The Desire to Chat Longer on Hikes and Bike Rides

I was perfectly happy hiking in solitude for years in a row, but eventually, as normal life returned, after the pandemic I felt a sense of isolation, especially on weekends. I would see groups walking together and I longed to revert to that habit. Eventually I did and now for more than a year I have been on regular group hikes and bike rides.

I enjoy group hikes and bike rides but as an introvert I usually don’t start speaking with people near the end of an event, and if the event comes to an end then I usually don’t see people again for weeks, or even months. The result is that despite knowing hundreds of cyclists and hikers at this point, my solitude remains the same.

A few weeks ago I wanted to converse with someone, but I didn’t get an opportunity until the end of the ride, and then I wanted to put something in the bin, and that person took it as a signal to go home. I might not see that person until next cycling season now.

It happened again yesterday. I was chatting with someone but the road conditions changed so the conversation was cut short, and then we were too fast, or too occupied to talk more. It felt like a good conversation, but it was cut short again.

The same occurs during hikes, and via ferrata and more. As an introvert I rarely ask for names, and numbers, so despite having interest in individuals I rarely follow up. At the same time, my interest in others is regular, so, rationally, not following up does not change much.

Introverts and Cycling and Hiking

A few weeks ago we were sitting at a café riding from Morges to Geneva and one side of the table was quiet, while the other was chatty. It was mentioned that in a group of cyclists, almost everyone is an introvert. It makes sense that cyclists, and probably hikers are introverts. If we were extroverts we’d choose sports that involve teamwork and collaboration. Cycling, and hiking, are solitary. Reverie d’un promeneur solitaire proves it.

And Finally

When we were cycling through the vineyards I slowed down, to focus on the road. When there was the Molard climb I felt plenty of energy so I climbed fast enough to beat my previous time by two minutes. Due to conditions, and this being a relatively short ride I didn’t get as much time as I would have liked for a conversation.

This is positive. I’m ready for longer social rides.