Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much solo adventure has changed my life. I wasn’t someone who grew up particularly outdoorsy, and I wasn’t part of one of those families who spent the summer holidays touring Europe on bikes. In fact, my only exposure to adventure was the odd camping weekend as a Girl Guide, or, traipsing to the local pond with my dad to find tadpoles. I guess what I’m trying to say is that adventure wasn’t something that came naturally to me, and it was only many, many years later (read: at least two decades) that it started to become a significant part of my life.
What started as a casual three-day bikepacking trip around the Cotswolds eventually culminated in a 4,000km ride to the Arctic Circle – solo. I never set out to be someone who adventures alone (although the introvert in me might say otherwise!) but somewhere along the way, I discovered that solo adventure is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself, and I’ve never looked back since.
So if you’ve ever considered heading out on your own, whether it’s a bike ride, hike, or overnight trip, here are some of the unexpected benefits I’ve found along the way…plus a few tips to help you get started!
You get to know yourself better
Make no mistake, I absolutely love grabbing my backpack, saddlebag, or hydration vest and heading outside to explore with friends. But at the same time, there’s something pretty magical about venturing out alone. When it’s just you, the road, and the elements, the world feels both bigger and more intimate. Solo adventuring strips away the noise, forcing you to take notice of the quieter things, like: how you talk to yourself, what energises you, and what you need more (or less) of in your life. It’s a different kind of connection – not just with the environment, but with yourself.
🛠️ Top tip: Don’t feel pressured to fill the silence. Let your thoughts wander. Take a break somewhere quiet. Bring a journal if that feels helpful.
You learn to trust yourself
Sure, heading out on your own can feel a little daunting. What if you get lost? What if the weather takes a turn for the worse? What if your bike decides to stage a dramatic breakdown that you can’t fix? These worries creep in easily, but let’s face it – any of these things can happen when you’re with company too. The difference is that with someone else by your side, the discomfort feels lighter. You share the challenges, you lean on each other, and together, you figure it out.
Now imagine finding that same sense of confidence when it’s just you. That’s the magic of solo adventuring. It’s an empowering realisation, knowing you can trust yourself. It’s one of the reasons I continue to make space for solo adventures, even though they would arguably be much less stressful with a friend in tow (!)
🛠️ Top tip: Start small. Pick a local loop or a short route that you already know pretty well. Notice the moments you make choices for yourself, and particularly how it feels afterwards.
You find space to think
Solo time is a rare thing these days. We’re so used to being connected to everything, all of the time – our phones, our friends, our laptops, our colleagues – that at first the quiet can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to being alone with your own thoughts. But the more you embrace it, the more it starts to feel like peace.
Soon enough, you’ll start to crave the silence and will actively seek it out. Stressful week at work? Navigating a tricky life situation? Anxious about an upcoming exam or interview? Time to head out on a solo adventure!
🛠️ Top tip: Turn your phone on airplane mode (or leave it off altogether if safe to do so). Give your mind space to breathe without all the usual distractions.
You build resilience
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always easy. Things go wrong. The weather turns. You get lost. You run out of snacks. But every time you manage to figure it out (even if it takes a couple of teary moments on the side of the road), you build strength, not just in your body, but in your mind.
This resilience then filters through into other aspects of your life, and soon enough you find yourself less phased by things that would have previously sent you spiralling. “No sweat” you’ll say “I’ve handled worse”.
🛠️Top tip: Have a “low moment” plan. Whether it’s a favourite snack, a playlist, or a voice note from a friend, pack something that lifts your spirits when things get tough.
You can go at your own pace
It’s no secret that the world we live in celebrates speed: fast progress, quick wins, and instant results. We’re constantly told to move faster, aim higher, and do more. Honestly, it’s exhausting.
But what if we don’t always want to chase PBs? What if we want to stop for a pastry (or seven)? What if we want to ride until sunset? What if we want to focus on enjoying the journey instead of just reaching the destination?
Adventuring solo means you don’t need to live up to anyone else’s expectations, you simply just do you.
🛠️ Top tip: Try heading out without a strict time goal. Focus on how you feel, rather than how far or fast you’re going.
You build confidence
Of course, adventuring solo can be scary. Every decision, every turn, every challenge is yours alone to navigate, and that brings with it a whole host of fears and insecurities that (I’m sure) we’d all prefer not to have to face. But remember this: each time you fix a puncture, navigate a tricky route, or ride further than you thought you could, what you’re actually doing is collecting proof. Proof that says “If I can do this, I can do anything”.
Now imagine taking that proof and putting it safely in your back pocket, ready to whip it out the next time life throws a curveball your way.
🛠️ Top tip: After your trip, take five minutes to reflect: What went well? What did you handle that you weren’t sure you could? Save that list somewhere for the next time doubt creeps in.
You stop waiting for permission
This, for me, is the biggest one. The more I adventure solo, the more I realise I don’t need someone else to tell me it’s okay. I don’t need to be the most experienced or the bravest. I just need to show up, and continue showing up, for myself.
Have a big bucket list item? A free weekend? A new town/city/country you’d like to explore? Ask yourself: what are you waiting for?
🛠️ Top tip: If you’re waiting to feel brave, don’t. Start scared, start unsure, start with shaking hands, but just start.
So there you have it. Solo adventure doesn’t always need to be about conquering some massive feat or proving your strength to the world, sometimes it’s just about embracing the freedom to explore at your own pace, without expectations. It’s about experiencing the world in a new light, and rediscovering what makes you tick. It’s about embracing the kindness of others in the times you least expect it, but need it most.
In short: it’s the perfect way to fall in love with life (and yourself!) all over again.
P.S. If this post has planted a little seed of inspiration but the idea of heading off alone still feels a bit scary, I’m organising a five-day bikepacking trip on the Way of the Roses this year for riders who want to experience the joy of travelling by bike in good company.
I managed to wrangle a little Adventure Queens discount too, so if it sounds like your kind of thing you can use code JESS&FRIENDS when booking.
You can find the details 👉here 👈
About our guest author
Jess Golding is an ultra-cyclist, solo-adventurer, and storyteller from London who likes to ride her bike insane distances while constantly questioning her ability to do so. She started cycling four years ago and quickly began pushing the boundaries of what she deemed possible. Her most recent adventure was North Cape 4000, a 4,000km unsupported bikepacking race across Europe. She is currently deciding what ‘impossible’ challenge to take on next.
