Bikers - Communal Loners?

**Babelfish** · 20th July 2009, 20:25

I've been thinking a bit lately while commuting to Welly each day. Fortunately most of the thinking has been around staying alive but on the odd occasion, usually after waving to another bike, I reflect.

Some of the reasons I like the bike revolve around being alone. I have only myself to depend upon. I enjoy not having the "how about that weather" conversations you get in a car, enjoy the solitude of listening to the bike's engine rather than a radio station. The freedom if you will of being "by myself" (lets not mention all the cars).

And then as soon as I see another bike, I wave. I wave and enjoy the human contact of another biker. And if the other bike heading the same way as me I enjoy getting in formation for a while and sharing the road with them.

Obviously there are times where we ride with other people we know, but the connection the bike provides to complete strangers (if they're amenable) contrasts to the otherwise solitary confinement of being alone on a bike on the open road.

Has anyone else contemplated this? No? I'll get me coat...

**Highlander** · 20th July 2009, 20:28

Even riding as part of a group the "together alone" aspect is part of the appeal.

**Laxi** · 20th July 2009, 20:30

yeah allthe time, I think its the concentration involved in riding tha t can make me feel on my own even on a big ride, its not to say I dont notice the others arround me

**Conquiztador** · 20th July 2009, 20:51

Perhaps not contemplated this in detail. But I do enjoy the ability to ride alone. This might also show my antisocial side.

Then when stopping to fill up petrol and another biker turns up, there is a connection of a sort that you never get when in a car. Then you take off and are alone again.

I just spent 4 days on the road in rain and wind for this reason: to be alone. OK, so I stopped to meet people that I wanted to meet. But all the riding was done alone. It served a purpose: To clear my head, to contemplate where I wanted to go with my life, and to feel some of the freedom I enjoyed when young. I am still waiting for it all to sink in and see what the outcome is.

And there was no i-pods, I stopped when I wanted to, had a JD & Dry for lunch, passed many cars and took side roads.

**p.dath** · 20th July 2009, 20:53

Maybe riding is a form of meditation. A way of quietening the mind.

**MotoKuzzi** · 20th July 2009, 20:54

Don't consciously think about it, but know what you mean. Part of the appeal is being alone with the m/cycle and concentrating on the ride. Can feel a bit lonely when you stop for breaks though unless you're with other m/cyclists.

**Highlander** · 20th July 2009, 20:55

Originally Posted by MotoKuzzi

Don't consciously think about it, but know what you mean. Part of the appeal is being alone with the m/cycle and concentrating on the ride. Can feel a bit lonely when you stop for breaks though unless you're with other m/cyclists.

Unless I'm with others I tend to only stop for fuel and bladder management. Have been known to stop for breakfast at 2 in the afternoon having done 600km already...

**caseye** · 20th July 2009, 20:58

Having a destination and riding there all by oneself isn't a bad thing, actually meeting up with and formatting with other bikers, even though we don't know them from a bar of soap provides some welcome relief from solitary confinment but sometimes simply doing it on your own is the entire fun of it all.

**Molly** · 20th July 2009, 21:00

It makes sense to me. I tend to ride alone but am happy to have a chin-wag with whatever biker is parked up when I stop for a brew.

**Babelfish** · 21st July 2009, 12:48

I remember when I used to own a '65 Beetle, and used to play the wave game with other beetles. I think most people, who are relatively normal in a social sense will enjoy connecting in some form or other (sometimes, especially other

) with another person.

Perhaps the communal loner concept is better seen as dependant independance. Taking one of the above posts, a person who meditates and explores the self isnt necessarily a person shunning others. Rather someone who has found enjoyment in reflection.

What I do know is that there is strength found in the self analysis that comes with riding a bike, and also in the people you meet...well mostly...the rule changes if you meet a complete nutter (but I shouldnt hold that against DMNTD).

**CookMySock** · 21st July 2009, 13:00

I look forward to meeting other bikers heading the same direction, but rarely our abilities match. Usually after a few minutes of riding along with them I get bored and I'm gone with a wave.

Very occasionally the reverse is the case, and some hot head will pass me with an insane scream from his zorst, never to be seen again.

Quite a few times I have scared hell out of people by riding along behind them. Dunno wtf is scary about me, but they weaved around like I had missile lock on them or something, and then the fear in their eyes was palpable when I passed them. Oh well.

edit: theres an old duck in town with a little yellow scooter.. I see her around quite a bit, and I always ride right next her for a while just like she's one of the boys. She gets a huge kick out of it. LOL.

Steve

**sunhuntin** · 21st July 2009, 13:24

Originally Posted by caseye

Having a destination and riding there all by oneself isn't a bad thing, actually meeting up with and formatting with other bikers, even though we don't know them from a bar of soap provides some welcome relief from solitary confinment but sometimes simply doing it on your own is the entire fun of it all.

agreed. i do get rather lonely on my 2 week south island trip. but i like it as well. opens my mind a bit more when i do meet people, whether they are future friends or just shop assistants.
last time i went, i was caught up by a small group just south of chch.
they of course shot ahead, but i was able to stay within sight of them til timaru where they had stopped for food. i waved and continued on to the servo, where they caught me up. we got chatting and i stopped at the next pub with them.
they took a road towards the west coast while i continued on south. they were a nice break from being alone for a days trip, but i was glad to be solo again. specially when i got breathalised by a cop [who found me sober.] the guys would have all been done i think. that was another reason i was glad they left... i dont trust people who ride after having a drink or two.

must admit... my ipod is my best friend. wind noise gets boring after a while. but i need to extend my music tastes as the same 70 songs get boring after 2 weeks of it!

**Babelfish** · 21st July 2009, 15:52

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

edit: theres an old duck in town with a little yellow scooter.. I see her around quite a bit, and I always ride right next her for a while just like she's one of the boys. She gets a huge kick out of it. LOL.

Steve

Do you mean one of those scooters old folk ride on the footpath? If so, I can see where you may be scaring some people when you come up behind them...

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

must admit... my ipod is my best friend. wind noise gets boring after a while. but i need to extend my music tastes as the same 70 songs get boring after 2 weeks of it!

I find all the voices keep me company for ages

Seriously though, thats a good point you make. The time spent in solitary does make for a more eager conversation...although I dare say length of solitary would have differing affects.

**gijoe1313** · 21st July 2009, 16:56

I like the variation in my life as a biker, much of my riding is solo - but I do enjoy the group dynamics when I do have a ride in a group.

In the end, I always prefer riding my own ride since I can ride for as long as I like, when I like, to the wop-wops and beyond and nary an objection. Heck all the voices in my head agree that riding as far and as long as I can is the best option!

I am a modern day monastic monk on a bike!