Why I Ride Alone
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- A quick little story about one of the main reasons I ride alone.
Email: csa1nt@outlook.com
#motorcyclelife #harleymotorcycles #biker #harleys #harleydavidsonlifestyle #bikelife #harleydavison #motorcycle
I like to ride alone because I hate going 80 mph just to stay up with everyone. I like to see the scenery and enjoy the ride.
Amen!
Completely agree. I ride motorcycles as a form of therapy and solitude, not something that needs masses of others to enjoy.
Me too
I got hypertension problem. I ride in the morning as theraphy. It works.
You are 100% right on. Many people on motorcycles have no knowledge of what I call lane discipline.
The second most dangerous place to ride your bike is in a practice session for novice racers. The most dangerous? In a group ride with people you don't know.
You, are definitely my brother in the wind. I started riding way back in the early sixties. My older cousin taught me to ride on a Triumph Cub. There was many pieces of advice given to me, but the one thing that stood out most was his advise " Ride Your Own Ride" . By this he meant that say when you are at a traffic light and some one hits his horn, because you aren't moving fast enough for them, don't pay attention to it. You don't move that bike until you are satisfied it's safe. I have lived to that ever since. At 18 I decided to join a club. Wasn't much more than a group of guys riding to the bar. On one occasion when I guess the bar was a good distance away we were riding in formation. As we drove along I saw something that I wanted to look at and I left the formation and went on my own. At the next club meeting they wanted to find me 25$ . So I dug in my pocket and low and behold came up with a finger for them. Quit right then and there, and never joined another club. Nothing against clubs, there just not for me. Some years later, my riding partner talked me into a ride with a HOG chapter. I got a mile down the road when I knew that it wasn't for me. To many newbies, and invincible show offs. I left that pack and never rode in a pack again. That was in the eighties. No thank you. I will admit that I am a loner type period, but I don't ride packed up ever. In the mean time, my cousin gave me another piece of advice."Keep the shiney side up"
My Dad told me in the late fifties to ride for myself. I rode with him until 1966. We avoided groups like they were the plague. I rode alone until I got out of the service in 1974. I enjoyed riding with Dad because we rode alone and I didn't have to wonder what his next move was going to be. I'm 75 and getting ready to go from OKC to Portland, OR. and back. I will ride my own ride and I do my own maintenance on a 1983 Moto Guzzi that will be my ride for this trip.
@@waltpettis1480 Good bike. Not common these days. Funny how that family thing goes. Younger brother and me didn't ride motorcycles together until 2003 Harley 100. He pretty much just started riding late. Me I've been nuts since childhood. Well the first time we rode together was like we been doing it all our lives, we did we grew up riding bicycles together.
I tried the riding club thing and they were nice enough. No issues like you described, but they rode to eat. We spent about 4 hours on a ride and half of that was sitting in a restaurant talking and joking. Not judging, mind you, this was their club I was hanging around, it just wasn't my thing. I prefer to ride my own pace, my own route, my own times. I think there are group oriented people and nomads. One isn't better or worse, just different.
I like going when I want, where I want, and stopping where and when I want, and enjoying the road and scenery alone, in peace, unencumbered by rules or other people's whims. If that's considered being a dick these days, then so be it. I'm bothering no one.
Ride safe, no matter how you do it.
You too boss
Approaching 70 I still want to be out on my bike as much as possible but I haven't ridden with anyone for over 20 years, don't plan to either. I can stop, go fast, go slow, go wherever I want because I don't have anyone to worry about.
My favorite “ He who goes alone waits for no one “ I must have heard that 50 or 60 yrs ago.
75 y/o and I feel the same. Particularly on multi day trips, I set my own pace. I stop when and where I want.
I totally agree with you, brother. I hate riding in groups of people that I don’t know, you have no idea other people skill levels, so I just do my own thing
When I finally have time to go on a ride, for a few precious hours away from my job and family, all I want is peace, freedom and free roads for myself, my bike and my thoughts. That's why I ride alone. I can understand you very well.
You are not alone in your way of thinking. The things I've learned driving motorcycles, big trucks, and cars taught me that close quarter driving is unsafe.
That is why I rack up most of my miles riding alone.
I don’t blame you
Your're not a dick man! Point of reference being a Harley rider that chooses only to ride with other Harleys. 😉
I don't get why people get into bikes then spend every waking minute riding in a pack. To me it's the antithesis of what riding a bike is all about.
Completely agree, the best parts of riding alone are, you make all the decisions, from start to finish you decide when and where, no compromising with anybody✌️
Long ago I did ride in a group a few times. I rarely ride fast, but that group really liked going really fast. I was out of my comfort zone and stoped riding with them. I did'nt understand what the h*ll they were thinking going small country side roads like it was a race track. Nowadays I enjoy setting my own tempo and relying on only myself.
A pretty young lady passenger set me straight decades ago, she poked me in the ribs and said slow down, enjoy the putt.
I ride alone, the only time I ride with other people is when it is someone I know who can ride. I like my pace, when I want to stop, etc.
0:38 the amount of duckwalkers and foot draggers is absurd... big machines, no skills
Yeah, riding in groups with strangers can be dangerous. You never know the skill level of the other riders so things can go bad real fast.
I've been riding for 50+ years . Other than a group of select long time friends , I prefer to ride alone , for the exact reasons you point out. Too many weekend rookies gravitate to these dealership get-togethers.
I'm with you - I ride alone 99% of the time. I wouldn't mind having a friend or two to ride with but the few guys that I trust and who ride like me (brisk pace but not stupid fast) were left on the east coast when I moved to Arizona 4 years ago. After 55 years of riding, I went on my first group ride with 20-25 guys, mostly on adventure bikes. Everyone that I observed on the ride appeared to be competent, experienced riders (I don't recall seeing any Harleys in the group - hmm, could there be a correlation between type of bike and rider skill?). Anyhow, we got into some nice twisty roads with beautiful sweeping corners. Ordinarily, I try to stay within 10-15 mph of the posted speed limit to minimize the risk of tickets. Pretty soon I found the group pushing 80mph through the corners and nearing 100 at times. As a former roadracer/trackday rider, I was able to keep up with the group. However, when a couple of guys passed a car in front of us, I too went to pass the car, and quickly discovered that my 900cc adventure bike (purchased only a couples months before) did not have nearly the acceleration from 80 mph that my Ducati or GSXR 750 have. I had the throttle pinned and while I'm attempting to pass the car and get back into my lane before the passing zone ended, a car is approaching me from the opposite direction. I managed to get back into my lane but not before I ran out of dotted line. It wasn't scary close but afterward I thought to myself, "What the f*** did I just do, and why the f*** did I do it?" I never would have done that riding alone. On the racetrack, I always rode my own ride and focused not getting sucked in by a faster ride ahead of me. Then why the hell did I do what I just did? Anyhow, after the ride, I decided that group riding wasn't for me and I'm back riding and camping alone on my adventure bike. For safety, I always give my wife a map and directions with planned route, and she can track my location on her iPhone.
Been riding for 50 years by myself. Low stress and enjoyable rides. At my age really do not care what others think or do as life is short....enjoy!
I always ride alone. Set my own pace. Stop and go when I want. 😎✌️
Not at all. I almost always ride alone. Too much drama, BS, etc, I want to just enjoy my ride, think things over.
Totally agree man! I just did a group ride last week and it also reminded me why I only solo ride. Too many inexperienced riders eager to join the biker community (confidence over skill), too many guys playing tough-guy and not having the skill to back it up, no etiquette (staggered, only cruise at even numbers - speed discussed before hand, signals laid out, time/distance before stops. etc), bikes with different size tanks and guys with different sized bladders, people wanting to constantly stop to eat/sight-see, it's an absolute pain dude! I always ride solo, and if not, I have one buddy I'm okay with coming. Every once in a while we all need reminders as to why group riding is the pits. You are bang on man.
Glad folks agree. People can be a pain in the ass.
Totally agree. Years ago I did a toy run and after that experience swore I’d never do another one .
I ride by myself or with some mates and we all know how each other rides and have confidence and trust in each other. I feel much safer riding fast with some of my mates than riding in big groups at slow speeds
Completely agree. Haven't ridden in a group for years, and don't plan to start again. My one riding buddy moved away and i didn't know anyone else who rides. Ok by me. I also enjoy the solitude and a chance to free myself from my own image.
I've found in my experience----54 years, any more than 3 riders together is too many. I almost always ride alone.
I ride mostly alone. I do ride with my sons and younger brothers, so max of 5 bikes. Always staggered and within 5 mph of the speed limit. No hot rodding allowed. Safety first, period.
I ride alone, with nobody else , when I ride alone I prefer to be by myself. GT
Nothing wrong with that. I prefer to ride alone too. Go where I want, when I want, and at the speed I want. Got some buddies who haul ass wherever they go. I prefer to putt along and enjoy the scenery. I also avoid interstates and any 4 lane limited access roads. Really like back country roads. Stay safe
You too boss
My bike, my money, my time. Agree with you. Im a solo rider too.
👍
I’m just like you, don’t like riding with folks I don’t know, or the way they ride, I tend to follow my own path 😊
That's why we ride alone mate. The longer I ride, the more I avoid group rides. For exactly the same reason you mention here. I feel you mate, and I'm pretty sure there's lots of us riders feeling the same way. Enjoy your rides and stay safe ❤
Thanks champ. You too
And every RC should be reading these posts instead of wondering why nobody wants to ride with them.
Me and the wife stopped riding in groups, poker runs, toy run etc. Twenty years ago. Too many people don't know how to ride in groups. In fact the last toy run we went on was around 2001 not a very large group, about 100 bikes for a toy run. 4 accidents before we left the parking lot.
You’re absolutely right! I used to ride in groups for a few years back, and since last year, I decided I couldn’t be bothered anymore with people and their inconsistencies… I don’t have the patience anymore so I ride alone! Easier and safer! Ride safe! 👊
To say nothing of those riders yammering back and forth in their headsets. Some bitching about car drivers and their cells in hand. Har!
@@Wanderlustus so true! 🤣
Thanks boss
I ride with one other regular buddy. He still breaks away, passes when I can't, and has poor lane discipline. But we invite a new guy to ride with us and he drops a bomb the night before the HE is bringing a friend. And his friend turns out to be riding... A F*CKING CAR!!! I don't need to tell you how that went. Yeah, gimme my Scout and an open road... alone.
Riding in a small group of riders who know each other is one thing but riding in a large herd of Starbucks heroes is always fucked.
You're not a control freak. You're a survival freak. In over 50 years of riding, I can think of only two other people that I've trusted to ride with. Always staggered in the same lane and a good distance apart.
Totally agree 👍
1) Since everyone rides at different speeds, you’re guaranteed to be riding faster or slower than you would like, which is unsafe.
2) Every 15 minutes someone will need a comfort break, fuel, food or get lost or left behind…etc
Probably only been on 3 large group rides and each time I swear “Never again”
1 or occasionally 2 mates but no more.
I have no interest in group rides. Only time I ride with others is when I know everyone personally.
I LOVE riding with a small group of people, I know, and trust, and have ridden with before. I never ride in groups with people I don't know. Especially side by side, never ever ride side by side or even close staggered with a stranger.
100% riding with other can ruin your mojo. Having to constantly focus on everyone elses riding can suck all the joy out of your ride.
I've been riding year round and alone for 20 years. Too many egos and too many ranges in inexperience has caused too many of my buddies to have some really jacked up group rides. A few have ended in totaled bikes trying to keep up, some have been arrested and others picked up in an ambulance. I ride for therapy and therapy in a typical setting is two people, the patient and the therapist. Neither one of my two therapists want company and neither do I. It's not selfish. In more ways than not it's responsible. Every time I've gone out I always come back with a smile and refreshed take on the day. My wife knows when I say, "I'm going for a spin.", that I just need a moment to myself which usually means about an hour of circling the county.
I feel exactly like you. Last time I rode in a group a woman with a $40,000 CVO tried riding about a two foot from my rear. I kept telling her to back off and get into a stagger, but to no avail. I finally had her pass me and she did the same thing to the next in line. That was it for me.
2 feet is about right ,wheel to wheel, ride side by side😮 or ride alone . I ride alone 🎉
I ride alone 99% of the time. When I do ride with a group I never ride side by side. If the rider beside you goes down he may take you with him!
I just recently took the 3WMC and one of the things taught in class is, „ride your own ride”.
Good advice 👍
I don't like going on a walk with other people.
Nothing beats riding solo!!!
Agreed 👍
I'm with you, riding alone is the way to go!
👍
Screw that shit, I don’t have the patience. Been riding and camping off the bike for years, solo. No group rides ever. Occasionally I’ll meet another rider while on a trip that’s going in the same direction but that’s it. I love my drama free complete freedom.
I don’t blame you.
Rode bikes for 45 years and didn’t get hit because I used the principle of real estate. It is your best friend so ride with as much of it around you as you can.
Stopped going on group rides years ago for all the reasons you mentioned. There’s enough to worry about when you're on two wheels without having to be constantly looking out for idiot riders who are a danger to themselves and everyone around them.
100% 💯 i’m with you. Poker runs. Charity runs nope. Solo wolf is the best
Agreed 👍
Group rides tend to be stupid and totally disorganized. I do try to go on group rides for organized charities like Toys 4 Tots or Veterans, but dread those rides because there’s always too many idiots who like to show off. I prefer riding alone or with close friends or my son who are on the same page.
I always thought that riding a motorcycle was for people that don't feel the need to fit in. I don't understand people that join clubs, ride in groups, or dress alike when they ride. Riding a motorcycle is not enough in common to make buddies based on that alone. The only guy I ride with has been my friend since we were 12 and we both happen to like bikes.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I have my motorcycles to take me away from people.
Viewing from Australia and you are not the only one who has this issue happens on every group ride I do, some folks feel they are entitled 🤨🥴
Good to hear from folks down under 👍
Amen. 60 yrs, all the states & most of Canada 90% alone. Never a radio or tv screen between myself & the view over the bar. I don't take the world with me. It's my thoughts, the engine & the world around me. Also seldom with others. To many compromises plus in all my 60 yrs, 2 others ride like me.
Definitely agree with that philosophy
I have one good friend that I ride with. We've done thousands of miles together and He's the only one I'm comfortable with so if not him I ride alone.
I agree with everything you said. You named SOME of the reasons I like to ride alone.
Couldn't have said it better myself. I agree 100%.
I don't think your a dick or ranting about group riding. That is why I stopped riding in groups, it is unsafe when riding with folks who ride willy nilly. I use to love the idea of getting on my bike and riding, it was always relaxing for me especially when riding by myself. When you are stopping, starting and doing a lot of down shifting and upshifting it is not a smooth ride. One of the reasons I like riding on back roads. I think you hit the nail on the head. Thank you for sharing.
No problem. Thanks for watching.
I ride alone because I have nothing to prove to anyone and refuse to be a casualty of someone who does. Besides, people suck and I'm difficult to tolerate too.
I’m completely with you. I have enough trouble watching out for myself and cagers. Let alone me, cagers, and other riders
1000% agree, for the reasons you stated. There are very few people I like to ride with and spend most of my time solo, which I completely enjoy. Can go my own pace, don’t have to worry about what the other guys are doing, if they are paying attention etc. plus it’s a great time to find my zen and relax into my own space.
Great to see some of the video… looks like you are in my hometown of regina. Moved away in 1989 but I get back there several times every year.
Following.
You are correct. I’m in Regina 🤘
+1
It's always been a dilemma between having to keep up beyond my comfort zone, or ride at a pace slower! Thus I ride alone too.
You are 100 percent correct ! I ride alone for safety and peace of mind not putting up with other people and their strange riding habits !
I'm in my late 60s, been riding since the mid-70s. Still ride. I went on one group ride, didn't know what I was getting into. Over half the people thought it was a race, they were passing uphill with a double yellow line, going 3 wide, all kinds of stupid shit. I slowly drifted to the back of the pack and stayed there. That was enough for me. I enjoy riding with a friend or two, but no more big group rides!
100% agree will never ride in group rides again, had to many near misses due to the reasons you brought up. Great video 😊
Thanks boss 👍
I will only ride with people I know. Otherwise I'm solo. Safer that way.
Cab drivers have difficulty with the concept of “constant speed”. My sister, too! Gas! No gas. Gas! No gas. Gas! No gas…ugh…
I've been riding for over 5 decades and I agree that riding alone is far more enjoyable than being a herd member in a large group ride.
For me riding is all about freedom, independence, controlled risk, accountability, focus, escape, developing and exercising riding skills.
A large group ride is none of the above...rather, it's about 'herd mentality' in conforming, following and getting in line.
Yeah, huge PASS.
Riding with a couple of known friends, once in a while, is totally cool with me.
I do ride in a group sometimes for events, but they are with friends who I know and we always know what the score is, we always ride staggered. I haven't experienced something as bad as what you went through, but I've done some larger group rides with strangers and I tend to let them do their own thing and I don't mind hanging back. For the most part 80% of my riding is done solo and I enjoy it, having the freedom to go where I'd like to and the type of riding I want to do.
Packs can be good if you know who you’re riding with. Otherwise they can be a real pain in the ass.
Yes @@canadiansa1nt309
No, you're not a dick and no, you're not selfish , you're just safe, and you enjoy your own company.
I’m probably just a dick for other reasons, haha!
My wife & I are RVers that have traveled with our bikes to many RV parks . Palm Creek resort had an organized group that we joined for a ride . Of course there has to be at least one hot dog rider. Some just feel a need to show off their (lack of) skills . That was enough for us to never ride with a bunch we don’t know ….. besides it is better alone when you can stop or go when & where we want
You are absolutely right I ride alone too and your not alone most people do ride like dumb asses happy riding
Thanks. You too!
I ride alone,remember that in a group there is at least one a hole.
Agreed
Well mate, you're literally reading my mental rant of why I generally detest group riding. Speed up, slow down, hit the brakes, rush forward....it makes the whole experience a total poison pill. Freakin' can't figure out why riders generally suck at riding, but no, you're spot-on, and if that makes us both d1cks, then amen. EXCEPTION: if I know the mates, trust their skill level and know that they're conscientious, safe, and observant, then I'm down. Otherwise, just tell me the destination, and I'll find my way! Great commentary.
Agreed 👍. Good to know others feel the same.
@@canadiansa1nt309 Bikes are fun and riding is the kind of therapy that removes cortisol....then, there are group rides, that DUMP more bad hormones in the bloodstream than watching The View.
I've been riding since 1970 and haven't done even a small group ride for maybe 15 years. The last couple of charity rides I just rode to the start place but didn't go for the ridealong. I feel the same as you do.
I'm with you on this...I cannot stand driving in a group. No consistent speed, up shifting, down shifting constantly. They wanna ride in the left hand lane for miles and miles and hold up traffic trying to pass.
I live in Wales (U.K). Absolutely agree with your comments, I feel safer, travel at my own pace and go and stop when and where I want.
At least when you are alone you trust everybody riding with you.
Totally agree with your outlook, after only 2 group rides early in my riding career & both times watching inexperienced riders running off the road or otherwise creating some sort of havoc I decided solo was for me the safest & most enjoyable! 😊
Yes, I too ride along. Everybody I know their bike doesn’t go past the bar.lol 😊
I've been motorcycle riding 50 years and been an instructor/ examiner. I generally only ride with people I've taught, or assessed...but surprises still happen! Rider/rider comms systems help. But, yes, like you, I prefer to ride on my own. I like to think I know what I'm dong!😂
I’m with you 100% I can’t stand group rides either, for all the same reasons.
👍👍🌹🌹❤❤🌷🌷👌👌The same goes for me!
I always ride by myself.
Main reason is most sane folks wouldn’t go where I want to go, or ride as long. I don’t want to explain why I want to go where and when.
Happy coincidence that I don’t have to worry about these things
Yep I hear you my friend, I don’t do large group rides…3 bikers at the most. The most enjoyable rides are me, myself and I, and sometimes a PYT ❤😂😂😂💯👍🏽
Riding alone is great!
I mostly ride alone because I like to have fun. Riding with old Harley guys, I have to drop it down a gear and putt-putt along like I'm a fearful old woman (and I'm nether fearful nor a woman, but I am old).
There's no way I'd want to participate in a big troop ride like that, so I couldn't comment on such things except to say, "No".
I think the largest pack I've ever been in was around 8 bikes, and they all understood a standard, staggered formation just fine.
And, Man, if you're with someone who doesn't understand the basics, then you'd better fill him in right now! Don't be silent and then resent it because you couldn't be an effective communicator.
George Thorogood , “I ride/drink along”. Ride at my speed stop when I want to stop and enjoy the view vs watching what everyone is good at
🥃
I don’t mind riding in a group, but like what you described here, there are too many things that differ from my ride style.
I generally ride alone for two reasons.
1, the area I live in has very few bikes. Millions of mopeds/scooters, but very few bikes.
2, I like to do what I want to do, and not be pushed by others. So I ride how fast and often as I want.
Great video. Subscribed.
Thanks boss 👍
Concur with your logic. I don’t do Poker Runs or group rides because there are always “dicks” out there on bikes, caught up in the moment, sometimes wanting to show off a bit (or a lot). A group of 3-4 riders, friends I have ridden with many times, is the most “group” riding I want to do. Always do what’s safest for you!
I ask a similar question, "Why ride in a group? Do you gather with other car drivers to drive in a pack?" My first group ride was in the LAHD CA 1000 with many hundreds of riders. There were plenty of ambulances scraping up the injured and I was nudged twice by passing Harleys. I saw a sidecar rig hanging from a tree. That was back in the 70s when I was young and stupid.
Since then I've ridden solo. I also stopped going to to biker hangouts like Hells Kitchen, Rock Store and others after seeing enough of the pageantry. I'm an old dick who needs a nap.
Don’t blame you.
I'm right-there with you. The one time I rode with others I felt like we were going far too slow.
I toured alone for thirty years. Loved the solitude. In the last decade I have toured with a friend, and occasionally in groups of up to four bikes. Any more than four and the numbers get hard to manage and keep the group together. Big groups are disasters looking for a place to happen, and I have seen the results from such group rides.
I think you absolutely right. Is your ride out and it a side way to be. I too like to ride my own ride safe and always got home 👍
Agree 100% with everything you said.
Mostly ride on my own, done a few group rides and had no dramas, but like you i like to do my own thing
I agree - if you are riding with people you don't know, you never know the skill level of the other riders. They might be good, or it might be "amateur night." If you are riding with people you frequently ride with, you can start to learn each other's tactics and feel comfortable (depending).
100%. The only time I ride in a group is if the other guys are riders I know and are experienced and the max is 4. Even when there is four in my group we are spaced apart and we all ride the same way.
When I went to Sturgis in 2006 it was a gong show. Once is enough for me.
I ride alone for the same reasons. You forgot to mention the ‘friendly’ competition between friends.
These issues were the reason I buried a friend and his son…
I'm with you 100%. I used to do this poker runs and go to rallies with my friends but to many closed calls. The last one turned in to a real accident at Daytona that caused my friend to total his bike and his legs broken in two parts, plus in the same accident I almost got ran over an 18 wheeler. The shame of is that the accident was caused by a group that were not with us and decided to pass us and the leader of that pack shortly after passing us decided to slam on the breaks to turn around and his brakes locked on him.