Ive done thousands of miles on my own .. a month away to go to romania ...a month away touring greece .. then morocco ...I love it , its the only way , just you and the bike , and if its a good one and looks after you then you form a bond with this big chunk of metal and cannot stop dreaming about your next trip together ..mind you my wife is none to happy left at home ::013:: oh and a bit of a tip ..dont go on a BMW the only bike ive broke down on .
On the road alone on ya Tenere...
- Thread starter tenbob
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ExTriumphExp
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1200 GS by any chance?cakeboy said:
Ramseybella
Well-Known Member
Easy on the BMW stuff guys! remember the movie Minority report? 
solo rider here also. my pace, i pass eveything that enoyes me, i cant deal with big rig buffeting, 4x4 buffeting, car and rvs with 3-4 bikes on racks waiting to fall off on the road, garbage trucks, gravel truck with rocks falling in front of me and mostly, i love an open road, if i have a car or 2 in front of me and feel as they can be there for a while a pass right away passing zones or not to enjoy the open road. so solo is better
tenbob
Member
Taking it all on board thanks. Just for the 'I've done that badge' wanna do Lands End to John o Groats (most Southern part to most northern part of mainland UK), so maybe that could be a possible solo ride for me... Exciting!
Not to rub it in guys but most of this has been solo. A trip like this is about freedom to go wherever, whenever you want. It would be great to be doing it with someone, but for it to be enjoyable you are going to have to be very much in sync. That combined with the fact that if there is someone in the world that fits the bill, they are going to have to be at a point in their life where they can do it. I knew from the outset that that was unlikely to happen, so I always planned to do this alone. It can get lonely sometimes, but I meet plenty of people along the way, and ride for a time with some of them. Seems to work pretty well most of the time. Good that the S10 is so reliable, nice to know that you're unlikely to need backup because of a broken bike.
but most of this has been solo. A trip like this is about freedom to go wherever, whenever you want. It would be great to be doing it with someone, but for it to be enjoyable you are going to have to be very much in sync. That combined with the fact that if there is someone in the world that fits the bill, they are going to have to be at a point in their life where they can do it. I knew from the outset that that was unlikely to happen, so I always planned to do this alone. It can get lonely sometimes, but I meet plenty of people along the way, and ride for a time with some of them. Seems to work pretty well most of the time. Good that the S10 is so reliable, nice to know that you're unlikely to need backup because of a broken bike.
Higstatic
Member
dc, It looks like you have done some awesome trips there. Out of interest how would you rate Scotland against the Americas
Random ride
Member
I'm going to refit my Tenere this winter. The trunk and backseat are coming off and a level rack is going in its place. I'll keep the the seat and box handy for the occasional ride with the wifey, but 99% of my riding is done 1 up so might as well set up the bike for that.
I am envious of your travels. A mix of solo & riding with friends is optimal.dcstrom said:Not to rub it in guys
tenbob
Member
Man..! My map would look rather empty compared to that... ??? Note to self - get out more! ::001::
Both have their charms... but for awesome mountains you can't beat South America. It's also much cheaper, which is a big consideration on a trip like this. For a week in Scotland I could spend a month in Peru...
Higstatic said:
Dirt_Dad
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I routinely do all of the above. My wife rides, so on the one day out and back home rides (150-300 miles) I have someone with me 30% of the time (she doesn't feel the need to go out as often as I do). On the 7-16 day long trips she's always been on those. But I've done numerous shorter solo multi-day rides between the home base of VA and NY/PA/OH/WV/TN/GA. Also a good number of special event, meet up and ride with the guys at some distant location.
Honestly every ride configuration has its own benefits and negatives. I love the solo riding because it's where I get my maximum mental therapy out of riding. There's a total relaxation that comes from making decisions for only one. Even when my wife and I go on a 16 day trip, there will be a day or two where she stays at the hotel after a short day of riding and I just head back out to explore and maybe slam the throttle a little harder than I've been doing with her around. Solo riding is great for clearing the head.
There are many benefits of riding with your spouse or buddies, but it also brings with it more mental exercise than solo riding. That additional brain cell burning isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do love the peace that comes from solo riding.
It's all good.
Honestly every ride configuration has its own benefits and negatives. I love the solo riding because it's where I get my maximum mental therapy out of riding. There's a total relaxation that comes from making decisions for only one. Even when my wife and I go on a 16 day trip, there will be a day or two where she stays at the hotel after a short day of riding and I just head back out to explore and maybe slam the throttle a little harder than I've been doing with her around. Solo riding is great for clearing the head.
There are many benefits of riding with your spouse or buddies, but it also brings with it more mental exercise than solo riding. That additional brain cell burning isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do love the peace that comes from solo riding.
It's all good.
John35
New Member
With regard to travelling on your own. I enjoy both travelling on my own and with friends. However, it is good to be with friends at the end of day. I take part in the FIM touring events. The FIM Rally and FIM Motocamp. I tend to ride to these on my own, knowing I will meet up with friends there.
Have a look at the following clubs.
www.fimteamgb.co.uk
www.imtc.co.uk
www.mayflower.co.uk
Have a look at the following clubs.
www.fimteamgb.co.uk
www.imtc.co.uk
www.mayflower.co.uk
tomatocity
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::026:: on the being alone while lodging.twinrider said:
The riding part is usually good since you get to start and stop when you want, go where you want, as fast or slow as you want, get the gas you like, and stay where you like.
Repairing flats are usually easier with another rider. The two flats I have with this bike were when I was traveling with the same friend. Actually we shared the second flat.
Drinking beer under the eave of a campground bathroom in pouring rain and lightning is always better with a friend.
Breezz68
New Member
This year I rode from Ohio to Portland down the coast then back across USA solo never seem to be alone someone always wanted to know where I was going or been I find that you take a lot more in and meet some crazy people too all good I generally take the road less traveled and no schedule works for me.
eemsreno
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I enjoy all my rides ,Alone or 2up to Hyder"
The words of Chris McCandless at the Magic Bus have always stuck in my mind though.
happiness is meaningless unless you have someone to share it with.
The words of Chris McCandless at the Magic Bus have always stuck in my mind though.
happiness is meaningless unless you have someone to share it with.
Ramseybella
Well-Known Member
Another reason I ride alone (adding to my first comment).
My friend I ride with from time to time, good friend will help you when you need it but gets a little paranoid about strangers. Never fails he always has some negative comment about them when we walk away.
I have dealt with this from time to time but eventually just cut our road trips down to 200 mile runs and an overnight-er due to his lack of mental stamina after 300 miles he starts getting a bit annoying and I start feeling that feeling of time to part ways bro.
But after a fat steak off the camp fire and a few beers all is good.. ::008::
I just seem to make good of my solo rides as it relaxes me takes the Job stress demons and sends them away! ::001::
My friend I ride with from time to time, good friend will help you when you need it but gets a little paranoid about strangers. Never fails he always has some negative comment about them when we walk away.
I have dealt with this from time to time but eventually just cut our road trips down to 200 mile runs and an overnight-er due to his lack of mental stamina after 300 miles he starts getting a bit annoying and I start feeling that feeling of time to part ways bro.
But after a fat steak off the camp fire and a few beers all is good.. ::008::
I just seem to make good of my solo rides as it relaxes me takes the Job stress demons and sends them away! ::001::
Dmcleane
Member
I travel solo near 100% of the time. One of my observations has to do with when you stop (for any reason). Seems like the solo traveler is always approachable, but once you have a riding partner you're just another motorcycle gang. People are so interested in where you're going, what you've seen, who you are, etc., and gladly ask. Your presence can trigger memories of bygone days for so many people out there and you hear some great stories. Help is always right when and where you need it, rest assured.
Now, if you really want to add to the equation, try traveling with a little dog - the best company ever, and talk about attracting new friends at every stop.....!!!
Now, if you really want to add to the equation, try traveling with a little dog - the best company ever, and talk about attracting new friends at every stop.....!!!
Ramseybella
Well-Known Member
Unless your batched up with a gang I would say that is true, two riders are not in my opinion what i would call a gang.Dmcleane said:
But that could be true to your and or others observations and I respect that, in the past self observation has gotten me in trouble on this forum before..
When my buddy and I travel we never have a problem with folks striking a conversation, until my friend starts walking away in the middle of the conversation and starts downing on his gear, then I am thinking what a rude prick you are man!!
Could be most of the time The Big Tenere is the first thing they ask about and not his 2000 Kawasaki Concours... ;D
Never the less Life is to darn short to see it all argue till the cows come home or have indifference between one rider and another so I say do it and love it, with a partner or Solo!
::026::
Reason I do most of my riding alone..