Solo Riding vs Group Riding: What I’ve Learned

There’s a debate that comes up constantly in the moto community and it usually goes one of two ways. Either someone is a die-hard solo rider who doesn’t want to deal with the unpredictability of a group, or they’re the type who’d rather not twist a throttle unless there are friends in the comms. I’ve been on both sides of the solo riding vs group riding conversation, and I think the honest answer is more complicated than picking a lane.

This one started because of a perfect storm moment on YouTube. I’ve got a backlog of videos in my watch later queue that keeps growing faster than I can get to it, and two videos ended up back to back without me planning it. One from ChopperFett, one from Mr Smitty Living. Both talking about riding and people and why they do what they do. And they kind of said opposite things, which got me thinking.

What ChopperFett Got Right

ChopperFett’s video was about the case for solo riding, or at least the case for keeping your circle small when you ride. He comes across as more of an introvert (nothing wrong with that) and he seems to prefer riding with his wife or his father or a tight handful of close friends over jumping into big group rides with strangers.

And look, I get it completely. The unknowns are real. You don’t know how someone rides until you’re out there with them. You don’t know if your personalities are going to mesh. You don’t know if someone’s going to do something that makes you want to pull over and reassess your life choices. Those are legitimate concerns and I had every one of them before my first group ride.

I knew the guys from Discord. We’d talked plenty. But virtual familiarity only goes so far. There’s always that moment where you wonder if the person you’ve been chatting with online is going to be the same person standing next to a bike in a parking lot.

The Ride That Changed My Mind

I bit the bullet anyway. The Road Apple Ride in 2021 was my first real group ride and it turned out to be a blast from start to finish. After that one went well, a small core group of us started actually planning more rides through Discord. The next one was the Bucks County Bridge Tour, put together by Pat W. We hit nine covered bridges in one day. The timing on that one was almost eerie because a hurricane came through not long after and severely damaged one of them.

That ride is what hooked me. Not on group riding in general but on the right kind of group ride. I have zero interest in lining up with 50 or 100 bikes. Honestly I’m not even sure I want to be in a group of 15 or 20. What I like is that tight-knit feel you get with 10 bikes or fewer. Small enough that everyone can hear each other in the comms, small enough that you’re not managing a parade.

What Big Smitty Rides Reminded Me

Mr Smitty Living’s video came right after ChopperFett’s in the queue and it was basically the other side of the same coin. He was out riding with Salty from Salty and Sprinkles and some guys from his club. They stopped somewhere, had some cigars, had some laughs, just decompressed. And he talked about how much he needed that because work had been a grind.

That hit home. Just this past Saturday, me and TrekkieMoto rode out to the Classic Auto Mall. The whole thing was probably four hours. All three of us in the comms the entire time, laughing, talking about whatever, just being adults for a few hours. As a dad with young kids, that kind of time is not something I take for granted. Getting to make a dumb joke and have someone actually laugh at it is more valuable than it sounds.

That’s what Mr Smitty Living was talking about. Riding as a stress outlet is one thing. Riding with people you like is another level of it.

Where I Actually Land on Solo Riding vs Group Riding

I don’t think you have to pick. Solo riding is genuinely great. There’s something about being out there alone with your thoughts and no agenda that you can’t replicate with people around. Riding with a friends in the comms is also great. Completely different experience, both valid.

One of my goals this year is to get out and meet more local riders and motovloggers. Last year I did most of my riding solo and I don’t regret any of it. But I want to expand that a little. I want more of what Saturday felt like.

The jerk factor is always there when you’re riding with people you don’t know well. That’s real. But the upside when it works out right is worth it.

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Ride With Me

If this one resonated with you, I’d love to hear where you land on it. Do you prefer riding alone, or do you have a crew you’d rather not ride without? Drop it in the comments on the video.

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