Boggy's BLOG...... Solo vs Group Travel - Pros, cons, and how to get the most out of each
- Peter Jennings Bates
- Nov 16
- 6 min read
Ask any rider and they’ll tell you: the road feels different depending on whether you’re going it alone or riding with a pack. Both have their magic. Both have their frustrations. And both can teach you a thing or two about yourself and your riding. I’m a fan of both. My first solo ride outside of the UK was 10 days in mainland Europe in 2013 (France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany & Belgium). It was exciting and nerve wracking to be on the road on my own.
The experience of riding with a group, which I have done many times has its own rewards of course.
So, let’s break it down — the good, the bad, and the “why on earth did I think this was a good idea?” moments of solo vs group travel.
Solo Travel
The Pros:
Ultimate freedom – Fancy a detour to the ancient looking town on that rocky outcrop about 10 miles away? No one’s there to argue.
Your pace, your rules – Stop for 20 photos of the same mountain if you like. Or even take an extra day relaxing at camp. You’re not holding anyone up.
Personal growth – Riding alone sharpens your skills and your wits. You learn what you’re capable of when there’s no one to rely on but you.
The Cons:
Lonely moments – Sunsets are great, but sometimes you wish you had someone to clink a beer with at the end of a long day.
All the responsibility – Navigation, breakdowns, difficult border crossings… it’s all on you.
Safety net? What safety net? – If you drop your bike on a rocky trail, there’s no one there to help pick it up.
How to make it work:
Preparation is key. Carry a bit of extra kit, keep people back home updated, and know your limits. And most importantly, learn to laugh when it all goes sideways — because it will, and those stories often end up being the best ones.
Back in August 2013 when I took to the road on my yellow BMW GS I was pretty clueless about travelling on my own. The excitement had gripped me though and I was determined to find out what it was like to spend 10 days on the road all by myself.
Looking back, 10 days is nothing compared to most overland adventure riders, but for my first experience, it was plenty enough for the novice that I was. I did a practice run around Warwickshire with the bike loaded up (those who know me know I’m not the best at ‘travelling light’) and was happy to go. I didn't have Sat Nav, just my iPhone 4 (which I still have) mounted on the bars. 12 years ago mobile signal & Google Maps were no where near as sophisticated as they are now, but it was enough to get me around Europe.
Early in the trip I did a stretch over 2 days from Paris to Montpellier, blasting through the Massif Central on the quick roads…. and getting a bit bored. I took a break and looked at my paper map. I spotted a terrific looking route through the hills that appeared to take me off the A75 for 30 minutes or so down to the next junction where I could re-join. I peeled off onto twisty back roads and found beautiful rolling countryside and forests with Tyrolean style properties, and no one else on the road. Bliss. After about 25 minutes I noticed my fuel was low, no big deal, I’d be back in civilisation any minute……….. After another 15 minutes I was getting jittery. I pulled over and checked my map again. I had really screwed it up. There was at least another 50 miles to ride before the next town and my fuel indicator was flashing its little yellow triangle at me like crazy. 20 miles at the most left in the tank. How had I misjudged it so badly? Easy, I’m rubbish at reading maps.There was nothing else to do other than keep going and hope for the best. I really was in the middle of nowhere and had no idea what I would do when the bike finally coughed to a halt. And then a little miracle happened. I approached a layby that looked like it had a bus stop in it. But it wasn’t a bus stop, it was a single fuel pump with a pay at pump card reader. No assistant, no shop just a solitary pump in a layby. It was one of those moments you cant really put into words. I have never seen one before…. or since. I filled up to the top of the tank and got back onto the motorway at the next town. I decided to deal with the boredom in other ways for the next day or two!
It goes to show that even a ‘low level’ solo adventure like mine can have hidden traps. Of course it wouldn’t have been a disaster if I had run out of gas, I'd have worked it out somehow but it felt pretty scary at the time to be in the back of beyond in a country whose language I have a very poor grasp of with no fuel. I lived to tell the tale.
Group Travel
The Pros:
Shared experiences – That breathtaking view? Ten times better when you’ve got mates around to share it.
Help when you need it – Flat tyre? Stuck in sand? Someone’s always got a hand (or a tow rope).
Built-in banter – Long days in the saddle fly by when there’s laughter in the evenings.
The Cons:
Different riding styles – Not everyone likes the same pace, and waiting around (or being waited for) can grate.
Too many opinions – Where to eat, where to camp, which trail to take… democracy on two wheels is slow.
Less freedom – That random goat track might look tempting, but the group might have other ideas.
How to make it work:
Choose your tour company wisely. A group ride works best when everyone’s expectations are clear: riding ability, daily mileage, and whether you’re the “crack-of-dawn” type or more “another coffee first, please.” And remember — a little compromise keeps the wheels turning smoothly.
I have done plenty of group rides, from 2 riders up to about 16. Some have been road only and some have been a mix. I have loved every single one. I always make new friends when we are on tour with MOTO Junkies. In fact Steph, Steve and I first met when we signed up for Enduro Africa in 2008. Lifelong friends ever since.
On this years BIG Moroccan Adventure we were joined by a very good friend. Darren and I have ridden thousands of road miles together but this was his first overseas off road adventure. It was so satisfying to see him take in the new experience and enjoy the camaraderie that MOTO Junkies do so well with our BIG Adventure tours.
Gara Medouar, Morocco
For me the art of group tours is to set the stall out right from the start. You dont all have to do the same thing all the time - in fact if you enforced that it would be a disaster. Make sure everyone knows that in the evenings they are free to do as they please. Stick with the group or head out in 2s and 3s. Its the same with the riding. Not everyone will ride at the same pace. Its unfair on the quicker riders to have to wait for slower bikes to catch up, and at the other end of the grid, slower riders can suffer from very short rest stops if the group wants to shoot off as soon as the last rider to arrive puts their stand down. On MOTO Junkies tours we have this off to a tee and can easily accommodate big groups with various levels of riding ability and social necessities.
So, which is best?
Honestly, for me? Both. Solo travel will test you and show you what you’re made of. Group travel will give you camaraderie and stories you’ll be retelling for years. The real win is knowing when you need solitude, and when you’re craving company. Personally I choose not to disappear up an unknown trail on my own - I like the security blanket of a few friends being there to laugh when I fall off, but on the road I'm happy to travel solo until the sun goes down day after day. Did I ever tell you about my plan to ride to Moscow?
If you join a Moto Junkies tour, you get the best of both worlds: the freedom of the open road with the bonus of banter, making lifelong friendships, backup, and maybe even a support van carrying your kit (so you don’t have to wrestle with an overloaded bike). Fancy both? If you’re a newbie to overland travel, join us to take the pressure off planning. Try a solo trip to build your confidence, then come ride with us and see how much more fun it is when the laughter’s shared.
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