How many people do you like to ride with

[shrub]

I went for a ride with a couple of people last SUnday, and one of us was surprised when I told him that most of my riding was either solo or just with my son, so it got me thinking. For a solitary experience, motorcycling is very social, but I prefer either riding alone or with no more tnan 2 or 3 others that I know well. Personally I don't enjoy big group rides, but a lot of people love them. I'm curious how many people are like me, and how many people prefer group rides.

[Ferkletastic]

I mostly prefer to ride by myself or just me and my girl. I much prefer not having to worry about riders around me.

I've enjoyed a few group rides though, but mostly I'd rather be alone, much better headspace.

[slofox]

99% of my riding is solo. A lot of this is to do with the time of day I have time to ride (early). There is also an element of liking to be able to please myself as to pace and destination. I suppose I am a solitary sort anyway, to some extent. Solo riding is like meditation for me - gives me a chance to get away from all the bullshit of daily life. Keeps me sane.

Having said that, I do enjoy the LOR's that go out from The Tron on Sundays - when I can do them, which is rarely.

[Maha]

Polls are pointless but, I would rather ride with no more than five now, sometimes just me is cool also.

[DEATH_INC.]

I'm in the more the merrier group......I've never had a problem with lotsa riders around me.
I also tend to ride far too fast when I'm on my own.....

[Maha]

I'm in the more the merrier group......I've never had a problem with lotsa riders around me.
I also tend to ride far too fast when I'm on my own.....

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeah but , it may start out as a group but it soons levels out to be a few here and a few there, you end up riding with 1-2-3 maybe out of the 36 that started.

[DEATH_INC.]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeah but , it may start out as a group but it soons levels out to be a few here and a few there, you end up riding with 1-2-3 maybe out of the 36 that started.

Yeeeehhhhh, I spose it does as the honda riders pop off for a bit of shopping or suchlike

[jim.cox]

I will ride with others

But I really dislike large groups - and the piss-poor riding that often comes with them

I prefer solo

[R6_kid:Me]

I've almost completely stopped taking part in group rides, and don't think it's likely that I'll organise an open group ride on Kiwibiker again. Over the last 6 years I've met enough people who's company I enjoy and who ride at a level I am happy with - such that I don't need to feel any responsibility for how their ride is going and can ride my own ride. That's just me, I'm a caring person. Also I've found more and more that it's difficult to gauge someones real life riding ability versus how good they say they are, I'm meaning in terms of their ability to safely and comfortably stick with the main group without being pushed outside their limits.

I find that eliminating as many unknowns as possible allows me to enjoy my time on the bike better.

[Toaster]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeah but , it may start out as a group but it soons levels out to be a few here and a few there, you end up riding with 1-2-3 maybe out of the 36 that started.

Especially in Bagdad.

[KoroJ]

Didn't vote 'cos there's no option for 'All of the above'.

I like to ride and I'm happy if it's by myself, with a mate or two or in a group. Each have their benefits.

I can sympathise with those that abhor group rides and suggest that maybe you should try it with a club where they have rules and some control over rider behaviour.

With a bike like the ST it's great to hit a long ride by yourself, at your own pace and stretching the stops out to near on 500kms. Depending how I feel on the day I might do 1000Kms in 11 hours or go for the best possible economy while trying to maintain an average speed.

With a mate or two you get to share the experience, compare notes and it's good to share perspectives over a drink or two.

Group riding requires more constraint but maintaining a staggered formation or riding 'the pace' with others provides another perspective to riding. I'm equally happy to ride lead, mid-group or TEC.

As far as I'm concerned it's all great fun.

[roogazza]

I enjoy the breakfast catch ups every now and then, but prefer those early mornings on my lonesome. I think thats one of the reasons I've ridden so long (46 years now) . Do enjoy a bit of a dice now and again. Gaz.

[Zuki lover]

I ride mostly solo

[crazyhorse]

I don't mind riding by myself, but prefer to ride with about 5 people. When you are all the same ability, makes the ride more fun and so long as you can stick to your own riding lines, all the better. Smooth lines makes for a nicer ride. Then you have good company when you stop for that ale/coffee.

But I will not do those large rides like the coast to coast. Accidents always happen. And if there are people whom I think their riding leaves abit to be desired, then I would much rather ride at the back, and not anywhere near them as I do not want to see them crash, nor want to be included in it. My thoughts only.

[CookMySock]

I enjoy riding in a small 4-12 rider group, or else alone.

I don't worry about other riders, unless it's obvious that I should stay well clear of them - and it usually is obvious. Other than that, I think riders other than I have a brain and know how to use it.

I have no problem with skilled riders riding close to me, provided they never never never cross their front wheel tip with my rear wheel tip even by mistake, except by invitation. But if I have to look sideways at them once, then that deal is off and I'll ride away from them. Once again, I think skilled responsible riders deserve some credit, so ride close if you choose to.

Large 30+ groups don't have a lot of appeal for me - I just find myself concentrating unduly in a large sea of riders for no real purpose. It's a lot of work for little return.

Steve