Comments on: When Riding Alone Isn’t Enough

By: Scooter in the Sticks

Scooter in the Sticks — Tue, 19 May 2026 22:50:32 +0000

Finding balance between riding alone and being with others is easier now for me. Years of introspection about what I was doing and why I was doing it made for good decisions. I just needed to be honest with myself and not just function on autopilot.

Sounds like your particular riding partner on the trip you described just wasn’t a good match. My first indication is the reactions to stopping to take a picture. If your riding buddy isn’t patient and just wants to rack up miles it will never be a good match for me.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate them.

By: Scooter in the Sticks

Scooter in the Sticks — Tue, 19 May 2026 22:43:21 +0000

In reply to andyheckathorne@gmail.com.

Paul and I will provide rubber-stamp approval of all your baseball whims, passions, and desires. Including a cross-country Vespa trip to watch a game in every major city!

I’m glad the Mazeroski print fit into your Pirate collection. We thought it might.

Being around Paul certainly enhances my level of laughter too. It’s always great to sit down and catch up.

By: Dogfeathers

Dogfeathers — Tue, 19 May 2026 21:21:26 +0000

Riding partners are a tough decision. I usually like the people, but sometimes I need the joys of riding and the solitude to be with myself. I have left my home with my own plan and on the way stopped on the way to say hello to a riding friend. He asked to come along on the three day ride and we had ridden before and rode well together. But this particular trip turned into his trip as he would rather not camp, he preferred to ride on larger roads with more traffic and higher speeds, skip the out of the way places because they did not have fancy restaurants and I got a lot of eye rolling when I stopped too many times to take pictures. With few exceptions, I prefer to ride alone.

By: andyheckathorne@gmail.com

andyheckathorne@gmail.com — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:14:57 +0000

Steve, I feel pretty lucky to have friends who don’t mind–and even encourage–my scooter and baseball habits. You and Paul are generous dudes, and the signed Mazeroski print was quite a welcome surprise. I’m happy to report it is proudly displayed at home alongside my Roberto Clemente baseball card.

Someone once said that laughter is good for the soul, and one thing is for sure: I don’t laugh nearly as much when riding alone as I do when I’m with you and Paul. I’m glad we decided to get out of the cold and catch up.

By: Scooter in the Sticks

Scooter in the Sticks — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:15:59 +0000

In reply to Algis. I think about the advantages of riding with a partner. Especially off the pavement. Nice to have someone to help if you need it.

By: Scooter in the Sticks

Scooter in the Sticks — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:12:01 +0000

In reply to Steel.

I have seen the light Steel. As you say, mixing it up has more value than I considered years ago. I can’t say I enjoy conversations about machines but I do admire them and enjoy looking.

Embracing the world from behind the wheel of your Fiat sounds great. I’ve always admired those small sports cars — MGB, Triumph Spitfire, Sunbeam Alpine, and the Fiat. Sadly, I’m just too tall for them. My creaky bones need some space now. I sat in a Miata and an MGB and my head was about the windshield.

It’s good you and your wife can adventure together. And even though you aren’t riding anymore, you have a lifetime of memories to call up. That’s a gift.

By: Scooter in the Sticks

Scooter in the Sticks — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:06:31 +0000

In reply to Jim Zeiser. Like you, I see the value of riding with others. And sometimes I'll attend a group event and reap the same rewards you describe. As I get older I see the value of a diverse riding experience.

By: Algis

Algis — Mon, 18 May 2026 21:28:11 +0000

I also enjoy riding by myself, but when you ride with a partner, and something goes wrong with a bike, the other person can go for help, Been there and done that.

By: Steel

Steel — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:21:33 +0000

Another wonderful post Steve, just like all your others. I found that it worked best when I “mixed it up”, ie some days riding by myself and other days riding with others. And like your other commentators mentioned, it was fun to compare notes with others and look over their machines.
So now in the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. A new experience as well. With new considerations and adventures. My wife almost always accompanies me in the passenger seat. And I like that. We enjoy each other’s company. And most importantly, we like the same music. So it works for me now.
But I do miss the motorcycle. Always will.

By: Jim Zeiser

Jim Zeiser — Mon, 18 May 2026 17:46:11 +0000

I enjoy riding alone if I choose to but somehow attending group riding events has a certain charm to me. Observing others and the bikes they’re riding is always interesting to me. It reinforces my opinions of which bike is a better all-around machine, which bike is fine on twisty roads and which should never leave the Interstate.