Originally Posted by
FBinNY
I've toured with groups, a friend or two, and alone.
All are OK, though different. IMO 3 people is ideal, and platooning allows more of a cushion when you run into bad luck, ie. multiple flats. It's also nice to divide the load o stuff that's shareable, ie stove and cookware, along with some of the end of day and break camp chores.
And when credit card touring it gives you a chance to share rooms but get a night or two to yourself. Me and my two other touring buddies did this and it worked out really well.
Originally Posted by
FBinNY
But, I'm comfortable touring alone, though I generally don't camp when alone, except for the odd night in a tube tent or whatever, without stove.
Yeah I will be credit card touring but taking advantage of warmshowers too. So at least I won't be totally alone.
Originally Posted by
FBinNY
One nice thing about touring alone, is that it's sometimes easier to get into conversations with people along
the way. Strangers see two or three people together, they don't like to intrude, but one guy alone they figure they can't be interrupting anything.
Sort of what I missed on my second and third tour of Italy where my touring partner is very proficient in Italian so I did not need to bother. The first time I went, my touring partner did not speak a word so I was forced to use my awful Italian .
Originally Posted by
FBinNY
Of course enjoying touring solo depends on how self contained you are. If you don't enjoy your own company, and aren't confident in your coping skills, it can feel very lonely and exposed, which will grate on you after a while.
I am pretty much on my own all the time anyway so I should be OK there. Just that half the fun of having someone along that you are able to relive the experience even years later. We still talk about some of our trips. Some things I remember, some my friends remember.