Lone

[samfan]

:)As I dont have any compatable biker friends ,I am thinking of doing some distance touring on my own in 2011 ,not seeing many lone touring bikers on the roads do you think its a good or bad idea?. I will probably be camping as I would have a problem with shyness going into hotels on my own .Any of your views would be welcome.

[neilmud Lord Protector]

Nov 9, 2010 18:51:11 GMT samfan said:

:)As I dont have any compatable biker friends ,I am thinking of doing some distance touring on my own in 2011 ,not seeing many lone touring bikers on the roads do you think its a good or bad idea?. I will probably be camping as I would have a problem with shyness going into hotels on my own .Any of your views would be welcome.

I am sure if you find the right kind of hotel you will be able to find a companion to share the room. I have heard that if you don't need much sleep you can take the room by the hour ;D

Neil

[biblebasher]

nowt wrong with lone touring. i tend to do the same. do your own thing, use b&b if you can afford it, and enjoy the solitude. i used to tent but i'm too old now.

[cam7777]

Lone touring can be good for many reasons

1. You wont get let down by others
2. You can ride at your own pace
3. You can stop and take some pictures when it suits you
4. You are free to vary your route without consultation
5. Your 'buddy' wont feel the need to crash into you


There are many other reasons so just go and enjoy.

[teejayexc]

Nov 9, 2010 21:28:17 GMT @cam7777 said:

Lone touring can be good for many reasons

1. You wont get let down by others
2. You can ride at your own pace
3. You can stop and take some pictures when it suits you
4. You are free to vary your route without consultation
5. Your 'buddy' wont feel the need to crash into you


There are many other reasons so just go and enjoy.

Hmm, I always thought Pikeys roamed in gangs ?

[samfan]

many thanks for the replies Its given me something to think about .I dont think that I will be visiting any of the hotels that Niel visits .That sort of stuff is not for me ,
Thanks again for the replies.

[Deleted]

Nov 10, 2010 14:41:41 GMT samfan said:

.I dont think that I will be visiting any of the hotels that Niel visits .That sort of stuff is not for me ,

Not to worry, it's Neil, he only books a single room.

[n4naked]

Nov 10, 2010 14:57:17 GMT bev said:

Nov 10, 2010 14:41:41 GMT samfan said:

.I dont think that I will be visiting any of the hotels that Niel visits .That sort of stuff is not for me ,

Not to worry, it's Neil, he only books a single room.

....even tho' mr right is always with him ;D

[newell]

You will find solo camping is quite satisfying. As Cam7777 said, there are no compromises, go where you like when you like. You find a site you like then stay for a few days, there's nobody to answer to.

I have been bike camping all over Europe since the 70's. Just make sure your bike is reliable, and the tyres will do the mileage and go.

Cross into Europe on the cheap Dover/Calais ferry. Take your time tootling south and cross the Pyrenees into Spain. Campsites are everywhere. And the roads are a bikers paradise.

Enjoy, and bring back the photos.

[blah]

I say do it! Sounds like a great idea and I have been thinknig of doing the same thing once I have finished my degree. I would camp though as it is much cheaper than b&bs

[Jona]

When I have been camping I have found you are never alone as people camping are generaly very freindly especialy if you just say hello & pass the time of day with them. I have met some great people that way. When I went Norway, met a guy in his 70's loaded up with tent an gear on his own traveling from Bristol touring for 3 Months around Sweden, Norway an werever the bike would take him. Route 66 near limoges in France has a camp site attatched and is a biker Motel. In europe F1 hotels are cheap and usualy quite secure. Easter we are going to France via portsmouth if it would help you can tag along though we are B&Bin it. Email me on [e-mail] Or look up biker freindly canpsite or b&b's etc as thats how I work.
Jona

[Jona]

When I have been camping I have found you are never alone as people camping are generaly very freindly especialy if you just say hello & pass the time of day with them. I have met some great people that way. When I went Norway, met a guy in his 70's loaded up with tent an gear on his own traveling from Bristol touring for 3 Months around Sweden, Norway an werever the bike would take him. Route 66 near limoges in France has a camp site attatched and is a biker Motel. In europe F1 hotels are cheap and usualy quite secure. Easter we are going to France via portsmouth if it would help you can tag along though we are B&Bin it. Email me on [e-mail] Or look up biker freindly canpsite or b&b's etc as thats how I work.
Jona.

[jonnyingram]

I'm going to the Dolomites on my own N/cle. to Amsterdam,Munich,Arraba. I its good being on your own,lots of solo females on the continent.

[coastaldivvy]

Feb 25, 2011 17:11:11 GMT jonnyingram said:

I'm going to the Dolomites on my own N/cle. to Amsterdam,Munich,Arraba. I its good being on your own,lots of solo females on the continent.

Especially in Amsterdam.......lol

[teuchter]

I spent 3 weeks touring Norway myself in 2005, camping the whole time. I never once felt lonely or conspicuous because of being by myself. Continental touring bikers (far more than most British ones) are a very friendly bunch as a whole and almost every petrol stop, campsite or layby brew-up seemed to turn into a meeting of passing bikers. The standard questions of where have you been, what were the roads like there and where are you going breaking the ice every time.

I was invited to a homebrew fuelled bike rally by three German bikers (one on an XJ900F like mine) who I met on a fjord-crossing ferry (I declined but joined them for a caravan terrorising blast followed by lunch of smoked salmon instead), traded whale meat for digestive biscuits and coffee with a Swiss bloke on a TDM, compared road notes by sign language with an old German on a BMW who spoke no English (I don't speak German) and chased the twisting coast road to the North Cape with a couple on two Diversions - him on a 900, her on a 600 who I met while filling up with petrol.

I say go for it.

Pete.

[showaddydadito]

Lone touring and camping sounds good Samfan - give it a go. I'd do it.

Don't take any notice of young Biblebasher saying he's too old for camping - he ain't dry behind the ears yet.

[vontrippenhopf]

I'm planning a trip across France on my own using Formula 1 Motels later in the year. Cheap, comfy and a good brekky.
I did a short camping trip to France last year with a couple of friends & got a bit frustrated at not being able to go at my own pace, and it also turned out one of my mates was a bit of a snorer (either that or was wrestling a Warthog in his tent every night).

[samfan]

I am almost 67 and still get a Buzz out of camping as I like the independence of it, and presently enjoy 2 or 3 day stints in Wales or the lake district, Next year I have thoughts of being a bit more adventurous and going over to the continent for maybe a few weeks , this will also be camping on my own.

[DahDit]

France is fantastic for camping - Municipal campsites are signposted as you approach towns, they're cheap and because they're actually in the town it means you can pitch the tent, leave the bike and catch a bus into the centre for sightseeing.

Booking prior to arrival isn't normally necessary, you can usually order fresh bread for the morning's breakfast as you book in. It all means that camping is so much more pleasurable over there. Unlike Wales and the Lakes, there's also a good chance you'll be striking a dry tent in the morning too. ;D

[diversiondave]

It is a great idea. Many ppl think travelling alone is perhaps a little sad or odd. It isn't and you realise this quite quickly. You get the holiday/trip you want.
You don't need to fit in with anyone else's preferences. If you want to go slowly that day and enjoy the scenery, or if you want to go back and enjoy a particular part or area again, and again even all afternoon. Or just stay and enjoy the views and relax at the campsite one day. I don't suffer shyness so the campsites are great for meeting new people and chatting too. You wont necessarily become great mates but just a nod and a hello and you feel you are not alone.

[showaddydadito]

May 25, 2011 10:25:41 GMT diversiondave said:

Many ppl think travelling alone is perhaps a little sad or odd.

These are often the people who aspire to nothing greater in life than shouting at football on the telly, or getting home in time to watch the X-factor - or dress like whores and rentboys and drink until they vomit.

I mostly ride alone - when I was younger I used to pushbike alone. When not on wheels I have spent a lot of my time walking alone in woods and fields.

Anyone who suggests that being content without human company is "sad" merely reveals his/her own shallowness.

Have a good trip Samfan - and in the true kindred spirit of the loner, I am glad I am not coming with you!

[Deleted]

Personally think there's something to be said for travelling alone or accompanied.

If your travelling companion/s are of a similar mind and of course riding ability. Nothing worse than being out for a few days with someone who thinks he can emulate Valentino Rossi and tear through the countryside without seeing anything.

I thoroughly enjoy riding/touring alone, probably comes from my years of Corporate Globe trotting, you get used to your own company. On the other hand sometimes it is fruitful to have someone to explore with and maybe lead you down a great road or two you might have missed otherwise.

Whichever you choose there's always plenty of other bikers out there to interact with if you decide to.

[samfan]

I must admit that when I started this thread I had no idea that I would get such a response to it .The replies are very encouraging and I feel that they have given me a lot more confidence in going off on my own, Many thanks for all of your repies they are greatly appreciated.

[soggybiker]

Go for it pack light when you can and have a planB. Don't structure what you do to a tight schedule then you don't get stressed when you start running late. The holiday spirit can be found 25 miles from home.