Taking It Easy...

[DDT (12)]

Taking It Easy...
 
A recent exchange of replies with Gig about an earlier post has triggered more thoughts about a longtime vexation of mine... Where to draw the line between seeking thrills and easy-going riding. About the risks associated with either choice, really, but especially those leaning heavily towards the former.
 
I'm like every other rider I've ever known... I've exalted in the scrapping of pegs, the sharp, rapid banking of curves, the sensations of exceeding the century mark on the speedometer, the satisfaction of pushing out the boundaries of riding skill and... Yes, even the excited relief from the fortunate cheating of calamity through sheer luck or Devine intervention: That I'd somehow managed to escape what could have been an absolute disaster.
 
No riding 'thrill' I've ever experienced, though, is now considered worth the risk of having to abandon the remainder of my riding career for any momentary adrenaline rush. The older we all become, the lower the threshold becomes for a permanent ride-ending FUBAR due to an involuntary dismount. Riding and long-distance touring have simply become far too important to this geriatric gypsy...
 
Tragedy does not have to be the rider’s fault at all, of course. We can do everything exactly correct out there and still get killed or maimed. That's simply part of the risk we all must assume when we choose to through a leg over a saddle and twist a throttle.

Doing the right thing 'every-time' 'all-the-time' will greatly reduce the odds against us, it seems obvious, but those risks can never be completely eliminated. Compromise, moderation, and common sense are the best courses of action IMHO.
 
Having reached a stage in life where I have no one to please, nobody to impress, and nothing left to prove... even for myself, I suppose the decision is a bit easier than it might have been a decade or three ago. Still, I'm delighted to have made it this far and to still be aboard our girl doing what we so much enjoy. I'd like for us to continue on into the distant future together too, so... That's why I'm the rider lagging behind and taking it very easy...
 
DDT (12)
 

[Jess from VA]

I've dialed it down too Bruce.  Having escaped the grim reaper (and hospitals) my entire riding life, and with the end much closer than the beginning, I've turned down my fun governor while riding (and driving too).

I still dial it up some out in the rolling hills countryside from time to time but not like I used to.

Heavy traffic (which I have to go through to get out and back into town) still brings out my fangs, and I'll blast out of it, then slow back down and try and protect my little bit of no-traffic space for as long as possible.

And I used to get the occasional performance awards for my hooligan behavior, but now no moving violations in some 20 years (not that I haven't deserved some nearly every ride).

The other thing I occasionally enjoy is reeling in some young buck on a sport machine.  No racing, but I'll get in 30/40 yards behind him in his mirrors and stay there.  And if he thinks he can run away, he's mistaken.  And if there's a cop in the weeds around the corner, he's the one coming up on radar, not me.

Compromise, moderation, and common sense are the best courses of action IMHO.    Rules for all of life my friend.   

[Oss]

slow riding skills, whether off road or in heavy traffic are still skills !

Valker once told  me that his favorite speed is "mosey"

I suspect that is usually (but of course not always) what is posted, but rather what he feels at the moment

Moseying along can be quite satisfying as one can get a longer exposure at what one is observing and can even get the opportunity to stop, put out the chair and contemplate whilst napping, I mean looking while eyes closed,  not that you have ever done that  of course   

[GiG]

Ride On, Bruce!!!
I’m a bit slow, but I have come to realize that I no longer am able to bounce like I once did  

Take it Easy…

[Skinhead]

Before I moved to God's country, I was always conservative in my ridding style (for the most part) because I was always about 600 miles from home is in God's country, for some reason, I have have been doing a lot less riding.  Some of it is due to the demands home projects have placed on my time, and some is due to old age.  I'm hoping this year, those demands will decrease.  In any case, be careful out there, and ride safe.

[f6john]

Reminds me of the story of the young bull and the elder bull. Seems they were at the top of a hill looking out at a herd of young heifers. The young bulls says, let’s run down there and have our way with one of those heifers! The old bull says, just calm down, let’s walk down there and have our way with all of them!

[Rams]

Taking It Easy...
 

 
No riding 'thrill' I've ever experienced, though, is now considered worth the risk of having to abandon the remainder of my riding career for any momentary adrenaline rush. The older we all become, the lower the threshold becomes for a permanent ride-ending FUBAR due to an involuntary dismount. Riding and long-distance touring have simply become far too important to this geriatric gypsy...

DDT (12)

Bruce,
Just being honest, I get all the excitement I need now simply starting one of my Valks up.  
The ride after that is better than....................   Well, you know. 

Rams

[old2soon]

      Found out rather QUICK like a trike aint worth a hoot fer carvin or peg draggin!  BUT on da other hand I IZ Still in the Wind!  To this very day fer whatever reason I find a Need to go past the ton. Above 100 MPH fer the newbies!  I M O there is No better mind flush available fer us mere mortals and I Thank GOD for every Ride I've had and those yet to happen!  RIDE SAFE.

[Avanti]

A long time ago as an avid hiker while visiting the Ice-fields of Banff and Jasper I asked a Canadian Ranger; where am I allowed to hike?   He didn’t ask me about my skills or my experience or my age, he simply asked, “where can you come back from?” A good question indeed for sometimes it takes more now how to return than it does to go.

So with that in mind I resolve to ride to enjoy not to conquer, for tomorrow is another adventure which I do not plan on missing.

Ride Far Ride Safe

[John Schmidt]

I'm with you Bruce, I've had my day in the sun and no longer feel the need to prove anything to anybody. I enjoy the ride as much today as 70+ years ago, probably more so. I guess it's cuz there most likely aren't many more years of it left. But oh the memories as a quiet, demure and withdrawn teenager...that includes some of my passengers and the backrests provided. 

[3fan4life]

But oh the memories as a quiet, demure and withdrawn teenager...that includes some of my passengers and the backrests provided. 

Don't know if it still works that way or not, But I too learned as a teenager that taking a gal for a ride on my motorcycle often led to other fun activities.

Some of those times are sweet memories indeed!

[3fan4life]

These days how I ride depends on how I feel at the time.

There are times that I still hit the twisties like a scalded dog and there are times that I just want to mosey along and smell the roses.

Going past the century mark still happens from time to time.

But it is less often than in my younger years.



I hadn't given it much thought but Bruce my friend, I believe that you are onto something.

Staying in the wind longer is now the most important goal.

If that means that we slow down more and "act our age" then so be it.


I've said it before and I'll say it again, You are my hero and I want to be just like you when I grow up. 


Even with a concerted effort to slow my roll a little, I'm certain that the temptation to give the left wrist a hard twist will still win out from time to time. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Well said Bruce. I still enjoy spirited riding, it's just that my spirited riding is slower and saner than it used to be.