I think we’d all agree that cycling is a great way to meet new people. Yesterday I did my Sunday endurance ride with a guy I’ve never ridden with before. Truth be told, I knew absolutely nothing about the guy. My wife set us both up on a cycling ‘date’
Apart from the fact that I had a really nice ride yesterday, I realised that I’d cycled for hours with someone I previously knew nothing about and we chatted for the whole ride. The conversation went from Instagram Influencers to private members clubs to COVID Staycations with some basis cycling chit-chat thrown in for good measure.
I love this type of ride and it got me thinking. Do others just jump into a ride with someone unknown? If you do, what random conversations do you have?
Not often but every now and then, a small conversation. It’s pretty cool knowing where the rider is coming from and how much mileage they put in. I generally stay away from women though. For some reason, I creep them out. They don’t say a word to me and just give me this mean look. It’s a mystery to me. This is only when I’m out riding though.
One of my new friends (know each other for about a year now) is someone I met on a random training ride last spring. Out on my normal route and found a dude that was quite fast, ended up annoying each other since we kept overtaking one another.
Started talking, rode a few times after that and then became good friends!
Other than that, I often realise how much it is appreciated to just be super kind and open towards other cyclists. I think many stay quiet because they might think they are disturbing.
Also, give compliments to good riders. Like if someone takes a good pull, rides very smooth etc. It really goes a long way and I think it will increase ride quality as well as build confidence.
Interesting topic! I don’t like to go on set riding dates because I’m worried Ill slow the other person down, my schedule usually doesn’t correspond to other people’s schedule, and most of my rides are training rides and Im anal about the training part. But I do love occasional riding along with totally random people. That is a lot of fun!
I met a group one day, by them riding my wheel while I was doing some sweet spot intervals. I settled back into the group during the rest period and just rode for fun from that point .It was nice chit chatting with some new people. Also, I found out about a weekly group ride that meets right by my house. Meeting new people who ride usually is a great thing.
