Do you look forward to riding alone?
My preference is to ride alone. The road and what I do with it belongs to me — a selfish, self-centered state of mind. And in that state I can entertain dreams, regrets, host demons and converse with angels. It’s a look in the mirror and a mental blood-letting with the Vespa and road playing the leech.
I found “YOURSELF” on the side of a barn — a word extracted from a Mail Pouch tobacco sign and perhaps a reminder to me of my own genetic need to be alone at times.
On the road I’ve been singing The Wayfaring Stranger, an early 19th century folk and gospel song. It’s a story of a soul on a journey through life. I first heard the song over 40 years ago in the TV show Then Came Bronson. Michael Parks and Bonnie Bedelia sing a quiet duet that still echoes in my head. There are many versions but this is still my favorite.
Not sure why it’s surfaced. I suppose there’s some unfinished business my mind needs to chew on while I ride.
Does this happen to you?
Steve,
I agree with you. My approach is the same, i definitely prefer to ride alone. It´s a mental, spiritual and sensorial exercise mixed with a sense of freedom that it´s just impossible to reach with someone else sharing the road with us.
I find this state of mind and approach particularly rare among my friends. If i think about my friends at the Vespa Clube de Lisboa, for instance, most part of them doesn´t want to ride alone, or they look at the idea as something boring , they simply cannot understand the beneficts of such thing…
One thing that does not interest me at all (and it is hugely popular here in Portugal) is riding on a line of 100 or 200 scooters, a scooter caravan. It´s the worst part of a meeting, dangerous, stressing, too slow, difficult to manage and… boring.
Vasco
Vasco — I have to agree with you that is does seem impossible to reach those things you outline when someone else is along. It’s as if the part of your brain that’s required to pay attention to another rider cancels out those other fragile states.
The big group rides are just painful to me. I’ve been on one years ago and never again. The reasons are legion. But there are many who live for them. Glad we have choices.
I did a charity ride once at the request of a friend. While it was fun to run red lights and stop signs with a police escort, not really something I am interested in doing again.
It’s like being in a parade. I don’t like parades. Unless I get to wear a FEZ and drive a go-kart with a monkey on the back.
I very much feel the same way. Riding solo is the only way for me to really enjoy my time on my MP3-250. My significant other is always trying to get me to ride with various friends, but I resist strongly. As soon as one rides in ‘packs’ the independence of being solo is curtailed; I can no longer let my mind wander, as one has to work at group decision making. To me, a total defeat of riding a bike.
Since my heart attack I sense Kim would rather I ride with someone else — at least for rides that take me away from civilization (as much of that as you can get in central Pennsylvania). Though we never discussed it I think she knows that I would have died had I been out in some of the places I ride where there is no cell coverage. But then the same result if someone had been with me save they would have gotten to watch me die.
Even with the event, I still prefer to ride alone and take my chances.
If lack of mobile phone coverage is the only issue, a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger is about $150.
Damn it. Quit posting this kind of stuff. I’m already thinking of buying some Aerostich pants and now I’m looking at a Spot Tracker! 😉
Hi, Steve,
I very much agree with this and you in that my favorite way of riding is solo… It does, as you imply, free my spirit and let the angels speak, or not.
However, twice a month a group of us, from two to twelve riders, make a little ride of about thirty miles to a favorite restaurant for breakfast or lunch, depending on the temperature. There is something about seeing a line of scooters snaking through the countryside that is very exhilarating for me…although the responsibilities of riding in a group do pose some very important issues. But, as stated, I much prefer the solo type ride, or possibly with one fellow rider.
I can see being in a group if the goal is a destination rather than the seeking of the voices of angels. But that can’t be all I do or I’ll quickly decide to take the car…
So far I’ve ridden through 37 states with my wife on the back seat, but otherwise never with other riders. I have only ever been on two group rides in 40+ years of riding, and I can say that I certainly prefer to ride alone. I’ll mostly be skipping group ride opportunities in the future.
I know a number of riders who travel with their spouse riding pillion and love it. All of them are on big machines — Goldwings, Harleys, BMWs. Kim has been on the back of the scooter a number of times but she hasn’t warmed to it. She has said if we were going to ride together she would rather pilot her own scooter.
Alone is the way to go.
Yep!
Maybe it’s a scooter thing then. There’s nothing like the comraderie of a good group ride with fellow motorcyclists. Watching how the person in front of you takes a curve, maintaining a respectable distance from the people around and listening to the sound of several engines reverberating around you. Then, at a stop, comparing notes, kicking tires and swapping lies with your friends while the tink-tink of cooling engines fills the air. The whole group dynamic is invigorating.
Jim,
I’m certain you are not alone in your observations. People don’t ride in groups for nothing — they definitely get value from the experience. Everyone is different and we follow what works for us. No right way or wrong way, just different choices. I see a lot of the qualities you describe at the Boalsburg Moto Hang when all the riders are together. It’s fun.
You have been blessed with a way with words,and are able to put things in perspective.Thanks for sharing your talents.Hope your post HA regimen is on course.Safe riding and a warm summer.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m taking care of myself and hopefully it will offer some benefits in terms of longevity and opportunities to ride!
Hi, Steve,
I agree with you about riding solo vs riding with a group…it certainly does give one a sense of completeness, and also gives the angels a chance to talk.
But, twice a month a group of us of two to twelve scooterists take a 30 mile ride to breakfast or lunch, depending on the temperatures at the time, and the great visual of the group snaking through the countryside warms the cockles of my heart. But it’s certainly true there are many considerations to make while riding in the group. And, if I had to choose one form of riding it would be solo certainly, with one additional rider second, and a group third.
Very nice thought stimulator.
Whoa, that’s weird: Last week and weekend on a solo, dual-sport dirt ride to Colorado from Utah, I was off and on singing The Wayfaring Stranger, inspired by its blasting (Johnny Cash’s cover) from a passing Jeep.
I usually ride alone, and I prefer that: I like being at the mercy of my whims only.
Johnny Cash does a nice version of Wayfaring Stranger.
Like you, I want to be at the mercy of my whims without concern for others.
My very favorite and most liberating rides are done alone, always the best. Riding any other way is a compromise, a matter of degree depending on whatever my friends bring along to share.
Funny that you mention Bronson here. While on the bike these last weeks I’m often singing “Summertime” to myself, especially appreciated on warm-to-hot afternoons.
Funny what comes into our heads while we ride alone. Music and songs always surprise me. For weeks last year I couldn’t get “Behind Blue Eyes” by the Who out of my helmet…
Riding with a group (even a group of two bikes) is a distraction that takes away from the ride. Meetups with other riders are fine, but the trip to and from is best done alone.
The only exception I would make is are places such as northern Canada or parts of Alaska, where having a companion with some mechanical ability and first aid training could be a valuable asset if anything goes wrong hundreds of miles from the nearest hospital or towing service.
I might agree with you about remote rides. Maybe. Certainly a second rider helps in those situations you describe but then again there are plenty of examples where riders go alone. It’s a personal decision unique to each of us.
Alone.
Companion.
Small group.
It’s a ride…exhilaration!
What about Daytona Bike week and Sturgis? I think I can live with ALONE and COMPANION. Even small groups bug me though. Probably why I never went to parties…
Another in the “alone” camp. I don’t like to see anyone in front or behind me. Many times, bikes are worse than cars as far as tailgating is concerned. I just pull over and let everyone else go by.
Many of the riding packs I’ve seen are scary. Bikes packed together closely and you wonder how skilled everyone is. I wait for those storms to pass…
I do look forward to riding alone. My rides often start impulsively so attempting to make anyone do things on my timeline would be a challenge and ultimately a point of frustration more often than not.
While I do have people I enjoy taking rides with now and again – my husband being one of them – i love being able to wander or stop selfishly. There is great importance in moving around without concern about how that makes another person feel.
I sometimes get some earworm or phrase stuck in my mind that i sing or repeat over and over, too. To me it seems like there is some thread weaved in the words that my subconscious is trying to make my conscious turn into meaning. Maybe.
Anyone else think it’s funny that the “group” here likes to ride alone? 😀
Being able to wander and stop selfishly as you describe is, for me, one of the biggest reasons why I ride alone. Even when riding with a close friend who knows how much I like to stop to make pictures, I pass on all sorts of opportunities. And I hate it.
I agree — things stuck in the head are there for a reason. Not sure I always consciously turn them into meaning but the task is important for reasons I don’t always understand.
There are a lot of loners here maybe. Or selfish, self centered riders! It’s not specific to scooter or motorcycle though — just a trait of the highly evolved rider!!!
Having ridden for some forty years before retiring from same, did ride in a group for a parade or simialr. However, watching others as they aimed their motorcycles and showing off made me far more nervous than riding solo.
My license plate was entitled “1-UP” which perhaps summarizes my feelings best. The plate is no longer in circulation, I have it on my wall, framed , from those once-enjoyable times past.
The suggestion for a SPOT for you is a darned good idea. Those forested gravel roads which inhabit much of the state of Pennsylvania can be fraught with damger. And yes an Aerostich garmet is a wonderful idea, give yourself the gift of being safe.
Group rides definitely require focus and attention to keep from creating a pile up on the road. It was not a comfortable situation for me. Even riding with one other rider requires some attention. So solo riding is often my preferred situation. Not always, but often.
I was looking at the SPOT tracker again last night. $150 per year for peace of mind for my family and a way to call for help if needed seems like a bargain. Same with the Aerostich pants. I’ll be getting around to ordering that stuff — maybe today.
Keep in mind Steve the initial purchase of Spot is US$150.00; I believe you have to renew your license (that’s not quite the specific) each year to continue to use same. However have a friend who travels the world, mostly in Canada on two wheels and is currently the Canadian Representative at the F.I.M. International Meet and Rally
at De Horsterkamp 8
7251 AZ Vorden
Netherland.
And SPOT tracks her although it does not track while in the airplane going over there. She used to use a SPOT that was on the motorcycle proper; that Spot disappeared one night while the motorcycle was parked at a campground. She now uses a SPOT that fits on her riding jacket; safer because it is within physical reach and it goes where ever she rides as she is an ATGATT person.
And as to the Aerostich, one thing which you may have noticed. As “we” age” our body simply does not heal from small as wel l as big injuries as it used to do so.
Best protect yourself. Your are a valuable person to your family as well as your readers!
Thanks for the additional information on the SPOT Bryce. As I looked at it I figured it would be an ongoing expense but at $12USD or so a month is a small price to pay for the data it delivers. I’m saving more than that now not eating ice cream at the Creamery.
I absolutely appreciate the increasingly fragile state of life as I age. I sense it myself and I see it around me when friends show up with broken bones from a fall in their living room or at the skating rink. I saw a man go by my house today on a Harley with the traditional garb — boots, jeans, black t shirt, no gloves, and all topped with a helmetless shaved head with no eye protection. I realize he may ride his entire life and never crash or go down. But just one little mistake and flesh is meeting pavement. Ugh. Don’t like to think about it but it’s a reflection of free will and choice.
I also prefer riding alone. I like riding slower and inhaling nature. I also stop frequently. It would be difficult to find someone with my riding style probably.
No need for any of us to make excuses for our riding preferences regardless of what they are. Plenty of room on the road for all of us.