And maybe that’s precisely what you need.
Solo rides, often seen as a fallback or a Plan B, actually hold a quiet magic, especially in the summer. They offer you the freedom to ride on your own terms, to sweat, to spin, to zone out or tune in. It’s a reset button and a chance to break free from the routine and experience the road in a whole new way.
Here’s how to make the most of it.
Rediscover your why
Group rides are amazing. They push your limits, sharpen your skills, and offer post-ride coffee with friends. But they can also become routine. When you ride alone, you’re suddenly reminded of what drew you to the bike in the first place.
There’s no pace to hold, no wheels to follow, no expectations to meet. Just you, the road, and that first moment when your legs settle into rhythm and your brain finally—blessedly—goes quiet.
Use the solo ride to check in with yourself. How does your body feel without adrenaline in the mix? What kind of riding actually brings you joy? Is it a mellow gravel cruise, a big day in the mountains, or a rolling road loop at golden hour? With no one else around, you get to choose the vibe entirely.
Make it mindful
Summer solo rides are perfect for practising mindfulness, whether that means setting a quiet intention before you clip in, or simply tuning into your senses as you pedal.
Start by leaving the music at home, or at least riding the first few kilometres without it. Notice the warmth of the air on your skin, the sound of your tyres on the road, and the way light filters through the trees. You can give yourself a chance to temporarily let go of performance and make it all about presence.
If your brain won’t stop buzzing, try a simple grounding trick: Pick a colour and find five things in the landscape that match it. Focus on your breath. Count your pedal strokes for one minute. You don’t need to overthink it, just give your mind a rest from planning, predicting, or performing.
And if all else fails: talk to cows. They’re great listeners.
Plan just enough
One of the joys of a solo ride is spontaneity, but that doesn’t mean winging it entirely. A little planning goes a long way in helping you feel confident, safe, and free to enjoy the ride without nagging logistics in the back of your mind.
Start with the basics:
Know your route, or at least have a rough idea. Preload a loop onto your head unit or phone so you’re not relying on memory or signal mid-ride.
Check the weather and wind direction. A strong headwind on the way home can turn a dreamy solo ride into a sufferfest.
Inform someone of your destination and expected return time. Even if it’s just a message in the group chat, no one’s answering.
Pack more than usual: A flat kit, an extra snack, sunscreen, and a small emergency banknote can make the difference between “solo adventure” and “stranded in the middle of nowhere.”
Once you’ve covered the essentials, give yourself some flexibility. You don’t have to stick rigidly to the plan, if the legs feel good, chase that detour. If not, turn early. That’s the beauty of going it alone: you’re the only one who gets a vote.
Add a little challenge
Just because you’re riding solo doesn’t mean you can’t aim high. In fact, it might be the best time to take on something bold without pressure. That climb you’ve always avoided on group rides? The long loop that no one else ever wants to do? Now’s your moment.
Create a mini solo mission — nothing crazy, but something that lights a spark. It could be a sunrise ride to a scenic lookout, a personal time trial effort, or a scavenger hunt for the best bakery in a 50km radius. You’d be surprised how motivating a pastry can be.
Find comfort in the quiet
Let’s be honest: sometimes, the quiet of a solo ride can feel a little… too quiet. Without mid-ride banter or someone to share the suffering, the kilometres can stretch long. But learning to ride through that silence is part of the art.
It’s where resilience is built, mental as much as physical. You start noticing the thoughts that loop through your head. You catch the negative self-talk and choose to ride past it. You learn that boredom isn’t the enemy, it’s just space. And that space is where your best ideas, your calmest self, and your wildest ride plans are hiding out, waiting for you.
Document it (just a little)
Solo rides aren’t about the kudos, but they’re still worth remembering. Take a photo, write a post-ride journal entry, or simply make a mental note of something beautiful you saw. These are the moments that, when revisited, will bring back the feelings of freedom, peace, and joy that you experienced on the road.
Let it shift you
Here’s the thing about summer solo rides – they tend to sneak up on you. You don’t expect much when you roll out, maybe just to tick off a few kilometres. But then something happens. You ride a little longer than planned. You breathe a little deeper. You feel a little more like yourself when you get home.
These rides have the potential to be really powerful. They rebuild your connection to the bike and to yourself. They give you space when the world feels full. And sometimes, they remind you that you don’t need to chase a peloton to feel fast, free, or strong.
So when the group chat goes quiet and the ride invites slow to a trickle, don’t hang up your helmet. Lean in. Plan something small, or don’t plan at all. Let the summer solo ride become part of your rhythm. Happy riding!
