Last weekend I went on a solo adventure. I call it an adventure because I had to create a map. I wasn’t sure where I was going. My husband didn’t want to ride with me that day. I didn’t want to ride by myself but I did want to ride my bike.
I like riding new routes with friends who know what they’re doing. At least there’s a few of us who can put our heads together if we get lost.
It bears to mention, I don’t know why I don’t think I know what I’m doing. I’m capable of reading a map, using a phone, and asking for directions. So why was my assumption that I didn’t know what I was doing and needed help?
It’s easy to second-guess ourselves.
Here are a few steps for going on a solo adventure:
Stick with what’s comfortable
If you’ve never gone out on your own on a bike ride, it’s intimidating. I think of too many scenarios and tales I’ve heard. Cyclists getting hit by cars, lost, crashed, etc. It makes me rethink my urge to go off by myself.
With that, a simple first step is sticking with what you’re comfortable with. If there’s already a trail you know like the back of your hand, take it. Riding that alone and coming back in one piece will give you the confidence you need for a new route.
When your first solo adventure is successful (the worst things you imagined happening didn’t actually happen), push yourself and go a little further next time.
This is what I did.
My first outing was up Deer Creek Canyon. I rode it before and didn’t want to have to find a new route the morning of. This kept things simple. I didn’t get hit by a car. I didn’t crash. I didn’t get lost. It was plain and simple enjoyment.
Create a route
There are a ton of different route builder apps: MapMyRide, Ride With GPS, Komoot, and Garmin.
Even though Leadville 100 is canceled, I wanted to ride my mountain bike a longer distance. The closest mountain bike trail was the Highlands Back Country. I sat down and created my route on Garmin. With Garmin, it’s only one more step to sync it to my Garmin computer.
If you create a route on a different platform, export that into a file your cycling computer accepts. If you don’t have a bike computer, you can use the map on the app.
Pack your essentials
Colorado’s safer-at-home order urges us to stay within 10 miles of our home and not to venture into other communities. This is supposed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you’re going on a solo adventure, make sure to bring what you need so you don’t have to stop anywhere along the route.
As dorky as it is, I brought my CamelBak, some snacks, a neck buff, a spare tube, and my usual cycling stuff. This way, I didn’t have to stop somewhere for more water or pick up something to eat. I actually didn’t even end up eating any of my snacks.
Let people know where you’re going
My husband and I share our locations with each other in case something happens to one of us, so he knew where I was going. I also showed him the route I created to see if he was familiar with some of the area. Some parts he was and others I was going to have to find out on my own.
Another important piece to share with someone is how long you think it’ll take. I estimated 3.5 hours for a 45-mile ride. If you’re way longer, they’ll know something’s up and will check on you.
Don’t overthink it
I’m good at overthinking everything.
Because I know this, I consciously decided to approach this ride as not a training ride but a solo adventure. I accepted there would be points on the ride where I wouldn’t know where to go. I knew I’d have to stop to look at the map or turn around.
I got lost a couple of times in the Highlands Ranch Back Country. Instead of freaking out, I reminded myself it was an adventure. I was looking to explore new trails, not PR segments.
I tried going with the flow as much as I could. I tried to let stupid things go (like people walking four abreast on the Highline Canal Trail).
Adventure is a mindset. Like training and races require you to be in a certain headspace. Going on an adventure means being open to new experiences. Whether’s that finding a new trail, getting lost, having to turn back, or using patience.
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