Lone wolf or group rider?

djdnjuan

Joined
Apr 28, 2016
Messages
18
Location
Baltimore, MD
Bike
2001 st1100
I'm a lone wolf rider. I would talk and socialize with any people from any background and any color or any age about anything. I can start conversations at any time and under any circumstances. But when is time to do my own things, I always do it by myself(riding 2up is not a group ridingto me). Like riding my motorcycle. I always do it alone. It doesn't matter if it's 100 miles or 10k miles.
I like not being abide by any rulea about departures, stops, routes etc.

Cons? Who is going to help me in case I'm hanging from a dead tree on a cliff after wondering around?
 
Mostly ride by ourselves. We set our own pace and modify our route on the fly, and don't upset others in the process. We have taken trips with one or two other bikes. No offense to anyone, but I just don't care for riding in a motorcycle parade on trips. Many of our friends do love the crowd, this is just our preference.
 
You really only have to suit yourself since that is the only one you have to please when you ride.
I'm fine by myself, with a friend or two or 30+ riders chasing me all over the Blue Ridge Mountains.
I've found that there is no superiority or enhanced safety with no companions or many companions. :D
Just depends on if you want a little company or not.
I hope this thread does not bring out the old thread worn debate about group riding versus riding alone.
It's worse than a tire, oil or moly thread ... ;-)
 
I like both and do both, depending on the situation. I love riding alone and group-wise, I prefer smaller groups of 3-4 bikes, but have ridden with as many a 20-30 on rare occasions, using the drop/sweep method.
 
I do all the above I like being on my own and I like a group of 3-4 riders or I can follow Phil through the Blue Ridge mountains with 20-30 riders it really all depends on the group.
 
I mostly ride alone... start when I want, stop when I want and as many times as I want, or don't want... lol

I have a handful of friends I'll ride with in a group but I prefer a total of 3 for any group ride of length.. that way you look in each mirror and see who's with you...

But, as Phil said above, YOUR the only one you have to please..
 
Lone wolf and Er Indoors on the back of course.
Although on a long day it's sometimes nice to tag along with some stranger for an hour or two.
I just think it's difficult to please large groups with pace, stops, routes etc, I'm easily pleased and Er Indoors must be, she picked me!
Upt'North.
 
Years ago I had 6 or 7 friends and we rode the hills together for day rides. For any over-night travel it was always just one other married couple. I've been riding solo for the last 15>20 years. I like to set my on pace and stop when I like. The wife hasn't totally stopped being a passenger, but it's more of a novelty to get her on the bike anymore.
 
I ride alone with nobody else because that way you arent bored with too slow a pace and not threatened with going faster than your ability to keep up with others. On trips you get up when you want, gas up when you want, eat when you want, see and do what you want, take a nap when you want, and knock off for the day when you want.

Is there any other way to go? :confused:
 
I mostly ride alone or with a pillion (when I'm that fortunate!) but do enjoy the occasional small group ride (2-4 riders - 5 is the most I have ever ridden with). Those are usually not very short, going anywhere from 200 to 500 miles in a day. I have never ridden in a group for a longer period of time, nor with a larger group. That is still a part of riding I have yet to discover. Perhaps during a STOC event, if I ever get to one. I just probably won't be this year!
 
I always rode by myself before 1999. Smaller bikes and all, but never any group riding, until after I bought my third V45 Sabre. At that time I joined up with the Sabmag group and did a few rides with them with various number of bikes. 2 to 30.

Over the years since, I have changed my thoughts on large rides, too many inexperienced riders and too many close calls to make it enjoyable. So as long as I know where we are going, I'll usually like take the back so I don't have anyone running me over! :eek:4:

My druthers is to ride solo or with one or two others, that I know well!

PikesPeak-3.jpg

This is going up Pike's Peak, and Dave is behind me, in his son's car and I had the two bikes in the back go ahead of me. So, now I'm at the back of the pack, waiting for one of them in front to fall over...which I'm glad to report, neither did! ;)

I'll be up at WeSTOC this year, trailering the bike, since Chris is coming with me, and she doesn't ride beyond a day's ride. And no moteling/hoteling on the :bk13:. We'll see if we do any group riding. Last year, her and I rode around Lake Tahoe by ourselves. Great little ride.
 
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It depends on the group. Toys for Tots or anything like that, no. Uncle Phil and 30 or 40 like minded folks, no problem.
 
Mellow said:
but I prefer a total of 3 for any group ride of length..
Click to expand...

That's how I roll. Otherwise it's me or maybe me and my 'Wing buddy ST buddy or both for breakfast or lunch runs.
 
Mostly lone wolf, and I'm fine with that. Most of my non-commute riding is 1-3 hours, regional. I put on the tunes, go where I want. In many ways, riding is my 'escape' from the cares and concerns of life, so I like it being a 'solo' thing.

Plus the truth is I simply don't fit in with most 'groups'... I'm no "H.O.G." type. Not a 'sport bike / stunting' sort. No tats, wear gear, etc. I rarely have time to do extended/long-distance rides to 'destinations'.

I do go out with one local group maybe once a month... A 'no common theme' group of misfits and whatever. Typically 4-8 riders for half a day or so.

Also go out on longer trips with my dad & brother 1-2x a year for a few days.

I am looking forward to my first st-owners "RTE" event coming up shortly... Though I'll probably get there and back solo.
 
Most of my riding is solo but will often ride in a group at STOC events.
 
I think it comes down to being able to adapt and compromise. When riding with others everyone has to adapt to the others riding style or it will not work. If you like cruising the interstate at 80 and the other don't there has to be a compromise. A long with all the other things that go on during a ride everyone has to compromise. Its recommended it your taking a long trip with others to start out on some short trips first and work out the bugs before the whole trip turns out badly for someone.
 
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