7 Good Bike Ride Partner Qualities (A Free Guide to Select a Right Travel Partner)
The very reason I decided to write about the bike ride partner qualities is that many are actively looking for travel partners (strangers?) in the travel forums. I have been seeing people requesting in travel forums such as “looking for bike ride partners to Manali”, “anyone interested to join us for long bike trip to Leh Ladak” etc.,
I don’t know how many of you had successful bike trips partnering with strangers, I have some suggestions that might be of value to you.
Here are 7 (good) qualities to look in a bike ride partner from our numerous bike trip experiences in India.
Image credit – Reddit
Bike Ride Partner Qualities – The list From Our Numerous Bike trip Experiences
#1. A Partner Who Shares Common Interest – The one most important Bike ride partner qualities
Be it a 200 kms bike ride in a short bike trip or 500 to 600 kms ride in a day in a long bike trip, you and your partner are going to share long hours on the same bike.
If the other person does not share common interests i.e. for travelling, then say it’s wise to not choose he/she as your bike ride partner.
Though knowing to ride a bike may not be a mandatory qualification, one must be willing to sit on a bike, pillion ride long distances without complaining about the weather or anything.
Trust me, this one quality is more important than anything.
If someone wants to join you just to test the water rather than real interest in bike travelling then its No – No.
#2. Rider Who is Not Willing to Give Up
In our 2nd longest bike trip back in the year 2018, I felt sick as soon as we started the bike. Then as soon as we reached the destination on day – 1, I developed severe fever and chill. Due to that I had to go to the hospital on the same night.
My hubby proposed that we go back to Bangalore if I don’t feel well the next day. I too felt the same. After coming back from hospital my decision to go back became certain.
But the whole night, the thought of giving up on that long bike trip kept disturbing me. Furthermore, I thought about the days and time I spent on planning for this.
Above all we both took off officially from work for this well planned 12 days vacation.
On the next day morning, I told my hubby that we are good to go. At first he didn’t agree. Soon we were on our way to our next destination.
Though I was not as active as I was on the 2017 long bike trip, I felt better after 2 days of medication. Also I knew Rajesh would have also never given up if he was to be in my place.
Not giving up was the best decision we have taken in that long bike trip.
Now we have another feather to our cap.
The person who is willing to not give up is one of the best bike ride partner qualities one can expect.
#3. Someone Who Values Your Trip Plan – Another must have Quality of a bike ride partner
If the partner lost any interest during the middle of the trip, then its going to be an unpleasant experience. Very soon you will find them saying, “I thought you were going to stop at this place…”, “I only joined this trip because I thought………”.
Or they will find a way to delay the time some or the other way. Because they don’t care. Because they lost interest and wants a way out.
Not only you will be frustrated answering your partner’s constant complaints and soon you will find yourselves dragging a dead weight.
#4. Avoid Someone Who Enjoys Blame Game
If there is one thing for sure happens on the road is, expect the unexpected.
Be it delay in plan, not finding good pit stops, trouble finding gas stations, mobile battery runs out etc., one needs to be prepared to face it like an adult.
If the bike ride partner finds it easy to blame everything on the other person, then you find a way to let go of that partner. Trust me, you are well off alone.
And you cannot let go of the partner in the middle of the trip, that’s why I suggest to know the person for sometime atleast.
Read Related – 11 days Long Bike Ride in India (road trip from Bangalore 2017)
#5. Who is Ready to Sacrifice Small pleasures
Consider yourself lucky if you could find a bike ride partner ready to do small sacrifices. Such as eating at irregular intervals, compromising on restaurant choices, take a leak near woods without complaining, sleep in uncomfortable beds, pathetic room services, spend the night without cable or internet connections, etc.,
It’s all part of nomad life and if your partner is not willing to do small sacrifices, then say No to the partner.
#6. Share the Burden too
When I say “share the burden”, the most obvious thing that comes to your mind is sharing the budget.
There is more to look for in a bike ride partner qualities.
For example, when one person is an active rider, then the pillion rider takes responsibility for finding pit stops from google maps, confirming room bookings and route navigations, etc.,
Here are some on – road responsibilities:
- Checking google maps often to ensure riding on the right route
- Finding pit stops while on the go
- Take turn to go washrooms to keep an eye on the luggages
- Confirm room bookings
- Look for gas stations on the map
- Fill water bottles at pit stops
Some off- Road responsibilities:
- Plan the holiday and budget
- Detailed itinerary for each day of the long road trip with clear destinations, nearby restaurants, sightseeing places with phone numbers etc.,
- Getting bike service done 2 days before bike trip
- Book accomodations at all destinations
- Pack toiletries
- Pack first aids
- Fit clothes in saddle bags
- Keep all the expensive stuffs and ready to use essentials, bike ride accessories on the tank bag
- Keep all the mobile phones’, power bank’s and SLR camera‘s batteries charged night before the trip
- Keep the water bottles filled
- Again cross check everything on the day of starting the trip
- Check the house safes’ and doors are secured (if you are couples like us).
#7. Who doesn’t go crazy on shopping
Planning for a long bike trip requires careful selection of minimal travel clothes and essentials which fit all in your saddle bags (and tank banks).
Avoid travelling with the partner who doesn’t understand the concept of minimalist packing. Certainly it would save you a lot of frustration.
Buying new stuff in travel destinations means not only putting a dent on your travel budget but also an extra luggage to carry around.
Travel Partner – Go or No Go?
Even if your partner is riding on his/her own bike, the above are some qualities you need to look for in a partner for seamless experience.
We were always on the same bike because we are compatible duo travelers. And we always have a proactive approach to every single ride.
We grew compatible and easy going couple over many may one day – and two day – bike trips.
Above all we were quick to ask sorry and correct our mistakes.
Probably its best to travel in groups led by an experienced bike ride organizer if you couldn’t find a perfect partner.
Which of my bike ride partner qualities do you agree with most?.
Read Related – This is How to Prepare for a Long Bike ride in India – Free Guide