6 Tips For Savvy Solo Riders

6 Tips For Savvy Solo Riders

Story and photos by Jim Foreman

For many riders, the thought of riding all day or over multiple days alone is frightening.  An insurmountable litany of ‘what if’ and ‘how do I’ thoughts begin to overwhelm one’s psyche to the point of paralysis.

Of course, there are also many riders who will read the paragraph above and scoff with a chuckle. 
Riding in groups or with friends does have its rewards and this should not, in any way, be misconstrued to suggest not riding in groups.  Rather, see this as an opportunity to consider a much more dynamic and freestyle form of traveling.

Either way, take a few moments to consider these real-world tips and see if any of them make your style of riding more enjoyable and rewarding.

1. Turn off or put away the GPS and buy some paper maps

GPS systems have their place.  They can be particularly useful in navigating an unfamiliar city or determining how far it is to the nearest hotel or gas station.  Sadly, what they have become for most people is an adventure chastity belt that inhibits all of the pleasure of owning a motorcycle and negates it to a purely functional object.  It’s just like a personal chastity belt.

When you take orders from Mary or John on the GPS, you miss out on opportunities to take more interesting back roads or sidetracks.  The psychology of a GPS user is strictly as a follower, doing as their told. That mentality goes against everything a motorcyclist stands for.

Consider one aspect; The Arrival Time.  Because a rider has an artificial time set as a goal, one is far less likely to venture onto a side road to see where it leads or explore a state or county park that is along the path.  This act alone of obediently conforming to the GPS’s will is the antagonist of freedom and motorcycling. 

Each morning, plot out directions from a paper map for the next 2-4 hours of riding.  Then at lunch ask locals for things to see and do in the area.  Reviewing a paper map on your table will bring about good wishes, interesting advice, and friends to make along the way.  Butler Maps makes maps specifically for motorcyclists.  They are easy to use and highlight incredible motorcycle roads.

By turning off the GPS, you’ll also be seeing more scenery, potential hazards, and be better able to spot those special people eager to hand out personalized, high-performance awards with a subsequent court date.

Turn off the GPS, Turn on the adventure!

A hotel found at the last minute.

2. Avoid making hotel reservations

Chasing down hotel reservations cause people to do foolish things.  Unless it’s a holiday weekend or there is a special event in the area, forgo the reservations.  That way, if you find a place or person that is interesting to you, you do not have to prematurely curtail the visit.

Apps like Booking.com make last minute accommodations easy and affordable.  A side benefit of traveling solo is that it’s much easier to find one available room than two, three or four. 

Chasing down pre-made reservations also leads to one taking risks such as riding at night on unfamiliar roads or riding while tired or affected by drink.  Countless stories of tragedy, including Harry Devert’s ordeal, all stemmed from a desire to chase down a distant pre-planned hotel reservation.

Don’t be afraid to stay at a small non-chain hotel or motel.  Even if that means backtracking a little.  If you’re uncertain of its suitability, ask to see a room before you book it.  It can be fun.  Often, it’s tremendous fun.  Clean up after your ride and visit a nice restaurant or bar.  It’ll be obvious you’re a visitor.  If you have a positive and friendly demeanor, you’ll be part of the town in no time.

3. Don’t overthink the trip 

Place a change of clothes somewhere on your bike in case you have to stay somewhere overnight and just go.  You’re not traveling on the moon.  There are markets for toiletries, if needed, restaurants, and accommodations throughout most of the civilized world.

Americans, Canadians, Brits, and Australians seem the most obsessed with planning every detail of a trip before departure.  Don’t!  Unless you’re a robot and opposed to anything spontaneous, let your travels guide you and determine how and where you go.   

It doesn’t have to be a round-the-world endeavor.  Even just one overnight can provide unique opportunities to discover interesting places and people, close to home if you let it.

Motorcycles don’t lend themselves well to Obsessive-Compulsive personalities.

4. Break Free from routine

Don’t go to the same places each time.  Specifically, target a region or destination you’ve never been.  Set out generally in a direction and after a few hours, look at a map or ask someone for directions.

The intention is to force oneself to go a different way without knowing the exact route ahead of time.  Let go of any fears and follow your whimsy to great delight.

By allowing time for the unexpected,  interesting and fun opportunities will begin to present themselves.

Personal True Story: While wandering about on a dealer's demo bike a curious and playful situation unfolded.  I noticed a fit lady, later introduced as Christine, taking selfies at a vista point for a profile picture.  Sensing opportunity to enjoy the afternoon, I pulled the bike in close to her and centerstanded it.  I took off my helmet, smiled at her and offered to take her photo for her.  Within moments, Christine asked if she could take photos with my R 1200 RT.  I willingly obliged.  A crowd began to form as we took all sorts of shots and poses.  We both kept in touch and I shared the photos with her the following day.  When the story was told to the dealership upon my return, they couldn't believe it.  They still think this was a planned happening, but it was truly a right place, right time scenario.

5. Don’t be afraid or too proud to accept help

An interesting phenomenon happens when one is traveling solo by motorcycle.  You are much more approachable by others.  People will often come up to you and comment on your bike, relate their own riding stories, and often offer encouragement.  Warmly embrace this.  It’s a great opportunity to make friends, encourage others to take up or retake motorcycling, as a sport.

If you’re comfortable with it, let someone sit on your bike and take a photo on it.  Don’t be surprised if that same person is one who stops and offers help, further down the road.

Likewise, if you’re in trouble, such as running out of gas or have a flat, be gracious and willing to accept help from others.  Someone stopping may simply offer a bottle of water.  Others may offer to give you a ride, get gas, or a tire patch kit for you.  Bruce Springsteen recently found out how other motorcyclists with help fellow riders.

A vast majority of people are good people who will stop and help another person in need.  Most travelers put that number well above 90%. 

If someone does offer to help, make sure you get their number so if other arrangements are made you can contact them.  Also, sending a small token of appreciation by email or text such a cool photo of your journey or coffee gift card can go a long way to paying it back or forward for the next person in need. 

Even if you have called for roadside assistance, it may be much faster than the 1-3 hour response time for someone to get you gas or give you a ride into town.   It’s much easier to cancel a roadside assistance call than to burn a helpful person who went out of their way to help you.

Just remember to stop and check on others by the side of the road, in case they need help. 

6. Most importantly, remember why you bought a motorcycle

Don’t make the motorcycle conform to a pre-bike dull lifestyle.  Let it be a constant source of adventure, freedom, and excitement. 

Lose yourself in the trip, however long or short.   Disable the auto-pilot, in your brain, which often accounts for one’s typical week.

Whether you are new to motorcycling or have been riding for a long time, please visit Irv Seaver BMW in Orange County, California.  There you’ll find the full line of new BMW Motorcycles alongside a vast selection of pre-owned motorcycles from all brands.  Parts, Apparel, and the best service available in the country are at your pleasure.  

No performance awards from this crew.

A random stop inspired these grads to begin posing for the camera.

Lowell, AZ right next to Bisbee, AZ.  One never knows where one will end up.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

8 Tips to Being a Great Ride Leader

A group ride should have a flow, a rhythm to it.

Words and photos by Jim Foreman
Additional thoughts by Shanghai HOG Ride Captain Jim Rice.

Taking a group of friends or riders out for a day trip or a multi-day ride is a serious responsibility. A good leader makes the difference between everyone having a great experience or not.
Several important characteristics separate a good ride leader from a poor one.
Please keep in mind that this is not about group ride etiquette or hand signals but rather how to be a good group ride leader.

1. Don’t ride in too big of a group. Break it up.

We’ve all seen it. Seemingly hundreds of noisy V-Twins going down the freeway in group formation on a Saturday or Sunday. All but the most lifestyle-centric rider typically finds this style of riding distasteful. When taking a group of riders out to your favorite roads or trails, keep the group small and manageable.
Consider no more than 6-8 riders in a group. It’s far easier to manage a smaller group and ensure everyone has a great time. 

2. Ride to your least experienced rider’s capability, not your own.

Most people willing to lead a group are good riders. Often, ride leaders are highly skilled riders. Regardless of your abilities, you must quickly and accurately evaluate each rider’s ability and riding. If you push a less-experienced rider too much, you will guarantee yourself a crash or worse. If some riders want to go fast and others feel better proceeding more deliberately, break up the group and agree to meet up at certain spots, along the way.
Make sure you express that each rider must take responsibility for their riding and actions. They must also be able to communicate any criticisms without reprisal or fear of rejection.
Remember that a ride leader’s responsibility is to lead a fun and safe ride for the entire group. It’s not to show off how amazing and awesome a rider you are in a selfish and ego-centric way.

Agustin Ceron Guedea's Hi-Viz Jacket and Helmet make him very noticeable.

3. Ask a rider with a bright helmet or unique lighting to serve as the tail or sweep rider.

This is key. Make sure you constantly check for the sweep or tail rider and that everyone is keeping up at a safe pace. If they are not, it’s important to slow down the tempo of the ride so that everyone can safely enjoy the ride.  Communicators are helpful but are not critical to a group ride’s success.

4. Arrange a stop at a next gas station if the group becomes separated.

Invariably, the group may become split, temporarily. Traffic lights, merging cars, and mechanical or operator issues may cause the group to split. As a ride leader, if you notice this, slow down the group in the lead to see if the remaining group can safely catch up. Invariably the people at the end of the group will be riding faster then the people in the front, so keep the speed down.  If, after a while you don't see the remainder of the group, stop at the first gas station or intersection and wait. Make sure everyone knows that if the group becomes separated that this is what will happen and they won't be left behind.

5. Take regular breaks every 60-75 minutes. 

Make sure everyone is doing good at breaks.
You may be an Iron Butt Association member, but the rest of the group may not be able to sit on their bike for long periods without stretching. This is especially true of sportbikes. Take regular breaks. Make sure everyone is drinking water, having a good time and not showing tell-tale signs of exhaustion or dehydration.

6. Know the roads you plan on taking. Don’t rely on a GPS or map solely.

When you lead a ride, it’s important to know the roads and conditions before leading the group there. Don’t rely on GSP or maps as they will not indicate if a road is closed, under construction, in disrepair, or has any services for a long stretch.
If you haven’t been on the road, make sure you find out, first-hand from someone who has recently been on that road what to expect. Make sure you know the elevation, road conditions, and expected weather before proceeding.

7. Listen to the other riders about what they want to see and do.

A good ride leader will ask pertinent questions of the riders in the group. Some questions that should be asked is how fast do you feel comfortable traveling? What’s the range on a full tank of gas? How do you feel about (insert the conditions one may expect). Some examples one should be asking about include rain, switchbacks, steep elevations, dirt, and temperature.

8. Keep it simple. Don’t push the group too hard or try to do too much.

Don’t try to do too much on a group ride. It’s better to leave the group wanting more rides in the future than to have them not want to ride with you again. Don’t make the ride about you, but rather about achieving a goal or purpose together.
Make sure to take photos at breaks and if a group member wants to ride up ahead to take riding-action photos, make sure they can.

keeping the ride uncomplicated will simplify every aspect of the ride.  Trying to control every aspect will create unnecessary stress and strain on you, and the group. Avoid complicated hand signals, overly technical roads or dependence on electronic rider aids. Technology is useful but not necessary.
Lastly, have fun. That’s what a group ride is supposed to be all about.

When you are in Southern California, be sure to visit Irv Seaver BMW Motorcycles in Orange County.  In addition to sponsoring these stories, Irv Seaver BMW has the best selection of new and pre-owned BMW motorcycles in the region.  Award-winning Service, fully stocked Parts, a well-stocked Apparel and Accessories department are the envy of other dealers nationwide.  Irv Seaver BMW is known for offering the most aggressive pricing on new BMW Motorcycles and will make sure you get the motorcycle you want at a price you'll love.  Come in today to see why we're the best.
©2016 Jim Foreman  All Rights Reserved.