| Author | Message | ||
     Onemanclan |
I'm simply getting this off my chest... I started a few years ago taking a summer motorcycle camping trip each year. Last year I went with two friends I've known for 20+ years. We agreed to take a similar trip this year. The actual dates were left up in the air, leaving it "around the 2nd or 3rd week in June". Long story short: I'm the only one going this year... I spend a lot of money to own my bike. It only seems worth it if I can get away and get on the road at least ONCE each year. Having it sit in my garage to ride to bike night or the occasional commute to work isn't my idea of motorcycle ownership. Any suggestions on trip planning making it less likely that people will drop out? I have the summer off (and so does one of my friends) so time isn't really an issue (only money is, teacher salary). I'm so pissed I'm not even going to offer to go on any trips with these guys again. I've also decided to not make it an issue with these two and not even discuss it, but it has changed my opinion our friendship even after all these years. So, off to Fort Bragg (MacKerricher State Park) from Reno not next week, but the week after for a few days of solo coast riding. Thanks for letting me vent! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
 Welcome to the club!! I was a Director of a HOG chapter and it was always the same story. "We want to do this" "We want to do that" No problem. I would put a ass load of my time into planning said event to have 0 people show up.... IT WAS GREAT!! Now I handle it much differently. I let people know what I am doing and if they show up....good...If they don't GREAT! I can go my own way and have a great time. | ||
| Wtcardr |
I too, was once HOG chapter director, with the same problems. Just pick a date far in advance and let everyone know. If they show up great, if not, so what. I was riding by myself long before group rides became popular. I am the only life HOG member in our chapter riding a Buell. They do not know what they are missing!!! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I've done plenty of trips with folks I know over the years but decided it was the quickest way to get sick of someone real fast. These days I would rather ride with my wife and son. They both ride their own bikes. I watch out for them and vice a versa. We are used to each other. We start out together and end up together. I look forward to our 4 to 5 day trips. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
We had the same issues with our local riding group. We had two problems actually: Not showing up for rides. Bitching because the ride isn't in the "format" they prefer (lots of souvenir stops, too fast, too far, etc.) We ended up narrowing our "rider buddy" list down to only those who were committed to the ride in the format we ALL feel is good. | ||
| Khelton |
Just ride..if they ride so be it, if they don't..just ride. The camaraderie is great when it happens, but if it doesn't..you have still had an adventure... This happens in every club, every party, even having a boat..enjoy the ride | ||
| Ejc |
I bet if they were all riding Ulys, they wouldn't be so quick to bow out. Seriously, group rides are fun. Going solo has its merits too. Enjoy both. | ||
| Strokizator |
It doesn't matter what you ride - street bikes, dirt bikes, atv's, etc. - this is a universal phenomenon. Long ago I determined that my having fun would not depend on others showing up. So now I plan a trip and let everyone know they're welcome to join. Come ride time, I leave at the appointed time no matter who does or doesn't show up. I have one buddy who's there for every trip and others who come when the mood strikes them. I have one friend I took out on ATV's and he had such a good time that he bought 5 for his family. It's been almost 2 years now and he has yet to take them anywhere to ride. Go figure. I've come to realize that some people like the "idea" of riding more than the actual ride. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
HOG LIFE MEMBER ON A BUELL  me too! | ||
| Old_mil |
I've come to the conclusion that it's best to tour solo. When I want to spend time with other motorcyclists, I usually try and hit a favored rally or bike night... ...I've tried to arrange one or two trips with friends, and they've gone OK - but that's about it. | ||
| Naustin |
Go easy on your buddies. Life is busy and shit happens. From now on, just plan to tour Solo. If one of them decides at the last minute to tag along, that's cool, but you're not depending on them, and if they peel off half way through, you can continue on your own. Plan trips to national events like Buell homecoming, or the AdventureBike get-together or the SportTouring.net stuff if you are looking for some socializing. I did a long weekend with a buddy and his wife this last weekend. It was O.K. I wanted to leave at Sun-up, but we didn't get on the road until 10am. Did all our riding in the hottest, worst traffic time of the day. It was fine, but I was tied to his schedule and comfort level. There are Touring partners, and there are riding buddies. I guess what I'm trying to say is never go Touring with a riding buddy. (Message edited by naustin on June 15, 2007) | ||
| Madduck |
Give up on planning, go long on preparation. I set up some way points and let some traveling buddies know about when I'll be at those waypoints. Load up Cell phones to cope with unusual circumstances. I've gone to quite a few places and none of us used the same route. It helps to have a common turn around point on a given date. I love to ride in the rain but stop at the first sign of lightening. Gravel isn't a probelm either with the ULY. A lot of fun people won't do either type of riding, you will have more fun riding your own ride and meeting at common popular destinations. Once set up an iron butt ride 1k; four bikes showed up and we all went different directions. Met at turn around and were all within 50 miles of each other for distance. Life is good when you are happy. | ||
| Lorazepam |
I usually tour solo, but I will go with my brother, or one other guy I have known for years. It is good when you can argue with your touring partner, get over it, and continue on. | ||
| Brown_e |
Been there with others and then they bow out two days before the vacation. I have found a couple that are reliable. One is my wife on her bike. She use to be activities director of the local HOG chapter. Would schedule some ride further than the next county and no one would show out of 300 members. Schedule a poker run to some local bars and a 100 people show. Only a few are dedicated riders. | ||
| Fast_eddie_1956 |
I found a riding buddy in '99 and was lucky that we both have the same riding styles. We don't really have to pay to much attention because we ride the same way. I can't remember when we ever lost each other or had a disagreement on a trip. It's like we think the same thing. It's rare to find someone like that. We've done 10 day to 14 day trips each year since. Now our problem is figuring out where to go and where to meet. He's stationed in San Antonio now and I'm in Ohio. Kansas or Missouri have been our meeting place that last couple of years. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I've 'toured' with two people. Mainly father, and Wolfridgerider (for one 600 mile day). They both ride similar to me, and it's great! I've riddin with many others. Mainly a group of 10 Harley guys that I meet up with ever Wednesday. They're great guys, but I can't stand riding with them more than half a day. They do not ride like me, and I couldn't even imagine touring with them. I've also just recently started touring alone. I can see why many people say it's the only way to go. As long as I don't have to adjust my riding style to fit with the other people, I'm more than happy to go with others... But as soon as I start adjusting to meet there style, then things are not so fun anymore. | ||
| Norcal_blast |
So, off to Fort Bragg (MacKerricher State Park) from Reno not next week, but the week after for a few days of solo coast riding. I assume you already know about Hwy 36? Nice area! | ||
| Birdmanrh |
I've done group planning for years and here is the advice I would offer to you. #1 - Always plan a trip that you will enjoy. Not one that you think your friends will like. #2 - Invite others that you would enjoy on that trip, but never depend upon them to be able to allow you to take the trip. #3 - Set a clear date and schedule, at the very least a leave and return date. #4 - Plan for the worst turnout to be OK (Just yourself) and anyone that joins in will be a bonus. | ||
| Onemanclan |
Thanks for the input everyone. I'm still looking forward to the trip, but I am going to modify one major thing. Usually we camp on these trips, but since I'm going solo I'm just going to find a cheap motel for each night. The comments about arguing are spot on. One guy rides a ZX-14 and gets pissed off if you aren't going triple digits. I'll just enjoy the ride, take lots of pictures, and keep my own pace. Thanks again for the input...Interesting reading. | ||
| Dynasport |
I have one friend I really enjoy riding with. We take a few day rides a year together and one week long trip to NC. Last year we invited 6-7 other guys. 3-4 said they would come. One did. We had a great time. This year we have invited even more people. Lots are saying they will go. We'll see. But even if it is just me and my buddy, it would be great. I would be disappointed if he dropped out too though. Dan | ||
| Jlnance |
Now I handle it much differently. I let people know what I am doing and if they show up....good...If they don't GREAT! This works for me. Sometimes I end up going alone, sometimes I've got friends with me. Another thing I enjoy is meeting people from Badweb, or other sites, along the way. You get both your solo riding and group riding in that way. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
We do sport bike nights every Week, all year long. Participation will vary from just myself, to a core group of two others to as many as 12 at one time last year. The schedule is always the same, the destination is on rotator. I go unless there is snow or ice. You cant force somebody else to have fun, and you should never base your enjoyment on their attendance  The rider that travels alone may leave now, the one that goes with the crowd, may not "go" at all | ||
| Hooliken |
This is pretty funny. My wife likes to call me lonewolf due to many of the things mentioned above. I have been riding for a lonnnngggg time and have yet let others influence where, when and why I ride. Some days I feel like riding 200+ nonstop and some days I feel like stopping every 30 to 50 for some brown juice and to people watch. The most important thing is that I get to ride. One great thing about our sport is that no matter what it is as individualistic as anything on this planet. | ||
| Thelumox |
i should have started this thread because i'm planning a 3-4 day ride in july to the smokey mts. probably going solo and that's ok with me. my riding buddies are dropping out one by one(maybe i'm an a##hole), but they all think it sounds like "so much fun". buncha pansies! | ||
| Us_uly |
Here is my take on it. Don't spend too much time planning a ride. That's what I did for my ride yesterday. I knew a few days in advance that I wanted to put on a couple hundred miles. So I planned a trip and invited people. No one could make it so I went where I wanted at my own pace. If someone else would have shown up it would have been different. I'm not sure if it would have been better or worse, just a different experience. I used run a HP computer users group and went through frustration at times when we would put together a great meeting and very few would show up. Same story. Keep in mind that Buell riders are different. We want to be different. On my ride yesterday I stopped at the Youngstown HD/Buell shop. They had about 4 Buells and 100 Harleys. The masses think that Harley riders are different. Yeah, different than everyone driving in a four wheeled wheel chair. BTW, I do own a Harley too | ||
| Fastmag |
Well each year I take one ride with my Dad. It could be three days it could be two weeks. Each year we go some where. My brother used to go with us, but he has moved on to muscle cars. (Dad and I both have those two, so we hit it with that). The rest of the year I either ride solo or I have to beg local friends to do rides. Mostly I ride distance alone. |
