One for all or all for one

[MileageMonster]

On some occasions (once or twice a year) I ride out with a group of fellow veterans on a one day trip.
Preferably I ride alone, so I can decide when, where and for how long (or short) to stop/rest/eat/drink.
I like to use the navigation in my head and go with the flow, divert from the rest of the traffic.
Other people are always interesting, I am not avoiding contact, but love the peace in my head riding alone…

 

[Cycledude]

Most of my riding is alone but it’s also fun to ride with others occasionally. The chances of something going wrong seem to go up significantly with more riders.

 

[Sierra1]

Yes, comms are almost a "must have" when riding with a group. Sign language only works to certain point. My boys and I have Sena. Works fantastic.

 

[holligl]

I mostly ride solo, but do like to ride with one or two friends when possible. The ride out to Custer was more fun once we got coms synched. Not continuous but occasional conversation. More than 4 is a conspicuous crowd. I have gotten stuck behind a pack of Harleys a couple times. Worst noisy riding you can do IMHO. The ones yesterday all had this little dead rubber chicken hanging from their rear fender. Must be some club thing. I do appreciate having a partner when going off road.

 

[Sierra1]

The kid with the R6 has a Two Brothers mounted. . . . he rides behind us.

 

[Madhatter]

a group ride for me is usually 1or 2 others for a total of 3 . and sometimes that's too much . I would rather ride by myself than be in a ride with someone that's not a good fit . the bigger the group the more peer pressure apply (usually turns into a speed race ) . I cannot say I have ever enjoyed a true group ride .
so AZ MIKE your spot on in my thinking . I bought and paid for my bike , I answer to my family not other riders , their not going to pay for my damaged bike or my hospital bill ..... so I ride my ride .
if some one rides like me and has some of the same riding interest, then we are golden.

 

[Mak10]

For me finding people with the same riding abilities and styles can make or break a good ride.
Riding solo, I tend to see a lot more and take more pictures.
Riding with someone too fast can be stressful, as well as riding with someone who rides too slow.
It also helps if you have similar matched bikes.
And no one honks at you when go into the bushes to take care of business when you are solo.

 

[Onslaut]

Since moving to the US in 2006 I’d have to say other than riding to work I exclusively ride with a close friend or my brother or dad. Much of the time we all ride together. But I have run into people who will not ride in groups at all. I enjoy riding with those I’m used to riding with. On occasion someone new will join us and I find myself a little nervous for them.


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[Sierra1]

For me finding people with the same riding abilities and styles can make or break a good ride. . . .
. . . . It also helps if you have similar matched bikes. . . .

I have a neighbor, nice enough guy, that keeps after me to go riding with him. He wants to "show me what a GoldWing can do." This is a guy that doesn't wear a helmet, and smokes, but won't get the vaccine because of the possible side effects. I do know what the 'Wing can do. . . . but, I don't know how he rides. Although, the fact that he smokes while he's riding down the road, kinda gives me an idea.

 

[PhilPhilippines]

I generally "suggest" during the pre-ride conversation that the slowest rider heads out first and, for those following, to not to press closely. That way the pace is comfortable and not determined by machismo bs.

I have been in groups where there is a hot-head contingent and it can become unpleasant, to the point of my having to distance myself by dropping back whilst horns, rev-bombing, etc ensues. Yes, others can make mistakes or drive/ride poorly, but generally they are easy to predict and ignore, so showing your anger generally only exacerbates the situation, or gets met with a "whaddidIdo" look!

Riding should be enjoyable.

 

[Sierra1]

That's another reason/benefit of riding at the back. You can just let everybody ride off into the sunset (so to speak) if you decide you don't want to be there anymore.

 

[jbrown]

I stay at or under speed limits, so any group rides inevitably result in others waiting for me. So I ride alone.

 

[PhilPhilippines]

Silverbullet and others that have been to the PH can probably attest to this. Bike groups often stick their hazard lights on here (especially "big" bikes) and ride with an expectation that others will part the waters for their self-entitled crap riding skills. I have, on my solo forays, had to adjust my speed/position in order for them not to end up in a morgue.

This is a standard day on the Marilaque - a road that used to be a beautiful ride - still is if you arrive at 5am. What the residents must think of their road becoming a race track ?Take a look. See what you think.

 

[PhilPhilippines]

I stay at or under speed limits, so any group rides inevitably result in others waiting for me. So I ride alone.

Vital in most residential and hazard rich areas...

 

[Lamby]

I ride mostly solo, don't want to get involved with riders of differing abilities who's accident I may get caught in. I want to return home at the end of a good day out but group riding often ends up turning into a brain/balls out race. I have a few good long standing mates who ride at a similar pace to myself so it never gets stupid we all arrive home safe

 

[AZMike]

The responses in this thread have been very interesting. I thought maybe I was something of an odd duck for choosing to ride alone. I ride for the sheer pleasure riding away from the pressures and worries of business and the world. My wife actively encourages my passion for motorcycles as she understands the therapy it provides me. After 37 years of marriage I say she gets me. The last few bikes I owned were less than exciting. The S 10 offers the mixture of size, performance and some off-road possibility to get that feeling of child like excitement. Thank you for your responses.

I am among friends here.

 

[Sierra1]

This was one of my last "group" rides.

 

[cyclemike4]

It was so good to see so many pull over in respect during that video. Any more so many are so full of themselves they never think of others and their suffering. Some places in Ky they still pull over like that but get near any bigger cities and it doesn't happen.

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

This was one of my last "group" rides.

I saw that movie and learned about his story. Sad he ended that way..

 

[Dr Ratbagg]

That's another reason/benefit of riding at the back. You can just let everybody ride off into the sunset (so to speak) if you decide you don't want to be there anymore.

And you get a cool "Tail Gunner" handle