Oh, I definitely get it. Except for my 2 or 3 buddies who actually know how to ride, I'd almost rather be a lone wolf, and say "No Thanks" when it comes to overnight road trips.

 

I did a Combat Vet's Association ride last year and thought it was a poker run style ride, go at your own pace and whatnot, I couldn't have been more wrong. It was around 200-300 bikes deep going in one huge group, we might have gone 45 on the highway to our first stop and it was nerve racking with all the jockeying for position and dangerous swerving from riders on their 5th beer before we even took off. After our first stop at the VFW, I was gone.

 

I'm a lone wolf. I purposely planned my last trip and I didn't tell a good local riding buddy because I was afraid he would invite himself and I didn't want to have to say no to him. I was going solo because he and I aren't on the same page as far as how far we ride before stops. He likes to ride to the destination as quickly as possible with no unnecessary stops and I like to stop and smell the roses every now and then. It was a great trip! I showed him the videos when I got back.

 

Two years ago I was organizing a trip to Sturgis with 2 of my good friends and riding buddies. One friend mentioned this to a a couple of neighbors and it ended up being 11 of us headed to Sturgis. The responsibility of all the organization somehow fell on my shoulders. Every day was like herding cats. I'm a early riser and like to be gone by 8 but we had some in our group that like to sleep in. Others that had to stop every 120 miles for fuel and there were those that had to stop at exactly noon at the nearest McDonald's because they couldn't wait 10 minutes to stop at a cool diner or BBQ joint. With the exception of my two buddies and I, every night was spent by the rest of the group detailing their rides back to a showroom shine then they were in bed by 9pm. There was no comradery at all.
The experience taught me to never do a group ride with strangers ever again.

 

The trouble with riding motorcycles or going to the shooting range with other people is everybody thinks they're good at it. Most are not and consequently can kill you. The list of people I'll go down the road with is very small.

 

I had a similar experience a few years back with friends who invited friends who invited friends. One of those extended 'friends' was a wife who was on her first ride out of the motorcycle riding class required to get her license.
That couple hung way back in the pack so the husband could keep her company since she didn't like riding over 55mph.
So we all pull into a gas stop and newbie and hubby don't show. We wait and wait. Then we get a call from him letting us know she had high sided a 90 degree left hand section turn. Around here we call the back road around the fields in rural areas section roads and since they are routing around ag fields the turns are all 90s. Well, she had over shot one of those turns and high sided off into the ditch. He had called for emergency services and a tow
and told us to go on without them. We did.
She never got on that bike again. Hubby repaired it and sold it. Then he ended up buying a Gold Wing. lol

Ever since I've kept my riding group to me and 3 good friends and we all ride solo.

 

I hate group rides. 90% of the guys dont know how to ride, let alone in a group. Lets face it, 90% of the people on a group ride you wouldnt have a beer with let alone trust them at your 3, 9 or 6....

 

A couple times a year I ride with one other person, otherwise it's just me and my bike. Never did a group ride and doubt I ever will. I see groups on the highway sometimes, riding nice and tight, and I can tell by the bags of gear that they are on a long trip. Looks fun and I envy them a little, but I do what works for me.

 

I've always loved riding with 'the right people".
I will, however, NEVER ride with anyone that I don't their ability and I sure as heck wouldn't plan a trip with them.

 

I'm not riding with people I don't know or trust.