Are you a loner?

[sammyseaman]

When I first started riding street I was 17 and had a couple school chums who rode also and we pretty much rode everywhere together. Into my twenties and early thirties I would ride with others on long trips or random weekends but rarely any other time. Now that I'm.... ahem..... 40   I've noticed that I rarely ride with anybody and have even toured the last couple years alone. This gradual change was not by choice but by life. Life man  . I also notice that I actually like to ride solo most of the time. I don't dislike riding with others but, for me at least, enjoy the "less stress" part of it. Yeah I miss the camaraderie of riders but man it's nice not having to worry if I'm riding too fast, too slow, someone or I have to pee, who's getting hungry, etc....
I hope I'm not becoming one of those ol' curmudgeons who won't ride with anyone  
I know your vote could depend on whether you're touring or just fartin' around or Sunday morning rides but I guess I'm talking in general.

[Orson]

pretty much whut you said.

If I had to wait for people to match vacation times with, I'd never go anywhere  

I did ride thru North Wales with some of the lads from V11lemans.com and had a grand old time, but most of the time it's just me and the bike.

[rabbott5]

My work schedule gives me time off when the average person is working.  Daytime, midweek not to many on the backroads.  

[Rustydust]

I have spent many a pleasant solo ride over the last 40 odd years of riding, and will spend many more. But is sure is handy to have someone along (on their bike- not on the back of mine) if you have any trouble on the road. Having someone to help if you run into any issues such as a flat tire, toss a chain, run out of gas...etc.. sure is nice.

Don't like riding with a group, but one or two others is OK with me. Nice to have someone to eat lunch with and share a motel with on the longer rides as well.

[Wanderer]

Can riding with a pillion but no other bikes count as "ALONE. Stay the feck away" option? Cuz thats how I voted.

[sammyseaman]

Can riding with a pillion but no other bikes count as "ALONE. Stay the feck away" option? Cuz thats how I voted.

Yep!  

[Diablo Rojo]

I ride with a friend that I have ridden with for years.  If he can't go, I go alone.

[Metal Cutter]

I only ever found one other that I cared to ride with. When he moved away I started riding alone. The OP pretty much called it. I just like to roll along and do my own thing. I really don't want to have to think about anything but the bike and the road.

Now riding my dirt scooter is a different story.

[maddjack]

I perfer alone,like the company at the motel or dinner but I like the freedom of flying solo.I always feel that when with others it removes the ability to just change route midstream ,no questions asked.It makes everything well  less planned,more adventure.It has served me well since 75

[black hills]

I'm a loner, and a rebel....there are things about me you wouldn't understand, you couldn't understand......You shouldn't understand...

[falconati]

It doesn't matter, so long as the people I'm riding with don't ride slow.

[UFO]

I can only ride if I'm in a group of 50 other riders and we're in side by side formation, nearly touching handlebars, through every corner we encounter.  I enjoy being allowed to only use 1/4 of my lane.  I enjoy stopping every 10 minutes for (insert random reason here).

 

Okay, I lied.  I typically ride alone.  I'm a hardcore introvert in RL.  I could go weeks without interacting with or seeing another human being and I'd be a happy camper.

[xbud]

Okay, I lied.  I typically ride alone.  I'm a hardcore introvert in RL.  I could go weeks without interacting with or seeing another human being and I'd be a happy camper

 I drink alone as well, does that count?

[forester]

I voted I'd prefer to ride with other people.  I used to have a couple of tight friends who had bikes in the 80s (after I started riding), but neither one of them has bikes anymore and I don't know anyone locally here who really likes to ride on a regular basis.  Ideal would be 2-3 maybe up to 5 friends to go riding with.  Beyond that is a group ride - and although it's okay too, I'd rather have some cool people to hang out with who I already know and hang with for reasons outside S-T

As it is when I ride it's mostly alone.  Most of the time its for work actually.  It's all good - plenty enjoyable - but not as fun for me.

I will spend most of the winter looking for opportunities - for a change of lifestyle pace.  Perhaps I will find a community with an equal amount of privacy and intelligent neighbors who like to shoot the shit, shoot guns and ride - preferably centrally located in the middle of a thousand miles of switchbacks and sweepers.    

[Castaway]

I like riding with others when riding styles sync, and it's okay otherwise, but I mostly ride alone .... cause no one wants to ride with me      

[roadrunner]

I usually ride with my dad and brothers on long trips, although my last trip ended with me yelling at one of my borthers and taking off on my own.
That and my dad is nearing the end of his riding career, so it looks like solo rides from now on.

well at least until my sons are old enough.

[falconati]

I like riding with others when riding styles sync, and it's okay otherwise, but I mostly ride alone .... cause no one wants to ride with me      

Aww  I'll ride with you!


























.....if you can keep up

[Castaway]

Aww  I'll ride with you!


There ya go! I'll meet you in ... Cleveland?  























.....if you can keep up

[Justin]

I prefer to ride alone lately... or with a handful of guys I know well, and I am confident in their riding abilities. I've been on a few group rides with folks I didn't know where one of them went down trying to keep up with the pack leaders.. so I really don't like reading with folks I don't know anymore.

[garry]

I like riding alone so that I can stop and take photos more regularly, plus being free to modify route and pace to suit my mood.

But I also enjoy riding with a small group of people I know and trust. A group of 4 or 6 is OK. Try to avoid larger groups, even if I know/trust everyone.

I've been more reluctant to head out with random strangers I meet on forums, so I don't post as many "public" rides these days. More stuff is set up with email and PMs.

[R.Markus]

A small group of people with the same riding style is optimum...maybe three at the most. I generally only ride with the same few people.

[MK96xj]

When touring I prefer riding alone as I can tailor my schedule as will. Stop to take a pic when I feel and whip it up or stroll along.

There are a handful of people that I will ride with and communicate well with.

[Skee]

I perfer alone,like the company at the motel or dinner but I like the freedom of flying solo.I always feel that when with others it removes the ability to just change route midstream ,no questions asked.It makes everything well  less planned,more adventure.It has served me well since 75

I like that concept - it would fit my style.

I think we could ride alone to meet somewhere together.

[braindead]

Only time I get to ride alone is when commuting, my wife would get peeved if I rode off alone (she rides her own scoot)...  That being said, still have pretty much total freedom on the route planning, change at a whim no problem.  We also ride with a local friend who has the same ride planning ideas... just pick a destination or direction and go. How we get there isn't important, as long as the roads are fun.

[MK96xj]

The other issue I have which occurred to me as I sit in front of my computer doing the same, is when following others i tend to go into brain dead mode This becomes an issue as I tend to loss focus on what's going on. Not good in the event of an emergency.

It's like driving with the cruise on for a LONG period of time.

[sammyseaman]

I like that concept - it would fit my style.

I think we could ride alone to meet somewhere together.

 

[Skyrider4ever]

I prefer and stay alone,I am a mechanic, (retired) and hate riding with people that weren't Prepared for the road,  I do ride with my wife, and my son, but I built their bikes, so I know I won't be workig on them on the road..

BTW, our rides are My 1942 Harley Knuckle, and their two 1947 Knuckleheads!

[braindead]

I prefer and stay alone,I am a mechanic, (retired) and hate riding with people that weren't Prepared for the road,  I do ride with my wife, and my son, but I built their bikes, so I know I won't be workig on them on the road..

BTW, our rides are My 1942 Harley Knuckle, and their two 1947 Knuckleheads!

Excellent.. I always wanted a knuckle...just because 'they say' the knuckleheads rattle themselves apart and the like..said they same thing about my '67 Triumph and I never had a problem..

Got any pics?????  Of the women.. or the bikes... ;-)

[boomerang]

Loner!
I like to go where I go,the way that I go,when I like to go there.
That works best alone.

[JamesG]

Much prefer alone.  I'll occasionally ride with 2 or 3 others. Don't really like riding with my wife, our interests and styles are different (I'm a squid and she is not). But I do because I love her and I like to facilitate her interest in riding.  

[Rembrant]

I voted for: "Prefer alone but don't mind one or two other bikes."

I find it very difficult to get a decent group of *adult* riders together who don't all want to be in charge of the ride....and trying to synchronize time(s) off is just a pain. At least riding alone, I can start and stop when I want, and stop for pictures all friggin' day if I want to...lol. You just can't do that with a group. The trade off,....nobody to share hotel costs with...and nobody to talk to in the evening....lol.

[MDHCO]

Friends who own sport bikes run at a good pace, but generally wear out to soon.  
Friends who own cruisers and touring bikes, generally aren't into twisties or high speed sweepers.  
The companionship when stopping for coffee or a meal is good, but I really enjoy setting my own pace, and going as far as I want.  

[endo]

I prefer to ride alone.  But if I am with another rider or two I prefer to lead the group.  Either way I get to ride at my own pace.

[ninegear]

i ride alone unless i'm going over 100 miles. thats when i ask for company. usually winds up in groups of 3.

[flips21]

I could go both ways.  I enjoy 100 mile plus rides alone without a care in the world.  Throw in some companions and the social benifits outwiegh the drawbacks of riding with the herd.  

As long as I get out.  That is all that matters.

Flip

[MisterSmooth]

I could go both ways.  I enjoy 100 mile plus rides alone without a care in the world.  Throw in some companions and the social benefits outweigh the drawbacks of riding with the herd.  

As long as I get out.  That is all that matters.

Flip

Yeah, I'm with you there Flip.  Either way is good.

Riding by yourself is great because you stop when you feel like it, when you forget to put your damn earplugs in you don't hold up six other guys when you pull over to fix it, and when you hear about something along the way that interests you, you can stop and check it out without worrying if the other guys want to stop and find out about Boontling, or the West Coast Air Museum, or whatever.

And for me, I tend to meet more people when I'm traveling alone.

However...riding with mates is a top experience too.    It's a treat to be able to share a good day riding with like minded people.  And if God forbid something goes horribly wrong, it sure is nice to have some backup.  Someone to pick up the pieces or to suggest that maybe the reason your fucking bike won't start is because you accidentally pushed the kill switch.  

But big groups suck.    I'd say the maximum fun group is about six; after that it gets unwieldy.

[Blunder]

Yeah, I'm with you there Flip.  Either way is good.

Riding by yourself is great because you stop when you feel like it, when you forget to put your damn earplugs in you don't hold up six other guys when you pull over to fix it, and when you hear about something along the way that interests you, you can stop and check it out without worrying if the other guys want to stop and find out about Boontling, or the West Coast Air Museum, or whatever.

And for me, I tend to meet more people when I'm traveling alone.

However...riding with mates is a top experience too.    It's a treat to be able to share a good day riding with like minded people.  And if God forbid something goes horribly wrong, it sure is nice to have some backup.  Someone to pick up the pieces or to suggest that maybe the reason your fucking bike won't start is because you accidentally pushed the kill switch.  

But big groups suck.    I'd say the maximum fun group is about six; after that it gets unwieldy.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Bravo, smoothie!  

Years ago, when dinosaurs like Laverda SFCs roamed the earth, I was fortunate enough to hook up with like-minded individuals and we rode the backroads of CA as a group of friends. It was good times but as time passed we, one by one, went off on our own ways. 10 years ago it was my turn to leave.

In this new place I've managed to meet new people who share my riding desires yet it's not the same. We're older now and have different priorities and commitments. So now I'm a solo rider.

[R.Markus]

BTW, our rides are My 1942 Harley Knuckle, and their two 1947 Knuckleheads!

 

[phoenix]

On road, I prefer to ride alone in general. Had a few recent rides with other folks who wanted to be going on rural roads at 100+. Nah, no thanks. I'd like to keep me license, thank you very much.

Off road, well, I haven't done this yet but hope to next year. In this case, I think I would like to be with a group of other people checking out some trails and whatnot.

[skippy69]

I like to ride alone. But usually I'm with at least one other rider. Usually it is my wife on her Yamaha Majesty or my friend Ken on his ZX14.
But somedays I like to go out and ride at my own pace,maybe slowly or fast on a curvy backroad. I like to decide.

[Jeremy Z]

For me, it depends on the group. Our Region 4 group knows about The Pace, so I generally don't mind being in this pack.

I've also been in other packs in which I questioned my sanity.

Alone, is safer in some respects (less likely to target fixate on the leader instead of the road) but worse in others. (visibility to cagers)

It's one of those questions where the gray area between the two extremes really does matter. I'm a better rider for having ridden in certain groups.

[XLR8]

I love riding alone and I also enjoy riding with a few friends here on ST.N

However, I really really dislike being rushed, eating at dives, or riding with riders who get ants in their pants about getting an "early start" for no reason.

[Magnarider]

I enjoy riding with one or two other people, preferably ones.  I find that I really enjoy the opportunity to stop and talk about things along the ride or share experiences with people while we're out.  That does not mean, however, that I won't ride unless I have someone with me.  That's just silly.

[Busy Little Whiner]

I'm happy riding solo or with a gaggle of sportbikes... I only feel like a loner when I'm banned...

[sammyseaman]

I'm happy riding solo or with a gaggle of sportbikes... I only feel like a loner when I'm banned...

  Screw those jack-asses.

[chornbe]

When I'm in the mood to ride alone, I like to ride ALONE. That means don't invite yourself along.

When I'm in the mood to ride group, 8 bikes is a LOT. I prefer groups of 3-4 total.

[denisep]

I ride alone most of the time, but I love to ride with guys who ride the same way I do...

the tough part is finding folks who ride the same way you do...  

My friend Rick is the best riding partner--  we have a start time, and an ending time and not much more planning than that--  we don't need smoke breaks, and we'll ride 3 hours to a waterfall that he wants to take pictures of.   He's faster than me, so he usually leads, but he doesn't mind me taking the front if I know where we're going.

(now I'm jonzing for a nice all day parkway ride!!)

[chornbe]

(now I'm jonzing for a nice all day parkway ride!!)

Me too. (sigh)

[ConPilot1]

(now I'm jonzing for a nice all day parkway ride!!)

Me too. (sigh)

best 2 days of my summer this year. Waynesboro to Bryson City on the BRP (double sigh)

[ConPilot1]

what an asswipe. I'd tell him to stick his friggin' club straight up his rearend.
Who the hell would want to be affiliated with that??

[wibornz]

I ride..... alone or with others....I ride don't care just as long as the miles roll on......  I ride.

[R Doug]

Prefer alone but don't mind one or two other bikes*


I do prefer alone.  But, there are a handful of friends who I do enjoy riding with.  They may not enjoy riding with me, but I do enjoy riding with them.  

[SWriverstone]

Yep...I also voted "Prefer alone but 1-2 other bikes is fine." (But I'd rather know them.)

I ride alone partly because of what's been said---it's safer and I stay focused. But motorcycling for me is also a Zen-like, contemplative thing...a way for me to get away from the masses of humanity. So lots of other riders would spoil that!

Having said that, a larger group is okay once in a while (like at STN meets) as long as I'm prepared for it, and get myself into the "Okay, you're just gonna be a follower and a gadfly today" mindset.

This thread now has me wondering...could we say that "Sport-touring riders mostly ride alone?" (Or is that not accurate?) I mean, we have 300 respondents in this poll (almost) and the vast majority prefer riding alone.

Scott

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Alone or with others

[ice-cycle]

Mostly I ride alone, but I have done day rides, and even a trip with others.  Mostly it depends on the company.  

I won't ride with yahoos, showoffs, or speedsters.

[evilted]

Part of the reason I enjoy riding is to dispense with the drama that's inherent any time two or more people need to coordinate their activities.  Riding solo it's just me and the bike passing through the scenery.

But riding with a small group (1 to 3 others) can be fun, particularly if fairly evenly matched in terms of riding skill, inclination (liking the same type of roads), and having similar ideas about riding etiquette (e.g., not riding my wheel when you're behind me, sitting in my blind spot, passing me while sharing my lane, or doing wheelies as you depart every stoplight and stop sign).

[skater69]

I just turned 40 too and almost always ride alone.  If someone calls me and wants to ride, I will.  Occasionally I'll meet up for a group ride posted online. But usually I like the freedom of doing what I want, for how long..etc.

[Papa Lazarou]

Long journeys-I prefer to ride alone, at my own speed, seeing things I find interesting, meeting new people and stuff.

Gallivanting around the countryside on a weekend is quite fun with a friend or two.

commuting-no choice really.

[Doug Just Doug]

I'm a loner, and a rebel....there are things about me you wouldn't understand, you couldn't understand......You shouldn't understand...

I know you are, but what am I?

(Oh, and go your own way on the road; I'll see ya later at the food stop/pub/rally).