I've rode mostly alone, although I've done a couple of lengthy tours with large groups, and have rode with 1 other rider a few times.

I hate riding in groups. You spend way, way too much time riding someone else's pace and not your own. If someone else screws up, you can pay the price.

Riding with one other person can be ideal - if that other rider and you know each other's pace and can ride well together.

I've come to prefer riding alone. You only have to deal with your own BS, not someone else's. Ride when you want, stop when you want, sleep in or get up early, eat what you want, visit what you prefer, etc. etc.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

Never had any trouble with my mate Nobby:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1044429...34523241696210



Andy

I prefer to ride long trips solo or with the wife on the back, I/we can go at our own pace, its nice to not get either slowed down to other peoples agenda or to constantly be wishing you'd stopped to take that photo, but 'they' don't like to stop. There's only a few friends that I would consider doing a long trip with. You will invariably meet people on the road heading in the same direction as you and you might ride with them for 5 minutes or much longer depending how you get on.

You will find your own pace that you are comfortable with the more you ride.

I ride Motorbikes because I love riding motorbikes (Ive always got a big grin on my face under my helmet) and the freedom it gives me to travel where I like, don't turn it into something that becomes a chore, life is too short.

Andy, Nobby looks like the perfect riding buddy, always ready on time, never takes the comfier bed in a hotel room, never needs a pee break, possibly not much good with a spanner, but there again, neither is my wife!

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

It's like peeling an onion this one.

Anyway - in a small group you have to be honest with each other before you even set off.

Good friends can fall out over the daftest thing when you are travelling all the time together, then setting up camp, or living in the same hotels / rooms.

Over time there is absolutely nothing wrong with saying 'I need some time alone so let's get the maps out and work out where we can meet up again in a few days/weeks'.

In this way you can get to re-establish a level grounding for your own mental world without the relationship going into critical mass.

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Touching the World: A Blind Woman, Two Wheels and 25,000 Miles

Riding with:
Self:
+ you get to make all the decisions
- you have to make all the decisions
+ you get to wake up and get going on your own schedule
- you get to sit out a rain storm all by yourself
+ MUCH more likely to meet new people
- eating alone gets boring
One other pal:
+ somebody to share things with
- somebody to be annoyed by
+ somebody to help you pick up your bike
- somebody that wants to go just a little faster or a little slower than you do
Two other pals:
+ more the merrier
- the vote is always 2 to 1 and somebody feels left out
+ one to patch you up while the other goes for help
- one more to wait for when you want to get one with it
Three or more:
--- Does the term "herding cats" ring a bell?
--- It's not an adventure any more, it's a tour!

I have done an iron butts and trip to Spain solo and loved both. This year myself and two friends are doing the trip to Spain for the motogp, going to be a first for me


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 2

The term "herding cats" is indeed familiar. I do it at work while we try and nail jelly to the ceiling

Andy

Go solo...

Other people smell funny...

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2025 Planning.....

If you are New and really "into this this" lifestyle of Adventure riding then I promise you will find others soon.

Because while this might be "scarce in your neck of the woods" you must understand it will never happen uless you are on the road, traveling, exploring and on long trips. This is the meaning of Adeventure riding.

You are bound to finde people who will want to travel with you.

I often organise and take groups of friends and sometimes their friends abroad . i even considered it as a possible when i retire - however there have been persons who have driven me to distraction on occassions . Examples being no recovery insurance ( only found out when the bike broke down ) , not getting up on time , dicking around when filling up and going fast on a straight but then braking heavily on an apex , no map or details of the hotel despite it being sent to them this all conspires to cause grief for all the other group . i think the no more that two rule is best to be honest but it would have to be with a very like minded person who does not get a sad on if plans change or you want a bit of personal space . Fortunately i have two ridng mates like that so i am very lucky
And to think i dont even charge for the above either ..........................

I've read an awful lot about the subject of Riding With Others or Riding Solo. There are strong opinions on either side, neither really incorrect.

I did a brief write-up on the subject a while back: LINK

Im happily divorced and remarried my bike. I also have a mistress: a second bike. One is the comfortable wife for the distance and the other the mistress to ride hard for a quick romp. I love my wife and mistress and want to be alone with them. I believe only 2 should share a bed so only go with my bike. Like most women they are jealous of my time and affection.
I never do long trips with anyone else. I will do a day trip with at most 3 bikes. Anything more, sorry mate, you wont see me. That is a parade, not riding. If I wanted that I would get a harley and make a real spectacle. Somehow I dont see stopping all the time because someone must smoke/pee/ rest their bum or is tired as riding. Nor is a committee meeting necessary to alter plans. Leave that for Brussels.

As far as a pillion, I will take my son. My daughter hates bikes. They are too young to have a licence. An adult? Let her ride her own bike. Gravel with a pillion sucks

On your own or with some one else. That's the question.


Both have there up's and down's. Go on your own and you are looking for company to talk to at the end of the day. Problem is, if you don't drink it's hard to meet any one. I've done it both. On my own, and with someone new. The first one turned up on a bike with no rear foot peg's fitted. When ask why he took them off, answer was he don't take passenger's. So knew then if I broke down he would ride off. Latter he got a puncher with no kit to repair it. So let him use mine, no hat at night gave him my spare. But in fact we where two people going to the same place, but each on their own. Strange that. Second one. Was more or less the same. On the crossing at Dover for three week's out to Greece. He tell's me he has a mental problem. Then getting ready to get off the ferry, drop's the bomb shell that he's not sure how far he is going on the trip. Turns out to be three day. Then he turned round and when back home.


Finding some one to gel with on a trip. Is like gold dust. There are a lot of key board traveller's, who change their mind's at the last min. People don't think the same. I'm out twice a year, all way's looking for some one to come with me. Reason are keep's the cost down if you are sharing. Some one to talk to. There is all way's the thing of. You don't know every thing. So sharing knowledge help's you on your way. Wish you the best of luck in what ever you do.
John933

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To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.

Alone, it is much much better traveling alone..

Do what you want, when you want.
No arguing or told you so's..

Enjoy life..!

If you want to truly get to know someone, travel with them...

The above can be both a positive and truly, horrendously negative experience. Quite often the latter

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That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing...