Touring - Anyone met and initiated a tour with a member of this forum?

Hi All,

I am curious if anyone has wanted to tour but has no one to tour with and so pursued organizing a tour on this forum? I am a female and even if i were a male, i would still want a touring buddy. I live in Louisiana. I am going to apply for bike and build next summer and while that is satisfying on a humanitarian level, I want the panniers, the camping, and the unstructured adventure.

anyway, just curious =)
please message me if you too are a female, or even a male, looking for a fellow bike-minded individual who craves steady movement on two wheels over state lines, who still appreciates nature and all its wonder and who loves roughin it

-scottie

Over the years, there have been a couple of tourers looking for company here. Don't know how it worked out for them. Problem is, they're often new members here, so people have no idea about their Forum personality, not to mention in real life.

Personally, I enjoy solo touring a lot, so take this with a grain of salt. I'd want to know my touring partner(s) better before committing to a longer tour with them. Agreeing to ride with them for a stretch and take it from there might be OK. Touring (or travelling in general) can put a lot of stress on relationships. I have some very dear friends I would never tour with.

--J

50+ forum has organized at least one group ride in CO.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?578958-Folks-Gathering-in-Glenwood-Springs-CO-for-1st-50-Annual-Ride

Like Juha, I am more of a solo rider and backpacker, but would consider teaming up with the right group. I have met people on both the road and trails that would make good touring/backpacking partners.

But even on one day group rides, there are some riders I would not want to spend any extra time on the road with.

Hi Scottie,

I am at the same stage as yourself in planning a touring trip (my initial introduction and follow up posts are in the 'touring day dreamer' thread).

I must admit that to do the world alone would be lonely, I feel, but neither do I want a full-time travel partner for varying reasons. I'm just going to hit the road and see what happens. It would be great to share legs with others, camp and sight see. I'll follow this thread with interest - good luck.

Daz.

Yeah ... sort of.

Read Rowan's and my story:
http://www.machka.net/aboutme/rowan_charlene.htm

"Sort of" here too. I planned a tour with someone who has posted here, but I mainly knew him from the Crazy Guy forums where he posts regularly.

We met at the start, but he fell and was injured (broken hip) before we went a half mile. There was a bike trail paralleling the road for the first mile or so and we were on it. There was a spring that ran across the trail leaving it slick as ice with algae. To make matters worse it was on an uphill. I made it across and as I turned to warn him how slick it was I heard the crash. He obviously had to bail his friend opted to bail as well and I did the tour alone. He and his family helped me with logistics and they were wonderful in their hospitality, but we really didn't get to tour together.

He is a great guy and I hope we will tour together at some point. It may not happen though since we tend to gravitate toward different types of tours; he likes meandering tours and staying in the boonies and I like goal oriented tours and camping in small towns.

A group of us from this forum got together and rode from Pittsburgh to Washington DC last year.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?491096-Bike-Forums-Great-Allegheny-Passage-C-O-Canal-Tour-2009

And my trip journal on that ride is here:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=RrzKj&doc_id=5496&v=5m

Also, Spinnaker here on BF is organizing another ride this June from Pittsburgh to Cumberland & back.

Brian

I'm met and toured with someone I contacted from this site.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/mag/companions.cfm

I met someone from this site and toured very successfully with him and his friend last year, but we rode together locally for 9 months before we toured together.

Touring with a semi/stranger is really a crapshoot. I joined someone's tour from the Adventure Cycling companions wanted site a few years ago, and we only lasted 3 weeks together before we split up. Being able to tour together is not the same thing as *enjoying* touring together, it turns out.

I'm also female, and had a lot of reservations about touring solo before I tried it - both on a safety and loneliness level - but it turned out that I really prefer touring alone to touring with someone I'm not totally compatible with. I definitely understand the desire for companionship, but don't let not having a buddy keep you from touring.

Yep:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?541606-42Ride-A-huge-bike-ride-across-the-country-And-people-get-paid-to-do-it-!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?496889-Ride-With-Ryan-Day-22-Part-One

I'm starting a tour at some point this week with someone who posted here. First tour for the both of us, should be interesting.

sounds a little like a personal ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVdhZwK7cS8

I also like to tour alone but had someone from work ride with me on two long trips. I was very fortunate everything went very well because it was his first tour, and I'm not the easiest person to get along with when on long rides as I am quite a bit older, and like to push for mileage every day, rather than mosey along. Although he is a runner, his knees and achilies tendons inflamed and after 1400 miles, had to quit. Two years later, he came along again and this time he knew what to expect so everything, including his body, worked very well, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the 1500+ mile wilderness ride.
So my best advise would be, make sure that everyone coming along understands, and is comfortable with the agreed apon program; how many miles a day to try for, if you are camping or moteling, are side trips on the agenda, how long between breaks, are you riding everyday or taking some days off, are you eating in cafes or making your own meals, etc. If there is too great a difference of opinion between the riders in the group, the longer the ride, the worst it will get.

Over the years, there have been a couple of tourers looking for company here. Don't know how it worked out for them. Problem is, they're often new members here, so people have no idea about their Forum personality, not to mention in real life.

Personally, I enjoy solo touring a lot, so take this with a grain of salt. I'd want to know my touring partner(s) better before committing to a longer tour with them. Agreeing to ride with them for a stretch and take it from there might be OK. Touring (or travelling in general) can put a lot of stress on relationships. I have some very dear friends I would never tour with.

--J

J,

I would love to solo tour but my father would never approve of it, even if I am 24 and protest "Im a big kid now." maybe when Im 30. Also, its both fortunate and unfortunate that i have internalized that because I am female I would not be safe by myself (if you knew me this might shock you). I definitely agree, there are some people i would never tour with but generally those are the people that would never tour themselves. I'd rather tour with someone or a few people I'd never met in person than not tour at all because I couldnt find any local friends. Thanks for the reply J =)

50+ forum has organized at least one group ride in CO.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?578958-Folks-Gathering-in-Glenwood-Springs-CO-for-1st-50-Annual-Ride

Like Juha, I am more of a solo rider and backpacker, but would consider teaming up with the right group. I have met people on both the road and trails that would make good touring/backpacking partners.

But even on one day group rides, there are some riders I would not want to spend any extra time on the road with.

that is pretty cool! thanks for the link. I've never been to CO but when I tour this summer I plan to pass through. Last year I got lucky with the group of people I was with. There was harmony everyday for the most part.

Hi Scottie,

I am at the same stage as yourself in planning a touring trip (my initial introduction and follow up posts are in the 'touring day dreamer' thread).

I must admit that to do the world alone would be lonely, I feel, but neither do I want a full-time travel partner for varying reasons. I'm just going to hit the road and see what happens. It would be great to share legs with others, camp and sight see. I'll follow this thread with interest - good luck.

Daz.

Daz,

I checked out your thread and feel inspired. I have had smaller dreams, but why not dream big? touring the globe will indescribably epic and I'd love to hear more about your plans and adventures in the future. I'll keep up with that thread and send you good vibes =)

thanks for the good luck
scottie

Yeah ... sort of.

Read Rowan's and my story:
http://www.machka.net/aboutme/rowan_charlene.htm

=D that is romantic. What a wonderful way to meet and be connected to a soul mate. Thanks for sharing, i enjoyed reading the link =)

"Sort of" here too. I planned a tour with someone who has posted here, but I mainly knew him from the Crazy Guy forums where he posts regularly.

We met at the start, but he fell and was injured (broken hip) before we went a half mile. There was a bike trail paralleling the road for the first mile or so and we were on it. There was a spring that ran across the trail leaving it slick as ice with algae. To make matters worse it was on an uphill. I made it across and as I turned to warn him how slick it was I heard the crash. He obviously had to bail his friend opted to bail as well and I did the tour alone. He and his family helped me with logistics and they were wonderful in their hospitality, but we really didn't get to tour together.

He is a great guy and I hope we will tour together at some point. It may not happen though since we tend to gravitate toward different types of tours; he likes meandering tours and staying in the boonies and I like goal oriented tours and camping in small towns.

I just joined crazyguyonabike last night. woah what luck... bummer. that might be a bit of a challenge too; finding someone who gravitate towards the same tours you like. good point.

thanks for the reply!

Just today, a friend I met here and I started talking about touring together. We met a month or two ago. He came up here (NYC area) from Philly to play with my bikes and tools.

I haven't taken a bike tour in an embarrassing number of years, and I'd love to do it. It might be as short as three days, but that's OK for a starter.

A group of us from this forum got together and rode from Pittsburgh to Washington DC last year.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?491096-Bike-Forums-Great-Allegheny-Passage-C-O-Canal-Tour-2009

And my trip journal on that ride is here:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=RrzKj&doc_id=5496&v=5m

Also, Spinnaker here on BF is organizing another ride this June from Pittsburgh to Cumberland & back.

Brian

nice, thanks for the links. how was the 475 mile C&O tour all around?

Sounds like a nut job to me!

I could do a longer one next year, but most of my time off this year is getting sucked up by the wedding and honeymoon. I'm thinking we use a three day weekend, add another day to it, and ride into upstate NY or into the Poconos. I also heard about a Cumberland to DC path that sounds like about the right amount of ride time. If I ever do switch jobs, I'm going to take a week or two off in between and go riding across PA.
Just today, a friend I met here and I started talking about touring together. We met a month or two ago. He came up here (NYC area) from Philly to play with my bikes and tools.

I haven't taken a bike tour in an embarrassing number of years, and I'd love to do it. It might be as short as three days, but that's OK for a starter.

I'm met and toured with someone I contacted from this site.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/mag/companions.cfm

Much thanks for the link cyclesafe, and you have reminded me once again how important it is to cycle safe as i had a few close calls today... thanks on both counts

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_sq_top?ie=UTF8&keywords=kool%20stop%20brake%20shoes&index=blended&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000GBD11S&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0S7KFNB39EERV6X6GXXY) ships quickly.

I met someone from this site and toured very successfully with him and his friend last year, but we rode together locally for 9 months before we toured together.

Touring with a semi/stranger is really a crapshoot. I joined someone's tour from the Adventure Cycling companions wanted site a few years ago, and we only lasted 3 weeks together before we split up. Being able to tour together is not the same thing as *enjoying* touring together, it turns out.

I'm also female, and had a lot of reservations about touring solo before I tried it - both on a safety and loneliness level - but it turned out that I really prefer touring alone to touring with someone I'm not totally compatible with. I definitely understand the desire for companionship, but don't let not having a buddy keep you from touring.

thanks for the reply valygrl, i would split up too unless i enjoyed it. you know, touring solo is sounding more and more appealing one of these days. at least after i get one more tour in.

Yep:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?541606-42Ride-A-huge-bike-ride-across-the-country-And-people-get-paid-to-do-it-!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?496889-Ride-With-Ryan-Day-22-Part-One

haha, i was on this site a while back when we were planning the natchez trace tour and remember that first link you posted. whatever happened with that? did anyone on the forum get accepted. I scanned but cant devote too much time, im procrastinating with this take home midterm, haha.

the photos in the 2nd thread are great! thanks for sharing

I'm starting a tour at some point this week with someone who posted here. First tour for the both of us, should be interesting.


very cool! good luck to you both

sounds a little like a personal ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVdhZwK7cS8

haha, i guess it does. and i guess it is really.

I also like to tour alone but had someone from work ride with me on two long trips. I was very fortunate everything went very well because it was his first tour, and I'm not the easiest person to get along with when on long rides as I am quite a bit older, and like to push for mileage every day, rather than mosey along. Although he is a runner, his knees and achilies tendons inflamed and after 1400 miles, had to quit. Two years later, he came along again and this time he knew what to expect so everything, including his body, worked very well, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the 1500+ mile wilderness ride.
So my best advise would be, make sure that everyone coming along understands, and is comfortable with the agreed apon program; how many miles a day to try for, if you are camping or moteling, are side trips on the agenda, how long between breaks, are you riding everyday or taking some days off, are you eating in cafes or making your own meals, etc. If there is too great a difference of opinion between the riders in the group, the longer the ride, the worst it will get.

excellent advice, thanks big lew.

I checked out your thread and feel inspired. I have had smaller dreams, but why not dream big? touring the globe will indescribably epic and I'd love to hear more about your plans and adventures in the future. I'll keep up with that thread and send you good vibes =)

Hey Scottie,

I look forward to, and will most definitely need, some good vibes being sent my way. Or, you could just send me a touring bike resulting in very positive vibes!!:)

Daz

Hey Scottie,

I admire and respect how you're going about asking advice. A lot of new members come to this forum sounding vague and not really having thought anything through regarding their trip before they post. You seem different. I suspect many such members never go through with their trip. Again, I think you will :)

I'm a guy in my early thirties with no children. I have never travelled to the USA. My advice on whether to tour alone or not is irrelevant. I like spending time alone, travelling and riding my bicycle. My mum was very worried when I told her of my plans for my first tour. I think if it were my sister doing a tour instead of me, her fears would have skyrocketed!

Unfortunately you probably won't be able to recruit a friend(s) to travel with you. So out of necessity you'll need to tour alone. I wouldn't mind doing the Trans-America one day - some time in the next few years. I'd like to meet up with people along the way who are also doing the trip and travel together for a day or two - perhaps even a few hours. But I wouldn't / couldn't do an organised or planned trip with others. That's just a limitation of my personality!

There was a thread on here six or nine months ago (my memory fails me) about someone asking for advice on how to deal with worried parents. I suspect that might help you just as much as your search for travel companions.

I haven't been of any help, I know, but I just wanted to say goodluck and to follow your dream, but stay safe.