bad day on the bike is still better than being trapped in the car, but boy that one sure was wasted

 

Man I could of written that story word for word. I prefer riding with others, but what you described, is what I deal with almost every single time, and it's just not worth it anymore. To the OP... you're a better man than me, because I would have peeled off on my own (which I do often) and made damn sure they knew why, because they apparantly don't have a clue!

 

It sounds like me writing that story...

 

I live in San Diego and my riding partner lives in New Jersey…. we will meet in the middle and this year we will go to Sturgis. See the country there, reverse it and go home. I met her on the road just outside Amarillo where she had a flat, she was riding solo from NJ to CA and back. She is a police officer and carries, so no worry about that.. she has her life and I have mine, but we share our love for riding (without any 'extras') and we get along great. It is okay with my wife and okay with her husband, just as I would be okay if my wife wanted to do something of the same nature. We are all confident in ourselves, and recognize others who have the same character. It's a biker thing.. and I know there are many of you who are like that, and would be great riding partners, but I don't try to find one… it just happens. I haven't had a riding partner for about 20 years, and during that time 'finding one' was never on my mind.. (it just happens, when it happens). When I ride alone, I like the company I keep.
Stay safe; my first priority, but I will give you a good race if you want it.

 

Not trying to hijack. I remember back when I bought my first Buell. An older friend of mine (RIP Ed) asked how I liked the bike. I explained that I love it, just wish I had more riding friends. He said to ride alone. I said I wanted to do some long distance and weekend trips. He said especially ride alone on trips. He explained that you set the pace, schedule, itinerary, etc. He also told me it will force you to socialise with people you wouldn't ordinarily, and you'll meet more interesting people. In the ten years since, I would say I've never received more sound advise.

 

You did the math, exactly...

 

I have a couple buddies I ride with from time to time, but the 11K I put on this last year at least 8-9K were solo.
I can go where I want, when I want, and stop when/if I need to, or not if I don't want to.
My tank is always full when I am ready to hit the road, and my belly is as full as I need it to be when I need it to be.


I happen to like my own company, so it's really preferred to ride solo.


And OP, for the record, I wouldn't ride with those jackwad riders again either.

 

Like Northwoodz, I would have had to bail out. If these are guys that you like, and you decide to give them another chance, I would suggest setting a departure time as opposed to a meet-up time and make it quite clear to them that departure means departure. I would also let them know beforehand, and in no uncertain terms, that they should arrive ready to ride with full gas tanks and full bellies.

 

A friend of mine got their license a few years back and they complain I never go on any of the rides I'm asked to go on. The reason is simple. I want to be on the road by 9 at the latest on a Saturday or a Sunday so I can ride the day away. This person wants to sleep until 11, have coffee, get ready, and meet around 12:30. No thanks. I'm half way to Canada on the back roads by that time.

 

I'd have left their asses at QT. They could have caught up with you later down the road, maybe!