How do you Travel
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 73
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From: Carbondale, IL
How do you Travel
Hello everyone,
I have a friend that I ride with alot, and he is in a new job that keeps him from having enough time off to take some 8-9 days trips like we used to. I would like to poll you guys on how you travel on long trips. Do you mostly ride alone or with a friend or a group? He and I have always traveled together on long trips and now he isn't going to be able. I still want to take 1 or 2 4000 - 5000 mile trips every year, but was wondering about traveling alone. Goods and Bads of traveling alone is what I am looking for. Or should I look for some group trips through the local chapter?
Tom
I have a friend that I ride with alot, and he is in a new job that keeps him from having enough time off to take some 8-9 days trips like we used to. I would like to poll you guys on how you travel on long trips. Do you mostly ride alone or with a friend or a group? He and I have always traveled together on long trips and now he isn't going to be able. I still want to take 1 or 2 4000 - 5000 mile trips every year, but was wondering about traveling alone. Goods and Bads of traveling alone is what I am looking for. Or should I look for some group trips through the local chapter?
Tom
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 890
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
Travel
Because of time restraints, I trailer by bike to the location I want to ride.
Every summer I have friends in Colorado, we spend two weeks riding as a group there. I'm the only one still in Arkansas and don't really want to ride there alone.
It takes 2 days to get there on a bike ( long days ) or 1 day towing the bike.
If I tow, then I get two more days of riding with my bud's rather then alone a cross Kansas.
I know part of the fun is getting there, but in this case. I like the extra two days there.
Every summer I have friends in Colorado, we spend two weeks riding as a group there. I'm the only one still in Arkansas and don't really want to ride there alone.
It takes 2 days to get there on a bike ( long days ) or 1 day towing the bike.
If I tow, then I get two more days of riding with my bud's rather then alone a cross Kansas.
I know part of the fun is getting there, but in this case. I like the extra two days there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
I ride alone or with my wife on the back. We usually go out west every summer. She doesn't like to ride in hot weather so she skips the hot flatland part and flies into Denver and I meet her there on the bike. We ride the cool temps in the high elevations and then I drop her back off at the airport and head east again. Sometimes the ride to and from Denver by myself are the best parts of my trips.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
Because of time restraints, I trailer by bike to the location I want to ride.
Every summer I have friends in Colorado, we spend two weeks riding as a group there. I'm the only one still in Arkansas and don't really want to ride there alone.
It takes 2 days to get there on a bike ( long days ) or 1 day towing the bike.
If I tow, then I get two more days of riding with my bud's rather then alone a cross Kansas.
I know part of the fun is getting there, but in this case. I like the extra two days there.
Every summer I have friends in Colorado, we spend two weeks riding as a group there. I'm the only one still in Arkansas and don't really want to ride there alone.
It takes 2 days to get there on a bike ( long days ) or 1 day towing the bike.
If I tow, then I get two more days of riding with my bud's rather then alone a cross Kansas.
I know part of the fun is getting there, but in this case. I like the extra two days there.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 9
From: la grange, il (near chicago)
as mentioned above, the good thing is being able to do what you what when you want. and obviously, you have to like being by yourself.
the downsides are:
- not being able to share the trip / experience with someone
- not having a backup for a bad situation, from running out of gas, to having the bike break down, or any other situation.
when i ride by myself, i attempt to avoid situations that could be a problem. stay off roads that look bad or look unused. don't 'play' around as much, like pusing the limit on curvy roads. stay well resting and alert. keep in contact with someone, like txting or calling 2 or 3 times a day with itinerary. in other words, stay within safe bounderies and limits.
riding solo does have a certain alure to it.
the downsides are:
- not being able to share the trip / experience with someone
- not having a backup for a bad situation, from running out of gas, to having the bike break down, or any other situation.
when i ride by myself, i attempt to avoid situations that could be a problem. stay off roads that look bad or look unused. don't 'play' around as much, like pusing the limit on curvy roads. stay well resting and alert. keep in contact with someone, like txting or calling 2 or 3 times a day with itinerary. in other words, stay within safe bounderies and limits.
riding solo does have a certain alure to it.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 73
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From: Carbondale, IL
Thanks
Thanks Everyone for some good ideas and advise. To me the best part of the trip is the riding to the destination (if there is one). I guess my biggest concerns are as mentioned, the breaking down, out of gas, etc. I don't mind riding alone, I ride several short trips a year alone. On the longer rides I will just need to pack a little smarter, and check-in via cell phone with home a little more. Again Thanks for the good advice. I always get some great info here on the forum.
Tom
Tom
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 894
Likes: 3
From: Wyalusing, PA
My ideal trip (which I have managed to pull off several times) involves at least two weeks and a combination of group and solo riding. I enjoy hooking up with the friends and we will sometimes have 60+ bikes for 2-3 days tops. Usually ride in with a few folks, but after the gathering, I'm off. I set the pace, stop when I want, keep going when I want. Go slow when I want, burn up the pavement when I want.
Tough to not have your wing-man with you when you've grown accustomed to that. I know that it's good to have someone that you ride with that is "comfortable". Someone that can watch your back and tell you when your saddlebag lid isn't buckled down! It is also a gift to give that same kind of cameraderie in return.
BUT, give me 91 octane, a map and a date when I would like to be back home (ALWAYS too soon I might add) and I'm a pretty happy individual!
Tough to not have your wing-man with you when you've grown accustomed to that. I know that it's good to have someone that you ride with that is "comfortable". Someone that can watch your back and tell you when your saddlebag lid isn't buckled down! It is also a gift to give that same kind of cameraderie in return.
BUT, give me 91 octane, a map and a date when I would like to be back home (ALWAYS too soon I might add) and I'm a pretty happy individual!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: San Tan Valley, AZ
Alone... always, and by choice.
I had a cross country trip planned for this summer but work won't give me the time off so it's lot's of little close to home trips this year. I'll be semi-retiring in the not too distant future and will do my cross country then... except it will be a one way trip!
I had a cross country trip planned for this summer but work won't give me the time off so it's lot's of little close to home trips this year. I'll be semi-retiring in the not too distant future and will do my cross country then... except it will be a one way trip!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 4
From: London, Canada
I like to ride with a buddy or two for the reasons already mentioned. Big groups don't do it for me. When you are on the bike you are basically alone anyway, but when you stop it's cool to have some company. I have gone a day or two alone on occasion.