Solo riding Group riding

  • MJ
    • 35 posts
    March 28, 2010 6:50 AM PDT
    I was just wondering how others perfer to ride Solo or with a group ? Since hubby had to sell bike I have been forced on going out on my own. I have found riding alone certainly have its disadvantages. Puttin around town is alright but going on a day trip riding sure is a bit lonely. Just want to hear how others who do ride alone if this is something they do or dont enjoy !!!!  Thanks Michelle
  • March 28, 2010 7:09 AM PDT
    It depends on style of riding, miles, and speed. I haul ass and frequently ride 400-600 miles on a sunday, there is a small group of folks I trust enough to ride with. Big groups, toy runs, bar hoppin, poker runs, that stuff is not for me, too many fools with bikes you don't know till something bad happens. I have to ride stagger and maintain a safety / escape zone at all times.
    • 601 posts
    March 28, 2010 7:50 AM PDT
    I'm with flatlander on this, I ride with a small group of trusted guys. But if you think about it Michelle, biking is a solo pastime/way of life...its just you and the bike and the road. By choosing to ride you show you are your own person, anyone riding with you is just confetti at a wedding...nice but who needs it.
  • March 28, 2010 8:09 AM PDT
    rory1 wrote... anyone riding with you is just confetti at a wedding...nice but who needs it.

    HA HA HA! I love it! Is that kinda like gettin' bugs in your eye, rory?

    Probably 99% of the time, I ride alone. Don't like being 'trapped' with no where to go. 

    As you can see ~ no fairing, no stereo... just Pearl, me and the open road ~ that's all the music I need

    • 2072 posts
    March 28, 2010 9:29 AM PDT
    I've ridden solo and with groups numbering near 500 (Toy runs) and enjoy it all. When I'm with a group I just make it a practice to keep my distance and TRY to stay with riders that I know and trust.
    • 2 posts
    March 28, 2010 9:43 AM PDT
    I prefer to ride with 1 or 2 other bikes. Otherwise someone is always stopping or wanting to take a different route. I do go on HOG club rides. When in a group keep a safety zone.
  • March 28, 2010 9:49 AM PDT
    depends on where i am going or what doing. there are times i just want to be alone and clear my head, mostly, one or two other bikes is enough for a spur of the moment run. on the big organized runs, like "for the love of kids and harleys", i like to ride in the back of a pack of a hundred or more bikes, damned awesome! leaving out sucks, arriving sucks, the ride is great.
    • 8 posts
    March 28, 2010 10:07 AM PDT
    I'm with Flatlander and Rory1, give me a small group or solo.
  • March 28, 2010 10:10 AM PDT
    i ll ride with ya micelle,mmmmmmmmmm.lol
  • March 28, 2010 10:15 AM PDT
    What flatlander said. I prefer to ride alone for the most part. Go where you want, for as long as you want, stop when you want (or not) for as long as you want. Total freedom. Large group runs suck IMO. All day to go 150 miles...not my idea of fun.

    Thanx,

    jb
    • 1 posts
    March 28, 2010 10:22 AM PDT
    I can handle 2 to 30 riders, makes no difference to me. I personally do not care for organized rides, such as poker run, charity events, not that I do not care about charity, I will give to any notable cause. Just getting out and riding to some unknown, never been there before ride with good old friends and even some newbies.
  • MJ
    • 35 posts
    March 28, 2010 10:31 AM PDT
    Thanks all.. I love what you said rory1. Thats is totally right on the money.. It is me and my bike...
  • March 28, 2010 10:47 AM PDT
    never been much of a pack rider. I'm a bit of a loner so naturally I prefer to ride alone. Ocassionally will ride with one good buddy, but that's rare. A nod to those group riders out there, thumbs up if I see ya on the road.
    • 75 posts
    March 28, 2010 10:55 AM PDT
    Hi Michelle...

    Waaay back, I used to do the Freedom Ride every year in Denver and loved riding out with those monster-sized groups because a thousand+ bikes makes the ground shake and it's quite a sight to be riding up I-70 into the mountains and see motorcycles paired-up side-by-side for as far as you can see in front of you as well as behind you.

    Nowadays, I take a little grief for two patches on my vest. One on my back says "Lone Wolf - No Club" because, when all is said and done, I prefer to ride alone (like Blackpearl said: no stereo. Just me, my bike, and the open road!); however, a patch on the front says "Tailgunner" because it's the only position I've ever occupied within a small group. It's where I'm the most comfortable and where I can do the most good.

    5% of the time I ride with small groups but the other 95% I'm riding solo and loving it! Don't think of it as being lonely, Michelle, think of it as quality time you get to spend with yourself!
  • March 28, 2010 11:48 AM PDT
    i mostly ride alone but i do ride with a group.they have ride safety meetings every month for new riders an really stress safety.we may have 45 to 50 riders on a ride, but we never ride more than 12 in a group.
    • 2 posts
    March 28, 2010 12:12 PM PDT
    Almost always ride alone - Like to ride around the ruins of abandoned factories, mines, mills & docks or on the hi-crown, blacktop, twisties paralleling rivers. Not many people are amused by that kind of riding.

    Tried one toy drive - 100 miles of beautiful countryside & spent the entire time looking at the motorcycles next to me. - Next time I drop the toy off, look @ the unusual motorcycles & haul out.

    Sounds like an oxymoron but would like to meet up w/ a group of people who like to ride alone + Wish I knew more about ham radio. - Would be great to meet-up @ days end to share alcohol, pictures & lies.
  • March 28, 2010 12:30 PM PDT
    any type of riding has it pro's and it con's. but it's all good. I like to ride solo sometimes and then there are those days no one can ride and you want too.....so you ride alone. It's good for the sole....and great thinking can happen. If your a chick and riding alone......stop in at bar, you won't be alone for long......lol
  • March 28, 2010 1:33 PM PDT
    I agree with Flatlander and Rory1. I love to ride! There is no way that I am going to pass up a ride because there isn't anyone else to ride with. Riding with others can be fun but presents new safety concerns. Just the distraction of riding in a group can be an issue.
    • 190 posts
    March 28, 2010 1:35 PM PDT
    I prefer goin Solo most of the time....sometimes me and 8Ball will ride together but as far as large groups its always ended up a clustermess....no thanks....i'll fly solo thanks..
  • March 28, 2010 2:29 PM PDT
    about the only time i will ride in a group is if i know the lead or I am the lead. I love the freedom of being solo not only in ridding but in the past most of the other things I got into were kind of solo things like kayaking, hang gliding and skiing. I just want to do what I what when I want
    • Moderator
    • 19007 posts
    March 28, 2010 10:53 PM PDT
    Well after two near serious incidents with stranger riders I am very reluctant to ride in a large group with strangers. I have a group of friends whom I trust and would ride with any time but with people new to me I either lead or follow way back until I see their style and skill. I do prefer to ride with friends though.
  • March 29, 2010 12:26 AM PDT
    I'll ride with a small group of people that I know. 4-6 in the group. After that it usually turns into a hassle... Sorry guys, I like my Fairing, it keeps the bugs outta my face and I also like my classic Rock! Aerosmith, Stones, Eagles, Queen, Boston, Kiss and a host of others! Besides, the Missus's Softail is so loud, nobody hears my stereo anyway!
  • March 29, 2010 1:47 AM PDT
    I sure was wrong on this one. I had it in my mind that there were more group riders and my solo rider style would be one of a few. But I too prefer to ride alone no matter if it's a short hop or long distance. I do ride with my brother and/or nephew on occassion, but both are experienced riders and I don't have to worry about them.
  • March 29, 2010 1:53 AM PDT
    I ride alone mostly. Sometimes I long for the companionship and to share the ride and a pause for something to eat and converse about. I do not trust other riders...their skill and atitude. I have only a few people I may get a chance to ride with and it is because they are good friends and I can trust that they are not idiot fools on two wheels. Solo here baby... never one to mingle and stand around for too long... gotta live.
  • March 29, 2010 2:01 AM PDT
    Parade group putts, rural sight seeing, good friends time cruise all are my group rides. Have been in escorted very large groupe rides and they are not fun, was more like a NASCAR race to end to party. Single or up to 6 good friends is best.