Touring on your own or in a group

SimonB · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Karma :

I was thinking earlier today that I would quite like to bugger off and explore say France for a week. The only thing that is really stopping me is that I don't think I can keep myself company as I normally like to have someone to share the experiences with.

Some of the best stories I've read on here have been people going off on there own for perhaps weeks at a time and having lots of fun.

I suppose going on your own would force you to interact with strangers more which I suppose can be a good thing.

So what do you think would you prefer to travel on your own abroad or would you prefer go with a couple of friends?
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veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Maybe with one other person, but no more than about 3

I'm looking to go over to France soon as well, bit of a trek from Liverpool Very Happy

T

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

I did an 11-day trip last year on my own and have mixed feelings.

On the positive side is the fact that I could go wherever I wanted to and stop at a place for however long I wanted to. I particularly wanted to visit the Ducati factory (well, would have been rude not to), but the person I was supposed to go with didn't, so I was glad I ended up on my own.

It also made me have to talk to others, not just to my riding buddy, so I made a few new friends along the way. Also, instead of sticking to a route hashed together in a hotel room the night before, I just joined a group of other bikers who were taking a different route.

On the negative side is the fact that I had nobody to talk to at the end of the day, to relive the experience. Hotel bills were quite steep, too, as the Italian hotels charge by the room, not by person, and during the season, they don't give single person discounts.

Of course, the worst part of riding on your own is if you have an accident. I ended up strapped on a spinal board and spending several hours in an A&E with my bag (with money, camera, passport, etc) still strapped on my bike in a garage, the details of which I got several hours later from the attending traffic cop. I then had to ride back on my own and load the bike single handedly, which wasn't easy.

I was supposed to go back out in a few weeks, again on my own, but I think my back is ruling that out now.

I'd like to tour with others, but I'm reluctant to do so, as I've seen and heard of the high speeds people do, everybody seems to be in a rush to get to the destination, rather than treating the bit when you're on the road as the destination. I just don't see the point in doing as many miles as you can in the couple of weeks, I'd rather do fewer miles but enjoy every one of them.

So, choose a small group of people you know will ride the same speeds as you do, and who you can negotiate with, without it deteriorating into a fight and people then storming off to their separate ways.
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Dazbo666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Karma :

Might be willing to go with one other person, but would still be happy if I was on my own.

I don't think I'd go any further that a one day rideout with a group though
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Peirre oBollox · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Karma :

Stu_666 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Karma :

Difficult one isn't it?

Just been out to Canada and U.S with a mate for about a month and although in general we got along ok, after a while I found that you can start to get on each other's nerves a bit. On the other hand though it is good to have some company.

One option is that there are motorbike tours available (google or see back of bike mags for companies doing them). Normally got a decent range of places to stay, e.g French Alps or Germany etc and your in a hotel with other bikers so you've got someone to talk to and I guess something in common. Does seem to be quite a variation in price so worth looking at a few of them. Also most give you the option of doing your own plans each day.

niff5855 · Sausage Boy Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Karma :

Last year I wanted to bugger off to Scotland (from S.Wales) and didnt want to go alone (none of my mates are into bikes............ok, I have no mates. .........No really, none of them are into bikes Razz

)

I stuck a thread on here to see who might be interested.

8 of us ended up going to France for 10 days.

We were all strangers (Except I think I'd already met the Hippy's, I cant remember if we met then or for the Rock'n'blues....anyway I digress) and we had a great time.

We did some serious hard riding on the Motorway, some fantastic twisty work and spend just about every waking minute of the 10 days together. No-one got on my tits and I hope I didnt get on anyone elses. We had a cracking time and I made some cracking new mates.

I think I'd be bored to tears on my own. Much better to have some like-minded people to have the crack with (and beers) at the end of the day.

When on your own, who would you tell about how well you took that last series of twisties? Or talk about the amazing views coming down te mountain? Naa for me its with a group every time.

mike_23 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Karma :

mike_23 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Karma :

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

Personally, and ive been touring 3 times now, i couldnt go alone, you see its not just the riding and the roads the sights and sounds, its the laugh you can have that doesnt even involve bikes.
You cant get pissed on cheap wine in a hotel room in nice, go out to a folk signing bar then onto what seems like a club, which is actually a gay club.
Those nights you cant have on your own, depends what your after really, i enjoy the whole riding ,scenery, larking around experience.
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Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

I think half and half ie agree to meet each other at point X and find your own way at some points, ride with others on other bits, and a mix and match of inbetween,
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sanchezz_182 · Crazy Courier Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Karma :

went touring threw france/germany/Switzerland in june on my own.. and was a totly difrent trip than if i had went with a mate... not sayings its any worse or better.. i ended up talking to alot more people than i probably would have if i was with a friend. and it was good to get away on your own for a wile makes t feel more of an adventure. but ther was some times when i wished ther was sumone ther,, mostly when i reversed the bike into a ditch an couldnt get off because i had all my luggage on lol.
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