jeffkruger
New member
I am curious as to how many other riders prefer to travel solo, at least with no other bikes if you have a pillion?
I just returned from a short trip, and am getting ready for a longer one in a few weeks. Lately when traveling I have noticed quite a few other solo riders, or just a rider with a pillion. From my perspective while there still seems to be more folks that are riding in groups of varying sizes, it seems like I am seeing more solo folks. If you are a rider that prefers to travel solo I would genuinely enjoy hearing why.
My daughter is my favorite pillion, and she has about 60k miles as a passenger with me. I really enjoy riding with my wife as pillion as well, but she doesn't enjoy longer days on the bike like my daughter does. In a few weeks I am going to be heading out on a few week ride and my daughter (now 13) was planning on going. She is a heck of an athlete and unfortunately a team commitment is going to keep her from being able to go. While I am sad that she won't be going, I am also looking forward to being on the road alone.
I have always preferred to travel solo on a bike. The last time I tried traveling with a couple of other bikes we ended up parting ways after a few days as our energy and outlooks were just too different. I was no doubt making their ride less enjoyable, as they were mine. I have a very flexible schedule, and an extremely understanding spouse. I consider that a luxury and like to take advantage of it and be somewhat free spirited when traveling. If a local at a gas station tells me about some cool sight off the beaten path I like the ability to just decide to go without any discussion, or worrying about making it to the days destination based on a regimented itinerary. I think I am approached by more folks while traveling solo too, and I've met some great folks and had some great conversations because of that. When my adorable daughter is riding pillion I know we get approached by more folks for sure.
Most days I wake up, anxious to get on the bike. On other days my energy level may be different and I don't feel like a long day on the bike, or I find someplace cool and want to linger a bit. It may seem selfish or self centered, but I really like being able to easily adapt based on what I want to do, without worrying about another rider. In Mexico a few years ago I met a German tourist on a BMW and we hit it off and ended up riding together for a few days. That was really enjoyable. It was random and not planned though. I know that traveling with someone else offers some advantages with regard to safety and convenience. I think a small part of my enjoyment of going it solo though is knowing I am reasonably prepared and able to handle whatever may come up on my own, and being pretty self reliant.
Based on what I have been seeing, I know there are others out there that travel solo, whether by choice or circumstance. I would genuinely enjoy hearing about some of you.
I just returned from a short trip, and am getting ready for a longer one in a few weeks. Lately when traveling I have noticed quite a few other solo riders, or just a rider with a pillion. From my perspective while there still seems to be more folks that are riding in groups of varying sizes, it seems like I am seeing more solo folks. If you are a rider that prefers to travel solo I would genuinely enjoy hearing why.
My daughter is my favorite pillion, and she has about 60k miles as a passenger with me. I really enjoy riding with my wife as pillion as well, but she doesn't enjoy longer days on the bike like my daughter does. In a few weeks I am going to be heading out on a few week ride and my daughter (now 13) was planning on going. She is a heck of an athlete and unfortunately a team commitment is going to keep her from being able to go. While I am sad that she won't be going, I am also looking forward to being on the road alone.
I have always preferred to travel solo on a bike. The last time I tried traveling with a couple of other bikes we ended up parting ways after a few days as our energy and outlooks were just too different. I was no doubt making their ride less enjoyable, as they were mine. I have a very flexible schedule, and an extremely understanding spouse. I consider that a luxury and like to take advantage of it and be somewhat free spirited when traveling. If a local at a gas station tells me about some cool sight off the beaten path I like the ability to just decide to go without any discussion, or worrying about making it to the days destination based on a regimented itinerary. I think I am approached by more folks while traveling solo too, and I've met some great folks and had some great conversations because of that. When my adorable daughter is riding pillion I know we get approached by more folks for sure.
Most days I wake up, anxious to get on the bike. On other days my energy level may be different and I don't feel like a long day on the bike, or I find someplace cool and want to linger a bit. It may seem selfish or self centered, but I really like being able to easily adapt based on what I want to do, without worrying about another rider. In Mexico a few years ago I met a German tourist on a BMW and we hit it off and ended up riding together for a few days. That was really enjoyable. It was random and not planned though. I know that traveling with someone else offers some advantages with regard to safety and convenience. I think a small part of my enjoyment of going it solo though is knowing I am reasonably prepared and able to handle whatever may come up on my own, and being pretty self reliant.
Based on what I have been seeing, I know there are others out there that travel solo, whether by choice or circumstance. I would genuinely enjoy hearing about some of you.