Over the years I have ridden in almost every way you can think of. Riding completely alone is what I do the least. That one is the ugly.
Early on I tried solo riding a few times and quickly got into situations that were far from fun. Once I got stuck in a slippery mud puddle. I dropped the bike, picked it up, slipped, dropped it again, and barely dragged it out on the last of my energy.
I did not need to call a rescue service, but a one-hour ride almost turned into a whole day of trouble. And that was the easy version.
It gets ugly when you are out in the middle of nowhere with no reception and no way to get help. On one desert ride I crashed and tore a leg muscle. Luckily I was riding with friends and we were close to a main road, so getting me out was easy.
I had no satellite messenger on me that day. If I had been alone out there with no cell service, I would not have been able to walk or call anyone. Out in the dirt by yourself, a small mistake turns dangerous fast.
Then you have the big groups, which I call the bad.
I have done rides with over twenty riders. It is not all terrible. You meet new people.
But a big group moves slow. Fine for beginners. If you have experience, you spend the whole day stopping and waiting. Sitting around in a hundred and four degree desert heat when you just want to move and get some air is rough. On one ride we had four flat tires in a row. That killed the day.
For me, the good is a small group of three to six riders.
People you know well. The pace is fast and smooth. Nobody is standing around waiting, and a one-hour ride stays a one-hour ride. That is the whole thing.
The only problem with a small group is when guys bring their egos into it and start pushing too hard, turning a good ride into a risky race.
My ideal ride is a small group with no egos. People who ride for the adventure and to hang out.
Small crew first. Big group second. That day in the desert is why alone is last.
Photos by Arie Khaikin.
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