control ur HR for long rides or just go by feeling? i recently broke a PR for 100k with my gravel bike where i wasnt pushing too much, but it seems that pushing a bit lighter than my roadie, i could consistently have a higher average speed (not on purpose). so im still figuring out the best strategy regarding pacing / HR. cheers

[@theroadprovides]

Hey, I try to be around tempo for 100 miles (150ish) and endurance for further (130ish) I kinda pace on feel a lot and ends up around there

[@richardhookway]

Hi Andy! Have you considered including a link to the GPX file for each ride in your videos, or perhaps a link to your Garmin account? I'd like to try a few 🙂

[@theroadprovides]

Ah yes! I normally do that, thanks will add now mate 👍

[@richardhookway]

Oh I didn’t realise you did that. Duh!

[@richardhookway]

@@theroadprovides I think I need Strava premium for that.

[@theroadprovides]

Can you see the link in the vid description?

[@richardhookway]

​@@theroadprovides Hi, yep, I can see the link. There is enough detail in the map to enable me to manually create a route in Garmin connect.

[@531c]

Now, at 63 even if i had the legs to keep up i dont think id have the reaction time to avoid a collision with fellow riders at those speeds. Occasionally i ride with others but i find im increasingly frustrated by their cavalier attitudes towards other road users. Anyone driving a car has right of way over me. Riding solo is safer for me as i can control and deflate any potential conflict.

[@TesterAnimal1]

“Anyone has right of way over me”? PATHETIC. 💩

[@theroadprovides]

Group riding isn’t for everyone and you can get the odd irresponsible person but it’s pretty rare for me that I feel unsafe, it depends on the group you ride with I think

[@lydiagould3090]

@531c Yes ,your reactions aren't quite so quick as you age. But I don't agree that car drivers have right of way. Being assertive when necessary doesn't mean being rude. I always acknowledge drivers that are considerate .(I live in the country ,so don't come across many busy roads)

[@bjmaston]

Car drivers do not have “right of way” over cyclists, you grumpy old man. Time to re-read the Highway Code.

[@Kimberlietriracer25]

So fun Andy! Do you have a Strava?

[@theroadprovides]

It was :) yeah, can you see the link in the description?

[@Kimberlietriracer25]

​@@theroadprovidesthere it is. Thank you. Following. Thank you

[@theroadprovides]

😎