On the road alone on ya Tenere...

[tenbob]

Been into the touring/camping side of bikes for a few years now n got a fair few trips under my belt in the UK n across the channel to France, etc. Lots of 1 or 2 night trips n a few week long ones. Thing is, I've always had company with me, be it one mate or many... Never yet done a road trip on me own tho. Question is, am I missing out here? Not got the best mechanical skills, but feel having this dependable bike, that shouldn't be an issue. Not that UK riding will leave too many miles from civilisation anyhows... Think the main thing I ponder is do ya get alot from the experience of being alone on any trip? Being on a Super Ten now, I seem to be more itching than ever to find out, but meanwhile while I sit on my hands n debate the possibility, wonder if many of you guys do ya rides n camps on ya lonesome, specially on this great bike we all share...

 

[oldbear]

I'm solo most of the time. The S10 is a great reliable ride, so no issues there. I've found most folks to be friendly and helpful Get a decent "road service" plan in case of a mechanical popping up (I've got the AMA plan here in the states) and get out and enjoy. You'll find a wonderful sense of independence, freedom, etc "going it" alone. Enjoy the ride!

 

[davev333]

I do like to ride alone sometimes you kind of loose yourself hard to explain but i surpose the lone camping is tagged on to just being another part of that experience. sure the bike will be fine aa,rac ect anyway, to put the worries to one side.

It would be great mate all alone in the wilds of scotland not another sole for miles sounds brilliant ill come with you lol

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I think riding trips solo and with a partner both offer their own experiences and trials. I prefer to ride solo but sometimes I like to have company with me. Usually if the trip is off pavement or something similar to a backcountry discovery route, I want a partner. I've done several IBA trips solo and prefer that. It allows me the freedom to choose pace, stops and length of time riding each day.

 

[barkingllizard]

Solo for the most...
1. my choices, my ride, my destinations.
2. I don't like people much.....

 

[Scoobynut]

It's not that I don't like people, I just feel better when they're not around...

Seriously though, I love riding alone; I always seem to be waiting for other people for this, that or the other thing when I ride with other people. The delays and diversions seem to multiply in proportion to the amount of people tagging along.

 

[Koinz]

Riding isn't really a team sport. Once you're on the bike, it's just you and the bike. I enjoy a nice solo ride with the freedom to do what I want to do.
take your time and enjoy the ride. ::001::

 

[Hungry Tiger]

I'm all over this thread. Thank you all for quantifying my feelings. The reliability of our S10's makes the solo adventures anxiety free too.

 

[Scoobynut]

Another thing I really like about flyin' solo is that conscious feeling of awareness you have about the presence of another rider is completely absent when you're alone. No looking ahead at the rider you're following or checking your mirrors for the rider who's following you. Two wheeled solitude is better than company IMO, but that's just me. If you're thinking about doing it, TenBob, something is telling you to, or is at least whispering in your ear that you should. Let us know how you liked it when you get back.

And, as Hungry Tiger said, if you're on an S10 the bike should and most likely will be the least thing you worry about.

 

[Firefight911]

21 days, over 8300 miles, did an Iron Butt 50CC......all solo! Total problems on road....one. I blew a headlight bulb. Camped, friends, hotels, on road, off road. It did it all. Go forth and have fun!!! You WILL regret it if you don't.

 

[Ramseybella]

95% of the time Solo, don't need to see a great place pass me by that is worth seeing when other fools don't pay much attention to, I just stop and reflect on the moment.
It always seems some little special moment happens when your on your own Traveling, something you feel has just been set for you and you only. that special something that you will always remember from time to time in your life and sets that personal smile on your face, knowing it was a great day that day. ::008::
Sit at the fire listen to it crackle watch the sunset or the stars searching for a falling star or a tiny satellite pass overhead and listen to Coyotes in the distance.
It is some of my most peaceful moments and glad I have a bike that I don't have to feel worried about that makes it happen..
like being a Cowboy with his Horse.

Damn I am jonesing for a camp out right now, my gear is always ready to go but the weather sucks at this moment!! :-[

 

[Jonny675]

Over the years my friends have got rid of their bikes,and I always camp were ever I go I always have .most of my friends were not fussed they preferred B&B.so I tour mostly on my own.i do long weekends up at fort william and accross to the Lake District,also done Normandy a few times on my own.you can stop when you want dictate the pace fast or steadie,choose your own routes,I broke down in France last year loads of people stopped to offer help.once I pitched up at campsites there is always people to chat too.dont get me wrong though I do like touring with people as well,however mostly I seem to be Billy no mates ;D

 

[tenbob]

Some great thoughts n reflections there guys... ::008:: For the most I've enjoyed the group trips I've done. It can be nice to reflect with someone the experience's you've shared on that day, but theres the flip with a group. Alot of the possible experiences in front of my nose pass me by as there always seems to be a rushed time schedule, someones cracking the whip, or ya loves n interests aren't another guys thing.. . I like photography, the countryside and historical stuff like castles (soz you US chaps not having any of these.., well you have got the Disney one! ). I often want to pull up, take it all in n capture the moment with a photo or 2. Just nice stopping for cuppa's too. Always tried to instill the journey is as important as the destination. Seems time for beer at the end of the day is more important to some. I've ride quite alot on my own, having a nice place like the Peak District on my doorstep helps n I always enjoy the freedom that entails on this short rideouts.. To de-stress n basically think about not alot does wonders for the mind... Seems daft the progression of touring and camping have never fell at my feet. Gonna have to change this n sooner than later! Since I bought my Superten n after now putting a few K on the clock, I really have an underlying excitement for the future. Its an awesome machine n sure it will look after me just fine on the road. Not being morbid here, but don't want to let time pass me by, specially while I have my basic health... Mmmm... where toplan to go? Back to the highlands of Scotland maybe... ::001::

 

[tenbob]

Damn, its bloody cold, raining n winter out there!! :'(
Oh well, got time to dream up me cunning plans... ;D

 

[Brick]

Interesting... I used to camp but just don't enjoy it any more... everyone has there own thing. I sure do enjoy traveling however.
I'm to the age where I get up a few times each night and that's a pain when you camp. I've also got aches and pains I didn't used to have... I just motel camp now. I think back fondly of y'all camping.

 

[Texasten]

The Eagle soars alone!!! ;D

 

[Checkswrecks]

Interesting... I used to camp but just don't enjoy it any more... everyone has there own thing. I sure do enjoy traveling however.
I'm to the age where I get up a few times each night and that's a pain when you camp. I've also got aches and pains I didn't used to have... I just motel camp now. I think back fondly of y'all camping.

+1
I never was a huge camper but did more than now.
Now, I have good gear and will sometimes camp, but more often leave it on the bike and seek out a nice motel bed at the end of a long day.


While I do love to ride with my honey, riding and camping solo is great for all the reasons Tenbob and others listed. I also find that stopping somewhere with the bike loaded tends to draw people like a magnet. This is especially true with the travel stickers on the panniers and suddenly you don't need to be alone. Or can choose to not engage and be as alone as you want.

 

[superjet]

I have almost always ridden with a group. It was a great group of people and I imagine we had ridden over 100,000 miles together. Over the years, attrition took it's toll on the group in the form of people moving, selling bikes and having families. In the past few years since the group kind of fell apart, I haven't taken any long rides. This year, I had a ton of vacation to use and the ST in my garage, so I took three weeks off and did something I have always wanted to do. I followed the NHRA drag races on the Western Swing by myself. Long story short, it was simply the vacation that all others will be compared to. Sometimes I camped, sometimes I did hotels. I ate when I wanted, I pulled over to take pictures of what I wanted. If I saw something that was of any interest to me at all, I would stop. The drag races quickly became a secondary objective and the trip and the experiences it provided became primary.
The second morning I was in a little town in Eastern Washington getting gas and an older guy in a truck pulled up next to me and started B.S.ing with me. He was retired and it was obvious he had no concept of time. I started getting antsy and wanted to get on the road. That was when I realized I really had no agenda and talking to locals about the area I was in was going to be the best part of the trip, and it was.
If you haven't traveled by yourself on a motorcycle for any length of time, I highly recommended it.

I started thinking about where I am going to go next year the day I got back.

 

[cb0802]

My wife travels every summer to visit her family in Upper Michigan, and I ride the bike to meet her. Door to door is just over 1,000 miles.
My first year I did the trip in a day, and got my Saddle Sore patch to prove it. The next year I took two full days, and camped heading up and coming back. Last summer I had over 2,000 miles on the odometer before I even got there. It's kind of a joke with her family now that on my way there I cross the Mississippi River twice and it's 500 miles out of my way.
I spend my entire life surrounded by people. Work, school, shopping, commuting, you name it.
When I get the opportunity to head out on the bike for a day or two, I like to do it alone. Ride where I want, when I want, and at my own pace. If I decide to take on an extra 100 miles in a day, I can. If I want to stop early because kick-off is at 1:00 (GO PACK!), I do. I take the gear to camp, but can get a hotel if I choose. There are not many opportunities in life to do something you love with no input from anyone else.
I'm sure group riding has it's merits, but if I want camaraderie, I'll join a bowling league.

 

[ExTriumphExp]

Make a rough plan of plces to see etc & hit the road bob, I had a 24 year break from bikes & took of round europe for a couple of weeks on a 21 year old Yam XJ900F on my own. Best idea I had in a long time, you just go where you want, when you want at the pace you want & stop off to take pics & visit where/when you want. I went this year with 2 guys I know from a bike club, one hadnt been to europ before & couldnt hack the riding in the twisties, one couldnt ride a bike full stop he was a proper BS merchant. The third guy was lont time mates with the BS merchant & a future brother in law of the other guy. we ended up parting before things got too silly. I also had more conversations with the locals after I split up & it made for a more enjoyable time. If your traveling plus one id try to keep it too 2/3 max, 4 at a push & make sure you ALL have the same agenda before leaving & more importantly have some idea of each other riding abilities.

Get yourself some good travel Insurance Bob making sure you are covered for actually riding your own bike, some breakdown insurance & a good puncture repair kit with a small compressor & go. If your camping in France & use the municipal camp site your looking at as little as 6 euro a night at some for a bike, tent & one person. There will be good shower facilities at all of the muni sites & there normally within a short walk of a town village for shops resteraunts.

If you get down to Switzerland (Martigny) check this dealer out (http://www.check-point.ch/fr/index.html ) i thought the recifier was on its way out as I was just about to go over the Grand St Bernard pass & the Petit st Bernard pass. Stephan the tech spant a good 40/45 minutes checking the bike over for me & wouldnt take a penny off me for his troubles, great bunch of guys they are. Check em out if youre in the area.

If you want any more tips we can have a chat at the CMC meet

::003::