The rider on the second page of the story is Jeff F shooting out of an S-curve in southeastern Ohio.
Really great article Scott! & not just because of the awesome photograph and model ;-)
I've ridden solo coast to coast in Canada and in most US states. I agree riding alone is special for a few reasons ...
... for the connection one can make with complete strangers. I've noticed that the adults I meet when riding alone fall into 2 groups - those who think you're kinda crazy and those who wish they could trade places with you. You represented both in your article very well.
Most random meetings get me thinking later about those people (& often chuckling in my helmet, like you say). I expect & hope I've had a similar affect on them. I've had gas stop chats with people years ago, that I still think about now and then.
... And then there's my personal favourite "people" to meet ... kids and dogs. Mostly because they're just plain cheerful and curious. Kids and dogs reconnect you with your inner child. We all need more of that.
... And last but not least ... For me riding alone can also be a great time to reflect on nothing and everything - a time to solve the world's problems or just to re-connect with myself. Some alone-time is a good thing. I find it can alter my perspective on things in a good way.
Riding with a few good buddies is great but much different than going solo. A group ride, especially a muti-day trip, always makes for some really good memories and photo ops ... but usually only with those buddies. On a solo trip anything can happen.
I look forward to both kinds of trips but I find I remember my solo trips much more.
Cheers, JF
PS: Yes Niki, my lovely 1st wife - I'll make sure my SPOT is always on.