Going it solo

[GB]

I really like solo trips, and what the others say is true, your own pace, not having to consider others,a change of itinerary at a drop of a cog, and like Chico said, people are more likely to interact with you if you are on your own than in a big group of bikers.

You can always get a Spot or similar for piece of mind for the loved ones back home.

You won't regret it.

[MrMorg]

sounds like a great trip & going solo the only thing that would ever concern me would be breaking down in the middle of nowhere (if you're planning to go to such a place) and not being able to fix the problem, out of phone signal, 100 miles from the nearest person etc.

the idea of going at my own pace, stopping when i want, talking to strangers rather than spending a full holiday only talking to the wag or your group.

the only plus side to travelling with other people is the company when not on the bike.

you won't know until you've tried it i suppose!

good luck

[bond_yzf]

I really like solo trips, and what the others say is true, your own pace, not having to consider others,a change of itinerary at a drop of a cog, and like Chico said, people are more likely to interact with you if you are on your own than in a big group of bikers.

You can always get a Spot or similar for piece of mind for the loved ones back home.

You won't regret it.

yeah i was looking at the spot seems a good bit of kit

[gsjim]

I did my first solo trip last year. Rode down to Istanbul and then on to Antakia(Antioch) and back along the south coast, up to Gallipoli and then into Greece, and back to Venice by ferry and home. Was about 6,000 miles in the end in 20 days. Never regretted it for a minute.

You need to be ok with your own company. Lots of time for thinking. I did have an autocom with music on MP3 on my Garmin. I also had my route on the Garmin. I had a laptop and wrote a trip report(on GSer) connecting to the net using hotel wifi.

I enjoyed the freedom of chosing my route, what to see, hotels, where to eat etc. Being on your own encourges you to chat to people along the way.

Like already said, have a spare credit card in the panniers, and a copy your documents, spare keys etc. I had a kindle and a guide book to read over meals in the evening. Go for it, it worked for me.

[mktmhoward]

I have been thinking about a solo trip myself. Last year I went to the Alps with four others but organizing another date that everyone can make is difficult. I expect the days would be OK but do wonder about the evenings, I used to travel with work and being on your own in a hotel was no fun, I guess it is different on a bike. My solution is to start with a short trip- the Atlantic highway, in the Summer- three days as a start, two nights camping.

[Tim Cullis]

I love travelling with my mates, but I do most of my trips solo as not many people have the time to spare for long trips. On the upside you can be really selfish and go exactly where you want to go, stop when you want to take photos without worrying about holding others up, decide to get off the bike and go exploring in the rocks, change your mind about the route, etc. Another advantage is that you tend to get invited to things by the locals (sharing meals, celebrations), which wouldn't happen if there were two or more of you.

Some of the solo trips have been seven or eight weeks at a time. I don't really get lonely, I tend to ride until quite late in the day, in the evening I plan next day's route, try a 'fiendish' Sudoko puzzle, listen to music on the iPod. Then fall asleep absolutely knackered.

The downside is that there's time when you could really do with an extra pair of hands, especially when off roading. Only once in more than 200,000 miles have I been in danger from robbers and I managed to deal with them with the help of pepper spray.

[bond_yzf]

obviously yes rb5 contains a certain percentage of off road and yes thats what does concern me a little but at the same time thats what is drawing the solo part

some great advice guys cheers

[africajim]

Well Jim, you say you've done a couple of weekends away on your Todd, so if you've managed that you'll be fine. I personally couldn't do it.
I've done a couple of solo runs, also weeks away through work on the islands, and absolutely hated them. I love having Fiona with me to chat with at night, to share all the days travel stories, just company.
I've done a few trips with others and enjoy the evenings company but agree with some of the comments on here regarding heated discussion over route, timescales, distances and don't miss that when there's just me and Fiona.
Best of luck to you mate.

[bond_yzf]

Well Jim, you say you've done a couple of weekends away on your Todd, so if you've managed that you'll be fine. I personally couldn't do it.
I've done a couple of solo runs, also weeks away through work on the islands, and absolutely hated them. I love having Fiona with me to chat with at night, to share all the days travel stories, just company.
I've done a few trips with others and enjoy the evenings company but agree with some of the comments on here regarding heated discussion over route, timescales, distances and don't miss that when there's just me and Fiona.
Best of luck to you mate.

its good youve got a girl like that jimbo (thumbs)

im just looking foward to the peace and quiet away from mine :laugh:

[daytona-supersport]

Solo, Do what you want when you want, sod everything and everybody. Works fine.
You can meet up with others and ride a while if your both going the same way and it suits you both.
Ridden in groups, with mates and solo. All can work fine depending on the people.

You need to be a bit more sensible on road and chill a bit rather than going for it. Just to stay safe. Off road, best to team up with others for mutual safety. In the event of an injury either you are there for them or the other way round. Makes sense.
You could be sat in the middle of nowhere for a week with a busted bike and injury.

Riding solo gives a greater sense of freedom. I do have a golden rule, never ride with dickheads, speed nuts and Jonah's, (these are people that foul up and it's never their fault). Pain in the arse. If you have not got your shit together sod off and don't waste my bloody time. I did a ride in the Picos with a guy that found some way to screw up every day. Either breaking down due to lack of prep, getting lost, getting pissed and not able to ride the next day, pissing of the locals, you name it he screwed it. Even totally trashed a hire bike after going down a one way street the wrong way and then smacking into a jeep. Guess who had to sort out the mess. Never rode with him again.

The speed nuts are funny. See them on the boat going out, all full of piss and wind.
A week or two later you see them, bike all banged up and duck taped together. Twats.
They think every bend road is a race track. Yeh, right up until they hit a patch of sand blown across the road.

The dickheads are the selfish sods that take take take and never think to lend others a hand if needed. Either that or they ride without consideration for others in the group, often causing injury and damage to riders of lesser ability. There are a lot of these about. If you are in a group, help when needed and don't push people way beyond their abilities. Don't wipe their bums for them, but don't set them up for a fall. If you are that good, show it by helping and guidance where needed. See that they are properly kitted out before setting out. Your not a mobile breakdown service.

You will enjoy going solo, why not. Do your own thing but don't stick your neck out.
Either that or ride with a buddy that has got their sh"t together. Hard to find eh.
If you think of all the mates that you know. I bet there at most there is only one that you would put money on.

Reading this make me out to be a right ant-sociable sod, but I'm not, just had a lot of experience riding in different situations. (thumbs) I'm more than happy to share a ride with others, but none of the above.