Do you prefer group or individual riding?
Trips are solo rides. Hard to find someone that’s in it for the ride and adventure and not solely the destination. It’s nice having someone to share the experience with but not at the expense of catering. I’ll do local group rides tho.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
All of the above. Each has its place.
There is a camaraderie that comes from riding with a small group over several days. I enjoy being part of something larger than myself when I do one of the local fundraiser rides. The soul feeding introspection of a long solo ride melts away the stresses of modern life.
There is a camaraderie that comes from riding with a small group over several days. I enjoy being part of something larger than myself when I do one of the local fundraiser rides. The soul feeding introspection of a long solo ride melts away the stresses of modern life.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
Over the years it seems the roads have become a little more dangerous with all the electronic distractions for 4 wheeled drivers. Me, I enjoy getting out and cruising scenic routes alone, but on the interstate I do not enjoy it near as much. I think there is some increased notice by cars when a large group of bikes are rolling down the highway. How do feel on the matter?
Interesting responses esp on the solo riding. I do big trips solo- its easier to be mobile and you don't have to stop every day by 5 so people can 'have dinner' or whatnot. more flexibility in seeing all the 'stuff' you rode somewhere to see. Makes for loooong days, but thats what we sign up for on a tour IMO.
I like the 2-3 day weekend trips w/ friends, do a few each summer. That can be fun, but its only a few bikes. Low stress.
Charity rides and the like, tho a good cause, often seems to bring out folks who only do 'that' ride each year and safety becomes an issue (to me) especially when they're chugging beers and then riding 70mph with bikes behind them. Not my thing.
I had ridden w/ a big group for years, but that often lacks the adventure I crave, its more of a social event then a riding event so I pass on that frequently now.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
Most of the time it myself and wife on our bikes. Only time I group ride is with some friends I have known and ridden with for years. We know how each other rides and we generally take a safe pace. I've been on some other group rides and it's a cluster *%#$.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 690
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
I'll ride with any group (except drinking groups). I have no problems with how others ride. I stay in my position and keep my eyes on the riders around me. If I see something hinky, I'll just hang back a little. I'm not going to let some a-hole keep me from having fun. After thousands of group rides I can honestly say I've never felt in any danger on any one of them.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 232
Likes: 54
From: Bedford Indiana
I ride along most of the time. I'll ride with my wife when she wants to get hers out but alone most of the time.
Kinda the "Doc Holiday" of motorcycles I guess. I just don't have that many friends and not more than one or two of them even have a motorcycle. If I'm going some place WITH people I'd just as soon drive the bus.
Whats the point of a motorcycle if we have to take a meeting at every intersection or else I have someone else telling me what is interesting enough to stop and look at. No, you can tag along with me if you want to see the stuff I like, if not then have a great day. I'm going this way.
Kinda the "Doc Holiday" of motorcycles I guess. I just don't have that many friends and not more than one or two of them even have a motorcycle. If I'm going some place WITH people I'd just as soon drive the bus.
Whats the point of a motorcycle if we have to take a meeting at every intersection or else I have someone else telling me what is interesting enough to stop and look at. No, you can tag along with me if you want to see the stuff I like, if not then have a great day. I'm going this way.
Last edited by Jack Ryan; Aug 2, 2018 at 10:34 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I have always been known for long solo trips and I used to do group rides quite often. My wife used to really enjoy the group rides for short hops and visiting with friends at the stops.
When my wife quit riding with me, I started riding solo all the time. Then a few years ago, a cousin of mine asked me if he could tag along. He is a very experienced rider, but had never really traveled anywhere. His riding style matches mine and he truly enjoys having me as a tour guide. If you can find one or two riders with your riding style, it is great to have some company at stops. If the other rider's style doesn't match mine, it is more miserable to me than staying home.
Dennis
When my wife quit riding with me, I started riding solo all the time. Then a few years ago, a cousin of mine asked me if he could tag along. He is a very experienced rider, but had never really traveled anywhere. His riding style matches mine and he truly enjoys having me as a tour guide. If you can find one or two riders with your riding style, it is great to have some company at stops. If the other rider's style doesn't match mine, it is more miserable to me than staying home.
Dennis
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 233
From:
i use to ride with groups til i just got sick of the egos and the macho BS. Put a group of guys together and its always a competition of who can go the fastest, ride the longest without a break ect. I rode with many groups in my time and it always winds up like that. No thanks. I have two riding friends because our style is exact. Then its a pleasure but i wont ride with people i dont know.
Last edited by saltlick; Aug 3, 2018 at 10:43 AM.
