[omnivox42]

I ride both. I like group rides for the social aspect as well as the speed/draft. My solo rides are special because of the personal achievement as well as being able to clear my head.

[bikertank]

I have to hand it to you guys that compete - I can't believe how close a real Peloton really is - it drives my crazy when other riders are too close and after watching the various tours and the multi-rider wrecks - I am thankful I ride with my wife only well separated at all times by at least 3 bike lengths

[zero3one]

I enjoy the solitude of riding alone, I can be one with my thoughts and just enjoy clearing myself. But it's also a lot of fun cycling with a few others so I switch it up. Sometimes, I just want to make myself suffer and riding alone gets me a better workout. If I only have a limited time (which is usually the case) I go alone.

[salvage_bikes]

I like riding with other people. Most of my life has been kind of lonely because I don't have a lot of people I really relate to. I like riding with other people even if I don't know them, as long as they have some manners and are going the same way and about the same pace I was going. I often join other groups while mountain biking trails, if they will not mind me. Sometimes I've made friends or allies this way, and have shared trail information or linked up for trail work. If someone wants to ride along while I'm commuting or following a path or road, I don't mind, as long as they aren't a wheel sucker like you mention. I don't mind drafting with a plan and taking turns, but wow, just ghosting another rider is a recipe for disaster.

http://www.gonomad.com/transports/0606/dakar-images/lonely-cyclist.jpg

http://crosscountrycyclist.com/2012/07/28/south-to-safe-countryroads/ Local cyclist introduces lone cyclist to good restaurant, nice story and photos on blog.

Originally Posted by Bluevoss

Since 99% of my riding is commuter, I'll stick with solo. Actually, I don't like riding around other cyclists - they break my rhythm and it always becomes an additional factor to concern myself with.

I remember once, riding home, that I looked back and found a guy doing that drafting stuff right off my back wheel. I didn't know he was there. Gestured myself over to the curb and let him go by. Do your racing stunts with someone else.

And really, I like cycles but not necessarily cyclists. I'm 54, and I don't have a whole lot in common with them.

[carlharsch]

I like riding solo normally but I don't mind riding with others. I'd ride with our local club but their rides tend not to favor my available times.

[BadWolf]

I prefer solo. On the few group rides I've been on, the quality of the riding has been appalling -- running reds, running stops, turning left from the right side -- it grates on me. I'm not the type of guy to go running around telling other folks how to ride their bikes, but that doesn't mean it doesn't put my nerves on edge.

Besides, I'm mostly on a recumbent, and the rubber-band effect makes it hard to ride with people on uprights.

[larryn]

Hello
My rides are solo. When I see other bikers on the route I wave to them.
I have ridden with people for a short distance and found that it puts pressure on me or them to maintain a certain pace. I like talking to other bikers when I meet them at certain stops on my routes. I have not ridden in any planned group rides. I do plan on doing the GSW century next year.
GSW is Granite State Wheelmen.

[ben]

I always ride by myself except for a few times a year when I have the pleasure of riding with my friend Wild, down in the swamps of Jersey.

[rynoman03]

Riding Single here! Borrowed a bike from a friend for the wife. She went one time. It's sat ever since.

[agentkratzer]

The majority of my rides have been solo. I have been on some group rides, most have not lived up to expectations, but they have not been terrible. I have learned a lot from each ride so they do have their benefits. I believe that eventually I'll be able to find a small group or another rider to ride with at a similar pace. I'd actually like to be challenged much more than what I have seen so far.