Alone or Duo??
 

Im am very new to the Adv Moto lifestyle. I havn't made any long trips yet. Would it be better with someone or by myself? And where would you start to find someone that would be into this as much as i am? Its scarce in my neck of woods. Asking someone to give it all away to fancy a ride round the world is a tricky question. Am I alone? Or do I find a Partner in Crime? Also when i say Duo or partner I mean another Rider with another bike, not on the same bike. Thanks.

Only you can answer this. We all need time alone and with others. We all differ in what level of support we want from another traveller and how annoying we will find them when they are not doing anything fun or useful. Some people travel better alone, view stuff that's harder on your own as a challenge and can get all the company they need via Skype the web or talking to strangers. Others need the back up and don't mind the enclosing influence of a fixed group.

I have done group tours which I hated. I have done weeks of riding with a really good mate and my wife and we all still view them as good trips. I have done solo trips meeting people along the way which have been both good and bad. I think the key is openness and the ability to adapt. My wife knows we would both hate Norway in winter, her cold and me worried she is hating it. Alone I love it. October fest on the other hand is much better with a few mates along.

You should get into the scene where you are, try one of the HU meets. Try a solo trip see if you like it. Much as I detest them you could also sign up for an organised tour.

A club that tolerates me as a member has a tradition of humorous rants. My take on the organised tour is here http://www.thumperclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=7006.0 but please don't let this put you off, one guys wait in a carpark wasting the day is another's relaxed chance for a lazy breakfast.

The trick with companions is to either know you will always get on or get over it, or know you can go your own ways. Problems happen when aims differ but the "team" cannot go their own way due to shared kit or fixed plans.

Edit to add (almost forgot my manners there): Welcome to HUBB .

Andy

Another thing you could do might be finding someone who is traveling roughly the same route at the same time. That gives both an opportunity to ride together as long as you like, without giving up your freedom of making solo choices on the go. As long as both partners plan it as a solo trip and just are open to enjoy the company, it's a win-win situation. :thumbup1:

Thanks, I had no idea that so many hear the call to explore. It's truly amazing. Im not much for the internet, but I'm loving this site.

With my tongue only half in my cheek I'd say your choice of travelling companion is more important than your choice of bike. Little idiosyncrasies or differences that you (or they) can put up with for an evening in a bar can end up as trip breakers when you're together for weeks on the road. Finding someone of sufficient like mind that conflict doesn't rear up at some point is very rare in my experience. After over 40yrs of bike touring / overlanding etc I only know one person I'd do a trip of over a week with without worrying - and it isn't my wife.

Talking of wives / partners etc, unless they really are of like mind, forcing them to go on a long bike trip is a quick way to the divorce courts (in my opinion (and experience)).

At least with solo trips you don't have to worry that they'll ride off into the distance or stomp off into the night but the up side of sharing the good bits is missing also and sometimes I've felt the trip was hardly worth doing when you can't share it with anyone afterwards. No one to share the problems with can raise your stress levels out of the pleasure zone quite quickly, although much of this does depend on how self reliant you are as a personality. Ted Simon's belief that the breakdowns make the trip may or may not be something that you agree with - although looking back at my touring life it's been the times when things have gone wrong I remember more than the smooth running days. Some of the memories are even good ones! :rofl:

I'm not familiar with your neck of the US but any bike camping weekends or rallies that you could ride a few hundred miles to might kick things off and you'd meet like minded people. Here in the UK and throughout Europe there are probably hundreds of events like that throughout the year.

Don't look into it to much just because you never went on any trips does not mean you can't crack a big trip as your first and also solo if needed, many people do it

I myself only passed my bike test a few weeks before I set of on my first trip last year on my first every bike that I had only rode less than 100 miles on since passing my test.

Maybe my ongoing blog (link at bottom) is worth alook for you

We are of course the best site here but you may also want to look at the one we don't mention (Don't let anyone know I told you about ADVrider) which has a greater proportion of low grade porn, internet warriorship and discussions about what flavour of Dunkin Doughnuts is best, but also some info that might be more local to you. If you go over there say hello from us elitist snobs as they affectionately call us :innocent::rofl:

The just-do-it approach can work well if you are the sort of person who falls off, gets up, duct tapes the exhaust back on, takes pictures for a blog and gets on with it. I've seen 40 year old men cry at the realisation that their recovery service won't rescue their Bavarian Behemoth from North Africa though. I've also been hacked off by travel-light/just-do-it types scrounging stuff they could have brought for themselves if they'd had a plan. Our personalities vary. I worked up to bigger trips much more slowly, I'd been riding 8 years before I left Europe although I had done the old DDR pretty much straight off the training course (which of course triggers the bloke in the pub or your Auntie to start predicting death by foreign water, poor plumbing and repeats of various scenes from Midnight Express).

Totally agree with BofB, don't worry about the shopping. Sure, if you meet a travelling companion who works and plan a 90-day trip it may be worth getting matching bikes. You can read plenty of tales where people get a 125 for their wives and then moan she can't keep up with their 1200. The inability to ride slower or understand that your travelling companion can't handle the weight of a 1200 is the bigger step than swapping the bikes. Oddly these guys never try giving the wife the 1200 and seeing if they can keep up on the 125. No point buying stuff until you know it works for you. Buy petrol and tyres first.

Andy

So what Andy is basically saying after riding for 8 years in Europe he still never found out that duct tape does not work when fixing a exhaust:D

that was a joke by the way:innocent:

Threewheelbonnie summed it up pretty well when he said only you know the answer to the question of solo or with company. My feeling is lot of people struggle when they are alone, especially when away from the little brick boxes in foreign parts.
I am very happy being alone and indeed spend much of my time alone in my work and have done for many years. My first trips were solo and I loved every minute of it. As my trips got further, longer and more adventurous I talked my wife into coming along. 1week 2 weeks 3 weeks....and so on. She loves it, I love it and away from "normal civilian life" we thoroughly enjoy each others company, just like a couple of loved young kids, we've been hitch 26yrs :helpsmilie:

Anyway now I can't imagine going with out my playmate now mainly because I love to share the experience and would feel guilty if she missed out. Had she not agreed to come the first time I would probably be a solo man and still be happy doing just that.

I'm not too tolerant of other people sometimes ...apparently? I do expect others to do as I can regardless of what it is. "If I can do it, they can do it, if they can do it, I can do it" That could be a bit awkward on a long trip with others, I would have to be more open about my feelings with others to make it work. Looks quite likely that will come into play this year in August, for part or all of our trip, using HUBB !

I have planned trips with friends and "others" but the biggest problem is finding someone that will actually go. I wonder out of every 100 dreamers how many actually do it? Quite a low % I reckon ( I'll start a thread on that I think)

So in summary for MattyRider's OP question: It's all about knowing yourself, and knowing what you may have to do to make it work, what ever you decide to do. The hardest part is actually minute 1 on hour 1 on day one the rest is easy !

Haven't you just described every bloke over 40.

That explains it then! Still, at least I get to play deaf just to annoy people :innocent:

The trick with duct tape and exhausts is like most things with duct tape; enough of it. About 9 rolls for a serious break :smartass: :rofl:

:offtopic:

The hour 1, minute 1 comment is very well made. I may be suffering some sort of mental disease but the voices in my head that claim going to Bavaria in a Blizzard will be fun also start harping on about the little rattle in the top of the engine that must be thermo-nuclear self ignition about to vaporise us the second we roll off the driveway. I think one of the advantages of having someone along is that they tell you at the first petrol stop that as you are going too *****y fast there can't be much wrong. That said I once rode with a Ural group one of whom decided to strip his gearbox down during the lunch break doh

Possibly some sort of inflatable special friend or mobile app can be developed?

This one was good mind https://picasaweb.google.com/1044429...33685936729314

Andy

I have done a LOT of group riding and an equal amount of solo.

One huge advantage of solo is that you can meet up and ride with other riders for short or long legs... depending on compatibility. It also gives you the freedom to listen to your inner voice when it is screaming "cut and run... cut and run" and then you can bail and find a better path.

And also many locals will invite one person to their homes but not a group.

Thanks, I think Im just going to make a date of leaving, and if I cant find anyone to join me by then ill go anyway. Maybe finding my Duo on the road. And if not ill learn the solo way. Thanks everyone. Im in love with this site.

Ps. ITs -28degrees F in Ohio right now.

Matty

As noted, only you can answer the question. Both styles are very different and have their sacrifices. My own preference is to travel alone, but if I meet someone interesting on the road I will travel with them for awhile. I have ridden with other motorcyclists and taken on passengers. When it is time to go our separate ways.....we do so with no problem because it is simply time for each of us to do something different. For me, this suits both my need for solo travel and the joy of shared experiences.

I've had 2 bad experiences travelling with people I didn't know well.

The first trip, to France, I was part of 6 riders. Found out on the ferry that 4 had never ridden abroad before. After 5 days, those 4 riders said they "didn't like it" & rode back to the UK (seriously!). That left me & 1 guy. He'd arranged to visit family in Germany & although he invited me to tag along, I decided to head down to Spain and do my own thing (had a great time).

My second bad trip: I'd planned to ride to Austria, this time, on my own. However, a guy on a bike forum asked if he could ride with me as he was going to Greece. On that basis, I assumed (never again) that he was an experienced rider / traveller so agreed. We didn't make it past Ostend together. He was a total liability - left his passport on the ferry, then lost his gloves & the final straw was finding out he'd booked a hotel room without consulting me!

So if you plan to ride with others, try to meet and chat as much as possible. Go on biking weekend together, discuss how you like to ride, how much you like to stop, do they have any habits you can't stand?
Have an exit plan - for anyone to use whenever they wish with no hard feelings :)

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.

Never had any trouble with my mate Nobby:

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

:innocent: :rofl:

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!

Alone or with others
 

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.

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 :innocent:doh:rofl:

Andy

Go solo...

Other people smell funny...

:thumbup1:

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 doh 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 :thumbup1:
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

?c?

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

Alone or Duo??
 

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

Choose well
 

I don't generally ride with groups (too many wheelies, close calls, and general poor rider experiences). When I do ride with a friend or two it's all about the fun of the ride. It is good to ride with more experienced people if you are somewhat new to this but always be sure to pull your own weight. As an example, I pack enough tools for a major rebuild and my pal Dave only carries the wretched kit that came with his bike (it looks like a child's toy tool kit). He compensates by always bringing along some odd, but very good food and in this way we have both contributed equally (canned borscht notwithstanding). You also need a partner in crime who is cheerful (or at least not petulant and whiny) and takes the adventure (rain, mud, suicidal wildlife, drunks, no food, bad food,canned borscht, etc) as a part of the experience, not the awful thing that they'll never do again. A similar attitude is a plus. Start with short trips and move up if it works well. I once did a trip with a guy I have known and liked for 20 years. On a road trip he required nice hotels, nice restaurants, and complained bitterly about every bump in the road (I like tents, cheap motels, plain food,etc.). The only reason I'm not posting this from the Auburn maximum security prison (for homicide, dismembering and cannibalism) is that we both realized what a disaster we had created and went our own ways to meet up again later. We are still good friends, but not long distance riding partners. Choose the person/people well and the ride will take care of itself.

In two weeks I'm leaving on a 3000 km bike trip with my son riding pillion. He is 13. I've always ridden long trips alone, and the most company is a weekend camping trips of 3 bikes. This is about mates and not so much about riding. Boys time. Then there is a week away with a girlfriend pillion. A woman pillion to me is just not enjoyable. You are restricted as to the technical dirt you can do, its more tiring on dirt, the bike is crowded 2 up with double the luggage, and if the day is too long, road rough, too hot or too cold, or it rains, you hear about it. This is also not really about adventure or riding.

It is different with a young boy. Although the roads you will ride are also restricted. They are appreciative, more willing to rough it and don't expect much, and the thrill of an adventure with dad overrides a lot. It creates memories for them and maybe one day a desire and confidence to go on their own adventure and strike out as their own man. It also gives them much to brag about when they get back to school and tell their friends who went on family trips in a cage lol. A boy will go along with what you say. No time wasted on blah blah. A father son trip is not a democracy or a Brussels type decision by endless committee and compromise, which only ends up doing what Washington says, who do what the bankers or Jerusalem say lol.

The more bikes, or even pillions, the more stops, the more blah blah about any changes to plan, blah about where to stay, where to eat, what time to leave in the morning, when to stop etc. You also meet less people since you are already a group. It defeats the whole concept of adventure biking which is freedom and adventure. It may add safety, but that also reduces the unknowns of adventure.

I figure leave group riding to the Harley HOG, MC, and sunday breakfast fun crowd. Or those too timid to ride alone. I find it boring and about the social, not about the thrill of adventure. For me, this is not what biking is about. Im an old school individualistic biker. I get on my bike and go, and no apologies to anyone.

In my part of the world we have a lot of Harleys. They are generally quite good bikes (simple to maintain and fix, infinitely rebuildable/repairable, solidly made, etc) and I've had a few. Many of the riders, however, seem to view their bike as a fashion accessory to a synthetic lifestyle. Rides with these guys are 2 hrs of getting everyone assembled/ pre-ride blather and then riding 12 miles to a bar (another 1-2 hrs of sitting about, 14 miles more (another bar). Finally, after all the strain and hardship (those 12 oz. curls are tiring) it's off to dinner then home. There are an awful lot of 8 year old Harleys with 3500 on the odometer. You do sometimes run into a set of serious riders and, generally they are older, experienced and never seem to go on and on about Japanese bikes being junk, etc. Most of my riding is done with my wife and we enjoy it, until the pavement ends and my wife becomes stiff and uncomfortable (My interior monologue at these times runs as follows: "For the love of god, I'm not going to fall off on the first bump! I'm not Ewan McGregor!). So, dirt isn't much of an option two-up, and I ride slowly an super carefully for her benefit (unlike when I am solo). The older I get the less likely I am to do a group ride unless they are very serious riders. A few weeks ago I might've wanted a pal along as I went into the rough on my woods beater DR350. Sliding out of a turn (I thought it was a left, then straight and it turned out to be an s instead, surprise!) I slid sideways into a pine that someone had thoughtfully sawed the branches off (leaving blunt 4 foot sections sticking out) and tore off my taillight and took one in the left kidney. When I woke up, only greyed out, I think, my first thought was "Where'd the bike go?" followed closely by a loud string of curses as I felt my left kidney occupying roughly the same place as my mangled spine. At 49 I am no wheres near as resilient as 20.The bike was okay and started up (hopping on the kicker was a joy...) and so I went home. The place I was in sees no one all week (just weekends, so it would've been good to bring a friend). Bloody urine for a couple of weeks and the spine still feels "interesting" but it's better to crash on your own than get run into by someone who doesn't ride well (as if I am the model of skill). You're doing your son a great favor by letting him see that the fun of a thing can be had through discomfort and that the experience of doing the difficult is always worthy. Cheers: beer (Harley ride prep)

IMHO, the first question you should ask yourself is what you do expect from the travel you are sketching up. What are you looking for?

Taking pictures, "have been there", a couple of selfies with your bike and mates, is silver. Putting yourself in strong emotional situations, meeting unexpectadly new (and precious) people / culture is gold. Overcoming your own (travelling?) fears is priceless.

Travelling alone is my best bet.

Travelling alone is better as some companions can be pain in the bottom. You may meet people somewhere on your way and end up travelling together, only to find that they are selfish and don't contribute anything.....although some are fantastic and a joy to ride & camp with and would enrich your adventure. So travel alone as you will definitely meet someone on the road.

Hermit
 

In my mind solo is the only answer. Start when you want, take the road you want, eat where you want to eat, go as far as you want, stop when you want, stay where you want to stay. Make a bad decision - there's only one person to blame. The longer the trip the more the need to do it your way.

I've known several friends who have done long group trips. It seems a "leader" always boils to the top. One guy ends up taking charge and everyone else eventually falls into line. Either that or they spend the entire journey bickering :taz: about the million little decisions that need to be made along the way.

Solo makes it more difficult in the event of a breakdown, security concern or at border crossings. But solo also opens you up to the locals. I get approached much more when I'm alone than when I'm with another rider. And a huge part of any trip is the people you meet along the way.

I have always left on trips alone. The best times I have had was when I met other riders going my way and we spent from a couple of days to a few weeks together. Most of the stories I tell over and over are about my experiences with those people. Unfortunately, everyone has their time frame and "must see" places and parting is inevitable.

For my next trip, I will try to find through here or ADVrider, people doing a similar route and make an effort to intersect them. If it works, great, if not, maybe I'll meet someone else.

I think going for an entire trip with someone and being bound to them is a recipe for disaster. The probable causes having been expressed in previous posts. Good luck, Just do it!

Mitch

I'm going to be travelling with a group of 4 biker friends next year. Everyone has their different tastes though. I'd advise against setting off to travel with someone you don't know though, because they could turn out to be a nightmare! So either go it alone if you feel comfortable to do so or go with people you know well and trust. Either way, have a great time!

I had a long and thoughtful reply typed up but lost it. Summary: Solo is best if confident. Partner is you want the extra security but with an understanding you're both independent travellers who can split at anytime.
However nothing beats a pair of boobs pressed against your back.

I take it that's not man boobs

I prefere to travel alone as it is very hard to find someone that really matches the way of traveling (km per day, foto stops, hotel/tent). The worst thing is to travel with someone you dont know/like.

Ahhhhhh, you mean the wife :rolleyes2: :rofl:

Hi

I'm new to HU.. this is my first post :).

I'm somewhat of a world traveler... approaching a 100 countries with a good number having multiples of visits. I'm not however an overly experienced biker. I have done a half dozen trips of durations up to 1 month... mostly around Asia... mostly on +/- 200cc and mostly solo.

I have a few adventure travel axioms that usually hold true:

1. Your contact with the culture and people of your destination varies inversely with the square of the qty of travelers in the group.

1 traveler: 1/1^2 = 1 (maximum)
2 travelers: 1/2^2 = 0.250
3 travelers: 1/3^2 = 0.111
4 travelers: 1/4^2 = 0.063

So as you add folks to your group, it tends to very quickly isolate you from meeting and interacting with the local culture and people... which I believe is one of the great pleasures of travel. Once you get to 4, it's a totally different trip.

Note that cultural interaction is not the only objective for travel however, and so this axiom doesn't mean the quality of the trip decays the same way.


2. Similar to #1, one's contact with locals and other travelers is greatly affected by your mode of travel and accommodation. On one end of the scale, traveling in a car and staying at 5 star hotels tends to lead to a greatly reduced interactive experience. Traveling by motorbike and staying in small lodgings greatly increases interaction. Public bus/boat/train traveling is probably the best for meeting people.

3. Mode of transportation directly affects your ability to get off the beaten track. This is where motorbikes are #1 to me: you can go just about anywhere in a reasonable period of time... thus your "bang for your buck" is maximized. Cars/Vans/SUVs are also good, while public transportation is very limiting for access.

4. Having traveling partners does open doors of adventure on an economic basis. Many times I might like to hire a boat to take me a day's journey down the river... but can't afford it as a solo traveler. Groups of 3 or 4 can afford just about anything.

5. Finally, group vs solo travel can be paradise or hell, depending on each traveler's personality and interests. I find it very difficult to find someone who is a travel soulmate... but if I could, I think it would be well worth it over solo travel. Otherwise, solo travel is the most rewarding.

Some earlier posts suggested meeting solo people who are going your way, and to travel together for as long as it works. I greatly agree with this... but axiom #1 still holds true - the solo traveler always has the most cultural and people interaction.

It would be great to hear if other experienced travelers disagree with any of these axioms? I've often wondered if these axioms are specific to my personality?

Alone, but your your never really alone
 

I am doing a trip to Thailand and Laos in about 34 days alone, but you are never really alone as there are enough people out there to meet and engage with. But going alone you have the choice if you do want a bit of 'me time' and also the choice if you want to seek company.
Also going alone you will be doing what you want to do on a daily basis rather then having to do what others want.
On the other hand if you are with someone else there is immediate help at help at hand should something happen
It six and 2 three's
I agree with others...if you are going in a group I would say don't unless you get on with them well.
:mchappy:

Wayne

Nice :thumbup1:

It is nice to share the experience with a friend or acquaintance, but it can easily overload emotions being with somebody most of the time over an extended period. Traveling alone, I think I meet more people and get some pretty unique opportunities. A traveling companion can be a wealth of information, especially if they have knowledge of local riding. A good mix of riding with others and riding alone will help you determine your preferences…

Solo ride is the best. I've done rides with groups and hate waiting for them. Once in a while I will find someone that tries to keep my pace, they cannot. Madeleine Velazquez - Home

Travelling alone...
 

I agree with everyone above.

Its very hard to find someone who wants to do the same destinations, at the same time, on the same budget, who speaks the language, who knows how to fix their own bike, who........... etc etc

I've been riding dirt and road bikes for about 15 years. This trip I've been riding ALONE for 4 weeks from Santiago, Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Paraguay and now Santa Cruz in Bolivia. I am craving to meet someone friendly, doing the same trip as me. Being in bed at 11.30 New Years Eve was a low point for me (very lonely), but easily the lowest point of my trip so far was the last 300+ km of the worst road ever in Paraguay in 40 degree heat and no water for 6 hours.... then when I eventually hit the asphalt, I crashed at about 100km/h tearing open my forearm. I nearly died that day (28/12/14) but was rescued by a local. I nearly gave it all in that day. I paid the guy who helped me $500USD for helping me.

I guess, my point is that you are better off with someone incase of emergency and to avoid loneliness even if your trip varies slightly. I've backpacked all over the world (mostly alone) and often meet people in Hostels but very few this trip.

My KLR650 has been at Kawasaki for two days. I've been riding dirt and road bikes for about 15 years. (I love riding 'em .... I just can't fix 'em) I can't even change a tyre, so after my accident, I'm trying to stick to the more popular routes for the last 6 weeks of this trip. Hoping to meet loads of people at Uyuni (the Dakar on the 10th January)

I'm loving the ride but probably wouldn't set off to ride in a non-english speaking country again alone :thumbup1:

Cheers

Bartman
p.cornish@hotmail.com

The only big trips I've done so far have been in Europe and the USA. Both times I rode solo and had no problem with it at all... I'm not one of those people who needs to be in company constantly, so it was actually pretty great to get some time alone with my thoughts, the changing scenery, twisty roads etc.

Now that I'm contemplating my first more adventurous multi-month trip I'm torn on this topic though. On one hand, the thought of spending months in constant company with anyone other than a friend I know very well sounds potentially horrific! On the other, I could imagine that having a friend with you in far-flung places would increase your confidence to interact with the people you meet along the way.

When on my trips so far, I've had a few 5 or 10 minute chats with people I've met along the way... but I couldn't see me randomly deciding to spend all evening drinking with anyone I've met or anything like that.

Maybe this is just a case of me needing to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit more when interacting with strangers though... more than needing a traveling partner.

Anyway, this thread has been food for thought... so thanks all!

For me it is easier to connect with locals without any friends or travel companions around. This way I am forced to connect with locals and it is also easier for them to come and talk to me.

As one of the original respondents said, this is such a personal question.

I'm nearly three weeks into a 3 month tour around South America, solo. Previously I'd done a week in California, and 2 x two week trips in Europe, both solo.

A few thoughts that might help:
- How do you view your journey? Is is just travelling or is something more than that - more of a challenge that you set yourself? If it's the latter, then overcoming loneliness is a lot easier, because I've you're a driven/motivated person, you can just tell yourself to accept it as part of the challenge, deal with it however you can, and crack on.

- Ditto earlier comments re language. This is the biggest barrier, not people, to loneliness. But even picking up a borderline conversational level of a language can make a big difference. As a Brit travelling solo in South America for the first time, this has been the biggest shock to me.

- Think about your route - some countries people are naturally more friendly that others. I'm in Brazil now, and people are great and English is a little more widely spoken than Argentina, where I've just come from.

- Where you stay at night makes a big difference - hotels are generally pretty soul destroying places for more than a few nights in a row. I mix it up with youth hostels, but even then I'm in a different position to many on the backpacking trail who form friendships by going to the same places and sharing transport. That said, if you pick carefully you can find hostels where you can do guided tours, excursions etc which mean you don't find yourself eating alone night after night Camping isn't necessarily as sociable, but equally it falls into the 'challenge' box above.

Hope this helps

Ed

I've made life long friends and have wonderful memories of people I've travelled with. And I also have one or two experiences where things didn't work out so well.

I think a long term DUO is difficult unless you're really lucky and you're both on the same wave length. Even then, things can get sticky.

Travelling with someone is like a marriage. It really is. It's almost a bit weird when you think about it. When you're pissed off, tired, ill, ratty and your far from home, your travel partner ends up being on the end of it. And vice versa.

If you're going to travel with someone I think you should know them first if you're making a long term commitment.

Be prepared, packed and able to travel 100% SOLO. Then if things get a bit too much you want your own space then you can separate. Even if it's just for a couple of hours, days, weeks etc. You HAVE To be prepared to go alone. It's important.

If I ride in a group I'd rather be in a 3 or 4. That way you can rotate travel buddies or go off solo without leaving anyone 'stranded'.

It's an impossible scenario to predict. If you're heading out long term with someone and your gut feeling tells you they could be a problem. DON'T DO IT... Niggles and annoyances are multiplied 100x when you're relying on each other.


A couple of years ago I did a canoe trip down the Yukon with a British guy I didn't know very well. We were alone together in the wilds of Canada for weeks on end. Just us and a canoe in the middle of nowhere.

HE DROVE ME CRAZY. He didn't get up until mid-day, smoked weed and passed out in the canoe, filled his water bottle with Whisky and got arrested for being drunk and abusive. doh

I could of whacked him over the head with a log and left him for the bears. No one would find him out there. I actually found myself thinking about it. THAT'S how things can get if you aren't careful about your travel company.

If the end, he ran out of money, whisky and weed and his dad paid for him to be flown out half way through the trip. Then I met a great Canadian guy in another canoe and we had a FANTASTIC time together. We're still good friends now.

:thumbup1:

Yip bier
I have done a few trips before. I always went solo but occasionally met up with others along the way, not by design just by chance. I prefer it that way. And I prefer to arrive in a town overseas and feel the need to get acquainted with strangers in bars etc. I like the unpredictability of that approach. You need to be careful of course but isn't that the mantra in life even when you're at home?
Travelling with a friend will show both of you if you are really friends. Travelling with a stranger just for the sake of saving money is not an approach I'd choose either. Keeping costs down is a good idea but suffering the rituals of a nobhead just to keep a few euros in my pocket is not for me. I'd rather stay at home.

I think I've meet your drunk. lol
John933

Hi backofbeyond. I'm interested in your user name because where I come from it has a very interesting origin and I'm guessing you are aware of it. If not ask away and I'll tell you what I know about it.
BTW, agree with all you say in your post.

Solo or not?
 

My first ride, Singapore - London in 1973 was with a mate. I knew him well beforehand but had never ridden with him. I'm glad we travelled together as we encountered some serious situations (sickness, accidents, run ins with authorities, a coup, a political crisis and I stolen motorbike among others)

In 1986 I travelled in India for a couple of weeks with a mate - two-up on a 500 BSA single. Bad move. He was not a motorcyclist and turned out to be a bit of a liability. I should have cancelled the trip as he had promised to get his licence before we left, but didn't. It was only my loyalty that allowed the trip to go ahead. I reasoned it was only a couple of weeks so it wasn't long however he was a nervous pillion which is not a good thing anywhere, especially India.

For the last eight years I've travelled alone in Indonesia, except for one day trip. I love it and wouldn't travel any other way although just recently I met a pretty spunky Indonesian lady aboard a Yamaha Bison. She ticked all the boxes as she'd clocked up some serious ks around Indo.

If you'd like to check out some of my trips go here: Relaxamatic - - WorldNomads.com I've been published in a few mags so you won't be wasting your time if you're looking for a decent read.

I've pm'd you about the topic but if you think it's suitable for a wider audience then post it up here. :biggrin3:

Mentioning your 1973 trip brings to mind my experience that year, how it can go wrong and how your life can change as a result. We were two couples with serious relationships on two bikes going UK to Greece over a month or so. It was a trip that had been six months in the planning and we'd overcome some serious objections from my girlfriend's family. They'd only eventually agreed because they'd met the other girl going and thought she was sensible (!).

We lasted as a foursome as far as Frankfurt (one day's ride) when the "sensible girl" decided she'd had enough and flew back, never to be seen again. My girlfriend "survived" the trip but we split up shortly afterwards - partly due to my two wheel lifestyle. The fallout from that trip has rumbled down the years and there's even a loose connection to what I'll be doing this weekend. A few years ago I wrote the whole story down as a book just to try and get the jumble out of my head but the result isn't something I'd want anyone short of a mental health professional to read. :rofl:

On the other hand I still travel with the rider of the other bike and in a couple of weeks time we'll be starting a seven or eight week trip around the US. It'll be (as he reminded me) the 45th anniversary of our first bike trip together, so I've had a commemorative T shirt printed:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psxdy71ekf.jpg






My wife is riding pillion on my bike and it'll be her longest bike trip by some margin. The warning bells from 1973 are ringing loudly in my ears.

Love the story and the tee-shirt.

"Back of Beyond" was the title of a film shot in outback Australia in 1954. It followed the footsteps of the Birdsville mailman, Tom Kruse. It's available on YouTube. The film won international acclaim as it captured the wild, remoteness of the outback bringing it to life for a wider audience. The original phrase is attributed to Sir Walter Scott.

Love the story and the tee-shirt.

"Back of Beyond" was the title of a film shot in outback Australia in 1954. It followed the footsteps of the Birdsville mailman, Tom Kruse. It's available on YouTube. The film won international acclaim as it captured the wild, remoteness of the outback bringing it to life for a wider audience. The original phrase is attributed to Sir Walter Scott.

When You travel in Poland with Poland Tours, You can find many interesting places and beautiful landscapes. For many people finding genealogy especially with Auschwitz Tours is the aim of life. RealPoland | Travelling Pleasure | | Tours of Poland has helped me.

Together is always easier to fix something, and solve all other problems :) I always do trips in group of 2-3 buddys

Riding with Sons
 

I have taken each of my three sons on a father/son trip, with the boys riding pillion. These were our bonding trips, with the boys 14-15 years old in each case. The first son I took through Tibet, the second in a loop around Xinjiang, and the third through Himachal Pradesh (shout out to Saach Pass). Each of these trips was with a small group of riders I knew directly or indirectly (difficult to do China solo). I was connected by bluetooth headset to my sons for the roughly 10 day trips. We talked about everything and nothing and spent hours just absorbing our surroundings. Spending time with other members of the group was in each case very rewarding for the boys - it was a shared experience among men. These three trips have been among my happiest experiences in my life.

Always alone. You'll meet and talk to more people that way, you'll learn to be more resourceful, you'll end up doing all sorts of things you probably wouldn't have done.

When you travel with someone every decision is, by necessity, a compromise; sometimes in your favour sometimes not. This might be good if your goal is building a relationship with the other person.

If you travel solo you're rarely alone, but if you travel with a partner you're often wishing to be alone.

Do it solo
 

Although I've been on Euro trips with mates, when it came to 'the big one' it was always going to be solo. It was what I wanted and I never imagined I would be able to find a partner anyway. As part of my preparation I went on two group trips, mainly to find out how I would take to riding outside the civility of Europe. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips and made some great friends. The first one was in Africa - The Gambia back to Spain. The second was in the Indian Himalaya on a 500cc Enfield (I can't recommend Blazing Trails Tours highly enoug). Fabulous trips and served to support my decision to set off once circumstances allowed. Kids grown up, mortgage paid off, I left London in April 2014 and am having a fantastic time here on Australia.
I spent 6 years planning the trip, mainly because I had nothing else to do while I waited. How has it been? Fabulous! Just me and my Suzuki DR 350. I've seen fantastic places and met fabulous people. Do I regret being alone? Of course I do, sometimes. It's only human to need other people sometimes. I especially miss having a lover. But I recognised these downsides before I left and decided to live with them. I don't regret my decision.
My advice to anyone considering their own trip is to stop procrastinating and GO.
Read about my experiences on my blog. MOTOPANGAEA | Adventure before dementia. Seeing the world while I can remember where it is.
Enjoy your trip.
Geoff.

Solo
 

I'm with DouglasJ. I traveled around the world for 3 years in total, in part with my best friend of +25 years. We rode together for 4 months in 2006, for about 7 months in 2012/13 and now we don't talk to each other anymore. After +25 years, you think you'd know someone, but you really get that knowledge only when you spend time with people day in day out. The biggest reason I'll never travel with another male is that you isolate yourself from the world, you turn inwards and have beers / dinner together. It's really about traveling solo and being open to the world. I think with a woman that might be doable as you're more approachable. Still, being solo on a bike will give you a perspective you will never reach with another person. All my best traveling has been done solo. Often you will meet people, all the time actually, when traveling solo. It's my preferred way now.

One thing to remember as to differences in m/c travel.... When you backpack, you use public transit, stay in small lodges and generally follow a transit/hostel route many others follow. You will meet a lot more people (tourists) backpacking than riding. Your modes of transportation are the same. On a bike, you are not taking transit, your transport times are different that others and your hostel/hotel needs are going to include some parking facility or option. All considerations others don't have or need to make. So don't compare traveling on a bike to regular travel. You will meet a lot fewer tourists and lot more local people. And because of your mode of transit and non-standard hotel locations, you will have a vastly different and often better connection with people. Parking a beat up R80G/S in Asia or the Middle East is like parking a F1 car in a Western playground with 16 year old bots. How fast? How big is the engine? Where do you live? How much does it cost? Do you want some tea? Come stay at my house! Oh no! Not on the street, park it in the lobby!!

On the other hand, if you are out in the bush somewhere or in a small village in Pakistan, you will get 10 or so invites for tea, dinner etc. I don't think I was ever able to get gas in Pakistan without being offered tea.

Go solo, and people won't see you as a threat and be much more welcoming. The only places I ever felt unsafe were Honduras and Turkey.

But most importantly of all, go. Your life will be better for it in ways you cannot imagine.

Kevin

Its funny you say that. And it just goes to show how every one is different and every situation is different.

When I'm travelling solo, I tend to end up staying that way. I get into that mindset and I don't seek company that often. It gets easier to hang out on my own and I end up getting annoyed with myself for being lazy and not making more of an effort to meet people. It can also be more intimidating walking into a Shack cabin bar at midnight in a small African Village on your own too.

When you're with others, you have an instant drinking buddy and people accept you more. I think so anyway. A man with at least one friend can't be a complete arsehole :smartass:

So it can go both ways...

Sometimes a solo traveller can be looked upon with mistrust in many places. The perception is If you're alone it's because no-one want's to be your friend or you're up to trouble. And the locals see that as a potential warning light. Just my observations as a bar fly in small towns whilst gossiping with the locals.

So to be honest, I think the only way to know if you can travel with someone, is to travel with them and find out. You can't judge it any other way.

Like I said in my earlier post. ALWAYS be prepared and kitted out to travel solo if needs be. That way you're not dependent on anybody else. And in that way, you'll end up that you get on with other travellers better too. It simplifies things. And everyone likes life to be simple.

If things are getting claustrophobic, a lot of the time you just need need a day or two away from your travel partner and everything is sweet and rosey again.

It's a funny old game. But a good one. :thumbup1:

I've done quite varied travel over the years by various means of transport.

At 17, I set out with a mate to go to southern Spain in a borrowed car for a few weeks. Your right about finding out about friends, we've been mates now for 35 years, he was my best man at my wedding and I'd still travel with him for weeks. Same wavelength. Doesn't ride road bikes though.

My wife doesn't do road travel. She thought she did, but her needs during journeys conflict with mine. This however doesn't become a problem unless you let it. She travels by air over long distances and we meet there. Works for us.
She did drop a few hints about dipping a toe back into Europe again on 2 wheels lately, not happening, I know it's not her thing. Would cause problems.

Another mate I travel with, with the bike this time too, is also ideal to travel with.
We get on, similar outlooks and very similar riding styles. Doesn't do outside the uk though.

So I mostly travel alone over distance, which isn't an issue and has led to some interesting experiences.
This summer I've been talked into taking a couple of friends over to the in laws in France. They both ride but I've already been told that they don't want to do too much distance in a day etc.
Great people, but I have the feeling it's going to be a long couple of weeks, but I'll go with an open mind.

There's a lot to be said for both solo and group travel, but it all depends on what you make of it.

Very interesting to hear your take on solo Ted, I'd never considered that.


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Many are talking about fall outs with old friends. It had me thinking. Maybe you weren't friends after all. A friendship is built in experiences and hardships not how long you've known someone.

A wise man once told me that travelling with someone will accelerate your relationship. And he was spot on. Be it with a friend, partner, wife, let cat or blow up doll etc.

If you were drifting apart, it will happen faster on the road. If you had the potential to be a great team, traveling will be the cement in that...

Some of my most trusted close friends are people I've met on the road and ended up travelling with. I'd trust these guys more than people I've been friends with since pre-school.

I'm really glad that I hadn't closed my mind to riding with others otherwise I wouldn't have these great friends in my life.

I think it's also got a lot to do with the person you are. I think you find a lot of home truths about yourself whilst travelling, and how people react to you speaks volumes.




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Just reading your post - some of which I've quoted above - and thinking back over all the trips I've done got me wondering whether the solo or the group trips were the ones I enjoyed the most. I've been fairly lucky in that there's only been a few trips where my group travelling companions have been, well, lets call it ... incompatible to the point where something had to be done.

Most of the time we've stumbled along, getting on each other's nerves a bit but not enough to head for the airport or start tossing a tyre lever from hand to hand while walking towards them. When we've got back we've then gone our separate ways and the whole thing chalked up to ... life or something. And it's not been a gender thing - I've been away with as many "difficult" women as men, although the problems do tend to manifest themselves in different ways.

Whether I've been seen as "the problem" by those same others is, of course, impossible as we're always the hero in our own story. :rofl:

Of course you don't get any of those issues if you travel solo and you're free to cock things up to your heart's content. Because of that generally I tend to be a bit more cautious when I'm on my own - both "mechanically" in that I won't head off quite so far into the unknown as I would with others as back up and I'm also slightly more wary of accepting "invitations" - "come and spend the night at my house" from someone I met in a bar half an hour ago, that kind of thing. Not outright reluctant, just aware of my solo status and situation.

On the other hand I'm far more likely to interact with people, talk to strangers, if I'm with others - mainly because if you don't it'll be a very quiet trip. I remember reading an article in one of the mags many years ago about somebody (an older bloke) who rough camped on his first ever foreign trip to France (on an MZ!) and only ate packets of crisps and the like from service stations for two weeks as, not speaking French, he didn't want to make a fool of himself in cafes, restaurants, hotels etc. Even at my most inarticulate and anglo luddite I've never been that bad but having someone to take over when you're having a bad day is definitely a plus for group travel.

In 2015 I did two substantive trips - a solo one down to Italy on my antique 125 and a group one across the USA on the GoldWing. On the Eurotrip one of the things I was determined to do was to talk to everyone. English, French, sign language, universal beer language, anything that worked. Even if it didn't I was going to try. It took some effort but it paid off and I met some really interesting people. Even for those that weren't that interesting it was worth the effort to find out. Sure I got some surprising responses (one (Brit) woman even locked herself in her car when I approached :() but overall it made it a more enjoyable few weeks.

Some of that carried over to the USA but there were times, particularly when there were four of us (it varied over the trip), when it was easier just to stay self contained. We were lucky in that we all got on very well (two married couples so no fault lines) and you could relax a bit and withdraw within the group as usually someone would be looking out for you. I didn't have to be on top of everything all the time as I had to be on the earlier trip. That can get very stressful and with no easy way to resolve it. I've spent evenings on my own in some fly infested backwater just thinking "what the f*ck am I doing here?", but I've also spent evenings in hotel bars with travelling companions and thinking "what the f*ck are they doing here".

I sometimes find it difficult travelling in a group. I’m very much of the “I wonder where that track goes?” kind of rider but I tend to forgo my itch to find out when riding with others.

Then again, sometimes it has really worked - just depends on finding the right group I guess.

Just don’t expect me to get anywhere very quickly!

Rachel

I find that solo is best. You meet tons of amazing people on the way, sometimes ride with them for a bit, and then say your farewells and carry on by yourself again. Complete freedom.

In terms of safety, I guess travelling with a friend/partner is always safer; on the other hand I'm a female solo rider and I've never ran into any trouble that I wasn't able to solve by myself.

So yeah, I still vote for solo:)

My best memory of Somalia (prior to the disintegration of the government and take-over by warlords) was walking along, looking at the architecture and running into an old (perhaps 90?) man making tea in a tiny alcove in the alley behind his house. I had my walking bag full of fruit, peanut butter sandwiches, and lemon water and he asked me to have tea with him. I shared my food (he really seemed puzzled but appreciative about peanut butter) we had a great conversation (I was in the Navy and had covered a bit of the world and he had never been out of Berbera so he had lots and lots of questions, mostly about women.) That was a superb day and I'm sure it wouldn't have happened had I been in the company of another American. Whenever I went to a foreign port I would get away from tourist areas and waterfront bars. It was always better to go to where the local people lived, use public transportation, walk, and meet them. My American paranoia required me to always have a rather long and razor-sharp knife on me but, other than cutting fruit or my toenails, it was almost never necessary. People are better that we are taught they will be.
I was in Turkey in the summer of 2015 and It was great.The language is difficult though, but I liked the people away from tourist areas. Only one man who misunderstood manners for weakness had to be cautioned strongly not to grind on my wife in a train. He saw his error and moved quickly away.

Not easy to answer the question but someone will get a sense out of all the anwers and get the best out of it for himself.
I think in General it depends on the Character, a people person will always go with other people, a Hermit stays alone.
For me I travelled the most of my life alone and did things I couldnt't have done in company. Now I travel with my partner in a 4x4 it is good too, but different you share the good things and the bad things but any decission is a compromise,- like in real life ....
Put it that way if I go on a holiday trip, company is more than welcome. If I go on Expedition style journeys which are serious and the outcome unknown, I'll rather been alone and make my own decissions than discuss anything with a partner and the result is a compromise and not a 100% sound decission.
Apart from that, alone I am meeting more people, developping a sharper mind, more open to discover the country I'm travel in, focus on my goals, expanding my life experience ....
Security with 2 or more, NO thanks if you are really in the sh** you experience what kind of wood your "friends" are made of, I been there not again.
cheers

Travelling Solo
 

Plenty of differing opinions here and that is the issue. People have different ideas and wants so one needs to choose your companions carefully.
I've done a lot of solo motorbike touring so resourcefulness and flexibility is needed. I have had problems but I have usually found local help. Sometimes the kindness of strangers can be almost overwhelming. Bikers in eastern Europe helped me out in a couple of breakdowns this year even though communication was difficult at times.
There is safety in more than one person and if 2 people are on a long remote adventure its best to have the same model bike and keep spare parts for both.
I would prefer to travel with like minded people. As a photographer I like to stop along the way to shoot interesting things. I have been with riders who don't stop other than coffee or meal breaks. Thats frustrating so the best thing to do is to arrange a meeting point or destination in advance.
So when riding with others; show flexibility and humility; be prepared to think of your companions not yourself; as personal friction in a trip is worse than almost anything else.
If you are not prepared to compromise Travel Solo.
keepcalm

Perhaps part of the desire to go solo or in a group might also relate whether deep down you are an introvert or an extrovert ?

Generally introverts enjoy their own company better than extroverts, but tire more quickly of engaging in small talk with others than extroverts.

Extroverts on the other hand tend to have a need to seek connection to others more regular than introverts and usually feel uncomfortable more quickly when being alone.

I tend towards extrovert and would have previously had a strong preference for duo+.

However, having spent 3 months in Africa alone last year i'd be a strong solo if going again. Takes a bit to 'find yourself' at first but being along just means you meet and chat with loads of new people you may not have otherwise engaged with - turned out to be a real highlight of the trip and i felt i grew as person through the experience too.


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Solo or duo, you are gonna have a lot of fun. Like everyone said just talk to people and see if you can find someone you get along with. If not, riding a bike to the sunset by yourself is satisfying enough imo. Have fun on your trip!