When you travel in a group, everything becomes about the group. You mainly engage with the group, and your memories are mainly about the people in your group, and your interactions with them. When you travel alone, you engage with the places you go, and the people you meet along the way. It’s two totally different experiences.

I’ll hit the road in about a week (Trondheim- Lofoten) and to be honest I never found anyone interested in bike touring so I’m always by myself and I also think that has to do with your personality I’m not a social person and being alone is the norm for me. Thank for sharing Mike!

Your tips for going to the supermarket are really good. It really is an issue on larger cities. Little stores are much better than large supermarkets on that sense, sometimes they even let you keep the bike in the store. What I do when I inevitably have to go inside a large supermarket is lock my bike up, put all four panniers inside of an Ikea Dimpa bag and put that into a shopping cart. I prefer bike touring by myself, especially because I like stopping a lot for recording and contemplating. But I do enjoy a lot when I have a friend coming along, such as on my bike tour in Uruguay. It's important that both have the same expectations though, as you mentioned. I'd love to go to Sweden in the future, it is so beautiful! You're advertising your country very well. Cheers!

I always go solo. I live solo since my husband died. That was when I picked up bicycle touring again (which I did also in my youth). I never thought it was a problem to go in a store and leave the bicycle behind. My valuables are in a small backpack and I take that with me.

Really nicely presented and thought out content. You are looking well. Also you can get a good night's sleep without being woken by a snorer at 1:30am. No disputes about how far or where you will ride or camp. Not having the responsibility for some one else. Some shops if they have the space will allow you to wheel your bike inside. Happy days.

I prefer to do solo tours. I love the freedom of choosing to go where I want and I don't feel bad making another cyclist wait for me while I take scenic pictures. I don't feel lonely because I connect to the internet later in the evenings where I stay. Thanks for the tip on grocery shopping! :)

My thinking exactly. Thanks for the video. Take care and stay safe, Al

You explained it very well Mike and totally agree with you. Control of my Freedom, my time, no Compromises and Alone. Solo is my way of bicycle traveling. 😁👍🚴‍♂️

I agree! The time away and apart actually makes you a better father/person. A few days here and there calms the brain/soul. Enough time to stop, to think, to recover. Makes those other 350 days of the year much better for everyone. I think good for kids too. Sooner or later, they'll have to be on their own. Awesome videos!

Hey Mike, that's a great topic for a video, I'm glad you made it.

Love solo tour like you, that's why I follow your videos

What a beautiful lake, Mike. When you sat on the pier, at 2:20, I couldn't stop looking at the calm waters. As always, thank you for your thoughts and well-made video. Your comments are on-point. I agree with everything you said, and also learned things I haven't thought about. Thanks!

I absolutely love solo bike tours and that's what I do. I can go when I want and do whatever I want. Thanks for encouraging solo bike touring.

Really enjoyed this one, some great information. The outtakes made me laugh. I was surprised at the snow by the wilderness road, but more surprised by the weather report, Britain had drifted North, no wonder it was cold last week. Pro’s and con’s to solo travel but Lidl is always a winner 👍

Thanks Mikael...always solo here...couldn't imagine touring with someone with the thought of holding things up causing a less than tolerable situation or compromise. Anyway, another great video...hopefully hitting the road soon! Stay safe Mike!

Really enjoyed your video. I love bicycle touring both by myself and with my wife, Barbara. When I'm by myself I enjoy the complete freedom, but sometimes I catch myself thinking things like "wow, I wish Barbara could see this". Lately we have been touring together more and it requires a bit of adjustment ("I can only do 40 km today"), but overall it has been a great experience for both of us.

I usually travel alone, although I would like my wife to accompany me sometime. She is afraid of cars. Hopefully one day we will travel by bike together. In Spain I can only get her to come with me along the greenways. In the north of Spain there are greenways and the scenery is spectacular.

thanks for all shares Mike.

Brilliant.

Saludos de Argentina, gracias por los videos.

Lovely scenery for the video. I think cycle touring is nowhere near as popular as it ought to be and therefore difficult to arrange trips with others, except twisting the arms of family members. This video has inspired me to think about a next trip but sometimes I wish I could share the experience with relatives or friends because it is so good and different to the norm. As you say there is not much time to be bored or lonely as long as have an interesting route and the times goes too quickly anyway (soon back at work!). Cheers Mike another good video. I usually try to shop in small local shops during touring as my trips are not very expensive and it supports local economies, but if I go the Supermarket Ill be quick! and use Lidl! :)

amazing...man i have follow your trip in my nation....bravo bro...

thanks for the tips. it's my dream to go on a solo tour, however, fearness in doing this is winning as of now. but i really hope someday i can do this.

Good reasons. I kind of like both. On multiday trips it may be tough if your physical condition differs a lot. On the bike maintenance stuff: YT has so many instructional videos that can be accessed often also at the road side that most problems can be tackled as they appear :)

Love your videos Mike thanks so much for sharing. Think I'm finally going to get the kona sutra after using my mtb or roadbike the kona sutra ticks all the boxes .stay safe out there ....colin 🚴‍♂️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏻

Solo is freedom Survival and independence. This Is The Key To Living Beyond Your Fears. Ride safe bro!

Nice vid. Yes, solo all the way. I have never been on a trip with anyone else. I've caught up with people along the way. I agree with being solo and detours, it's much easier. I like to take them all the time. Ok some may say I'm lost, but I just like to take the scenic route...lol

Is totally different, the most when u camp. i enjoy both. In less than a week i'll go 9 days tour in group or three this time.

I love to travel alone cause of the freedom. By being on your own you get to learn much more about yourself. How to solve problems, how to overcome limits or limitations and being creative in all kind of situations. When I want to leave I want to leave fast and not wait till the other(s) got their stuff packed.

I much prefer to solo tour. I regularly go to the mountains on my own too. It's all about freedom for me.

I always travel alone. Can never get anyone interested in coming with me. I'm quite social so it would be nice to have someone to chat with

I enjoy both traveling with my wife on tandem, and going solo.. both are most excellent

nice video! i do also solo ride because most of my friends have families.

Nice!

Regarding leaving your bike at the supermarket or anyplace locked up, I have a motion alarm on my bike. It is an accelerometer (for you engineering types) and once armed, if my bike is touched with even a slight move, the alarm goes off. It is armed and disarmed by a small remote control you carry with you. This alarm will wake the dead! Very small and easy to attach on the bike and gives a great peace of mind. Find it at Amazon for under $20 US.

Well I'm planning my first bikepacking tour this summer. and it's going to be solo... just like when I used to do the ultra endurance rides it was always solo

btw...great back-drop!

Ice cool Mike 😎

I've done this and it has many advantages. I've felt worried to leave anything unattended outside stores and crack heads have attempted to wait me out or win my confidence before I enter the store. Ladies of the evening approach at shopping centers. On the trail encountering young unescorted females touring solo. This makes me feel awkward. I encourage everyone to tour but tend to keep my distance. I sure understand they may be even more concerned about my presence. A few would even have other motives perhaps. You have to prepare for a variety of breakdowns because help may be far away. There are a lot of good people out there willing to help. Due to keeping alert to the situation and people's possible motives nothing has been stolen so far. Social distancing has kept me home this year as campgrounds are closed and resupply more difficult, and the public are more desperate.

Thanks for sharing, i did some backpacking and loved it, I recently got a mountain bike and slowly turning it into a touring bike. Think i'll be on the road for a year or until the global economy opens again. Good time to be branding and doing some KZfaq videos. Some of my "so called friends" will be ever so pleased that i'm doing something. lol.

i am still waiting to get chance to do a solo tour. i have done short tours with a mate but they never feel like the perfect tour that i really want to do.

What kind of lock do you use? I have several for the city, but they are really heavy and I want to buy something a bit lighter for touring. So far I have stuck to gas stations and cafes with outdoor seating for supplies while touring, a supermarket would be great!

I'm in a luxury position I guess, I don't have a choice!

Mike your English is better than mine 😄😄

If you are in a place where you think your stuff will be stolen you probably should never leave home. If someone wants really to steal your stuff they can probably get it. Who wants a truck load of bike touring gear. Forget it only you and me.

I wish I could go bike touring...besides the Corona Virus issues, I live with an elderly Father who is holding me hostage!

Traveling solo clears your mind. You have more freedom to choose your route and go off the beaten track. There is the freedom to stop and take pictures \ videos.

What do you do with your bike during the night, do you cover it if it rains? Funderar själv på att dra ut men tälten är så dyra!

Do you lock your bike for the night (like chain it to a tree, for example)? Or how else do you guard it when you're sleeping?

Mike solo bike touring is one of the precious decision which i have ever made with myself... I never afford to go with any person because all of the time misunderstanding occurs and the whole journey become headache. Sorry i can,t.

I always prefer solo trips for the same reasons you mentioned. I'm very fortunate to have a wife who understands and it sounds like you do too! I'm older so my wife has had a long time to get used to it, hahahahaha

I guess if you are more introverted person solo touring can charge your batteries.

Hamburders

Do you take a bike lock with you, Mike?