Anyone else a loner and not a group rider?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

My observation is that Interstate 15 is more scenic than US 89 where they parallel each other in Utah.

I'm trying to think of where that would be...?

Roughly from the US 50 junctions to US 6 junctions. 89 goes through a lot of small towns, commercial areas, and farmsteads that offer very little interesting to look at. I-15 is surrounded by sagebrush desert and mountains.

[UtahPete]

Roughly from the US 50 junctions to US 6 junctions. 89 goes through a lot of small towns, commercial areas, and farmsteads that offer very little interesting to look at. I-15 is surrounded by sagebrush desert and mountains.

You're right, if you're just passing through. There are some interesting towns and side trips into the mountains along the way though, if you have the time.

[bigbadbrucie]

Idaho.....Utah...... you’re both forgetting that “Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder”!

[cruisinTX]

I find small towns and farmsteads to be quite interesting and make fine subjects for my passion of photography.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Idaho.....Utah...... you’re both forgetting that “Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder”!

That's why I rather enjoy riding through desolate desert sagebrush! Strip malls don't strike me as particularly scenic!

On the other hand, when wife and I did a seven day tour on a narrow boat on the canals in the Midlands of England in 1989 traveling through the backsides of old factories, through the heart of villages, and through green landscapes was very enjoyable!

[MonPaul]

Freeways, 2 or 3 wheels are only good when you got to get there and you're late.

I need to find friends like you! I feel the exact same way.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Freeways, 2 or 3 wheels are only good when you got to get there and you're late.

I agree with that, mostly. My experience last year demonstrated there can be benefits of freeway riding vs. secondary roads. I needed to get back to Idaho from Iowa because my older brother was in bad shape, but I was not going to rush the trip. Riding on the freeway made it possible to cover the requisite miles in a day without the stress of additional hours it would have taken on secondary roads. That aspect went a long way to keeping my stress level in check. I was also more assured of getting a motel on short notice since the freeways are well populated with them. For a totally non-hurried and relaxing trip the secondary roads are best, but on the other hand freeways can also be relaxing.

[ollicat]

I have attended a few motorcycle events and rallies and participated in some group rides over the years but very much prefer to do my riding solo. The big advantage for me is to be free to choose my route, my riding style, when and where to stop etc without having to account for the wishes and whims of others. I would guess that over my 40 plus years of riding more than 90 percent of it has been solo. My wife has never been comfortable on two wheels and her trike pillion riding is limited to the occasional half day ride.

My absolute favourite activity is a solo 3 or 4 day motorcycle (now trike) tour on curvy roads in good weather. The joy for me is taking in the surroundings and the freedom to adjust and adapt my ride to match my mood or current thinking or interests. I check in to hotels, find a local pub for dinner and spend the evening in my room reading a book or researching my next ride on my iPad. I seldom if ever watch live TV as I have no patience for the constants ads. I usually have a daily quick call or and exchange of texts with my wife but other than that I am truly solo.

I guess I am a loner by nature and don't feel the need to have company around to enjoy myself. I don't get anything out of large gatherings, cocktail parties or "small talk" I love to hike but again most of it is done solo for the same reasons as I avoid group rides. My wife is concerned about my safety on the longer more remote hikes so I have bought a GPS with a satellite communicator to make her feel a bit better about my solo trips. Yesterday I did a 14 mile hike in the mountains which took about 6 hours and only saw a couple of other hikers on the way. It was a beautiful day and and I relished the mountain scenery and peaceful solitude.

Are there others on this forum who feel the same or I am really the "odd man out"?

Holy Cow we are kindred spirits. Exactly the same for me!

[Jesster72]

I ride solo only when the weather is too chilly for my wife. Then she rides with me. All our bike trips are her and I. We have done several with 1, 2, or 3 other bikes. You have to make sure you are all on the same page before the trip begins, our 500 mile day to get somewhere may be torture for someone else in the group. Communication is key.

Large group rides are typically just charity runs. We will ride out with the masses, but quickly separate with our 1 or 2 close friends after the first stop. Safer that way, for us.

[ferrasr]

98% of the time its myself and my favorite passenger for over 40 years of 2 wheeled, now 3 wheeled riding. It offers the most flexibility to travel how we like and as someone mentioned having that second set of eyes as you get older is great. As for groups I only do this if I am asked to be a ride leader, or ride cleanup for rides like charity runs and local rides but this can be very stressful as you feel some what responsible for the group. You have no idea of group ride participants skill levels and in groups it just seems to bring out the stupide in some riders, causing very dangerous situations for the group. With my wife with me, being a RN we have attended to many "eventful" group rides, (why would you loan a bike to someone who just learned to ride two days ago, that was a bad one but a story for another time).

[AE2WM]

I've soloed across the US several times, camping along the way and cooking my dinner at the campsite. I derive a satisfaction from the ability to come and go as I please without compromising with others. It's almost a spiritual experience. I also often ride with one close friend, even though our riding styles are a little different. (He likes to go about 10 mph faster than I do.) Occasionally I'll ride with a group, but it's invariably for short (a few hours) rides. I like to relax and savor the scenery, the sounds, the smells. It's hard to describe the solo experience, but it's gratifying.

Bill McGrath

[Longtimer]

Back in the early seventies I did few group rides and learnt that they weren't for me; it seemed that someone always had to get stupid in the middle of the group and make a mess of things; and trying to get everybody to stay to gather was a pain. They try to keep it organized but there are too many different riding styles. I have not done a group ride since the early seventies and only did a few then.

A group ride to me is her on the back with me up front. I like to meet people at the stops or where we're staying, and talk about where we've been and are going. But no group riding!

[ARtraveler]

When we lived in AK, we were members of a motorcycle group. I joined in 2001 and quit in about 2018. The club welcomed all makes and models and during the first 10 years or so we had about 50 bikes participating on our Thursday rides.

Because of the numbers, we had five different groups...usually 10 or less. They were grouped according to ability and speed. I was ride captain of the newbie group. All had to start there. The club had a couple close calls in the later years, but no accidents. We did give the "I Faw Down" award every year though.

The group changed leadership in the last year we were members. We did not like the new "politics" and safety issues went down hill. Since then, it has been mostly Linda and I riding together. We have had biker friends visit a time or two. We did day trips with them to show off the scenery.