Many of the questions I get asked on a regular basis as a solo motorcycle traveler are about the fact that I travel alone. So I’d like to share my viewpoint on the benefits of solo traveling, from the obvious to the not so obvious.
The obvious benefits to riding alone start with riding styles and type of motorcycle. Some people ride fast or slow, require gas more or less frequently, prefer on or off road, use cruise control or have varying speeds, can maintain fast speeds or are unable to go fast. These issues come into play when mixing motorcycles like a small dual sport and a touring cruiser or a sports bike and an adventure bike. Each bike is designed to perform well at specific types of riding but when someone wants to hit the dirt and their friend has a bike not designed for it, it can be frustrating for one party. Or if you want to race along at excessive speeds and your friend’s bike maxes out at 80mph, someone is going to have to compromise. On your own, you get to choose the roads you ride, ride them at your own pace, and get gas when you’re ready for it. In addition, you don’t have to watch your mirrors constantly and can focus on the road ahead.
There’s a really fantastic photo opportunity that I want to slam on my breaks and pull a u-turn to go capture. Doing this gets more complicated with more motorcycles. Maybe someone doesn’t want to stop at all or maybe one person needs to stop every hour to take a cigarette break. Some people like to take lots of photos and some like to just ride and ride. If I’m feeling sleepy and am ready for a nap but my friend isn’t, then what? What about the fact that some people take five minutes to get back on their bike and some people can hop on and go? Or maybe your friend wants breakfast but you don’t like to eat until lunch time. Being on your own means it’s easier to take a rest stop nap when the need hits, stop when and where you want for whatever reason, and take your time snapping pictures.
All of those things are pretty obvious about riding solo but what about the not so apparent benefits? When riding alone it builds a certain confidence and reliance in oneself. If something happens, you learn to take care of it by yourself. Each time you conquer a challenge alone, you begin to develop trust in your abilities. It gets to the point that nothing worries you because you’ve been there, done that, survived it once, and can do it again. You know that no matter what, you can do this. If you always have someone with you, it’s impossible to build upon your own strength and confidence because help is always with you.
There’s a long stretch of straight road ahead and you enter into a zen-like mindset, where you have the ability to work out problems in your head. You have no one in front or behind you so you’ve got the lack of distraction to think, or to not think, for awhile. Most of us who ride find a certain peace of mind while riding that we can’t get if we have to worry about someone riding nearby. Even when we get off of our bikes, on our own we are more likely to approach other people or be approached. The immersion into the environment becomes necessary, and simpler, if we want to socialize. Another benefit to being solo is that we can change direction to the flow of life without complications. A new road, different campsite, an invitation to a new friend’s home, or sleeping in odd places are all opportunities easier accepted when alone.
The other half of my traveling life is camping, which I also do alone most of the time. When it comes down to it, I don’t have to wait for anyone to pack up in the morning or worry that my partner is ill-prepared for the conditions. My style of camping, dispersed hammock camping, means I have to look for trees but I also want to be far away from amenities and other campers. Tent campers are able to stop anywhere and those who like luxuries would hate to camp with me. Being on my own means I can sneak into rest stops for naps, choose campsites that benefit me, and I can change clothes or potty without needing to leave camp to seek privacy.
While camping alone may seem scary, doing it helps you become comfortable with yourself and nature. You adapt to dealing with long periods of silence, spending time in your head, and also to the various nuisances of the outdoors. With every bird call, rustle of the leaves, and footstep you learn to identify the animal or thing making the noise. Once you know and understand what’s happening around you, the fear dissipates. It’s another confidence building activity that’ll leave you with a solid core of inner strength when you get to the point of being able to enjoy the natural wonders around you.
I’ve covered the benefits of being solo so I’ll mention a few benefits of traveling with friends. The most important one is having someone to share the laughs, struggles, smiles, and stories with. You also get the added benefit of splitting costs and having someone who can help if your bike stops running.
While traveling solo isn’t for everyone, I encourage as many people to try it as I can because I enjoy seeing the developments they get from it. The pride when they say “I did it all by myself” is something that makes me joyous. I hope my little bit on how I see solo traveling has changed your idea or mind about it and you try it for yourself one day.
The obvious benefits to riding alone start with riding styles and type of motorcycle. Some people ride fast or slow, require gas more or less frequently, prefer on or off road, use cruise control or have varying speeds, can maintain fast speeds or are unable to go fast. These issues come into play when mixing motorcycles like a small dual sport and a touring cruiser or a sports bike and an adventure bike. Each bike is designed to perform well at specific types of riding but when someone wants to hit the dirt and their friend has a bike not designed for it, it can be frustrating for one party. Or if you want to race along at excessive speeds and your friend’s bike maxes out at 80mph, someone is going to have to compromise. On your own, you get to choose the roads you ride, ride them at your own pace, and get gas when you’re ready for it. In addition, you don’t have to watch your mirrors constantly and can focus on the road ahead.
There’s a really fantastic photo opportunity that I want to slam on my breaks and pull a u-turn to go capture. Doing this gets more complicated with more motorcycles. Maybe someone doesn’t want to stop at all or maybe one person needs to stop every hour to take a cigarette break. Some people like to take lots of photos and some like to just ride and ride. If I’m feeling sleepy and am ready for a nap but my friend isn’t, then what? What about the fact that some people take five minutes to get back on their bike and some people can hop on and go? Or maybe your friend wants breakfast but you don’t like to eat until lunch time. Being on your own means it’s easier to take a rest stop nap when the need hits, stop when and where you want for whatever reason, and take your time snapping pictures.
All of those things are pretty obvious about riding solo but what about the not so apparent benefits? When riding alone it builds a certain confidence and reliance in oneself. If something happens, you learn to take care of it by yourself. Each time you conquer a challenge alone, you begin to develop trust in your abilities. It gets to the point that nothing worries you because you’ve been there, done that, survived it once, and can do it again. You know that no matter what, you can do this. If you always have someone with you, it’s impossible to build upon your own strength and confidence because help is always with you.
There’s a long stretch of straight road ahead and you enter into a zen-like mindset, where you have the ability to work out problems in your head. You have no one in front or behind you so you’ve got the lack of distraction to think, or to not think, for awhile. Most of us who ride find a certain peace of mind while riding that we can’t get if we have to worry about someone riding nearby. Even when we get off of our bikes, on our own we are more likely to approach other people or be approached. The immersion into the environment becomes necessary, and simpler, if we want to socialize. Another benefit to being solo is that we can change direction to the flow of life without complications. A new road, different campsite, an invitation to a new friend’s home, or sleeping in odd places are all opportunities easier accepted when alone.
The other half of my traveling life is camping, which I also do alone most of the time. When it comes down to it, I don’t have to wait for anyone to pack up in the morning or worry that my partner is ill-prepared for the conditions. My style of camping, dispersed hammock camping, means I have to look for trees but I also want to be far away from amenities and other campers. Tent campers are able to stop anywhere and those who like luxuries would hate to camp with me. Being on my own means I can sneak into rest stops for naps, choose campsites that benefit me, and I can change clothes or potty without needing to leave camp to seek privacy.
While camping alone may seem scary, doing it helps you become comfortable with yourself and nature. You adapt to dealing with long periods of silence, spending time in your head, and also to the various nuisances of the outdoors. With every bird call, rustle of the leaves, and footstep you learn to identify the animal or thing making the noise. Once you know and understand what’s happening around you, the fear dissipates. It’s another confidence building activity that’ll leave you with a solid core of inner strength when you get to the point of being able to enjoy the natural wonders around you.
I’ve covered the benefits of being solo so I’ll mention a few benefits of traveling with friends. The most important one is having someone to share the laughs, struggles, smiles, and stories with. You also get the added benefit of splitting costs and having someone who can help if your bike stops running.
While traveling solo isn’t for everyone, I encourage as many people to try it as I can because I enjoy seeing the developments they get from it. The pride when they say “I did it all by myself” is something that makes me joyous. I hope my little bit on how I see solo traveling has changed your idea or mind about it and you try it for yourself one day.