Riding (off road) on your own?

[GuinnessMK]

I have a day off tomorrow. Weather looks OK and I've got all the gear, and I'm an ex bike shop mechanic. Was thinking of going to Kielder for the day. All well within my abilities / fitness level.

However, for some reason I'm unsure about going mountainbiking on my own. Don't want to end up on Helicopter Rescue.

Tell me I'm being soft!

[Mr Gearchange]

You are being soft - get out there!

Just ride within your capabilities, don't do anything daft and take a charged phone.

[Justin S]

Ive been to Kielder on holiday and ridden on my own. I ride 90% of the time on my own, mainly because of just getting out when I can/ spur of the moment rides. Just advise people where you are going, be sensible, take a phone and gps for location and enjoy the peace and quiet.

[tjdixon911]

I often ride alone, I try to pick routes that are used in case anything happens, let people know your route etc and take a phone.

[Kawasicki]

I mainly ride alone...20 years now and nothing interesting to report...

[lufbramatt]

Done a few of the Welsh trail centres on my own, didn't die even once.

[Gren]

Nearly all of my riding is alone although usually local. Take a phone, you'll be fine

[ewenm]

GuinnessMK said:

I have a day off tomorrow. Weather looks OK and I've got all the gear, and I'm an ex bike shop mechanic. Was thinking of going to Kielder for the day. All well within my abilities / fitness level.

However, for some reason I'm unsure about going mountainbiking on my own. Don't want to end up on Helicopter Rescue.

Tell me I'm being soft!

You ARE being soft. Reasonable precaution is to take a full-charged phone with you and tell someone where you've gone and when to expect you back/start to worry - don't forget to tell them you're back safe though!

[Fluffsri]

Taking a phone is good advice but bloody useless when you full off in an area with no signal Luckily a dog walker heard me me in pain and helped me to an area of signal.

I ride alone a lot and tend to ride the same routes so you know what to expect, what I didnt expect was the rain to have washed out a bloody big hole!

[Daveyraveygravey]

I ride alone a lot, so you are being soft! As others have said though, stick within your abilities, and maybe do a circle route rather than out and back. If the worst comes to the worst and you have to walk back...

[BadgerBenji]

I regularly do it, it's not a problem if you know your limits, and don't think go on then I'll have a crack at that road gap jump.

[C0ffin D0dger]

Pretty much used to do all my riding alone. Billy no mates me

Probably a bit more calculated about what I would and wouldn't attempt though but still managed to go over the handle bars on a number of occasions without any major injury. Did return from one particular blast around the Forest of Dean with a few too many bruises though but still not bad enough to need any assistance.

[Don1]

I ride alone a lot - get out there.

[GuinnessMK]

I'm back. Didn't die. Even managed to buy food and coffee all by myself

[justanother5tar]

GuinnessMK said:

I'm back. Didn't die. Even managed to buy food and coffee all by myself

That was a long ride.

[raceboy]

I used to ride quite a bit on my own, in the woods, mainly trails jumps so quite a high chance of a fall, I looked into these...
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/helmets-and...
But just started riding with more friends instead.

[Mr Gearchange]

^ Interesting bit of kit.
I did once have an off whilst riding on my own - came off after landing badly on a step-down. Really knocked the wind out of me, but after 10 minutes of deep breaths and having retrieved my specs from the bracken I carried on my ride - albeit a bit sore, so I restrained from hitting any more of the jump lines and eventually wound my way home.

Turned out I had broken 5 ribs, collapsed a lung, cracked my sternum and lacerated my kidney. Spend 5 days in hospital after i relented at my wife's incessant moaning that I needed to get myself checked out!

Stil ride on my own - but am just more aware of the risks...

[SoliD]

Completed the South Downs Way a couple of times solo! Don't ever think about the negative aspects and just hope everythign is alright. Be a bit different if you're in the absolute middle of nowhere, but you're generally quite close to civilisation in one way shape or form in this country.

[wolfracesonic]

Wear a PistonHeads T-shirt so we know it's you on Helicopter Rescue.