Makes sense. Thanks for the input.
Myself? Not a fan of compromise. I'm -able- to adapt and compromise... just don't wanna. I like riding at 90, you like riding at 70? Cool on you. Buh-bye.
Lone wolf or group rider?
- Thread starter djdnjuan
- Start date
Makes sense. Thanks for the input.
Myself? Not a fan of compromise. I'm -able- to adapt and compromise... just don't wanna. I like riding at 90, you like riding at 70? Cool on you. Buh-bye.
To borrow a line from W.C. Fields:
"I wouldn't ride with any group that would have me as a member"
Except for maybe this one...
I really enjoy riding alone with my thoughts.
"I wouldn't ride with any group that would have me as a member"
Except for maybe this one...
I really enjoy riding alone with my thoughts.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2007
- Messages
- 78
- Bike
- 1999 ST 1100
I'm guessing that 85% of the miles I've put on my bike have been with my wing(wo)man Deb as we enjoy riding together and know how the other person rides. It takes a lot of my decision making out of the equation as I just have to go where she tells me, stop when she wants to and travel at her pace. I've probably got about 10% riding with other close friends or small groups (less than 4 bikes), 2% with larger groups (aka chasing Uncle Phil through Tennessee, West Virginia, Montana, Idaho & Washington) and perhaps 3% solo riding.
I did a 10 day, 5,500 mile solo ride across the southern US a couple of years ago and enjoyed the freedom to ride as far as I wanted to each day, get off anytime it suited me and set my own pace, but overall, I far prefer having Deb along with me to talk to at supper time and to relive the experiences of the day. Everybody is different and I'm just thankful I have a partner who is willing to put the miles on with me. During the winter of 2016-17, she started talking about switching over to a convertible sports car, but once we talked about it in more detail, we decided the better solution was to get her a lighter, lower bike that she could be more comfortable with, so after 340,000 km., we retired her ST and she got onto a CTX 700. 1 month later, we rode back to North Carolina then up the eastern seaboard to Maine before turning back west. It was about 9,000 miles in 30 days, so not as many miles/day, but I enjoyed it a lot more than the solo trip.
I did a 10 day, 5,500 mile solo ride across the southern US a couple of years ago and enjoyed the freedom to ride as far as I wanted to each day, get off anytime it suited me and set my own pace, but overall, I far prefer having Deb along with me to talk to at supper time and to relive the experiences of the day. Everybody is different and I'm just thankful I have a partner who is willing to put the miles on with me. During the winter of 2016-17, she started talking about switching over to a convertible sports car, but once we talked about it in more detail, we decided the better solution was to get her a lighter, lower bike that she could be more comfortable with, so after 340,000 km., we retired her ST and she got onto a CTX 700. 1 month later, we rode back to North Carolina then up the eastern seaboard to Maine before turning back west. It was about 9,000 miles in 30 days, so not as many miles/day, but I enjoyed it a lot more than the solo trip.
I envy you. Despite my 'lone wolf' mentality and mostly being happy with it, the one riding companion I'd really welcome is my woman. I'd love to go roaming together, let her decide stops, eats, etc. But of all the reasons I love my wife and stick with her through thick and thin, riding together just isn't one. :-(
Regrettably, she's just not into it. I've tried cajoling. I've tried enticing. I've bought (and sold) at least 4 bikes hoping she'd cleave to them. I've spent untold sums making the pillion seat warm, comfy and enticing. No dice.
I'm very happy to hear that it's working for you though. Appreciate and enjoy it. We don't all have it.
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I mostly ride solo or in groups of 2-4 on weekend rides. I've been known to take off across the country with Randy/Della, Uncle Phil, Charlie, John, Tommy, and we have always had a great time and for most part adjusted to the agenda well. With Randy you never know, one minute you're 20 min. from your destination and then after a couple of turns and some twisty roads we are suddenly an hour away!
No parade rides but a spirited drop and sweep group ride at a STOC event is always fun.
No parade rides but a spirited drop and sweep group ride at a STOC event is always fun.
You can still get a good deal on a DeLorme inReach SE for considerably less than the Garmin equivalent. (Garmin bought out DeLorme.) Even if you don't have someone waiting for you when you get home, it'll let the cops know where to find your body.
I like riding with others, and having a BT headset to talk with. But it has to be the right person. With one guy from church, we rarely say anything. But the BT headset does add to the experience. And he likes my pace and is more than content to stop when I want to stop and take a picture. It's nice having someone you can stand around looking at a scenic view and not have to say anything. And then there's another friend who also bought a BT headset, and we talk constantly. It's like having your best friend in the front seat of the car while taking a road trip. And again, he likes the pace I take.
And both guys ride safe. I trust them. I don't have to worry about what they are doing behind me. When we get into traffic, they suck up the distance. When we get out in the country, they are back quite aways riding their own ride.
Chris
And, apart from the untold sums on many bikes, that is the perfect summary of my situation.
I've ridden with a group of very disciplined riders for the past two years as a member of the moto-escort team on the Face of America bike tour, and on a few occasions with people at ST-O events. Apart from that limited experience, it's been 99% solo and 1% in the company of one, or at most two, other riders. And in those cases the riders were mostly known to me beforehand.
BakerBoy
It's all small stuff.
Solo 99%.
Same here. Other than a couple yearly rides with the wife as passenger, I ride alone. The only time I've had a riding companion is the rare occasion when a high school buddy and I get together and plan a day. We raced/rode dirt bikes together in our teens a lot and after growing up he moved long distance. Years later he moved back and was still riding and became a motorcycle safety instructor. He's very skilled and a great riding partner. Been a couple years since our last day trip. Ran into him at the auto parts store a couple weeks ago and reviewed the fact that we shouldn't be so busy and get out more.
Yesterday I was returning from work in the rural country up here and within five miles I saw a coyote, a lynx, and a wolf. Only the second wild Lynx I've seen and the first ever in home state of MN. I was sort of stoked about the Lynx!
Mostly lone wolf, and I'm fine with that for the ride to an event or a trip. When I get to an event I do enjoy a drop and sweep or just riding with 1 or 2 friends. I always enjoy when the wife rides along but I have to modify how far I go in a day so not to wear her out. When I'm by myself I will be looking for a spot to camp at 2 or 3 in the morning. I do enjoy the night riding and most times will leave in the evening just so I can ride all night, I do sleep good the next night.
Well, after 40 plus years of riding I guess i'm versatile. I enjoy riding with club members or solo rides. Doesn't matter. Only time it does matter is when you have 50 plus motorcycles and 30 riders you don't know how they ride.
I am in that happy minority with a pillion that loves to ride. But not maybe for as long as I would like. We did the Pacific Coast (Highway 1) this May but she would have preferred somewhat shorter days ( we had a plane for her to catch in Vancouver ). Other than drop/sweep group rides at STOC events, I prefer to ride alone. I don't have a regular riding buddy and tend to be very wary of riders I don't know as many have control issues....
There are other members here I have ridden with and that is always a pleasant experience (unless my GPS leads us into the bush on logging roads...) I just don't live that close to many that have time when I do and vice versa. So I guess it depends.
There are other members here I have ridden with and that is always a pleasant experience (unless my GPS leads us into the bush on logging roads...) I just don't live that close to many that have time when I do and vice versa. So I guess it depends.
cybervet
Site Supporter
I'm in the Lone Wolf group. I enjoy a pillion once in a while. I enjoy riding with my primary riding partner. But I feel to full benefit of riding when I'm alone. The bike, the road, my music and the wind let my mind be calm and get away from the chaos of daily life for a little while.
Mostly alone, on the road. I have 2-3 close friends I have been riding with for years, maximum group I will join is four. Parades and fund raisers do not count.
Off road, never, ever alone.
Off road, never, ever alone.
TMUS
MSF Instructor 32 years
Lone wolf, 
no other way will do. Two riders together is one too many.
A group is only as good as it's weakest rider, I only trust myself.
no other way will do. Two riders together is one too many. A group is only as good as it's weakest rider, I only trust myself.
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I ride mostly solo, like said above, the start, end, stops, and food are whatever and whenever I want. There are only 4 riders that I would ride with any time that would not affect any of those things. I have ridden in a group as large as 20, wide variety of experience levels. I've had sport bikes pass me only to slow down the entire group. .and others pass me while riding up a mountain pass and almost hitting me. I've also ridden with the more "seasoned" crowd who was more interested in riding 10 miles below the posted speed limit and then complained that my route was too long(even though I posted the exact mileage and route). So like anything else, I think solo and group is formed by personal experiences. . . .
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Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
I enjoy the fellowship with a few friends at church that ride. We try to ride together once a month. Sometimes only 3 bike but we have had as many as 25. The better the food the higher the bike count will be. But mostly I ride solo because that is what I enjoy the most.
Just got back from a 4k miles ride out west. It started as a group ride but after 2 days I could not handle it anymore and went on my own. Pace, stops, where to sleep, what time to eat or gas up were all factors. They say strength is in the numbers but what's the point if you're not enjoying yourself. Riding a whining, curvy road at speed limit or below is a waste, need little more speed for that adrenaline rush. Lone wolf for me.
Mophead
Site Supporter
Lone wolf here pretty much. Went to Key West in March of 17 with seven others though. I was the only non Harley. I've known these guys for many years and they ride their bikes past the bar and on down the road. We set to leave everyday at first light and everyone was always packed up, filled up, and ready to roll. I left them on the way home as they had a prior tour of a steel plant where they buy from and I didn't have time to take that detour so back home alone. I did get my picture taken with Big Daddy Don Garlits at his hot rod museum and found new roads in Georgia and Alabama that I had not traveled.
But most of my miles have been alone. Much less hassle that way.
But most of my miles have been alone. Much less hassle that way.