Putting a twist in your usual group ride

A Variation on a theme.

No This is not a blog article about Joseph Haydn nor is it about the road less traveled rather it is about traveling the same road in the direction less traveled or with a different mix of riders.

This weekend I rode at Hartshorne Woods in the Atlantic Highlands of New Jersey. A trail network that I have ridden many times before with people I have ridden with many times before. The difference this week was that some of the usual riders were not there, this in itself changed the dynamic of the ride. I have experienced this before while riding behind someone faster, slower, more aggressive, or more tentative any of these riders can influence how you experience the trail.

The 2nd and more striking difference was riding the trail backwards. There were sections of the trail I hardly recognized and at times completely forgot where I was within the loop. There was significantly more climbing while riding the trail this way. Riding the trail backwards created some new technical opportunities drop-offs became step-ups and visa-versa. Turn Apexes Changed and the overall flow and personality of the trail was different.

Another thing to try is riding your favorite or local trail in the snow or riding at night. All of these options can change your perspective and create an exciting new ride opportunity out of a familiar favorite.

You can also extend (double it up) your ride by riding it backwards and forwards.