Group or solo?

[brd]

I do plenty of group rides, and I enjoy them very much, but I always find group rides to be somewhat of a hassle. The exception is one or two riding buddies that I've found and have gotten comfortable riding with--and even then, we can grate on each other's nerves on a long trip.

The fact of the matter is that nobody rides the same pace or wants to stop at the exact same intervals as I do. If I'm in a group riding mood, it's easy to overlook that. Most other times, I'd prefer to be able to stop exactly when I want to. I'll frequently forget to do something at a stop, like take off a layer, clean my faceshield, put on sunscreen, etc., and having a riding partner to discuss the previous section of the ride with makes me even more prone to forgetting these things. If I was solo, I would immediately pull over again, but when I'm riding with someone else, I will put off doing so out of not wanting to inconvenience them, which decreases my quality of life.

Also, I have found that there are few people truly responsible enough to put machismo aside and ride their own pace. And the larger the group gets, the more chance there is that people will be trying to keep up with other people.

[last option added by admin... can't help it :angel: ]

[Tourmeister]

Now we are getting somewhere ;-)

[VFRinAustin]

Really I like both. I like the group rides for the comradery and just hanging with friends, not necessarily for the riding we might do (although that is usually good to). but if I really just want to go out and enjoy a long ride for the ride itself, I usually go by myself. My own pace, making a wrong turn and turning it into an exploration. Dont have to worry about too fast or slow, getting separated and all that stuff either. Just the bike, the GPS and me, who knows where we might end up 8) .

[Dirtrideroader]

I really enjoy both. When I am touring, and I hate that word, I like to ride by myself. That way I can ride as long as I want, get up when I want, stop as little or as often as I want. Seeing a pattern here, I am selfish.

But, for a scenic day ride, I like doing a small group of riders that I know and trust.

That said, I had a great time this last weekend riding with two guys I met on this site. So, I think the real answer is there are pluses and minuses to both sides.

Just get out, ride, enjoy it and be careful!

[TheCanuck]

And the larger the group gets, the more chance there is that people will be trying to keep up with other people.

Yup, it is very hard, I have even found myself getting carried away. But, it is also a good opportunity to learn when folowing a better rider.


The fact of the matter is that nobody rides the same pace or wants to stop at the exact same intervals as I do.

Big time, there are a few friends that I very much enjoy their company, and do enjoy smaller rides with. But as far as long distance I think *dunc* is probably the only person I know who could keep up to me.

I tend to run 10-25 mph aboe the limit (depending on conditions and LEOs), and I do not spend too much time off the bike. On the bike at 6-7am, off the bike at 7-9pm. Mid trip, I have yet to do less than a 600 mile day, and that was the Blue Ridge Parkway, speed limit of 45 the entire way :-D , Yup that was one **** of a dayas ride. That particular trip would have neted me two SS1000's if I kept decent records.

cheers,
Tom

[Tourmeister]

:tab I seem to remember a particular group ride on the BRP, fading light, encroaching fog, a crazed truck driver weaving his way at a mad pace in front of a line of bikes, having to look for the taillights in front of you with one eye and hunting for the white line with the other... :eek: Yeah... that was one nerve wracking ride hehe.

Adios,

[TheCanuck]

:tab I seem to remember a particular group ride on the BRP, fading light, encroaching fog, a crazed truck driver weaving his way at a mad pace in front of a line of bikes, having to look for the taillights in front of you with one eye and hunting for the white line with the other... :eek: Yeah... that was one nerve wracking ride hehe.


:lol: I rmember that day. One **** of a day that is. It is one of the reasons I travel with 2 clear and 2 smoked screens now. I loaned my clear visor to a fallen rider so he could make it home, of course I was not going to be riding after dark. But we took a creative route back to the hotel, and next thing you know, we are riding on the BRP, at night, with a smoked visor :roll:

Good time, hopefully I will be able to get out there more this season.

cheers,
Tom

[Tourmeister]

Hopefully, I will be running a trip out there in late August.

Adios,

[Dirtrideroader]

Hopefully, I will be running a trip out there in late August.


Maybe I can do some trips like this if my Alaska plans fall through. I may also head up to Utah this spring. Before it gets to hot.

[TheCanuck]

Maybe I can do some trips like this if my Alaska plans fall through. I may also head up to Utah this spring. Before it gets to hot.

Ahh, I would like to head up to Whitehorse this summer, but that probably will not happen. Got a good friend who is living up there. It all depends on work. If all goes wel I will be able to take a week or so off for my honeymoon and 10 -14 days off for a trip to Whitehorse.

Tom

[Dirtrideroader]

If all goes wel I will be able to take a week or so off for my honeymoon and 10 -14 days off for a trip to Whitehorse.


I was planning on taking at least 3 weeks. Depending on if my family met me in Alaska to do some sight seeing.
I haven't given up yet.

When are you thinking of riding to Whitehorse? Maybe I could ride with you, then keep going to Alaska. I rode to Seattle and back alone this summer, but I was not sure I wanted to go all the way to Alaska alone.

[TheCanuck]

If all goes wel I will be able to take a week or so off for my honeymoon and 10 -14 days off for a trip to Whitehorse.


I was planning on taking at least 3 weeks. Depending on if my family met me in Alaska to do some sight seeing.
I haven't given up yet.

When are you thinking of riding to Whitehorse? Maybe I could ride with you, then keep going to Alaska. I rode to Seattle and back alone this summer, but I was not sure I wanted to go all the way to Alaska alone.

Yeah, it will probably be close to 14,16 days. I would like to try to do a 5k miles in 5 days on the way back as well.

When it gets closer we will have to talk. It would definately be nice to be ale to split hotel rooms.

If your family is not going to meet you up there, my friend would probably be happy to hop on his bike and head to Alaska with us. I would love to visit Alaska as well. Speifically get as far North as possible. Granted my FJR and Scott's Katana 750 might not be as agile as your GS.

If I go I will have a set of tires and oil filter waiting for me at my friends place. I would imagine we could do the same for you if you tagged alone. Thee are Yamaha, Kawi and Szuki dealers in Whitehorse. I would suggest if you pulled your own wheels it would not be hard to get your bike re-shoed up there.

I will warn you, whe I am on the road, I don't take long breaks and am on the road by 7, and rarely start to look for a place to stay before 7pm :-)

It is way to early to start making planes now. All depends on my job and wife.

cheers,
Tom

[Dirtrideroader]

I will warn you, when I am on the road, I don't take long breaks and am on the road by 7, and rarely start to look for a place to stay before 7pm


I can probably keep up that kind of pace. I made it to Seattle this summer in 2.5 days. It was a little over 2500 miles.

This might not work out though. I didn't stop at a lot of places I would have like to stop for pictures both ways, because I was in a hurry. On this trip, if I see something worth taking a picture of, I am stopping. I would like a little more to show for this trip than I have from the other. One partially taken disposable camera...

[TheCanuck]

This might not work out though. I didn't stop at a lot of places I would have like to stop for pictures both ways, because I was in a hurry. On this trip, if I see something worth taking a picture of, I am stopping. I would like a little more to show for this trip than I have from the other. One partially taken disposable camera...

Actually I do like to stop and take pictures, in fact that was the only problem when Scott and I went west 2 summers ago. Without a radio it was pretty hard to let the other perons know you wanted to stop ASAP to take a picture or just hang in a cool spot.

Anyway, it is really to early to plan much. Nice to dream though :) As well my honeymoon takes precendence, at least if I like sleeping in my own bed.

cheers,
Tom

[U-Turn]

I know this is an old poll, but I'm new around here.
For the most part, if you see me in a group of more than
2 or three, it's on a super-slab and the ride's about the
destination.
If I'm alone or with 1 or 2(max) other bikes, it's about
the ride and we'll worry about the destination when we
get there.

[Bill J. from Austin]

Large groups (more than 4 or 5 bikes, max) tend to be cluster-f___'s of the first order, and dangerous, too! With the exception of ceremonial occasions, like funerals and toy runs, I'd rather go solo, or hook up with one or two good, relaxed riders, and let that big parade pass me by.

About traveling: different strokes for different folks, but it's great when you find someone who's in sync with your riding style, whatever that may be. For instance, I really appreciate riders who approach a trip with the same laid-back attitude I have: no hurries, no worries... we'll get there when (and if) we get there. You fellows who like to put in 12-hour, non-stop, high-mileage days would pull your hair out if you had to ride with us! :lol:

I took a trip to New Mexico ten years ago, with two other riders. One was an old road dog I'd taken numerous cross-country trips with. The other was of more recent vintage, though we'd been on a ride to Oklahoma together.

Anyway, after the third day, the newer fellow had to say "goodbye" and press on, because we were traveling 'way too slow for him. Not that we weren't rackin' up miles - we were - but we were just wandering around New Mexico, checking out the scenery, stopping to take photos, looking for out-of-the-way places to eat and such, and he just wanted to make time and get somewhere!

In the end, our friend made it to the West Coast, and had a great time getting there, while me and my buddy made it as far as Four Corners and Mesa Verde, and had a great time getting there.

In the end, that's the important thing! :chug:

[Tourmeister]

:tab It depends on my mood. There are times when I spend more time stopping and goofing off than riding. Then there are times when I am totally into the ride only, not the scenery, not the food, nothing but me, the bike and the road... And then there are the inbetween days where I do a little of both.

:tab Group rides require organization. It also requires that the members of the group be preficient at group riding. Otherwise, as you so eloquently stated, it can be a real mess. It really helps to lay out the ground rules ahead of time.

:tab Some of the most memorable rides have been those were I was riding with a buddy where we were totally in tune: for speed, style, stopping, etc,... Sometimes that has even happened when riding as a group.

Adios,


Adios,

[ZapataZR7]

Eric MillerI typically ride alone. This has kept me away from the temptation of keeping pace with better, faster riders. I have found that riding alone allows me to focus on my abilities, and to concentrate on improving on them and riding within them. When I do ride with others, they are usually of the sport touring or cruiser variety. Speed is not important to them, and we keep the pace down. Canyon carving is fine, until the canyon carves you. Had I been introduced to a group of sport riding squids, who knows where I'd be now.....

I'm with Eric on this one....!!!! Besides the above. I like to be the Master & Commander of my own journey. Riding with a group is OK when is only up to 3 riders. Altough I still prefer to ride alone. I have to deal with a lot of crap & people at the office (Yes Sir, No Sir, Yes Mam, No Mam.... you got the picture) At home all the decisons are taken in conjunction with the wife...So riding the bike alone allows me the be "Leader" in place of "follow the Leader"...!!!! I have full control of decisons like where and when to stop. A lot of times I like to stop very often and enjoy the scenary, sometimes I like just to cruise around the back roads at the posted speed limits....sometimes (not often) like to open the gas and get some speed....altough never higher than 110MPH.

[Squeaky]

I'm no use when it comes to decisions, and without a map I'm lost on the roads (especially when they don't have names, just numbers), so I prefer to follow. I never have to worry about running into a dead-end, getting lost, getting out in the middle of nowhere without sight of a gas station, etc.

I'm also too new to be carving even the slightest twisty without someone around to pick me up if I go down.

I ride around plenty on my own, but only to run chores, to/from work, etc. Alone, there's always a destination in mind and I stay on well-traveled roads.

[Bill J. from Austin]

I'm no use when it comes to decisions, and without a map I'm lost on the roads...
Ah, but getting lost is half the fun, anymore. Having burnt up most of the larger, more familiar routes in my area, I'm down to exploring county roads just to see something new. Come to an unmarked intersection and turn the direction that looks the most promising. Follow that round black rubber doughnut-lookin' thing on the front of my bike ;-) and see where it takes me. Explore!

I've wound up on roads that are nothing more than goat-paths through the brush, with gravel up to the axles and low-water crossings that are slicker than owl-snot, but I've also seen some incredible countryside. I'm not quite ready to go off-road altogether, like some of the folks at http://www.advrider.com/forums/index.php?s=, but I'm definitely getting off the main roads!

No matter how long you've been riding, caution is a good thing, but there are ways to explore and still be safe. Hook up with an adventurous friend, and go exploring together. Get a Texas road atlas that covers all the roads (Shearer Publishing issues one at $14.95) or collect county maps from the Chambers of Commerce and Visitors Centers in your area. They're free, and they're usually pretty thorough, down to the aforementioned "goat-path" roads and necessary landmarks. Carry a cell-phone, and gas up every opportunity you get.

If you're not comfortable on gravel and dirt, you can stick to the paved roads and still have a lot of fun! Texas is so beautiful, in so many ways. It'd be a shame to miss most of that beauty just because it's situated off the main roads!

[Tourmeister]

Good point Bill! :dude:

[Tx Rider]

I like to ride alone, and with groups. I haven't done any long range riding with very large groups though I've always just ridden with a few friends or a couple of bikes that just met up on the road heading in the same direction for a while.

I like to allow extra days to go somewhere far away, and take time to stop and see things, fool around a bit, a liesurely pace etc. Basically have fun all the way there.

It allows for breakdowns, running into unexpected weather etc. without driving you into road robot mode to make up time. If that time gets burnt away I'm ready to lay down 12 hr days at 75 with only gas stops when the need arises.

If there's not a need to put in iron butt hours I don't like to do it, and I try to plan my rides where I have no need to do that type of duty. :) It's the ride not the destination. 500 miles in a full day is a good days ride IMO.

But in a group I usually just ride drag and I can always keep up the pace with anyone if I want. As long as the pace isn't stupid like 90mph in traffic, or speeding down likely speed trap roads I'll hang, if I think it's getting stupid I'll just drop off and catch up later.

I don't understand people who just want to go as fast and long as possible and speed straight to an end point, it's not a race. :) I'll still ride with em though. I usually just adjust my pace and style to whoever is leading and move on down the road.

When I'm alone I really explore, like this weekend I was coming back from Bastrop, me and Doc rode down but didn't connect up for the trip back so I rode back solo. I ended up just stopping at every interesting road junction, whipping out the map, and exploring a new path back to Dallas, there's some nice roads out around Meridian I found, and with a 15 mph tailwind life was sweet.

[DucGirl]

I usually ride solo or with Monte, generally when i get the itch to go ride I just go ride, no matter if anyone else is aroudn or not...

I'm still learning my limits though, I still feel like I have a long way to go to consider myself a great rider so I like to go out on my own and take my time and focus on my riding rather than wondering if I'm the one slowing the group down....lol