Why I prefer to ride alone (even if I do enjoy the company)

[motodog650]

Get yourself a SPOT Tracker...that way those who you have left behind can track your progress...and, if you should have a mishap, the tracker can help guide emergency response folks to where you are...

Cheap peace of mind...especially if you are traveling alone.

Yeah, what he said. Lost a friend a few years back who went down hard, out of sight in a remote area. They found him 8-9 days later, figured he survived the first two. It's an invaluable investment.

What they said. Probably ride solo 85% of the time. Don't leave home without the Spot...

[ConPilot1]

^^^This^^^

I have 2-3 friends who have similar riding styles, are safety conscious and no-drama.  Riding with them improves the experience.  Otherwise, I prefer to ride alone.

Yup. +1

I think it's a great social opportunity to ride with others, and can be fun. Nice to share scenes, memorable spots, lunches + good times with others.

However I think it's key to find riders who are comfortable with your pace and you with their pace as well as overall riding style.

[Dan K]

I like both.  Went riding with a group I didn't know this summer - knew a few of the guys, but had never ridden with them.  It was interesting - immediately found a sub-group I was happy riding with, and later on, when we met up with the rider I knew (he was on a new Multi, majority of bikes were Harleys, with one F800ST), he and I left everyone behind.  Worked out for everyone, and the gas stops and meals are a blast. This was about 16 people.

My usual group rides are 3-4 people, tops, and I do lots of solo riding between Chicago and Michigan.

All in all, I'm usually happy riding regardless of who it's with, but have no desire to do those big parade rides with 100's of bikes, like toys for tots, or what not....In my personal experience, of the riders I've come across, I've found that the majority of people on motorcycles probably shouldn't be on motorcycles... kinda scary.

-Dan

[R Doug]

After some thought, I suppose my REAL thought on this topic is I prefer to ride in small groups with select folks.  But, when it comes to other group rides, I would prefer to ride alone.

That said, how do you decline group rides without coming across as a dick?  In the past, I've simply said to groups of people, "I don't ride in groups."

[Justin]

That said, how do you decline group rides without coming across as a dick?

Just tell them they are too fast for you    

[R Doug]

Brilliant!  That way they will take that excuse as a badge of honor.  

[Bill-Z]

I ride with my wife regularly and enjoy it, for the most part.  Funny thing is, when she leads, she runs along at a pretty good clip, but if traffic somehow causes our positions to shift and she is following, she becomes very slow and I have to be careful not to run off and leave her.  She just drags along behind.\

I have taken several solo trips and have enjoyed each adventure for the opportunity and freedom the orginal poster mentioned.  I reveal in the freedom to turn off on a spontaneous jaunt for no reason without having to justify my actions to anyone.  I would like to make a trip with my wife but I know that she will not feel comfortable with my foolish side road antics.  If we manage to get away, it will need to be more planned and structured.  I thought I'd want to have radios but have learned lately that it wouldn't help with these types of off the plan wanderings.  She just doesn't deal with these types of things very well.  I've come to learn that if I just do it, and let on like it was planned, it works better and is much more fun than trying to sell her on an idea.

I've ridden with larger groups and don't really like it much, but will probably continue to join in because I just love to ride and almost any opportunity is a good excuse to mount and and ride!

[maddjack]

I didn't think you had any fear of rain Doug, respect for less traction but fear,   As far a declining rides , just be polite but firm and tell them , hey I have tried it, it isn't really my thing.

[viffergyrl]

After some thought, I suppose my REAL thought on this topic is I prefer to ride in small groups with select folks.  But, when it comes to other group rides, I would prefer to ride alone.

That said, how do you decline group rides without coming across as a dick?  In the past, I've simply said to groups of people, "I don't ride in groups."

I didn't think you had any fear of rain Doug, respect for less traction but fear,   As far a declining rides , just be polite but firm and tell them , hey I have tried it, it isn't really my thing.

A simple 'No thank you' should suffice.   If you feel you need to say more, how about 'No thank you; I have other plans for that day.' Which is true.   Just because people don't like the answer doesn't mean you are a dick.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

When my boss told me what one of the co-workers said about my riding, I replied, "you have to understand that I have countless miles of experience when it comes to riding in the rain.

Yeah, but where were you when it came time to cross rivers, dammit?  

[glory racing]

After some thought, I suppose my REAL thought on this topic is I prefer to ride in small groups with select folks.  

how do you decline group rides without coming across as a dick?  In the past, I've simply said to groups of people, "I don't ride in groups."

+1 That is much better stated.

Regarding turning down group rides...I live in the heart of the twisties and am challenged with it all the time.  What works for me is stating, "Thanx for the invite but I already have a ride/route plannned.  It should be a great day for a ride...hopefully our paths cross somewhere along the route.  Yall have fun and I'll be looking for ya."

[R Doug]

Yeah, but where were you when it came time to cross rivers, dammit?  

 

[Smoker]

I feel your pain Doug.

I was at a family gathering (wifes) a couple of months ago, where her uncles and aunts were all there. One of her uncles rides a Sportster, just started riding about 2 years ago. He and a couple other of her aunts and uncles got me cornered at one point (I was trying to read a book) and started talking to me about my reputed fast paced riding style, how dangerous it is, especially when Andrea is on board, you've got 2 boys to think about.... It felt like an intervention. They couldn't believe I could ride a bike like that for hundreds of miles a day, let alone day after day for weeks....

I calmly asked them if they had ever ridden a sportbike. (I know, I ride a FJR, back off) And then asked if any of them had any advanced training in motorcycling. Then I asked Mr. Sportster if he wears any riding gear when he rides. That shut em up.

[maddjack]

Yeah, but where were you when it came time to cross rivers, dammit?  

[Mr_Gone]

"I Ride Alone"
by Lee Clayton

It’s another night in Los Angeles
My passport is restless in my boot
And my thoughts they take wings to wonder
Get up they say man vamoose
And I think about my thoughts of Paris
Of fine wine, women and precious things
And I think about my life on the midnight highway
The life of a renegade king

Twenty years they’ve called me a bandit
Twenty years I’ve been on the run
Twenty years defending my honor
Twenty years harming no one
And I ride
I ride alone, yes I ride, I ride alone

They say there goes a strange one
He sits back to the wall
Noticing conversation
And rarely speaking at all
And he rides, he rides alone
Yes he rides, he rides alone

It’s true I’m not much on talking
It’s true there’s not much I know
But one thing I’ve learned for certain
That you reap whatever you sow
And you ride, you ride alone
Yes you ride, you ride alone

There’s a hawk high in the heavens
A truly magnificent bird
He waits on wings of silver
To bring the glorious word
And he flies, he flies alone
Yes he flies, he flies alone

[Mr_Gone]

I ride alone. I ride my own pace. My schedule is my own. I stop when I want to stop. I ride fast when I want to ride fast. I ride slow when I want to ride slow. I eat where I want. I sleep where I want. No drama whatsoever.

[CosmicCowboy]

Some of my best rides have been with a group. Some of my worst rides have been with a group.

Some of them have been the same ride.

[GRN]

I ride alone. I ride my own pace. My schedule is my own. I stop when I want to stop. I ride fast when I want to ride fast. I ride slow when I want to ride slow. I eat where I want. I sleep where I want. No drama whatsoever.

Yup.

[DrD]

George Thorogood said it best:

I drink alone, yeah
With nobody else
I drink alone, yeah
With nobody else
You know when I drink alone
I prefer to be by myself

Every morning just before breakfast
I don't want no coffee or tea
Just me and good buddy Wiser
That's all I ever need
'Cause I drink alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I drink alone
I prefer to be by myself

The other night I laid sleeping
And I woke from a terrible dream
So I caught up my pal Jack Daniel's
And his partner Jimmy Beam
And we drank alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I drink alone
I prefer to be by myself

The other day I got invited to a party
But I stayed home instead
Just me and my pal Johnny Walker
And his brothers Black and Red
And we drank alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I drink alone
I prefer to be by myself

My whole family done give up on me
And it makes me feel oh so bad
The only one who will hang out with me
Is my dear Old Grand-Dad
And we drink alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I drink alone
I prefer to be by myself

[hexkopf]

I agree with this 100%. With work and home (mother in law in the house, 3 and 5 year old) the only time I am truly alone and enjoying my life is when I am on my motorcycle...alone.

Also I would rather ride with someone who is a crap rider and cool to hang with as opposed to a total douchebag who's riding skills mesh with mine. One can dream.