1. Planning

Every great ride starts with a great plan. Take some time to map out the course or give a closer look at the map if you got the route from someone else. Find information about road and trail conditions: how has the weather been lately, has anyone ridden these trails recently, are there any road closures? On top of your regular internet research, platforms on which people share their rides such as Strava or Trailforks are a great source of information, as well as riding groups on social media.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to people to get more information to plan your ride the best way possible. Another thing to look for are resupply options: are there any stores on your route where you can buy food and drinks, is there anywhere you can refill your bottles with water?

Finally, keep an eye on the weather forecast and schedule your ride wisely, aiming for good weather and comfortable temperatures, but also planning enough time so you won’t finish in the dark. Keep in mind that unexpected issues can slow down your ride considerably, so plan some extra time in case something happens. Speaking of mishaps, make sure to check out our trailside repairs guide before leaving for your first solo ride!

2.Packing

Obviously, the longer you will be out there, the more you will have to pack. On the food side, a good rule of thumb to start with is to count 250-300 calories per hour of riding. Yes, that’s a lot of food! That’s why I like to eat gels, because they have more calories and carbs in a smaller volume, but you can mix it up with whatever makes you happy: dried fruits, granola bars, maybe a small sandwich… just keep in mind that you will have to carry the weight! Having resupply options on your course will allow you to carry less food, so this is definitely something to consider.

In terms of hydration, you should count at the very least 0.5 liter per hour of riding and 1 liter per hour if it’s hot out there. I recommend drinking electrolytes in order to replace the minerals your body is losing through sweat. On top of the bottles on your frame, you might want to use a pack which has room for another bottle or two, or one that can hold a hydration pack.

Don’t forget to pack your bike repair kit, extra clothing according to the weather, and a small first aid kit (we’ll talk about that in a minute). Now you just need to find the right pack for your ride. From backpacks to hip-packs, saddle bags, frame bags or burrito bags that strap on your handlebars, there are many options to choose from. Decisions, decisions…

Check out all our packs here and also have a look at our previous article on bike accessories for plenty of clever storage and mount solutions.

4.Safety

Safety is the most important aspect when heading out for a solo ride. Of course, it starts with good planning and packing everything you need. When it comes to the first aid kit, the essentials are usually a few plasters and bandages in different sizes, butterfly strips, antiseptic wipes and some sort of antibiotic ointment.

The best is to get a standard small size kit and then add a few things that you like to have with you depending on your own medical needs and past experiences. For example, I like to have blister bandages, extra sunscreen and tweezers to remove cactus spines!

As you are mapping your course, on top of looking for resupply options, also look for possible bailouts. In case something really goes wrong, and you need to cut your ride short or need to call someone to pick you up, what are the options? Speaking of calling someone… will you have cellphone reception on the entirety of your ride? Before leaving for a solo ride, let someone know where you are going. Send them your course and give them a rough schedule of when you should be back, especially if you are going in the backcountry, where cellphone service is limited. Finally, make sure you know the emergency numbers of the country you are in.

4.Navigation

Knowing where you are and where you are going is key to a successful ride. Nowadays, there are many ways to navigate a course. You can use a GPS computer, your GPS watch, your smartphone or just go old school and bring a map, why not! No matter what you choose to find your way around, make sure you know how to use it and if it requires a battery, verify that it is charged and will last for the duration of your ride, plus some extra “safety” time.

I personally like to have a backup plan, so after uploading the course to my watch, I also upload it to my phone: Strava, Ride with GPS, Komoot, MapOut… there are plenty of helpful apps for this. Most importantly, I make sure to download the map of the area so I can use it offline, in case I lose cellphone reception.

5.Riding

Last thing to do before hitting the trail and definitely not the least: use our pre-ride checklist to get your bike ready for the adventure!

Now that you have a good plan, packed everything, took the essential safety measures, uploaded the map to your navigation device and checked your bike, it’s (finally!) time to go on that awesome solo ride you’ve been waiting for. Here are some final tips so you can enjoy the experience from start to finish:

• Pace yourself: remember, it’s going to be a long ride, so there’s no need to rush. Of course, you want to keep moving, but relax, it’s not a race. Take breaks when you need them (eat, drink, maybe stretch your legs and back) and keep an eye on the time to make sure you finish your ride stress-free.

• Eat and drink often: don’t wait to feel hungry or thirsty! For a successful endurance ride, you want to stay ahead of these sensations. Try to drink at least every 20 minutes and eat something at least every hour, aiming for those 250-300 calories per hour. Eat more often if you can, giving your body continuous fuel so you can ride strong for longer.

• Care for your butt: there’s nothing worse than being in pain when sitting on your bike. Hopefully, you were already able to figure out if the saddle currently on your bike is comfortable for you. If not, well unfortunately there really aren’t many ways to find out other than give it try… A good pair of bibshorts or other padded cycling underwear will usually help with saddle comfort and you can also use chamois cream if you are sensitive to chafing. Check out our cycling shorts and underwear here for women and here for men

• Work on your mental game: enjoy this time alone to clear your head. Focus on your ride, your breathing, your pace, your goal. Maybe you’ll find your “why”, maybe you’ll find a mantra that you can hang onto when it gets harder. Hopefully you’ll feel (re)connected with yourself and with the surrounding nature.

• Have fun: because in the end, this is what it’s really all about. Enjoy the ride, stop to take pictures and smell flowers, and come back with great memories.

We hope that these tips will give you the confidence and knowledge you need to go on a solo endurance ride and be safe while also enjoying it to the max. However, if you feel like you aren’t quite there yet and are more looking into actually getting into biking, we’ve put together some advice to help you with that too. Check it out here

Keep rolling and have a blast out there!

Photo credits: Monica Hammond Text: Sarah Didier / @labelibula