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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #16  
Old 11 Jul 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
EVERY bike/rider should have the gear and information necessary to go solo even if they never do.
That's an important point. We never share out tools or equipment. The Law of Sod would dictate that if you had to split up, you'd need something that was on another bike.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryescapee View Post
On the basis that every group DOES have a muppet in it I'm a bit concerned that means its me ;-)
The rank of Muppet rotates regularly round the three of us. We are quite indecisive at times so nominate one person each day to rule on decisions. He will of course often end the day being the Muppet.
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  #17  
Old 11 Jul 2015
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Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Interesting thread.
Did I miss the advantages of group travel in amongst the need to form a committee , depose the despotic leader , ride in traffic all the time, never see anything no one in the group has seen before and defend my position in a race?




I'll own up. If I wanted to travel slowly with other people I'd take a bus. It's probably best for everyone that I don't.

Andy
Ride Slowly? Yep, better get back on the Bus . Trust me, you'd shit yourself trying to keep up with the above group ... and we've got two girls in there!

But sounds like you've years of experience riding in groups to have such a strong opinion, eh? Don't knock it till you've tried it!

Traffic? The pic above was taken a 1/4 mile after a re-group stop so everyone is bunched up. Within a mile the group spreads out nicely. No traffic. Ride your own ride.

Clearly, group rides are not for everyone. If you're a real hard ass one percent'er, then best ride solo
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  #18  
Old 11 Jul 2015
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Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor View Post
That's an important point. We never share out tools or equipment. The Law of Sod would dictate that if you had to split up, you'd need something that was on another bike.
"never share"? I can see not giving a tool to a fellow rider to keep, but if broken down you wouldn't "Share" a tool that the rider needed?

I mostly end up sharing the odd nut, bolt, washer, spring, O ring or doohickey. I carry a comprehensive nut/bolt kit just for this purpose. My Motto? Pay It Forward. (Karma is a Bitch)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor View Post
The rank of Muppet rotates regularly round the three of us. We are quite indecisive at times so nominate one person each day to rule on decisions. He will of course often end the day being the Muppet.
So true. God knows I've been the muppet more than once, and why I prefer to follow rather than lead.
Leading is HARD WORK!

Problem with following is you never really ever learn the route. When leading you HAVE TO KNOW where you're going ... or get the Muppet badge again!
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  #19  
Old 11 Jul 2015
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I go into some detail on what I think on the subject (As I travelled alone, two up and with a group of strangers during my year around the world)

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Dom Giles
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  #20  
Old 11 Jul 2015
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
The obvious benefit is having company wherever you are and having assistance if needed... The downsides are the everyday logistics. Everything takes six times longer and it can be like trying to herd cats... Personally, I prefer a group or 2-4. It doesn't feel like a convoy and you can still split off in two groups if required. Someone can also go solo with the other three still in a decent sizes group.
A group of one is brilliant, no arguments about where to go, when to stop. But as Ted writes, you are on your own when there's challenges.

Two can be a strain on a relationship unless you deliberately schedule time apart (e.g. separate bedrooms).

I've found three to be excellent, and in some countries you can easily get rooms with three single beds.

With four you tend to be splitting into two groups of two at nighttime which can upset group dynamics.

Over four and as Ted writes, you are into herding cats—the leader can't see what's happening at the rear of the group, everything goes haywire.

But there's much more to dynamics. For example, some riders when they stop don't seem to want to get out of the saddle, some do but don't move far from their bikes, others are throwing themselves into the local culture as deep as they can get.
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Old 11 Jul 2015
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
"never share"? I can see not giving a tool to a fellow rider to keep, but if broken down you wouldn't "Share" a tool that the rider needed?
Not quite so , you've misinterpreted share. Yellow Tractor clearly states "if you split up".
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  #22  
Old 11 Jul 2015
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I've found three to be excellent, and in some countries you can easily get rooms with three single beds.
(or a Roll-A-Way bed can be wheeled in)
I agree. A Triade is strong. It's my favorite number for group rides. But after 20 plus years riding with much larger groups, you learn to adapt and take the positive from all of it.
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  #23  
Old 12 Jul 2015
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Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
I've found three to be excellent, and in some countries you can easily get rooms with three single beds.
Funny isn't it. There really is no 'right' way. I would certainly agree that larger groups are hard work, but I would never again choose to travel as a group of three.

It all depends on the relationship you have at the outset and the type of trip, I suppose but, in my experience, someone in a group of three always ends up as piggy-in-the-middle, and expected to arbitrate in the event of a disagreement.
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