A perspective on riding, life, and when riding is done

57 is not to old to ride. The key statement was he said “ I just don’t love it anymore “.

I’m 59 and still very excited about riding. My wife is terrified that some day I’ll quit riding. She absolutely lives for it.
 
I was 57 when I got my Rocket. It is the first one registered in Canada in 2004. I’ve been to the odd RAA. My hands are getting sore from arthritis so I might have to downsize along the road. Riding for 55 years so far. I’m looking forward to Maggie Valley next month and will probably trailer as I’m heading down a week early and want to take a Norton along as it’s been a few years since I carved those roads on old faithful.
 
That!. Whilst 2 wheels are, for me, now, very much a hobby - more associated with the mechanics than a way of life; it has formed part of my existence for so long I'll keep "a bike" (probably the Guzzi I have had since 1982) long after I stop riding. Well I say LONG, but there is never a guarantee.

Also, for some of us who started by commuting on 2 wheels, I believe there is a sense of something more than plain hedonistic pleasure. A sense of past and future, a dichotomy of impractical practicality. Or maybe - we're simply nuts.
 
I'm 55 and quitting never crossed my mind. I've seen folks that never should have thrown a leg over a bike in the first place, a couple of those are, or were, members on here. Texcav I think the dude's handle was. He went down on the Sisters at the very first Leaky get together and was helicoptered to the hospital in San Antonio. He wasn't injured that badly, but first responders in that area are volunteers and lack much in the way of advanced training. He didn't go down because of poor road conditions, bad road, over speed or any of the other typical causes. He went down because he didn't trust the motorcycle he was riding enough to lay it over in a curve. Either lack of skills, lack of experience, just plain scared or all three led to his get off. I commend them for getting off the bike. If you lack confidence, sooner or later you will make a mistake serious enough to get you or someone else hurt.
 


I see so many video's showing guy's just riding off the road because they r afraid to muscle it over.
when i crossed the double line i am like what just happened so it didn't take but a couple of minutes to know my mistake and from that time i will be sliding sideways if i cross the center of the road.
i was following a group of four when the guy in the middle crossed over so i just backed off and let them go on by there self's.
 
perhaps they just need to be told of there mistake and that might make them a better rider.
 
I thought of Joining the Blue Knights but didn't like that there was no prospect period. It seemed like all you needed to join was a badge or shield. Riding experience should be considered before letting someone into the club. He is after all representing the entire club When he dons his cuts. Anyone who knows who the blue Knights are knows they are or were cops . Cops aar expected to be above reproach. Just my 2 cents. I'm not trying to start a pissing match. I have friends in the Blue Knights and other LE clubs.
 
I remember reading a magazine article written by an accident investigator that specialised in motorcycle fatalities and one thing he said that has stuck in my mind. He said he had never seen an accident where the rider went off the road on a curve where he figured the rider couldn't have made it. Panic, target fixation, alcohol etc. Always ride within your limits

And I made 2000 posts
 
Wooot
 
I ran off the road one time -- that fundamental error of overriding one's vision. Fortunately, no one was coming the other way, and the land was flat beyond the curve -- didn't even get off the bike. But the pants were brown.

I bet a number of us here wonder how we made it this far.
 
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