Solo cycling: The benefits of cycling alone

So why should you opt to ride by yourself rather than joining a local group ride? Firstly, there’s nothing saying that you can’t do both, but you should definitely explore riding by yourself.

Riding alone allows you to go at your own pace, stop whenever you like and is a great form of stress relief. 

One of the biggest benefits of riding by yourself is that you aren’t beholden to anyone else. You can set your own schedule, ride whenever you like and even change your plans mid-ride without having to confer.

You can stop as often as you like, or not stop at all, it's all up to you. Structured group rides can be fun, but riding by yourself allows you to control the main elements of your ride, excepting the weather, of course.

Many road cyclists use solo rides as an opportunity to practice mindfulness, and riding alone can be a great form of stress relief.

The joy of solo riding is that it’s just you, your bike and the road, meaning that you can focus on the journey rather than trying to keep pace with the person in front of you.

You’ll often find you reach the end of a bike ride with a fresh solution to a problem, or a deeper understanding of someone else’s perspective.

Riding alone is a great opportunity to explore new routes and to venture off of your usual roads to find something new and exciting.

Because you’re riding by yourself, you can also take the time to enjoy the sights (and stop to take plenty of pictures to put on Strava, if that’s your thing) rather than just racing past them in a pace line. 

Another notable benefit of riding by yourself is that you can set your own pace and your own fitness goals. You can choose to progress how you’d like or simply ride for the enjoyment without aiming for any specific benchmarks.

The upside to riding alone is that you can always choose how hard you want to go on any particular day because there’s no one else to keep up with, just you and your bike.

Planning where you’ll go on your solo rides can be half of the fun. Finding new places to ride and explore is always an adventure, even if the route doesn’t work out how you planned it.

If you’re unsure of where to find cycling inspiration, you can easily find routes on platforms like Strava and Komoot made by local cyclists to help get you started.

Your local bike shop is also a great resource for finding road cycling routes, as many of their employees likely ride in the area and can direct you towards some of their favourite routes.

When planning your solo rides, there are a few things to keep in mind beyond finding scenic areas to explore.

Depending on how long your ride is going to be, ensuring that there are places that you can stop along the way if you need to refuel is crucial, especially in the summer months when you’ll go through water fairly quickly.

Likewise, planning for a solo ride requires a bit more self-reliance than if you’re going out with friends. You may wish to take a couple of spare inner tubes, to cover the eventuality you end up having to change multiple flat tyres in the same ride – particularly if you’re riding out from a big city like London or Manchester.

Other basic tools like a pump and tyre levers are clearly also important. If you don’t have them you may find yourself flagging down another cyclist from the roadside, or calling for a taxi-of-sadness to take you back home.

Yes! Cycling by yourself can be an excellent activity for stress relief and to help improve your general wellbeing.

Every individual is different, of course. You may get more of a mood lift from the added social benefits of cycling in a group, while you find your solo rides are a chance for self-reflection. 

Both are good and valid! Find what works for you, and stick with that. 

Keeping your bike in good condition is important so that nothing fails while you’re out on a long adventure.

Your basic maintenance routine should consist of regular bike washes, checking your tyre pressure before each ride and lubing your chain frequently.

Check out our comprehensive guide on how to wash your road bike for step-by-step instructions on the best way to keep your bike clean.

Checking your road bike’s parts for wear can also help you to catch any issues before they develop.

Measuring your chain for wear, keeping an eye on your tyre’s tread and checking your brake pads to ensure that wear indicators are still visible will alert you to when parts need to be replaced to keep your road bike in tip-top condition. 

For solo riders, having a trustworthy and reliable road bike is crucial to enjoying your rides by yourself.

Being comfortable is also a must, which is why many solo road cyclists opt for an endurance road bike.

While these bikes are still capable of going fast on the flats and tackling tough climbs, an endurance bike’s main focus is keeping you comfortable for long periods of time. If your road bike needs a bit of attention to get it back to top condition, bring it into a Decathlon Workshop for a service.

If you’re looking to upgrade from your current bike, be sure to check out the Van Rysel EDR family of endurance road bikes.

When you’re riding alone, it is essential for you to have a roadside repair kit on hand, and also that you know how to do basic roadside repairs on your bike.

Be sure to check out our guide on how to change a road bike tyre for clear instructions on how to fix a flat tyre.

When you’re out on the road, you should always carry a roadside repair kit consisting of a spare tube, a set of tyre levers, a multitool, a pump or CO2 inflator and a patch kit, just in case.

For riders who will be spending a lot of time on their bikes, having a durable and comfortable set of cycling clothing is important.

The most impactful single item would be a good pair of bib shorts. Not only are bib shorts more comfortable than regular shorts, the straps will help to keep your chamois in place and prevent discomfort or the need to re-adjust.

Another important element of your cycling wardrobe is having clothing for all weather conditions, so that you aren’t limited to riding on clear days.

Investing in a good rain jacket, a winter jacket for colder conditions, a set of arm and leg warmers, a base layer and a set of gloves (or two) will allow you to extend your riding season. 

As a solo rider, there are several essential accessories that you should be taking with you on all of your rides.

Cycling water bottles are a must-have for any cyclist and should come with you whether you’re just going around the block or headed out for a longer adventure.

For carrying your roadside repair kit, which we’ll cover in a moment, or for storing your keys and other important items, a small saddle bag is a key part of any solo cyclist’s set-up.

Filling this bag with key items and leaving it on your bike is also a great way to ensure that you never leave a vital part of your repair kit behind.

Though not essential, having a second small bag on your top tube for keeping your nutrition readily available is a great addition for longer rides.

A cycling computer is a great addition to your set-up, even if you aren’t looking to track your performance.

The simpler models will tell you the basic information such as your current speed, distance and time elapsed. Fancier models also come with GPS, which is a useful tool to have if you enjoy exploring new routes.

A key part of endurance riding is nutrition. Making sure that you bring enough food and water with you, especially on longer rides, will ensure that you can comfortably make it through your route.

Always pack more food than you think you’ll need, or make sure that you’ll have opportunities to refuel along the way. When riding in the summer especially, carry plenty of water.

Some endurance riders opt for a backpack with a bladder in it for more water capacity on longer rides. 

Checking out the second-hand market for bicycles and gear is a great way to find lightly used gear at lower price points.

There are many websites that offer used or refurbished bikes and gear, including Decathlon’s Second Life programme.  

Cycling alone isn’t just about riding – it’s about freedom, self-reliance, and the joy of the open road. Whether you're looking for stress relief, a personal fitness challenge, or the chance to explore at your own pace, solo rides offer a unique kind of satisfaction.

With the right planning, gear, and a little basic maintenance know-how, you can make the most of your adventures.

So go ahead – embrace the solo ride. Just remember, a well-packed repair kit is the difference between a successful solo outing and an unplanned taxi ride.