Billy No Mates here here is comtemplating heading down to Spain in May and to France in July for a 7-10 days mtbing – none of my regular biking mates can make it so i'll be on my own. Has anyone done this? How were your experiences…was it ruined or did you find everyone helped you 'fit in'?

I did it last year, bit awkward to start with but turned out to be a great holiday and made some really good friends. I'd recommend it as i didn't feel any pressure and everyone that was there were really friendly and very like minded.

I always go on my own. Unfortunately you do take pot luck with the other people there and the last time I went to Spain the other people were t**ts. It didn't help that after the riding the guides went into hiding and left us to our own devices. One of the things I love about Ticket 2 Ride in Canada is that the guides are all very social and tyou can always go out with them if no one else is around.

The other thing that really annoys me is people who go in groups and keep to themselves, rarely mixing with the other people on the holiday outside of their group.

Don't get me wrong it doesn't stop me from doing it but you do have to choose the company you go with more carefully IMO.

I went to Spain a few years ago on my own. Got on well with everyone there, but clearly it completely depends on who you end up with. I was with a pair and a trio and both groups bitched to me about the others so clearly they struggled more than I did to socialise! I'm used to doing stuff on my own though so I didn't think twice about it, and would do it again.

Where and when were you thinking for France?

Cheers all, i guess it all dependss on the others there at the time. Im probably heading off to Trailaddiction in July – have been out with them in the past with mates and had a an amazing weeks riding. All depends on working around family and work as per normal.

I've done it once, doing it again – I'm going off for a week with Bike Verbier in July… 😀

As has been said above, its all about the others that are there at the same time. My trip out there last summer I defiantly didn't feel like it was a holiday on my own.

I did it and made some brilliant mates, who I've been riding with loads since.

Would do it again probably, but might be best to pick an operation that provides dinner – so you've got a bit of forced social interaction to get to know one another.

Seen other posts like this recently, maybe you should sort out a STW no-mates holiday?

I did it when i won a holiday on Bikemagic a few years back. It was all fairly social and most other people were on their own as well.

The only downside for me was that i hadn't realised i'd have to share a room (it was possible to get a single if you paid extra) but it worked out ok with the guy i shared with although there were a few people who i'm glad were not sharing with me. The only real hassle is if your new roomate snores or has annoying habits as you can't really say anything to them like you could with a mate. Also someone has to go first to 'christen' the toilet….

I did in 2003 and one of the guys I met is now one of my best friends…

I have done it 3 times, Verbier and Spain twice(different places).
As someone above says even if you go in a group there may/will always be a plonker. In Verb we nicknamed one guy with all the gear and no idea the crash test dummy. Mid week when we were having a chat(I was listening)he admitted that he had very much underrated me due to my stature, aging looks(grey hair)and cheap hire bike. What he meant was he could

nt doing everything bigger and better than everyone else(in his mind)
Mate is off to Verb in June and Bikevillage in Sept and as a retired policeman his social skills can be strained at times although he is mellowing and can be a real comic when he warms up.

We get a load of individual travellers come out for a week or two by themselves. It normally works great, and after the first ride up in a jam packed gondola everyone is best friends anyway! The people who come by themselves are also really fun to ride with, because you know they're here for the riding and nothing else. MTB'ers are generally a light hearted and friendly bunch – we've never had a case where a group of people hasnt accepted an individual into the mix of things.

Go for it and have fun!

I've done a couple of multi-day trips in the highlands by myself, a lot of the time I'd prefer the company, but when it goes wrong and I'm trudging through bogs for hours on end I'm kinda glad I'm not responsible for anyone else.

Also allows you to be quite selfish about route choice, and selectively lazy/over ambitious depending on your mood, so its not all bad.

Am deliberately eschewing some wild camping next time round for some campsite/hostel socialising, hopefully the best of both worlds.

TBH its not like a normal holiday. Normally family etc arent into biking as well and its trying to get time off with biking friends etc etc so I dont see it as a 'billy no-mates'.

Plus, your not sat on a beach on your own. Biking is you and a bike anyway.

In 2003 I went to France on my own as my girlfriend didnt want to go and although there were only 3 other people there (2 friends and one other loner)- we all got on famously. The other 'loner' stayed on. He, like me was having a crisis with his job back in England and wanted to get away and just ride. So he stayed and went out with a ski guide and I bumped into him again a few years later when he transfered me back to the airport.

Just to add I am not cliquey and if I was in a group and we were with a good/relaxed bloke I'd happily ask him to hang out with us.

Most big group rides have people in who dont know each other from previously and I always make the effort to mix. We all have the same common-passion.

TandemJeremy would be welcome- and we'd have some good arguements over booze.

I have been bike touring on my own – thought it would be a bit lonely but it was ace – met loads of people, but then it was New Zealand and kiwis are very friendly and interested in other people.

Like hels, i toured solo in NZ back in '95. Sometimes it was hard to have an alone (not lonely!) moment as there are that many other folk about. If ya need company then I'm sure ya will find it when needs be.

Have done quite a few snowboard trips on my own in the past. Usually best on some kind of guided trip, where you're guaranteed to meet some like-minded people rather than relying on striking up a conversation in the bar or whatever.

We have lots of solo guests come out and stay with us, maybe as many as 20 or 30% of all our guests. By the time you've done a day or two of riding, people generally get along pretty well. Same as KitzChris says, never been a problem.

If all else fails, I'm paid to like you…. 😛

Did it last year for the first time but not an organised one. Couldn't possibly inflict myself on others! Booked my own accommodation which turned out to be a lovely cottage, in the West Country. Met up with the Q's riders which was great.

Doing my own thing again this year in England but more remote and definitely challenging. I may or may not have company, who knows.

I like to be independant, if I don't want to ride I go walking instead, no worrying about holding people up. Am actually happy with my own company.

If all else fails, I'm paid to like you….

Classic!

If all else fails, I'm paid to like you…

Pity the great Guides (characters) and staff didnt like their boss one bit on ours. He had them refurbing and fitting up Chalets when they should have been doing what they came over for. It rankled with one of them who actually emptied sugar into the petrol tank of the Ford Transit bus.. 😯

I like to be independant, if I don't want to ride I go walking instead, no worrying about holding people up. Am actually happy with my own company.

Yep, that sounds familiar. I enjoy having a bit of mental space from family (as much as i love 'em) and work (even tho' i enjoy it) and sometimes the feeling of solitude in the great outdoors can be sublime.

This summer I'm heading off to the Torridons by myself – maybe Skye too if all goes well – and i can hardly wait 🙂

Lonesome highland holidays are my favourite thing. More than one (present girlfriend excepted of course) is a crowd.

been to bikevillage 6 times, 3 times alone, 3 times with mates. never had a problem fitting in and meeting new people, always had a great time.
its great there as there is a max of 12 people per week, so everyone mixes, there aren't too many people to get to know, and everyone eats round the same table for breakfast and dinner each day (lunch is eaten during the ride, with whichever group you are riding with (around 6 people)

got to the point now where i know all the guides, and the owners quite well, well enough to spend a week at the end of last season there after the guides had left – just me, another friend of theirs and them. perfect.

if i were to ever look for somewhere else to go, i'd definitely make sure group sizes were small, and that eating was a central part of the day.

Went on a lone MTB holiday in Spain a few years ago, there were two couples, two other blokes and a lone girl in the group, with perhaps a 25 year span in our ages. We all had a great time and stayed in touch for some while afterwards.

As has been written earlier, eating [and drinking] in the evening cemented some good freindships. I think we were all united in our dislike for the guide, a total t****r.

In fact he put me off of MTB holidays for some years but last autumn I had a few days with Mountain Biking Spain on my own [again] and the guides there couldn't have been more different. Hope to go back there again later in this year.

Trekster – how could you?! 'social skills are strained' he's very cuddly 🙂

I've been wondering about this same as smogmonster. I'm booked with Flow for the mega this year but have ended up solo after two pull-outs. I'm sharing a twin with a stranger and they lay dinner on so I'm hoping to make some riding buddies who don't mind hanging out with a first timer. Not sure how it'll all work out but looking forward to it all the same.

similar to others i went to Spain last year on my own and ended up in a group of 2 lads and a couple. It was a great week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Going to Verbier this year in May on my own.

I think provided you are sociable, a good laugh and not a total freak you will get on with most people and have a fun week.

Personally I always have to have my own room – can't do with sharing even with mates (obviously I have to share with the wife if she's there). I think it gives you a bolt hole if there's people getting on your tits, etc.

I think provided you are sociable, a good laugh and not a total freak you will get on with most people and have a fun week.

So impossible for an average STW'er then?

Personally I always have to have my own room

Samehere. Everyone needs their morning spank.