Group riding for me is 4 to 5 people with a max of around 8. I spend most of my riding time alone.

 

SOLO.....Enough said.

 

I'm open to solo, coupled with a good friend or small group of good riders... I've done one big 40+ bike group ride. It was pretty cool to experience, but the risks are pretty high. Overall though, it was alright, but i prefer limiting the people and # of bikes in the group.

 

I like to ride.
Don't care either way.
Sometimes I really want to adventure out on my own and just relax, think, enjoy. But this is actually easier to do with one other rider, not so lonely.
The best rides are with 6 to 10 people, 3 to 10 bikes. This way there can be good conversation, safety in numbers, and feel a part of something special. This requires understanding and planning, where a route, the stops, and who is leading (making decisions) are agreed upon before leaving.
I really enjoy the charity runs. Usually with 80 to 140 bikes, but sometimes up to 250. This allows for getting to know other riders and building a good network.
I usually put on over 5,000 miles a year and stay within 200 miles of Fargo, ND.

 

Last time I rode with small group it ended up like that except she took out 3 others with her, idiots tried pack riding in a curve and lost it, looked like bowling pins , 2 serious injuries. Haven't ridden with more 2 bikes since and thats rare. I like my solo rides, have since the 70's.

Too many people out here on 2 wheels with way more motorcycle and ego than skills.

 

Too many distractions in group rides. I prefer riding alone.
But I do ride with 2-3 people I know well a few times per year at most.

 

Small groups with a purpose are not bad. Example with the 115th coming up. A rider and his wife I know from out of state are coming. Another couple is riding with them. They are looking over a few things they want to ride to while here. Once they nail it down I will show them around the state . This is not uncommon for events like the 115th . For riders coming along way it helps to have a contact that lives here.

 

I agree 100% with all you say. Over 50 years of riding - group and solo - none gave me any worry. If you know how to ride, the number of other riders should not make one bit of difference.
You just have to be vigilant and stay off the F$#@ing cell phone.

I normally ride 10K ~ 12K miles per year. All over the US and Canada.

 

I use to like the weekend bike rally / rides for a cause ... still like donating to the cause(s) but now prefer to ride alone ... no worry about following a specific path or time frame ... free to ride a long as I want wherever I want (as long as the road is paved).