Solo Vs.Group Riding

Riding with friends is fun.  I do believe that the safety that is gained by having several riders with you is well worth it.   A group is easier to see than a solo rider, and if anything happens, then someone will be there to help out.  It's also nice sharing the sites with someone who shares your passion for riding a motorcycle.  However, there are drawbacks.  Riding with the wrong type of person may get you in to trouble.  People who like to go too fast, or ride dangerously, or even riders who don't know how to ride in groups can all cause you to have a really bad ride.  That being said,  riding alone has its benefits too.  You have a bit more freedom to stretch out in your lane and take the extra time to explore places on a whim.  Riding with friends, you almost need a plan in order to make sure everyone knows where they are going and no one gets lost.  Riding alone, if you see a road you want to take, then you just take it.  No discussion, no arguments  just go. This is the best kind of freedom.  You can see more of the area, and have an adventure.  That's what motorcycle riding is all about. The best of both worlds would be to find a buddy that has the same wanderlust that you posses and the same style of riding as you.   I tend to like to ride like a sport tourer.  I don't mind a little speed and twisty road at times, but I really like riding safely and comfortably for hours and hours.  Seeing new sights and meeting new people is important to me.   I have ridden with people who are track day junkies.  I've ridden with the pub to pub types, and I've even ridden with some of the ADV crew.   Truthfully, my favorite riders, are just like me.  

Spokane River Flow...

Yes, I will let the cat out of the bag.  I am from Spokane.   Lately I have noticed that riding a motorcycle has become a blood sport.  Spokane drivers have forgotten how to flow.   The caged ones are so secure in their own big boxes that they have forgotten that they are not the only ones on the road.  They chatter on their Cellphones and barely hold the wheel while doing so.  Traffic should be like a river, flowing ever forward.   You don't see Salmon with cellphones, nor do you see Sunfish applying makeup.   You never hear of a Ten Trout Pileup on the Columbia.    Be like fish people!  Pay attention to the flow.  It will get you where you want to go.  You will be happier, less stressed an you won't kill a motorcyclist by your tunnel visioned stupidity. Take this car (or whats left of a car).  The driver of this vehicle turned in to traffic.  Because of the need to talk on a cell phone, the driver didn't pay attention to the Honda that was rapidly approaching them.   Now, I don't know if you have seen many wrecks, or have a basic understanding of the physical limitations of the human body, but I am certain that you understand that neither the driver or the motorcyclist survived this accident.  This is an actual thing.  This is a true accident, it really happened.  A cell phone was verified to be a factor in this accident.   In almost every Country, State, County, City, Suburb, It is illegal to operate a vehicle while distracted.  The fines for driving distracted vary, but the pain from murdering someone because you couldn't wait to tell your friend that you got invited to prom.... well, that is a higher price than any fine.

Be Careful Out There!

One of the most disturbing things I do in the course of the day is process Hospital Trauma reports.   Looking over the vast array of boo-boos and owies people are subject to, it is becoming ever clearer that people have stopped being cautious. 

YOLO (You Only Live Once) has been the war cry for all sorts of thrill seekers and has become the excuse for a lot of horrific accidental injuries.   I offer another view.  The fact that you only live once should be the reason for proper caution, not frivolous acts of stupidity.   For a Motorcyclist, this is even more important.   A motorcycle rider needs to have proper respect for the machine, and the roads that it travels on.  

 Here are the points that people have seemed to forget.

1. Always wear a good strong helmet and appropriate gear.  Unless you want your Jaw mangled and/or removed, I suggest a full face helmet.

2. Bottles and Throttles DO NOT MIX.   If you are drinking alcohol, do NOT ride a motorcycle until it is out of your system  (1 hour per drink minimum).

3. Do not ride if you are physically or mentally stressed.   You need your full faculties to ride, don't risk your life by having your focus impeded by stress or pain.

4. If your machine is not running properly or feels wrong, then its time for wrench work, not riding. Fix your machine before a doctor needs to fix you!

5. Ride Defensively, not Aggressively.   Your life is in danger, not the cagers (People in the cage of a Car).   Ride like you want to live a long time.

There are many other factors to riding safely, but these are by far the most important.  While it is true that you only live once, don't shorten your life by making that fact an excuse for stupidity!