Ride Alone?

[donaldcc]

  This is the way I ride almost all the time.  Leave when I want, stop when I want, go the speed I want.  On longer trips I like 1 - 2 friends to eat with, talk with, and assistance if problems for anyone.

  But most of my rides are day rides less than 300 miles.  usually 60 - 250 mi.  sometimes longer, sometimes shorter.

  Have done some rides with SOCAL group and they were great also wth good organization and nice rides.  good to meet others, but stilll most of my riding is alone and ! always enjoy it

[fudgie]

At first I wanted friends to ride with us to Sturgis. NOT anymore!  Like you said, stop when we want and go as far as we want. We like to sight see and stop at local museums when we go west. And then still get to our overnight spot. I'm talking about other non valk riders.

Now when it comes to Valk events, B/G ride, whiskey run, etc we love traveling with other Valks. Never had a conflict doing this.

[Valkorado]

I almost prefer solo riding, it seems I can focus on technique and push my personal limits more.  I enjoy riding with buds, but would rather ride my own lines.  Sometimes I just putt.  Sometimes I red line, but it always feels right at the time.

[cookiedough]

Same here, I don't mind smaller group rides but prefer solo since I usually putz my own pace and am not as fast as most other riders.  I ride mostly with my feet up on the upper hwy. pegs even in town find it comfy and if I am with peg scrapers I find it harder to keep up.  Plus, I can stop when I want and where I want.

[Pete]

Many of my rides are alone.
I have several riding buddies but if seems that something always interferes and they cannot go.

I figured out a long time ago that if I waited till someone could or would go, it would seriously impact getting to ride.

So now I just send out an email telling when, where to meet, and at the appointed time I leave.

If someone else sets up a ride I always go. 100 percent of the time.

I guess 70 percent of my rides are solo.

[saddlesore]

I'm single, never married, so I've done things when,where, how I wanted to all my life. Yeah work screwed some of that up but now I ride when, where, how AND when my body lets me.

I ride alone because it's hard to schedule any definite rides.

[old2soon]

Most of my rides are with me myself and I.  When I want to stop i'll stop and when I want to go i'll go.  When I do ride with some friends we have fairly equal skill levels-which if you think about it-is VERY important.  RIDE SAFE.

[..]

Get on it and ride.

If there's someone else, OK.

If not, OK.

[Fritz The Cat]

My next long ride will be solo. i plan to ride the BRP up and down. Solo adds a spiritual aspect to the ride.

[..]

My next long ride will be solo. i plan to ride the BRP up and down. Solo adds a spiritual aspect to the ride.

Done it  a few times.

http://www.ncnatural.com/Parkway/MilebyMile.html

http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway_tour/overlooks/00011.asp

http://www.thegalaxsmokehouse.com/us.html

[gregc]

I agree, most of my rides are alone. Or with the wife on the back.  We leave when we want to, stop when and where we want.   Cause all of my friends but one, have sold their motorcycles.

[Hooter]

   I prefer to ride alone. I ride 99.9% of the time alone. I just do what I want and don't have worry about  anyone else. Just the way I like it. I'm kind of a loner anyway.

[Clark]

hack project is gonna be complete this week.. from now on it'll be me and my dog, and whoever else whenever

[BF]

I don't mind smaller groups of maybe 2,3 or 4 bikes total....but not much more than that really. 

However, I'd rather ride solo (or two up with the spousal unit) most of the time.......I'm not a fan of big group rides with lots and lots of bikes at all. 

I think it's the accordion effect that bothers me.  I'd rather watch a Toys for Tots run than be in the middle of it.  Been there, done that, and don't really care to do it again. 

[6shutr]

Pretty much Ditto here Don. I'm thinking of riding to Yuma, AZ for lunch sometime this week. Plan to go down the east side the Salton Sea on Hwy 111, and then  take part of old Hwy 80 to get there if you're interested. I know you are a very busy ER Physician, with limited time off, but we've talked before about a ride together, so if you are interested give me a shout at sixshutr2000@yahoo.com. Supposed to warm up later in the week, but not a problem for me. I think you have my cell number too......enjoy your posts....rick

[0leman]

I ride alone over 90% of the time.   Art who is the nearest friend to ride with is over 80 miles away and over a fairly high mountain range.   Quite a bit of the year it is hard to ride over that mountain cause of weather related problems.   There are bikes here in town, but they are mostly HD's and folks who can only ride on Weekends.  Hardly ever see them 20 miles from town.  I enjoy the idea of taking off when I am ready, ride where the road takes me, stopping where I want, and smelling the roses if I want.   Hard to do that in a group.   

[MP]

Pretty much Ditto here Don. I'm thinking of riding to Yuma, AZ for lunch sometime this week. Plan to go down the east side the Salton Sea on Hwy 111, and then  take part of old Hwy 80 to get there if you're interested. I know you are a very busy ER Physician, with limited time off, but we've talked before about a ride together, so if you are interested give me a shout at sixshutr2000@yahoo.com. Supposed to warm up later in the week, but not a problem for me. I think you have my cell number too......enjoy your posts....rick

Nice ride!  We used to haul produce out of Yuma in the winter.  Emptied out in L.A., then head for Yuma.  We, my wife and I, usually went down the west side of the Salton Sea, but several times we went down the east, just to see different stuff.  Nice ride.  Wish we were out there, and we would join you.  Not near as nice here in ND!  20 deg this am, with 10 inches of snow on the ground!  LOL

MP

[Willow]

I enjoy riding alone and I also like to ride with a small group of my friends.  There are certainly advantages to each.

[MP]

I usually ride alone, mostly out of necessity.

I really enjoy taking a trip with one or several good friends.

Have taken several with hoser, and we get along great!

Alph, Nitro, and I took the long way around the north side of the big lake to Inzane a few years ago.  I, and I believe they, had a fabulous trip.

I wish I had someone like one of them near me that shared my love of riding.  Seems like all I can get here are weekend poker runs, or rallys.  I do attend some, but not really my cup of tea.   

MP

[solo1]

I ride almost 100% solo.  I can make the decision to go when I want, go where I want, stop when i want, ride near or far, and have enough left over to really enjoy the smells, the wind, and my thoughts.

Group rides take a lot of extra concentration which distracts from the Ride. I much prefer to kick tires with a group after a ride.

I'll just keep on being Solo1

[Texas Jimbo]

Vast majority of my riding is alone.  Probably because many of my rides are spur of the moment as time/weather allows.

I enjoy both advantages, though.  Freedom of solo is sweet, camaraderie with fellow riders is a nice change of pace.

On a side note, my brother in Boston is coming down in July so we can do the Dragon, Cherohala, Moonshiner 28 on day 1 (stay at Gear Head Inn in Whittier, NC).

2nd day will be BRP in Cherokee to Meadows of Dan, VA (Stay at Willville Motorcycle Campground).

3rd day we head to our respective homes.  Gonna be great as long as bikes/weather cooperate.

[Romeo]

Have always enjoyed riding alone or with a few friends the most. Big groups are fun to be a part of, but I find I don't get the relaxation factor from them because of the obvious. Nothing quite like blasting down a deserted country road, just before dusk, sun low in the western sky, toward the end of another beautiful Michigan summer day. If I find that involuntary smile on my face I know I did it right.

[hubcapsc]

I ride alone less than I used to...



-Mike

[Hoser]

I usually ride alone, mostly out of necessity.

I really enjoy taking a trip with one or several good friends.

Have taken several with hoser, and we get along great!

Alph, Nitro, and I took the long way around the north side of the big lake to Inzane a few years ago.  I, and I believe they, had a fabulous trip.

I wish I had someone like one of them near me that shared my love of riding.  Seems like all I can get here are weekend poker runs, or rallys.  I do attend some, but not really my cup of tea.   

MP

We will see how you feel when we get back from Ohio!    Hoser

[SANDMAN5]

I enjoy both...solo or small groups. I am NOT a fan of large groups unless
I know everyone's riding ability. When in a small group, we usually let the
person that invited us decide when/where to stop (unless fuel or potty
breaks are needed) and we know that when WE plan a ride WE get to
decide the stops. Works out pretty well. 

[Tropic traveler]

I enjoy riding with Kim {on her own Valk} or otherwise solo.
About the only other time it's fun with a group is with other Valkyrie riders! 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

My next long ride will be solo. i plan to ride the BRP up and down. Solo adds a spiritual aspect to the ride.

My ridin' bud Wimp and I are going to do the entire Blue Ridge Parkway ( we've rode it many times ) . Hookin' up with some co-workers of mine all Harley's and one Indian . Leaving out on thursday 5-9-13. Anyone wanting to hook up with us be in Knoxville, Tennessee that morning we plan to haul ass up the slab and get to Waynesboro, Va then do The Blue Ridge Parkway back toward Cherokee,NC on friday and saturday.

[Rams]

Most of my riding is solo, much of that is due to my work schedule but, I'm only a large group rider when necessary.   My comfort level drops when the group gets bigger than five or six.   I actually prefer four or less.  That doesn't mean I don't like the Meet, Greet and Eat gatherings.   For me, it's all about family, friends and sharing the time, the riding to and from is at my pace.   

Spent my entire time at the last Inzane at Ground Zero or out riding solo, could have gone on the group rides but, that's just not my thing.   

[donaldcc]

Pretty much Ditto here Don. I'm thinking of riding to Yuma, AZ for lunch sometime this week. Plan to go down the east side the Salton Sea on Hwy 111, and then  take part of old Hwy 80 to get there if you're interested. I know you are a very busy ER Physician, with limited time off, but we've talked before about a ride together, so if you are interested give me a shout at sixshutr2000@yahoo.com. Supposed to warm up later in the week, but not a problem for me. I think you have my cell number too......enjoy your posts....rick

pm & email. Let's do that. I can't this week, maybe next.

[GotValk]

I enjoy riding !, I like the groups of 5 bikes, if more that's fine as long as I'm up front ( I like a more aggressive pace.).
I also enjoy solo rides seems to help clear the mind from all the daily clutter, My favorite rides begin earlier in the morning before the family is up, I can do 150 miles by the time there rolling out of bed.

[Rams]

I enjoy riding !, I like the groups of 5 bikes, if more that's fine as long as I'm up front ( I like a more aggressive pace.).
I also enjoy solo rides seems to help clear the mind from all the daily clutter, My favorite rides begin earlier in the morning before the family is up, I can do 150 miles by the time there rolling out of bed.

It's been my experience that in large groups, the best place to be is out front or trail.   

That means only two Valkyries get to be where they want to be.   There are folks don't mind riding in the middle, I would not be one of those people. 

[Ghost]

When i was sixteen i meet my best friend and riding buddy Jack. We finished high school and rode together for thirty years,didn't matter what we went through we were best buddies. We would just point to a map and take off and always had a great time. When the Valkries came out he was the first to get one and i soon had one after that. Been a few years ago he divorced and meet a young gal, they had two kids together and he moved away. We just lost touch with each other and i have been riding alone since. I have tried to ride on some poker runs but i really don't enjoy riding from bar to bar. I have meet alot of great people but i sure miss the old days. So i ride alone most of the time, i do ride with a local church and the leader is a friend of mine who is one of the best riders and leaders i have ever rode with. No matter what kind of day i have the bike always makes me feel better just riding in the wind.

[Hef]

Much of my riding the last 40+ years has been with my brother. We are close in age and very close in spirit. Our riding habits are close to the same and he is a very easy going guy and a good rider. Up until my wife's death 6 years ago, she was usually on the bike with me. Many of the miles I logged was just she and I and I have a lot of great memories. I am not much for large group riding. Hef

[CoachDoc]

My lifetime mc mileage is approaching 300K, and probably 97% of it has been solo. Most of you have touched upon many of the reasons, but for 45 years I've loved the spiritual nature of riding, and that is best  experienced alone. FREEDOM is what it's all about, and I love not having to consult with anyone else when I'm making decisions on the road. Witness my all-time favorite TV show: Long Lonesome Highway-"Long Lonesome Highway"

[junior]

I enjoy riding alone and I also like to ride with a small group of my friends.  There are certainly advantages to each.

you mean you let your friends out of the barn? 

[hubcapsc]

I have tried to ride on some poker runs

One or two of them is enough for a lifetime... sorry your buddy moved away... over here
in the Southern mountain states, it is pretty easy to hook up with real riders (not bar
hoppers) and go on some fun group rides...





-Mike

[alph]

i'm a true loner, except when it comes to riding.  i have one dear friend i enjoy riding with, if it wasn't for him, i really don't think i'd ride nearly as often as i do, saddly my work schedual doesn't match with his very often, but when it does it's truely a nice time. 

we really don't have anything in common, other than riding, funny really.....

[O-B-1]

I prefer to ride with "muh Lady" on the back...

But she has fibromyalgia, hence the home built backrest on the pillion... so most of the time I ride solo.

I do ride with other riders, as I am in an association, but we mostly ride 1 or two at a time. Rarely can we get 20 bikes together at one time for a ride.

[MP]

i'm a true loner, except when it comes to riding.  i have one dear friend i enjoy riding with, if it wasn't for him, i really don't think i'd ride nearly as often as i do, saddly my work schedual doesn't match with his very often, but when it does it's truely a nice time. 

we really don't have anything in common, other than riding, funny really.....

You have ME in common!  Oh wait, maybe that's not good. 

MP

[Tx Bohemian]

I ride alone because, lets face the facts: there is no other bike like, or compares to, the Valkyrie!!!
We all know it, right?

And it's hard to be humble on these things no matter how much $ the others spent on their bikes!! and makes sure everybody knows it!

Just kidding fellas!!
This is almost HD like and getting away from the "no matter what you ride..." theory.

So now I just send out an email telling when, where to meet, and at the appointed time I leave.

I do the same except in text.

Usually it's a spur of the moment thing and a "I'm going for a ride, wanna go?" text to 5-6 of my ridin buddies.
Some times they all show up but most of the time not and it's just me. And that's just fine with me too.

And with this group I always tell them "if I want to hold an intelligent conversation I have to talk to myself"!

(hmmm..., I think I just figured out why they don't go a lot of times)