Solo Trip'n....Not for me
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: OC SoCal
Solo Trip'n....Not for me
I know many like solo trips, nothing against them, but I found out this weekend it's not for me.
Over the past year and a half, I've tried to plan multi day trips with a few friends, with no luck. Schedules have not worked out for one reason or another. So I started thinking this year I may need to plan and just go myself if it comes to it.
This weekend I needed to go do some business in AZ and decided to make a ride out of it. A mini solo trip. Take a sceanic route and turn the 200 mile one-way trip into a 300 some odd mile.
So, did about 650 miles in two days including a 6000ft mt. pass. Weather was great. Roads and Views were awesome. Talked with a few strangers on a few stops. But I found that I enjoy a ride so much better with a friend along. Even while riding I missed having another bike to watch.
The ride was good, but just a little on the boaring side.
Over the past year and a half, I've tried to plan multi day trips with a few friends, with no luck. Schedules have not worked out for one reason or another. So I started thinking this year I may need to plan and just go myself if it comes to it.
This weekend I needed to go do some business in AZ and decided to make a ride out of it. A mini solo trip. Take a sceanic route and turn the 200 mile one-way trip into a 300 some odd mile.
So, did about 650 miles in two days including a 6000ft mt. pass. Weather was great. Roads and Views were awesome. Talked with a few strangers on a few stops. But I found that I enjoy a ride so much better with a friend along. Even while riding I missed having another bike to watch.
The ride was good, but just a little on the boaring side.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 507
From: Florida
I've gone both ways, solo / with others. When I was solo I thought like you. How it would be better to share this experience. When I went with others I thought how much better it would be alone.So I've come to the conclusion that it boils down to whom you ride with.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 9
the older i get, the less need i have for someone to ride with. some days i feel like stopping every 10 miles and other days i hate to stop even for gas. some days i want to stop and read the historical markers and the next day i want to run the interstate for hours on end. what i am saying is that it is hard to find someone to ride with that will want to do everything you want to do...when you want to do it. riding alone is less stressfull.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I have to admit that on most of my solo trips I have found myself wishing there was someone there to share the experience with me, but I haven't been able to find anyone that wants to ride the miles per day that I do. My time off is very limited and I want to travel far and see different sites.
Most of my friends want to travel near and drink and visit the rest of the day. Last year I did a pretty good solo trip. I was on the southern part of the brp, dragon's tail, cherohala skyway and lookout mountain rides. It was as good of a trip I have ever been on.
Later that summer, my wife was with me for the skyline drive and northern part of the brp. I truly enjoyed that trip, but with her with me, I didn't get many miles in. Both trips were great in their own way and I would never leave my wife behind if she wanted to go, but if riding where I want, when I want, as long or hard as I want, I am better off solo.
Dennis
Most of my friends want to travel near and drink and visit the rest of the day. Last year I did a pretty good solo trip. I was on the southern part of the brp, dragon's tail, cherohala skyway and lookout mountain rides. It was as good of a trip I have ever been on.
Later that summer, my wife was with me for the skyline drive and northern part of the brp. I truly enjoyed that trip, but with her with me, I didn't get many miles in. Both trips were great in their own way and I would never leave my wife behind if she wanted to go, but if riding where I want, when I want, as long or hard as I want, I am better off solo.
Dennis
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: OC SoCal
I think V-T & B sums it up well "boils down to whom you ride with".
When taking long trips in the cage, I deffinatly like being alone. Radio on my station, A/C or open windows as I want, side roads as I want, etc....
And now that I think of it, there are a few riders I know who I would not want to take a road trip with. Great friends, just different riding aditudes than me.
When thinking of a road trip, there are only a few friends I think of who I'd want to ride with.
But if the alternative is to ride solo because non of these few can make it.... I'm not sure I'd want to go. I'll just have to twist arms harder this year.
When taking long trips in the cage, I deffinatly like being alone. Radio on my station, A/C or open windows as I want, side roads as I want, etc....
And now that I think of it, there are a few riders I know who I would not want to take a road trip with. Great friends, just different riding aditudes than me.
When thinking of a road trip, there are only a few friends I think of who I'd want to ride with.
But if the alternative is to ride solo because non of these few can make it.... I'm not sure I'd want to go. I'll just have to twist arms harder this year.
Last edited by Hockey Stick; Jan 18, 2011 at 11:26 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 0
From: on the edge
I know many like solo trips, nothing against them, but I found out this weekend it's not for me.
Over the past year and a half, I've tried to plan multi day trips with a few friends, with no luck. Schedules have not worked out for one reason or another. So I started thinking this year I may need to plan and just go myself if it comes to it.
This weekend I needed to go do some business in AZ and decided to make a ride out of it. A mini solo trip. Take a sceanic route and turn the 200 mile one-way trip into a 300 some odd mile.
So, did about 650 miles in two days including a 6000ft mt. pass. Weather was great. Roads and Views were awesome. Talked with a few strangers on a few stops. But I found that I enjoy a ride so much better with a friend along. Even while riding I missed having another bike to watch.
The ride was good, but just a little on the boaring side.
Over the past year and a half, I've tried to plan multi day trips with a few friends, with no luck. Schedules have not worked out for one reason or another. So I started thinking this year I may need to plan and just go myself if it comes to it.
This weekend I needed to go do some business in AZ and decided to make a ride out of it. A mini solo trip. Take a sceanic route and turn the 200 mile one-way trip into a 300 some odd mile.
So, did about 650 miles in two days including a 6000ft mt. pass. Weather was great. Roads and Views were awesome. Talked with a few strangers on a few stops. But I found that I enjoy a ride so much better with a friend along. Even while riding I missed having another bike to watch.
The ride was good, but just a little on the boaring side.
and if I hadn't had a friend along I would have had to
leave my bike by the side of the road while I hitched a
ride to a gas station and back, about 20 miles away.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 507
From: Florida
I wasn't going to go here but..................... Running dry is just not good road management.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
I feel I'm part of the "Lone Wolf" pack.
I often prefer to take the day, or two rides with my Wife aboard, or else she feels left out.
But a solo day trip of a 4 hour or so cruise with my friends often is preceded by spending too much time coordinating "a ride", and not enough time just doing it.
All of the traveling trips I've been on have been multiple days with just the wife too.
I often prefer to take the day, or two rides with my Wife aboard, or else she feels left out.
But a solo day trip of a 4 hour or so cruise with my friends often is preceded by spending too much time coordinating "a ride", and not enough time just doing it.
All of the traveling trips I've been on have been multiple days with just the wife too.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,238
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From: Germantown, MD
It really does depend on who you ride with. If you get along it's much better riding with them than riding alone, imo. I started riding with a group of guys when we were all in SoCal. Now we're spread across the country. We still get together once a year for a 5 to 7 day ride. We try to make sure everyone gets what they need out of the ride. We trade off who takes the lead and agree to follow the leader. If he wants to stop more than ride that's what we do. If he feels like spending more time on the road all is good.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Another thought on this topic is leading or following when with friends.
Leading means I set the pace and chose the route, and stops. Being TYPE A I like this. It puts me in front of all my buddies and I don't have to hear their modified exhausts screaming in my ear. Side by Side I'll take the center to stay on the opposite side of those pipes too.
Following. I can mindless enjoy the ride .... 'nuff said. I just fall back to where I don't get "banged" with modified exhaust noises from the leaders. Friend of mine "shotguns" often on deceleration and it's like being on a gun range with him out front.
Leading means I set the pace and chose the route, and stops. Being TYPE A I like this. It puts me in front of all my buddies and I don't have to hear their modified exhausts screaming in my ear. Side by Side I'll take the center to stay on the opposite side of those pipes too.
Following. I can mindless enjoy the ride .... 'nuff said. I just fall back to where I don't get "banged" with modified exhaust noises from the leaders. Friend of mine "shotguns" often on deceleration and it's like being on a gun range with him out front.