Going it solo

[bond_yzf]

I'm in the process of planning this year's trip to the pyrenees (rb5) and lately I've got this hankering of doing it solo, now I know the drawbacks of doing a trip solo but surely that's part of the adventure ?

I've never done a trip on me own and do enjoy riding with others but ive just got it in my head that this time it just needs to be me, the bike and a wallet

What I'm looking for is advice and opinions (good or bad) on solo trips

[johnnyboxer]

Take a book to read, in the evenings

Done plenty of solo trips

Love it, you can bloody well please yourself that way (thumbs)

[Whippet]

I did a solo trip down to Gibralter through Spain in 2012, the weather was dreadful travelling down, .Previous I'd always travelled with others, you need loads of mental strength !! You have to have a different mind set.It took me 4-5 days tp get my head round the lonliness. I did meet people on the way who were also on bikes (common Cause)they were great and I soon got on the groove, But we are are different, you may excel on your own ?

[Benhur]

Hi there,

I have done some small solo trips....To be honest I like travelling with my mates, but at the end of the day you are on your own on a bike. Nobody can stop you from having a lowside, or driving off the side of the road because you are tired...so at the end of the day, even when I am with my mates, I like to drive my own line at my own pace...

when i am on my own,

1. I make sure I have a spare card and some cash hidden somewhere on the bike.
2. I break the day`s ride down into stages each of which involves a stop in a town...this makes sure I dont drive for hours on end and get too tired. it also ensures that If i have a mechanical problem or a health problem a town is not more than a planned 1 hour ride away.
3. my biggest bugbear is the weather...I dont like riding in the rain, so if the weather is not fine...i just dont ride. Since I am on my own, I am my own boss


Its fun on my own ...I get to think about things and to just be good company with myself which is cool...

R.

[PHILinFRANCE]

Its an age thing !!! i'm off round the Balkans through Turkey to Georgia in June on me own and when i tell folks they say i'm mad.

Maybe i am but i feel its something i gotta do , all i'm taking differant is one of them there tablet thingies ..................now to sus out how they work !!!

If you're passing our place up or down , doors always open (thumbs)
Phil

[Willandkate]

Its totally subjective and a personal choice. I reckon the evenings could get a bit boring/lonely. Finish riding at 5ish, the sun still up until 9... That's a lot of reading time. Are you happy with your own company? Are you the type who enjoys going to the pub (not your local where you know everyone) and just sitting at the bar, mulling shite in your head and possibly striking up a chat with someone? I'm not....

Why not try a weekend away on your own if you haven't to test the waters. I remember doing solo rides in Oz and then camping out on my own. I went 2 days once and all I said was "pump 4, can I have a receipt please". I was quite happy to get home despite fantasic riding and gorgeous scenery

[bond_yzf]

some good advice cheers guys

[MotorcycleRider]

Just do it.

I've been meaning to go away on the bike for 12 years since getting my first one, never did. Had two weeks off last year with nothing on so decided I'm going. Packed light took a credit card, booked a ferry and went across France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and dropped into Italy/Slovenia before heading back. Best thing I did.

Stopped off at 2 bike hotels, along the way. One I got a good few 100 miles of stunning routes put in the GPS and the second I ended up tagging along with a group of 10 for a few days who turned out to be fairly local. I'd recommend trying to find some on route over standard hotel chains etc.

You always seem to bump into people and being on your own can do what ever you want on your own schedule.

[AndyB]

Go for it.

I enjoy riding on my own because it means I don't have to worry about when others want to stop and when I do stop it's only for fuel and a quick smoke then I'm away again. There's nothing more frustrating than realising you've lost whoever you're riding with and waiting then eventually turning round to find them riding towards you after stopping to take a photo of something. You've also got the choice of where you stop for the night, whether you go and get pissed once you've stopped and what time you set off in the morning.

I keep trying to think of a way to persuade my boss to let me have a few weeks unpaid leave next year to bugger off on my own for an extended trip but because of my job it can't be in summer so my choices are a bit limited.

[special one]

Just do it.

I've been meaning to go away on the bike for 12 years since getting my first one, never did. Had two weeks off last year with nothing on so decided I'm going. Packed light took a credit card, booked a ferry and went across France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and dropped into Italy/Slovenia before heading back. Best thing I did.

Stopped off at 2 bike hotels, along the way. One I got a good few 100 miles of stunning routes put in the GPS and the second I ended up tagging along with a group of 10 for a few days who turned out to be fairly local. I'd recommend trying to find some on route over standard hotel chains etc.

You always seem to bump into people and being on your own can do what ever you want on your own schedule.

That about sums me up I reckon too, I'm happy in my own company but I like to share the experience, whether that's a road or trail ride, or euro trip, just the way I feel I guess.


That said, I will do a small trip on my own one day just to tick that box.