Riding on your own has its place. It allows you to focus on yourself, pursue your own objectives for that particular ride and enjoy some outdoor solitude. But in South Africa, it makes more sense to do most of your outdoor rides in a group. And It’s not just a safety thing. Here are the benefits of training in a group.
THERE’S SECURITY IN NUMBERS
Okay, let’s get this one out of the way first. South Africa’s violent crime rate is one of highest in the world. We can’t hide from living our life outdoors though, so riding with a group is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of becoming a target to criminals who may want to rob or harm you.
THERE’S SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Somehow, South Africa has become a country where motorists have little respect for both the law and rules of the road. Drunk, unlicensed and simply selfish drivers are constant threats to cyclists. By riding in a group, motorists become more aware of you and your chance of not ending your ride early in an ambulance is far greater.
IT’S SOCIAL
Even the most hardcore, high-speed training rides have social interludes that allow a positive energy flow with like-minded people. For the majority though, the connection with others is a wonderful way to engage socially while doing exercise and enjoying the outdoors in a country that has a fantastic year-round climate.
IT’S FASTER
When it comes to road cycling, a bunch that shares the work on the front moves faster than an individual riding alone. Joining a group to ride a sunrise, work-day training ride will see you fit in a decent session before 07h30…
YOU CAN GO FURTHER
The shared effort that comes with riding on the road or gravel in a bunch allows you to save energy when drafting behind others. With everyone in the group saving some energy, you have the capacity to do a longer ride in the same amount of time.
YOU CAN PROGRESS
Lynnwood Cycling Club is a safe-riding community that has weekly rides split into different groups based on fitness and ability. By riding regularly with one group, you will find that your fitness or ability will improve and then you can move on to a higher-level group, that will either have a slightly faster pace or do a longer distance. This kind of progression is exceptionally empowering and enables you to keep improving.
YOU GET SUPPORT
If you encounter any challenges on solo ride, you have to sort them out. On a group ride, you have others that can assist in the case of an injury, or bee sting or snake bite. They can also assist with mechanical challenges that you may encounter. Most of Lynnwood Cycling Club’s marshalls are trained in first aid. Club support vehicles also sweep the planned route to provide additional back-up if needed.
YOU MAKE FRIENDS
Some of the strongest and most enduring friendships off the bike are made on the bike. Or during and after rides. There’s nothing like suffering on a bike ride together with someone else to form meaningful bond that would never have developed had it not been for a shared interest in riding bikes with others.
YOU BECOME PART OF A COMMUNITY
An organised riding group or cycling club goes beyond just the local weekly ride. Lynnwood Cycling Club, for example also organises weekend away trips for mountain bike members and gravel riders. There’s also regular expert talks and presentations to club members as well as social gatherings that all combine to develop a community that will support you when you’re weak and celebrate with you when you’re strong…
To find out more about the benefits of joining Lynnwood Cycling Club, which organises weekly group rides, click here: https://www.club.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za
Author, Lynnwood Cyclery