Most of my bike tours were with a former co-worker. I also did Glacier Waterton Loop with ACA and two REI fully supported guided trips in Europe that were group tours.
But, when I decided to go to Iceland, I told my touring partner, sorry but I want to do this solo. I had a great time.
Originally Posted by
spinnaker
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Cons I see are no one to talk to, no one to share the experience with, no one to bounce plans off of or to help make decisions. ...
My past trips before the solo trip, we had a route and itinerary planned. We did not plan were to stop each night, let the weather dictate our speed. But otherwise we knew where we were going.
On a solo trip, it simplifies it because you go where you want to see things. But if you are credit card touring and have reservations, then your itinerary is more controlled. My solo trip, my itinerary was anything I wanted it to be as long as I made my flight schedule for the return home.
I had a lot of conversations with others in the campgrounds.
Originally Posted by
spinnaker
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No one to watch your bicycle and gear while you run into a store or some other off bike errand. No one to share costs.
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True, but I always try to leave my bike in a place I feel comfortable. Costs, that is also true, but the camping fees on my solo trip were per person. The hostels I stayed in were also per person. So, costs were pretty close to the same.
One con you did not address, I noted in one of your posts you planned for credit card touring but it was not clear to me if that was 100 percent of the trip or not. If you are doing some camping and cooking, more weight and volume for cooking gear when you travel alone.
Traveling back on the train is more enjoyable with a friend. And hanging out alone in the Chicago train station alone won't be very fun. It is very possible that your train ride back will be the part of the trip that you will wish you had someone along.
Originally Posted by
spinnaker
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Pros are. You make your own plans and do the distance you want to do in the pace you want to do it. No need to compromise with someone else. One of my big problems with my one touring partner is he is a heads down just get there kind of guy. I more of the heads up, smell the flowers and enjoy the journey kind of guy. If I only do 30-40 miles in a day that is fine with me.
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This is exactly why I wanted to do Iceland solo. Probability of rain each day was around 70 percent. Winds control how far and how fast you go each day. Those situations breed conflict. And the best way to avoid conflict is not to bring the person you may have conflict with.
Originally Posted by
spinnaker
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I have done a few weekend tours on my own but nothing long term. Never really had any major issues. As far as my injury / illness concerns it is not like I will be in the middle of nowhere. But being alone every day sort of sucks.
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I did not let potential for injury worry me. I was in a foreign country so I got trip insurance. I knew that I would see people every few hours when I was in isolated areas.
I live alone and am quite self reliant. I built up my touring bikes, there are not many mechanical difficulties that would have stopped me in my tracks. So, spending all day on a bike without talking to anyone was not an issue at all for me.
Originally Posted by
spinnaker
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So who has toured alone longer than say a few days? What did you think? Would you do it again?
If I was going somewhere where I thought that I might have excessive conflict with a touring partner in arduous conditions, absolutely I would plan to go alone. On my Iceland trip I think there were several times that we would have argued about how far to go each day, route, etc.
That said, most trips I prefer to go with someone. I did Florida Everglades and Florida Keys two months ago with my touring partner, having a friend along for that trip made it more enjoyable. We had a few arguments but they were minor and were the kinds of things that you forgot about a couple hours later.