Why solo motorcycle touring is good for you.

[@Formless_H]

This video came to my recommendations at the perfect time, given I work from home and have no specific motivation or reason to go outside. What you pointed out was true: there is anxiety whenever I'm riding alone, all the worse-case scenarios spring to mind like what if my clutch cable breaks? I couldn't start my engine anymore? Tires break? There are many excuses, but many solutions that our brain often ignores due to anxiety, because it's in our comfort zone. I had a brief of "doing nothing" for two hours last night, and it gave me my most clarified thoughts about the inner workings of my psyche; my needs, ambitions, and the current state I am today. I should actively ride solo more, instead of waiting for friends to be ready. Because if I wait for them, it'll take me days or weeks to get out and have fun on my own! Who cares about the destination, the zone you're in while driving is the most joyous part. Once I reach my spot, I'll just drink coffee and do nothing, stare idly, or even converse if given the chance! Cheers and ride safe!

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment :)

[@HPaul-kg1co]

A few years back I did a solo ride that was 80 days / ~ 43,000 km. There are 65 capital cities in Canada and the USA and my goal was to see 63 of them. (Exclude Honalulu & Iqaluit). I missed Juneau due to a rock slide that blocked the one road access so I reached 62 of them. The longest single day ride was 16+ hours / 1180 km - Whitehorse to Hazelton, BC, on the way to Victoria, BC. I always knew what my next destination was but how I got there was seldom planned ahead of time so I could never make a motel reservation. The other long solo trip was in western Europe - 70 days / ~ 24,000 km. I visited 17 countries. The only specific places I wanted to visit were some of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetaries, particularly the one at Ortona. (It was 70th anniversary of the end of WW II. ) Again I never knew where I was going to stop for the night. Riding solo permits a great deal of flexibility on the roure and schedule. I recommend it highly.

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. That is some epic rides, well done!

[@johndeiuliis2732]

Met this gentleman on his last trip coming back from Spain , talks a lot of interesting topics .I met him at Santander where there were five of us waiting for the ferry all of us doing our own tours alone . Good vid and foresight as usual .

[@R08Tam]

I love touring on my own. Go where I want, stop when I want, talk to strangers. Been doing it for years.

[@herrdirektor1969]

You can call me Han Solo. I'm in it for me, myself and I.

[@tiborkovacs6622]

Thanks for the video. Been to Germany on my VFR this year. 12hours riding on 1st day was a challenge, but every new day was becoming better and better. Non stop listening to heavy metal and shouting the lyrics was amazing during riding. Cannot wait for the next year so i can go for another trip.

[@allanb52]

Don't wait to go on another trip, go, this weekend and listen to your head banging music...if you must.😨

[@garypatterson2241]

Your the only one on line doing videos like this such a nice change from the usual motorcycle Videos which are usually all the same. I really enjoy them keep them coming. Happy new year

[@peterturnham5134]

Hey, II'm 66 years old 9 have toured on my own around the world. I do fst bike work and Enduro. It was a sunday morning, early I took out my Enduro bike up into the fields. The front wheel washed out I was down, broken wrist, basicly one arm out of service, bike down in shock. Woulod I wait how long for someone to walk thye dog, find mpe ahnd thyen what. I was on my ownj. I had to get myself togethe rpick up the bike with one arm and drag it back to my house. Since then I don't enduro alone. Now Touring civilised, I live in France, have toured evrywhere, one day in Burgundy, hit a road with gravel. 1000cc sportstourer goes sidways. I caught it but only just. Was glad to have a friend riding behind me. In uncivilized lands. I have toured, for example Manaly>

[@neilwiddison6529]

Taking my 400 burghman around Ireland in spring on my own.

[@davidmatthews3093]

I tour in Europe and most of that is alone. I camp and never fail to get talking to people that I meet along the way. I love the ability to take the roads that I want to take and stop when I want to stop. I enjoy meeting up with friends several times each year but on the road I prefer to ride alone.

[@Avensur]

Absolutely indeed my dear friend. You get to know you better without unwanted noise and you land on your happy and comfort zone. You can think straight without stress and just enjoy and work your way on the road. Journey with a confident smile 😀

[@tonyireland1434]

Your 100 % on the ball I been on many solo trips with the bike meet people chat, fantastic

[@stevec-b6214]

Nice one, I agree and would add my take - it is often the stopping en route I love. I don`t use sat nav, I like to map read and often will have a chat with whoever is around, they will often suggest some cafe, or point of interest you would never have found.

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. It's about the journey, not the destination and making the journey more interesting is part of the joy of motorcycling.

[@celsocraveiro2187]

Very useful, planning my first long trip from uk to South of Portugal true spain. Thanks...

[@anneligustafsson16]

I like to travel alone. Meet a lot of wonderful people. It is a little bit scary in the brginning but you grow from it❤

[@johnsteel4719]

Great video. I did my first mini tour this year after riding bikes for years and loved it. I went by myself to Wales for a weekend and absolutely loved it. Having the luxury of my own thoughts and agenda for a couple of days was amazing and can’t wait to do it again. I’m constantly surrounded by tech and people, as most of us are, so it was such a liberating and peaceful experience to ride for 8/9 hours a day and take in the scenery and the odd motorbike cafe. I didn’t really speak to anyone other than the Airbnb owners and it was fine. Came home super relaxed despite driving back in a storm and had load of tales to tell my family who were so happy for me. The best things in life will happen when you take yourself out of your comfort zone so feel the fear and do it anyway…

[@MajorDrama1]

💯

[@kee7678]

100% agree. Well Said. I'm headed solo down through Baja from SoCal.

[@Greggspies]

Enjoying the listen I normally ride to the EU with a pal but have done solo before and may do again this year. I get anxious jst before a trip but once rolling im fine and start enjoying it.

[@macman4593]

Thankyou great vid 🙏

[@josephcrupi3421]

This was just lovely. Thanks for the perspective and encouragement!

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your kind words.

[@tieredlabsllc5728]

I ride solo 98% of the time. "retired" amateur roadracer, so most are too slow.. but some are too fast for my taste. I like Ienatsch's "The Pace", but make it a quick one. IBA member, so endurance is higher than average. If I'm out to really ride, it's solo. Everything else is "socializing with motorcycles".

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. It's all about the ride.

[@stephenalbert856]

Thank you very positive thinking.

[@jakestechtravels4864]

To all the fellow 2 wheel bros and sisters out there. Just do it. Albeit my solo adventures have only been in the UK, the idea of going overseas solo when others 'don't have the time' becomes more appealing by the day! Excellent video!

[@jrfsailing07]

Great video! Thank YOU!

[@allanb52]

Why has no one talked about this before, I would go one step further, take your wife/GF. There is nothing better for bringing a couple together and its safer with two sets of eyes. A few years back we bought a Vespa GTS 125 in north Norfolk and rode it back to our house in central Portugal...with the missus. You have the right attitude to biking and life. We have bikes and a small campervan and tour on two and four wheels, last year is was Greece and Turkey and like you went to the Red Sea in Bulgaria. I am 72 now and life is short, too short to stay home, even when that home is lovely Portugal.

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. I agree with your sentiment. You might enjoy watching some of my other videos, the 'Trying to stay alive in Sardinia tour' and 'Why two-up touring is like going on holiday with children'. Ride safe and enjoy life!

[@mikehurley5052]

Cant agree more with all that. I tour solo, my wife is brilliant and lets me do whatever i want. I live in the Balkans and came back to UK in 2019 to buy a bike and toured uk, then down to Normandy camping for a week and looking at all the historic bits, then Italy and ferry over to Albania where i still tour today, that took me a month. I love it being alone. When you see 5 guys touring and they all have intercoms going that is my idea of hell.

[@blackk1UK]

A good video even if solo trips are not for all. However you do it, it's getting out on your bike and enjoying the roads and the scenery that is the most important.

[@SoloBlack313]

Yes to all you said, and thanks

[@peterhobbs7609]

My sentiments entirely, I went on a 4500 mile solo tour across Portugal, Spain and France, and yes very occasionally you may feel a bit lonely but it is a passing thought, there are plenty of what ifs, but solo motorcycling is great for the mind and soul and is rather a lot of fun

[@alanbarnes2920]

What bike did you use Peter?

[@MrWibbleman]

Thanks for the vid. Am doing a solo 2 week tour in Norway in July was already thinking the mileage I do when on my own will be higher per day just as you said no point in finishing at 3pm on your own unless you have something specific to do or see at that time.

[@lipsee100]

I did a solo tour around the east side of Europe a few years ago.. I went just to ride,,no sightseeing /no tourist hotspots,,just bombing along ,minding my own bussiness.Booked accommodation the day before and that fixed the next days lenth ..I got to go somewhere is year and I think its going to be Belarus,,wish me luck

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. Belarus sounds fab, I've never been there but I'm fascinated by the Eastern states. I'm planning an offroad trip in '24 from Helsinki to the North of Finland and then return South offroad through Sweden to Malmo.

[@davidmatthews3093]

I don’t see the point of that sort of trip. Getting to know the countries that I pass through is a huge part of the journey for me.

[@lipsee100]

@@davidmatthews3093 Well ,we are not all the same (thank god) never got to Belarus,,but ended up i Moldova

[@oliabid-price4517]

My view is that there are actually 4 aspects to the riding when touring; you, the bike, the road and the scenery. The scenery is the biggest part that will make your lifetime's memories - also known as 'life experience'.

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. Riding a bike is about the journey, not the destination. It's what you experience on your way to your night stop that makes the journey memorable.

[@theposh1970]

Well that is the best video to argue ride solo.

[@alanhuelin403]

Another entertaining video ✔

[@mikehart8118]

Great vid Steve. Glad to hear there are some humans that are nice out there Ha-ha.. Happy New Year and look forward to the next video m8

[@markmason7019]

I usually tour alone here in the US

[@alanbarnes2920]

Enjoyable and motivating vlog again … What bike do you ride solo? Do you have breakdown cover for your trips..if so who with? How do you choose a hotel when away?..is it on price or rating or both? Atb for 2024.. Alan

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. The bike varies, depending if I'm offroading. I've toured mostly on sportsbikes, offroading is currently a Husqvarna 701 Enduro. Hotel is chosen for convenience to my preferred route and I aim for approx £100/night. Breakdown cover is included with my insurance with BeMoto.

[@karlworkman7194]

Hi Alan, did a solo trip UK to Italy last year on my 30yr old DR800, my answer to your questions, breakdown roadside & recovery with my insurance ( Carol Nash ) hotels I'd thoroughly recommend in mainland Europe, the Accor hotels group covers all the ibis chain, click on the map in the general area your heading, it brings up all the options and prices, add in the parking filter so you know your bikes safe, Go for the best grade at a low price, 50- 60 euro? Always set your Nav to avoid tolls and enjoy the mystery tour, Ride slow take it all in. It's the moments not the miles you remember,

[@alanbarnes2920]

Thanks Karl, appreciated. I’ve toured the UK and fancied further afield in 24. My last (and only) Euro trip was in 2006! Went solo to SW France via Le Havre on a VFR 800 (non vtec).. Solo Spain or Portugal the options at present. Currently I have a 2016 Versys 650GT but am considering getting something a little larger…used Tiger 900 GT Pro or Tracer 9GT…Atb, Alan.

[@johanbergqvist3677]

Im going on my first touring next year. And it will be on my own. The British Isle has come to mind as a "pioviting point" before heading back to Scandinavia. Any suggestion on routes? Im thinking of going from Holland to Newcastle and then Poole to Cherbourg. Please give me ideas Yorshire valleys and Cheddar Gorge is already on the list. Hit me

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. My advice would be, go North from Newcastle to see the Northumberland coast as far as Bamburgh and then head West into the spine of the UK and go through Northumberland National Park, North Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District National Park. When you get to approximately Uttoxeter, head West towards Shrewsbury and then turn South through the Shropshire Hills and towards the Wye Valley. Finally go through the Cotswolds and then head towards Poole. Whatever you do it will be a fabulous trip.

[@johanbergqvist3677]

😀 I want to go for the ride and not the end of it. So. for clean desent relaxing riding. How long would you estimate it would take? Sweden has totaly different distances but so much less traffic. I have been driving around in Essex and scotland, but by car. Thanks for your response. PS. I have the right girlfriend ;)@@stranobikes

[@stranobikes]

Depending on your ferry times, I would think that 4/5 days should be enough to see places. Glad to hear about your girlfriend :) @@johanbergqvist3677

[@PresPres1]

👍🏾👍🏾

[@nachocheesebrain2461]

subscribed

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching and thanks for clicking 'subscribe'.

[@SoloBlack313]

Just subbed cheers

[@stranobikes]

@@SoloBlack313 Thanks for watching and for the sub 👍

[@wallaceshackleton1889]

You were doing OK up till your condescending comment about Scotland. Why doesn't anyone want to go to England on a bike tour? Just get out and do it. The greatest journey really does start with a single step. Oh and it is better to go with your darling's blessing than without it.

[@stranobikes]

Thanks for watching. Don't forget to subscribe for more condescending comments :)

[@davidmatthews3093]

I don’t want to tour England because the roads are too congested and the interesting places to visit tend to be crowded. England is not a particularly bike friendly place either.