Ridng Alone
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 5,947
Likes: 5,153
From: Louisiana
I always ride alone. RIP for your friend. I fine the solitude of alone comforts me. I enjoy the twisty and empty roads around here to bring peace and and harmony to my life.
Last edited by Down South; Dec 27, 2018 at 06:54 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
You had a great friend that you enjoyed many miles with and he passed. That itself is sad and happens. Many people never have such a riding partner that they could comfortably share the road with. I did have a friend that we meshed very well but an illness has sadly put him in a bad way. Get out there and enjoy yourself as best you can. Maybe your wife would start joining you? My best rides are with mine but she unfortunately is not a long distance rider. I love riding and doing so solo is what works best for me. But ya know, there is always the possibility you could meet someone else that you might mesh with. When I saw the HOG recommendation I didn't think that would apply in your case but many retired folk are members and someone there just may be your next partner? Best of luck!!!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 505
From: Illinois
Sorry for the loss of your friend. You are not going to find someone else to replace your friend. However, what you can do is to honor his memory by being a mentor to someone the way he was a mentor to you. There are many people who would love to ride with you to learn what you have learned, but most importantly, they would love to have a friend like you, since it sounds like you are a nice person.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 566
From: Indiana
I'm sorry for your loss. My best riding buddy (Dad) hunf up his leather this spring and I bought his bike because I couldn't stand to see it go anywhere else. I didn't loose my Dad, but I lost the ONLY person I felt comfortable riding with - connected.
Now I MUCH prefer to ride alone, especially more than an afternoon stroll. No way I'd take a partner with me on a thousand ++ mile trip. Not my best friend, not even my wife unless she insisted (she wouldn't). Riding my bike is personal and best enjoyed alone. Ride with a few friends just because they are friends and think 100 miles one way makes them Peter Fonda.
Now I MUCH prefer to ride alone, especially more than an afternoon stroll. No way I'd take a partner with me on a thousand ++ mile trip. Not my best friend, not even my wife unless she insisted (she wouldn't). Riding my bike is personal and best enjoyed alone. Ride with a few friends just because they are friends and think 100 miles one way makes them Peter Fonda.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 201
Likes: 104
From: Ohio
Lost my riding buddy who was also my brother to a drunk driver many years ago. I still ride and have gotten very used to riding alone. Even after all of these years I still feel him riding next to me and it gives me a feeling of peace that I have never felt any other time. I feel like every time I ride, I am keeping that relationship alive. I am truely sorry for your loss but keep riding, it will feel different but hang in there.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 57
Likes: 37
From: Bitterroot Valley, MT
Sorry for the loss of your friend. You are not going to find someone else to replace your friend. However, what you can do is to honor his memory by being a mentor to someone the way he was a mentor to you. There are many people who would love to ride with you to learn what you have learned, but most importantly, they would love to have a friend like you, since it sounds like you are a nice person.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 20,424
Likes: 24,217
From: WetCoast
I am pretty sure he would not want you to give up riding.... and as said in a few posts, he will always be there with you.
I ride alone, but it is not for everyone. You wont know until you try it.
A little something I wrote about my Alaska run in '017
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...l#post17748448
I ride alone, but it is not for everyone. You wont know until you try it.
A little something I wrote about my Alaska run in '017
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...l#post17748448
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,864
Likes: 17,922
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
I started riding when I was 16!or 17. I parked my bike a while back due to failing health. This year I am hoping to resume riding as the last handful of medicine made a big difference for me.
I have always ridden alone. I had a few times I ride with my dad but that was few and far between and was not very far.
To me riding alone is the essence of motorcycling. Out on the road, independent, nothing but your wits. I never owned a bike with a radio, gps, or other garbage. My intention is to get away from all that bullshit on a minimalist bike. When I bought my 95 Heritage Softail Classic, it was a big step up in luxury with a windshield and saddlebags. Still, the simplicity of a carbureted Evo spoke to me and the windshield and bags made long rides easier on my old bones.
On the other hand, by nature I am a loner and the older I get, the more true that is, even going so far as to work alone in the middle of the night.
When you are riding with someone, it's a lot of compromises such as **** stops, what road to turn down, schedule to keep, where to eat, how fast or slow to go, etc. Riding alone you are more likely to take the road less traveled which is often the most memorable.
So try riding alone. You may find the experience to be different. Different does not have to mean bad.
I have always ridden alone. I had a few times I ride with my dad but that was few and far between and was not very far.
To me riding alone is the essence of motorcycling. Out on the road, independent, nothing but your wits. I never owned a bike with a radio, gps, or other garbage. My intention is to get away from all that bullshit on a minimalist bike. When I bought my 95 Heritage Softail Classic, it was a big step up in luxury with a windshield and saddlebags. Still, the simplicity of a carbureted Evo spoke to me and the windshield and bags made long rides easier on my old bones.
On the other hand, by nature I am a loner and the older I get, the more true that is, even going so far as to work alone in the middle of the night.
When you are riding with someone, it's a lot of compromises such as **** stops, what road to turn down, schedule to keep, where to eat, how fast or slow to go, etc. Riding alone you are more likely to take the road less traveled which is often the most memorable.
So try riding alone. You may find the experience to be different. Different does not have to mean bad.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
I used to ride with a group of friends but seems as time goes by everyone gets busy with life and the group gets smaller and smaller so been riding alone for several years now, occasionally a couple times a year a few of us will get together for a group ride and honestly I would almost rather ride by myself because seems there is always that guy that wants to stop at every bar or pub along the way! don't get me wrong I like a cold beer as much as the next guy but I would rather put on some miles and see some country than spend nine hours of a day long ride sitting on a bar stool !! prefer breaking out the drinks at the end of a ride !! or the guy who has to be home early and constantly asks when you think we will be getting back !! so to be honest any more I would much rather ride alone !! but to each his own.
One fella....every time we do a weekend trip, on Sunday he's always in a super big hurry to get home so everyone else then has to be as well b/c he wants the group to stay together. Kinda frustrating.