Hank: Riding in a group is so much fun, you can chat with your mates, it's social,
crack jokes, you know what I mean, Manon? Manon Lloyd: Yes, but riding solo is just
as much fun. Hank: Really?
Manon: A bit of peace and quiet, and a bit of me-time. If you don't mind today,
I'm going to do this one solo. Hank: Really, Manon?
Manon: Yes, sorry. Hank: Well, I might
like you to- Manon: Bye.
Hank: -go. Manon: Yes.
Hank: Now? Manon: [unintelligible 00:00:23] a
few things that you need to know about riding solo, so coming up are our top tips.
[music] Hank: Seeing as Manon's left me,
well, we better crack on. Our first tip for riding solo is, plan yourself a route, be well prepared.
You might be really used to going out with a group and relying on those people for planning
the route for you and just following the wheels but when you're on your own, you're on your own,
you're relying on yourself so making sure you have a well-planned route is absolutely imperative.
The last thing you want to do is head out for a two-hour ride and end up having done a five-hour
ride because, well, you took the wrong turn, you got lost, ended up getting freezing cold,
and you're stuck in a hedge, all you're wanting to do is a phone home. We've all been there.
Planning yourself a route that you know is well within your reach,
you know the roads or maybe it's a route you've done with the group so you recognize the roads,
you know exactly where you're going on and you can't get lost, and then the better you get and
the more solo rides you're doing you can get a bit more adventurous with your route planning.
[music] Manon: The amount
of times I've gone out on a solo ride and forgotten to take my spares and my saddlebag
I've lost count. It's important to remember these when you're riding solo because you
won't have anybody else in the group to lend you a pump when you puncture. You don't want to be
stood on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere waiting for a taxi. An inner tube pump,
and some tire levers, and a multitool will get you out of most mechanicals out on your ride.
[music] Hank:
Another really important part to riding solo is letting your loved ones know exactly
where you are just in case of an emergency. Now, you can get some really clever head units, like
my Wahoo here that shows exactly your location so your loved ones can follow your every move,
and even know exactly what time you'll be home for dinner. Yes, I know,
that clever. One thing I would say is though, make sure you take a mobile phone with you
while riding solo. They're not just great for taking a great selfie
but they're also good just in case of an emergency to phone home or even the emergency services.
Now, you can also get some really clever apps on this that can ping your location,
or that can track you, that way even if you don't have something like a computer or head unit that
does it, your phone can do it for you. There are a whole load of gadgets out there, there's even a
helmet that can track your location and detect when you crash so it can ping your location
to your loved ones. I know it's as clever as that, but make sure you find one that
works for you. That way, you can keep yourself safe and you can give yourself peace of mind,
but also your loved ones. Mum knows exactly what time I'm coming home for dinner. That makes me
sound like I live at home. Yes, that's awkward. [music]
Manon: Remember to pack snacks and hydration. Any kind of snacks will do, bananas, or an energy bar
like this one. There is nothing worse than running out of energy on a ride bonking. Why not take
some money in your saddlebag so if you need to stop, you can get something from a shop, and if
it's a nice day, why not stop at a cafe, there's nothing wrong with stopping at a cafe on your own.
[music] Hank:
Riding solo means you don't have the luxury of wheels to sit on to tow you around. Yes,
you've got to push your own wind. Now I am massively guilty of this, going out on your own,
smashing it, and going out too hard but don't, go easy, slow and steady wins the race. Not that
I've got many people to race with but it's all about pacing, and you could do so by using a
bike computer like this one here. If you've got a heart rate monitor or even a power meter,
you could work out your zones, that way you can sit within yourself,
not push it too much, which means you don't blow. Now, if you're feeling really good on your ride,
you're feeling fresh, energized and you really want to push out a good session, why not chuck in
maybe some efforts, a 10-minute above a threshold. Now, this will really test you,
but it's a good thing to do on your own because you can't really do it in a group,
there's different abilities, this means you'll split up the group. Use this solo riding time
as a way where you can push your boundaries. Do the efforts and go flat stick when you want to.
No effort for me though, not today. Manon:
Another perk of riding solo is that you can stop as many times as you want, you don't have to worry
about anybody else. If you find a pretty view, stop and take it in and maybe even a pic for the
gram. Not of yourself, Hank, of the view. Hank: What?
Manon: Of the view, sheep. Hank: God, Manon left me ages
ago determined to have a solo ride and actually, kind of enjoyed it, but where on earth is she?
Manon: All right, Hank. Hank: Oh, here you are.
Manon: How was your ride? Hank: Actually, not as bad as I thought
it was going to be, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the peace and quiet looking at the views and I even
got the chance to take a few selfies. Manon: Oh yes? Solo rides aren't that
bad after all, are they? Hank: Really not actually.
Manon: No. Hank: If you guys
have a few tips for us that we haven't mentioned or we missed off the list then make sure you put
them in the Comments section below. Manon: If you liked this video make
sure to give it a big thumbs up. Hank: Yes, why not let us know what
you would prefer, group riding, or solo riding? What would you go for?
Manon: Solo, I think. Hank: Solo?
Manon: I quite like it, yes. Hank: I'm a fan of group riding,
do you want me to tell you why? Manon: I know you are.
Hank: Do you want me to tell you why? Manon: Go on.
Hank: Well it means you can have a chat, you can chat jokes.
Manon: Take selfies with other people. Hank: Take selfies with other people.
You can even get people laughing at your jokes which doesn't happen often.
Manon: You can half-wheel. Hank: You can half-wheel with people.
Manon: You like a bit of half wheeling, don't you? Hank: See, there is loads of good positives. Let
me hear your positives. Manon:
What-- [laughter]
Hank: You stutter. [laughs]
Right. Shall we ride back in a group? Manon: Yes, a big group.
Hank: Yes, shall we right back in twos or are you going to--
Manon: Single file. Hank: Determined to ride solo again.
Manon: Solo. Hank: Ha ha ha.
Thanks for watching, guys. See you. [00:06:56] [END OF AUDIO]