One for all or all for one

AZMike

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
338
Location
Tucson, AZ
I purchased my second S 10 about ten days ago, my 17th motorcycle in my riding history. Last week I was invited by an experienced rider to join his group for a ride today. I told him I appreciated the offer but my rule of thumb is not to ride with anyone until I have 1000 miles on a bike to make sure we understand each other. I seldom ride in groups or maybe with a few friends but I generally prefer to ride solo. Ninety percent of my miles are just me. Am I in the minority here? What type of rider are you?

(I will 59 in a few weeks if that means anything)
 
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tntmo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2017
Messages
649
Location
San Diego, CA
I used to like to do group rides, but as the years have gone by I no longer do. I love the camaraderie at the morning meetups, talking about bikes and rides and whatever. As soon as it comes time to head out, I really want nothing to do with it anymore.

Two or three good friends, that's fine but if it's beyond that I'm not the happiest. I think it's because I'm kind of particular about my riding pace (I'm not a fast rider but I don't like to stop a lot or for long).
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
I've pretty much always ridden by myself. Not a lot of my friends have a bike. My sons have theirs, and we ride together occasionally, but their hours don't match up very well. I think that if I rode with a large group, I'd ride at the very rear. . . . until I learned everybody else's style. About the only time motor cops get killed in a crash, is in multiagency escorts. Everybody has their way of doing things. Sometimes they don't match very well.
 

Phil Lang

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2021
Messages
15
Location
England
I used to enjoy riding in groups or with just one friend, but now ride on my own as: -

A) I like to ride at a pace that suits my mood on the given day
B) I like exploring, I enjoy deviating from a planned route when a road or place looks interesting
C) The people I rode with, despite being nice folk, would ride at the same speed, irrespective of the speed limits!
D) I am sometimes a rubbish rider and like to mess up in private!!

Above all my bike time is sometimes limited so I like to have the time to myself.

Phil
 

VRODE

Easy Does It
Joined
Aug 7, 2014
Messages
940
Location
Northern Vermont
I've ridden with a group and amazingly we all got along and rode well together. That's not always the case. I have ridden in groups where I've had to check my ego and go with the flow. Nothing wrong with that as I discovered any ride on a nice day was worth it to me. If it's something I'm not really enjoying, I don't do it again.
I can see if I had a new ride I might want to become more attuned to the bike before group riding.
 

Dr Ratbagg

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Messages
965
Location
Jet City, WA
I usually ride with a couple of old friends on long hauls. And occasionally I'll go on a short group ride with the local MC club. I almost never ride solo. I found the awesome sights and experience when riding is always better when shared.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
IF I was going to go a substantial distance off road, I might make it mandatory to ride with at least one other person. The broken leg up at Custer is a good example as to why. Not that the same can't happen on pavement, but your chances of not being seen, or getting help, are much lower.
 

regder

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Messages
466
Location
Toronno
I ride mostly alone. When I go for a ride, I like to do long days with minimal breaks, all of my friends like to stop for 30+ minutes every couple hours which gets annoying.

Riding alone gives me the flexibility to do things on my schedule without concern for anyone else.
 

cyclemike4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
815
Location
ky
I have rode on some of the pediatric brain tumor rides. those were very organized and it seemed most everybody was following the rules. We also had law enforcement at every intersection letting us ride right on through to our destination. I did have to put up with a feller on one of the rides on a clapped out crotch rocket popping wheelies and doing the banjo thing in the line instead of holding a steady speed. that was not nice to be near. When the local bike shop was still operational that I used for years they would have a couple rides a year. I would do those if I was off work. they were a lot of fun. they were set up as an ADV type of ride with some gravel and mostly back roads. Of course they fed you back at the shop later too! Other wise I mostly ride by myself. I have done some rides with family or friends in small groups and sometimes that is very difficult for me and sometimes it is great. If it is a long ride I am by myself. I only know one person who will ride long distances that i care to ride with. I have a good friend in South Dakota and we get together when time allows and take off with the bikes. He is very easy to ride with and a good rider. I don't have to worry about him while we ride. It is very relaxing to be around him and his wife. Of course when we ride I go up there or he and his wife comes down here so there is a 1000 miles of lone rider to meet up. haha.
 

Bill_C

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 22, 2021
Messages
492
Location
Central Valley California
Even when I ride with others I tend to ride alone, meaning that I often find myself checking my mirrors and realizing I have out paced them. I usually look for a wide spot to pull over and wait for them but sometimes I just keep on until the next scenic overlook. Needless to say, I much prefer riding solo than with a group.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 

PhilPhilippines

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
952
Location
Philippines
I prefer to ride alone, but I am invited to runs with two local groups and with 5/6 close friends. When I'm with the group rides I tend to see situations that others either seem not to anticipate or ignore - this can detract from the enjoyment somewhat, but I love their company and the laughs we have.

When riding alone, or with my wife, I find it a more enjoyable experience as I am not overthinking situations and can get on with just getting from A to B safely. On my first 1000km in the Philippines I saw 3 dead motorcyclists, encountered buses, trucks and cars overtaking on bends and approaching brows of hills, etc. It is carnage - apparently rubbing a piece of wood of an effigy protects you to your destination - having a brain and a desire to survive is optional.
 
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