So here you are with your bike shorts on, neon orange jersey zipped, lights blinking like you’re a Christmas tree.
Can’t miss you.
But then the second-guessing begins.
“Do I have everything?”
“Do I know what I’m doing?”
“Are my tires still inflated?”
It’s not a solo ride until you doubt everything twice.
So let’s fix that.
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When you’re cycling alone, these are the must-haves
Your bike fit: why almost right feels wrong
The saddle looks right and the bars seem fine — until you ride.
Then your knee aches and your neck’s tense. You might think you need a doctor, but really, you just need a good bike fit.
Helmet
No, helmets are definitely not a fashion accessory. They’re the one piece of gear keeping your head in one piece, especially when you’re wearing lycra everywhere else.
Hospital bills? $$$$. Your brain? Priceless.
Now, about that helmet you’ve been wearing since 2020. Seems like yesterday, but safety experts say it’s a long time in helmet years, so it’s time for an upgrade.
The same goes for any helmet that’s met pavement, even once.
And if you’re somewhere that has bike helmet laws, then that’s a no-brainer.
*Not sure about local helmet laws? Check LawInfo or Helmets.org.*
Lights
Sure, front and back lights help you see, but they’re really about making sure drivers see you, because being invisible on a bike is a terrible superpower.
Plus, in some places, it’s the law.
(If you’ve ever wanted eyes in the back of your head, this Garmin bike light is basically that — it connects to your Garmin and buzzes when cars are coming up behind you.)
Flat tire essentials
Pump, spare tubes, multitool. Nothing kills the vibe faster than being stranded with a flat tire and no way to fix it.
Turns out, you can’t walk that fast in bike shoes.
Bike computer
Bike computers track everything — distance, heart rate, speed. Which means you can finally prove you were flying down that hill with actual numbers. Evidence.
Also, some bike computers have crash detection so it will alert your emergency contacts if you have an accident, which is both reassuring and slightly terrifying.
If you’re going to get a bike computer, the Garmin Edge 1040 tracks your stats and connects with the Garmin bike light I mentioned. Two birds, one very smart stone.
Medical ID bracelet
When you’re riding solo, it’s you vs. the open road…and sometimes the road wins.
A medical ID bracelet means first responders get your critical info fast.
Mini first aid kit
You know how it goes…you’ll need a bandage exactly when you don’t have one.
That’s why carrying a first aid kit is basically a guarantee nothing will go wrong — Murphy’s Law works in reverse, apparently.
Is it safe to bike alone? (Yes, if you follow these tips)
Do a pre-ride gear check ✔️
Do a quick check of your tires, brakes, chain. Then a test ride around the block so you’re not troubleshooting on the trail.
Prep your mindset, too
Pre-ride jitters are normal. That 20-minute debate in your head — “Am I lazy or reckless?” — not so much.
Riding solo, every ride becomes a judgment call.
Your rides aren’t random — your body has patterns. You just can’t see them when you’re stuck overthinking.
The 2-minute Daily Check-In ($35) gives you a clear answer before you ride—and tracks what you can’t see: the patterns that explain everything.
So you’ll know: Are you actually undertrained, or just bad at resting?
Did you bonk because you skipped fuel? Or because you ignored warning signs three days ago?
Once that’s done, run through the what-ifs—just once.
What would you do if you bonked? Got lost? Or had a crash?
You don’t need to spiral but just a quick mental prep, file it away, then go ride.
Solo ride essentials 🧭
- Pack a portable charger because when your phone dies, you realize you don’t actually know anyone’s number by heart.
- Share your location with a friend, which will feel like overkill until it’s not.
Safety gear
- Wear bright clothes so people can see you. (Neon yellow stands out the most.)
- Brush up on these 9 rules of the road because they’re what keep cars from treating you like a speed bump.
- Check your local bike laws because some states ban headphones while biking. Plus, you’ll want to hear what’s going on around you like that driver who seems to be pulling shenanigans.
Navigation & route planning
It’s all fun and games… until you’re lost, tired, and out of energy gels. These apps help you ride smart and discover new routes.
- Komoot: Find off-road adventures and plan ahead for terrain changes.
- Strava: Part social, part slightly competitive — discover routes, log rides, and chase those segment times.
- Ride with GPS: Plan your ride and get voice turn-by-turn directions. Plus, you can share your live location.
- Bikemap: Real-time route info from other cyclists, including surface types, closures, and road quality.
Sometimes the best ride is no ride
Maybe you just need to lie down because you’re running on three hours of sleep and caffeine.
Or maybe you were so busy that “lunch” was a pack of nuts you found at the bottom of your bag.
When you’re your own coach, it’s hard to tell the difference between “I’m tired” and “I just don’t feel like it.”
Harder: knowing if this is a one-off…or the same pattern you keep missing.
The Daily Check-In ($35) takes 2 minutes, gives you a clear call before you clip in, and shows the trends your gut can’t see.
Like how “lazy days” follow bad sleep, not bad motivation.
And that bonk? Wasn’t today’s ride, but skipping recovery three days ago.