Cycling trips are becoming more and more popular in France. Every year, new converts join the great family of cycling tourists. Among the newcomers are those who enjoy undertaking a bike trip on their own, en solo. What are the advantages of heading off along a cycle route for several days or more without any cycling companion(s)? Here are three excellent reasons for tackling La Flow Vélo by yourself, between the island of Aix in the west and Sarlat-la-Canéda in the east.
N° 1: The freedom to cycle along at your own pace
Riding as part of a group has its advantages, but its disadvantages too. For instance, each person doesn’t necessarily ride along at the same pace or have the same expectations in terms of what distance to cover each day. Riding by yourself allows you to manage your cycling exertions according to your requirements and to take breaks as and when you feel like them.
If you prefer to get up at 6am and to limit your cycling to the mornings while perhaps dedicating your afternoons to visiting places, then you can do so, travelling on your own. Conversely, if you prefer to cycle along much of the day, but to enjoy a long break around lunchtime, that’s up to you. So, riding along by yourself means the freedom to ride along at your own rhythm.
N°2: The opportunity to clear your head on a solo cycle trip
Cycling along by yourself also provides a good opportunity to clear your head. You can get away from it all by travelling solo. For some, riding out on your own can seem daunting at first, but then it can prove extremely satisfying as you let go of any worries and feel liberated. Having the time to mull over matters as you cycle along can prove a good way of getting your thoughts in order too.
N°3: Meeting new people
Cycling as a group, there’s an understandable tendency to want to make the most of time with family or friends, which is highly enjoyable, but maybe means not having so much time be open with new people. Travelling solo usually offers you more of an opportunity to encounter local people along the route. It’s often the case that people are happy to have a chat with a cyclist travelling along by themselves. It would seem that the solitary cyclist is viewed as a friendly type! In fact, enjoying chance meetings might even be one of your aims, riding along by yourself along a cycle route.