Together or Alone?

[Huck Fonda]

Just a few thoughts that have been on my mind, and I thought I'd get the insights of this group.

Riding in groups is of course very different than riding alone or with just one other bike. Here are my views, for what they're worth. I welcome your comments.

Groups - I have ridden in groups of up to about 15 bikes, and I find that in these situations, I prefer to ride in the back. I like to know that there isn't anyone being left behind. The leader can pave the way, and whether they know it or not, I have the back of everyone in the line. Down side to this is that you can only be as fast as the slowest rider, which can be a drag. I remember a particular ride where a very nice set of high speed sweepers two lanes wide came up, and I was behind a guy that preferred to go straight. He slowed before every turn-in, and applied his rear brake approaching every apex. I was frustrated some, but at the same time, knew that he wouldn't be alone if he did go down.

I try not to lead groups for several reasons: 1) I ride the way I would normally ride, which may be beyond the capabilities of others in the group; 2) I find if I back off some or if there's a particularly capable rider, there ends up being someone pushing me down the road or find myself maybe riding faster than I should; 3) I find myself distracted watching the riders behind me. I'll try to do my best "mirror count" to make sure all are there, which of course takes my attention away from the road ahead.

Pairs - This isn't as bad, but the same basic principles apply, so I tend to stay in back and not push too hard or try to play catch-up, and I don't like being shown a front wheel mid-corner unecessarily if the other rider feels it's a race.

Solo - Ahh, riding alone. The freedom of the open road and all those old western themed romantic ideals that go with it. No one to answer to but yourself, fully in charge and accountable for getting your own butt back in one piece. Which is where the downside comes in. Sometime bad things happen, and even if you've filed a flight plan, if you run into trouble or are injured somewhere "out there", it could be a while before anyone knows and starts to think about looking for you. In the worst cases, those hours could be critical to survival. It adds to the thrill of taking off on your own, but should also keep your senses sharper when you're out there.

I keep some of the basics on the bike at all times - cloth rag, tire plug kit, small first aid kit, cell phone, pocket multi-tool, a couple feet of wire and electrical tape, cable ties, that kind of thing. There really isn't too much you can do with these high tech modern bikes if something goes really wrong, but knowing your fault codes and diagnostic capabilities of the bike's EFI system couldn't hurt.

Well, that's me. What does anyone else think?

 

[sonicspeed]

i definitely prefer alone....but it's not too bad with 2 people

 

[kurtfriedrich]

No reason to pick, I do both. They each have advantages, only thing is to know who is following you very well, and if you don't trust them a lot, drop back a spot.

 

[madmike2]

Here in NorCal we ar fortunate to have some really great riders, so its fun to ride with groups. (If you go through the "ride reports" you can find rides where we have 25-40 bikes show up for a lunch ride.) We usually split larger groups into smaller, easier managed size of 5-10 bikes or so. We've also been known to let he "faster" or "more able" riders leave in the first group. I will admit the dynamics of larger groups and the responsibility of the group/style/ability and destination have taken their toll on me lately, though I do miss the friends I've made over the years. I can't wait to heal and begin the new riding season.

There are also those times some of the local Sacramento riders will email and "sneak off" for a lunch ride in the foothills or Sacramento River Delta. Then we are usually looking at a group of 4 or 5 bikes who have all ridden together for years.

The bottom line is: 1.) Ride your own ride, 2.) Stay in your comfort zone. If the group ride isn't your "thing", excuse yourself and go off alone. You may meet others who are of the same mindset as yourself so a "group ride" presents different opportunities. Plus, you can make your list of the farkles you want to add to your bike.

 

[rockwells]

The bottom line is: 1.) Ride your own ride, 2.) Stay in your comfort zone. If the group ride isn't your "thing", excuse yourself and go off alone. You may meet others who are of the same mindset as yourself so a "group ride" presents different opportunities. Plus, you can make your list of the farkles you want to add to your bike.

Sage advice!

 

[Old Michael]

Just a few thoughts that have been on my mind, and I thought I'd get the insights of this group.
Riding in groups is of course very different than riding alone or with just one other bike. Here are my views, for what they're worth. I welcome your comments.

Groups - I have ridden in groups of up to about 15 bikes, and I find that in these situations, I prefer to ride in the back. I like to know that there isn't anyone being left behind. The leader can pave the way, and whether they know it or not, I have the back of everyone in the line. Down side to this is that you can only be as fast as the slowest rider, which can be a drag. I remember a particular ride where a very nice set of high speed sweepers two lanes wide came up, and I was behind a guy that preferred to go straight. He slowed before every turn-in, and applied his rear brake approaching every apex. I was frustrated some, but at the same time, knew that he wouldn't be alone if he did go down.

I try not to lead groups for several reasons: 1) I ride the way I would normally ride, which may be beyond the capabilities of others in the group; 2) I find if I back off some or if there's a particularly capable rider, there ends up being someone pushing me down the road or find myself maybe riding faster than I should; 3) I find myself distracted watching the riders behind me. I'll try to do my best "mirror count" to make sure all are there, which of course takes my attention away from the road ahead.

Pairs - This isn't as bad, but the same basic principles apply, so I tend to stay in back and not push too hard or try to play catch-up, and I don't like being shown a front wheel mid-corner unecessarily if the other rider feels it's a race.

Solo - Ahh, riding alone. The freedom of the open road and all those old western themed romantic ideals that go with it. No one to answer to but yourself, fully in charge and accountable for getting your own butt back in one piece. Which is where the downside comes in. Sometime bad things happen, and even if you've filed a flight plan, if you run into trouble or are injured somewhere "out there", it could be a while before anyone knows and starts to think about looking for you. In the worst cases, those hours could be critical to survival. It adds to the thrill of taking off on your own, but should also keep your senses sharper when you're out there.

I keep some of the basics on the bike at all times - cloth rag, tire plug kit, small first aid kit, cell phone, pocket multi-tool, a couple feet of wire and electrical tape, cable ties, that kind of thing. There really isn't too much you can do with these high tech modern bikes if something goes really wrong, but knowing your fault codes and diagnostic capabilities of the bike's EFI system couldn't hurt.

Well, that's me. What does anyone else think?

I ride almost exclusively solo for a number of reasons-

I'm not particularly gregarious.

I'm not very good at going fast in the twisties, and I understand that most FJR riders tend to ride aggressively. Sometimes very aggressively. Crazy *******s.

I can't lead. I have trouble following. So I get out of the way.

I figure that following me would make a body as frustrated as I feel when I come up behind cruisers going 10 under. As you admit, it "can be a drag."

Breakdowns? Well, it just doesn't happen that often methinks. And with cell phones and planning....I'll risk it.

When you're traveling alone on a motorcycle, you tend to have more interaction with those you encounter along the way. You're more approachable as an individual perhaps, than you'd be as part of a group "taking over" an eatery for example. But that being said, I love running into groups out there, as they tend almost always to be really great, friendly folks - but then I enjoy riding off by myself.

I seldom end up taking my planned route. It's like a disease. I see a road, and it's just "Gee, I wonder where that goes," and ...

 

[GunMD]

There are a couple of people that I will ride with without hesitation. Those that I don't mind riding with are those that know their limitations and understand mine. We always ride our own rides. I simply won't ride with someone that doesn't subscribe to "Ride your own ride." Beyond that, I've been known to ride in a large group for a "special occasion" (Gathering of the clans, WFO, etc) but generally I'm much happier by myself.

.02

 

[Kevin Daly]

There are a couple of people that I will ride with without hesitation. Those that I don't mind riding with are those that know their limitations and understand mine. We always ride our own rides. I simply won't ride with someone that doesn't subscribe to "Ride your own ride." Beyond that, I've been known to ride in a large group for a "special occasion" (Gathering of the clans, WFO, etc) but generally I'm much happier by myself.
.02

Gunny GUN! (I always wanted to say that) Except I really loath the large groups, you tend to never get anywhere.

 

[rogdeb]

[quote name='madmike2' date='Oct 7 2007, 01:01 AM' post='313809'

.

There are also those times some of the local Sacramento riders will email and "sneak off" for a lunch ride in the foothills or Sacramento River Delta. Then we are usually looking at a group of 4 or 5 bikes who have all ridden together for years.

Shhhhhhhh !!

 

[Silver Penguin]

My preference is 1-3 riders, for all the reasons already mentioned. My lack of mechanical aptitude and occasional need for valet parking can make riding alone a drag. Plus, I enjoy having someone to chat to at rest breaks. DH and I have our predictable routine where he always takes the lead and I follow. It makes sense, since he has a sense of direction (I don't) and a GPS. He also sets a pace through the twisties that prevents me getting in too deep.

I like the concept of the 'common destination' ride. A group meets at point A then each rider takes a pre-determined route to point B. There is the safety-in-numbers thing, but each rider is essentially riding alone.

One time only, did I participate in the Sea-of-Shining-Chrome type ride. It was pretty cool to see all lanes of the freeway filled with bikes, as far forward and backwards as one could see, but riding skills among the group were patchy. I didn't want to be dependent on some of these unknown people for my safety.

Jill

PS I like the new, and improved Huck Fonda. Keep taking the meds, or whatever it is you're doing.

 

[stormrider]

I primarily ride alone.

there is one other I ride with and we have been riding together long enough that we are familiar with each others style, pace etc.

If I have a preference I perfer alone

 

[frayne]

For ride a hundred miles or less around the neighbhood I don't mind going alone, for rides of a hundred miles or more I like riding with my regular group of two or three buddies. Never rode in a group of more than about four or five and have no desire to.

 

[dcarver]

I prefer to ride alone,unless of course I break down or crash.

 

[Honzo]

If the journey is half the destination, throw the destination part out of it for now:

I almost have to ride alone unless just commuting. I've ridden in groups before and in pairs. Groups usually have a plan. Too much predictability for me. In the pair riding I've done, we've agreed before hand to wander. I am a wanderer. I usually want to get lost, literally. I'm out there to explore, see what's over the next hill or down some 3 digit road across the farmland, or along a creekbed. I head off until things start to get unfamiliar, then start turning down any old lonely road. If another catches my eye, I go that way. I don't want to know where I am until instinct says it's time to know. Then I pick a direction until a main road appears, find gas , consult map, find room.

Destination? We don' need no stinking destination.

 

[dcarver]

If the journey is half the destination, throw the destination part out of it for now:
I almost have to ride alone unless just commuting. I've ridden in groups before and in pairs. Groups usually have a plan. Too much predictability for me. In the pair riding I've done, we've agreed before hand to wander. I am a wanderer. I usually want to get lost, literally. I'm out there to explore, see what's over the next hill or down some 3 digit road across the farmland, or along a creekbed. I head off until things start to get unfamiliar, then start turning down any old lonely road. If another catches my eye, I go that way. I don't want to know where I am until instinct says it's time to know. Then I pick a direction until a main road appears, find gas , consult map, find room.

Destination? We don' need no stinking destination.

You need a CBA invite! That's exactly what a good ride is about!

 

[Toecutter]

I usually ride in a group. Me and whatever group is playing on my iPod. That way, I can lead and sweep at the same time. Much safer (for me) that way.

Group FJR riding got to be too stressful and dangerous for my liking. Now I' m a group of one.

 

[dcarver]

I usually ride in a group. Me and whatever group is playing on my iPod. That way, I can lead and sweep at the same time. Much safer (for me) that way.
Group FJR riding got to be too stressful and dangerous for my liking. Now I' m a group of one.

Aww, jeesh Toe, I thought we rode pretty good 2gether! But I do understand, on the big scale..

 

[odot]

He just don't trust ya, carv.

 

[bikerskier]

Almost always prefer riding alone, so I can ride with my comfort zone narrowing or widening with my music, my alertness, my mood, my need for a pee, and a million other things. Probably a bit selfish, as well, as I have been doing it this way for many, many years. However, I recently rode with a guy from work a few times this summer and we seem to work well together. I have also met some great local people from this forum who I am looking forward to riding with that might change my mind a bit, especially for day rides.