Well, today it's sunk in

[solo1]

No more Valkyrie.  Sadness, yes, remorse, no.  It was time.

Age does have some advantages if we listen.  Accumulated wisdom due to mistakes, right choices, and some plain luck, is there for us.........if we listen.

Believe me, I've done a lot of listening in the last 2 years to that inner voice.  The 'voice' finally outlasted my nothing's changed mentality.  I realized that at much as I wanted to keep riding the Valkyrie, it just plain wouldn't work. My knees became so bad that I couldn't have picked it up even by backing up to it.  That question in the back of my mind also made me lose confidence in riding so much that I had constant days of "It just doesn't feel right" to ride.   In addition to that, last Spring I fell, no big deal, but it took two months to get over the bad leg bit.

Now, despite my 81 years, I have been blessed to get around very well (except my knees don't like to push much weight).  I feel that I have other obligations to fulfill, responsibilities to perform, and , in general, a still interesting life to live.  The Valkyrie gave me much satisfaction but it's time to move on.

Moving on will be what I will attempt to do for awhile on my UJM, the 750 Nighthawk, a much, much, lighter bike and so i have that option for awhile yet.   Working as a member of the BOW in New Haven keeps my oar in and my family is still something I always will enjoy.

Enjoyment is there even without the Valk.  Maybe I'll get back into the shooting sports, I have a fair investment of firearms.  My amateur attempts at photography will continue, and I fully intend to keep busy and keep active, so all is not lost.

Another thing that is not lost is my long list of friends in the VRCC. With the Inzane being held only 340 miles from home next year, I fully intend on coming, who knows, maybe the Nighthawk will carry me there, if not, the Miata will.

To my friends in the VRCC, there are other things still around if you quit riding. Remember the memories, the freedom of riding, the good times, the bad times, life goes on so don't drop out.

Jes a little bit of pondering on my part today.  

Solo1

[JimL]

Very well written Wayne, also some good advise for us that are right behind you.  I certainly hope I am able to match your feat of driving a "fire breathing dragon" at 80 years of age...but not too many folks are able to make that claim.  Enjoy your other bikes.

[Jabba]

I hope I am alive at 80 let alone riding and driving a convertable.

Wayne... you're an inspiration.  So is RJ, but I hope I ain't as crotechety as him when I am walking the same road.  I'll probably be worse though.  Everyone tells me I am already crotechety.

Jabba

[Whistler]

Wayne, Kudos  for your inspiration and wisdom that you have and are passing on to us! I am very much looking forward to meeting you and seeing you at InZane X no matter how you get there.  I too, hope I am still alive at your age let alone riding!  See you at InZane!!  JDW

[Blackduck KS]

All I can say is there is no shame in a trike

[RTaz]

...Wayne its not the bike its the spirit that makes the club...you enjoyed the bike while you could now enjoy the club...see you soon...

[Black Dog]

Wise woords Wayne...  Like Bob said, it's the person, not the Bike 

Hope to see you again, at one of the many events this great club offers.

Black Dog

[Daniel Meyer]

Rock on Wayne!
 

[Gilligan]

Well said, Wayne.   

[Stitch]

Wayne - absolutely well said - we all love ya as a brother.  It was great spending some time with you last August, up here at our St Iggy week-end, by the way - you picked one wild week-end to be there !!!!!

Yep - all you said, very true words, and that is a path that every one of us will travel one day. Do what you can, enjoy your family and friends, keep your faith strong in the Lord - and enjoy the rest of your life - IT AIN'T OVER my friend !

[hoosierdaddy]

Wayne,

You are trully an inspiration to all.  What more is there to say?  I (and we as a club) always look forward to seeing you at our events and gleening words of wisdom from your years of experience, and will continue to do so for many more years to come.  Two wheeled Valk or the Side car days... even the Miata.  Whatever means of conveyance you may use to attend, it does not matter. As long as you continue to show up, I'm sure the whole gang will appreciate that you take the time to show up and be a part of our VRCC family...  Take care, and we also are saddened at the loss (sale) of your beautiful Yellow Valk, but take heart in all the great times you had while in that saddle...  I especially remember your meeting up with me to take Thor's Hammer from me to bring it to the north a few years back... Seeing the Yellow Valk roll up to the Rest Area off I-69 where we signed the banner and passed the "Hammer" for it's trip along the way to InZane ... A beautiful but windy day.  Good times we shall always have memory of...  Thanks Wayne... I'm sure that we'll see you next time -  down that shared road, 2 wheels or 4 doesn't matter my friend! ...

Paul (Hoosier Daddy) Weber
#370 Indiana State Rep   

[JetDriver]

Congratulations Wayne on riding so long.  As has been said, most of hope we can do the same, but realize it takes extra-ordinary circumstances and health to be able to do so.  You've been blessed!  Also, congratulations on your wisdom to recognize when to say "stop."  For many, it'll take an accident before they'll admit it.  As I was reading the first part of your post, I was saying to myself, "Get a Miata."  You're a smart man, Wayne....

[Normandog]

Well said, Wayne.   

+1 And I too hope I can still ride @ 80. 

[R J]

Way to go old timer.

Do what ya got to do.

I just got full permission from the knee sutgeon it was OK to ride.

I rode some anyway, but it had the trust I had escape some.

MGM hopefully will get out some more this fall.

See ya in MI old timer.

[NiteRiderF6]

I'm sure this is a sad time for you Wayne... You have had that Valkyrie for a long time and it was a part of you.

Sometimes, only we, ourselves, can know what is best for us. You made the right decision and took your time making it, I'm certain that it was the best one for you to make at this time.

Good Luck to you and like the rest said, I just hope I can get around and ride a little bit when I get 80 years young. You are a good example of what all of us can be if we take care of ourselves. Best of Luck to you!

[rmrc51]

I hear ya Wayne. And as many others have already said, you are in inspiration!!!

I also have a similar issue. Not with my knees but my hip. It got to the point that I was afraid of getting one of those sharp spasms while entering a turn and loosing my balance. So,, I sold my motorcycle and bought a Valkyrie Trike. Funny,, ya start off on a trike and seem to also end up on one! lol. So far, it seems to do the trick for me. Lets see for how long. Please keep in touch.

[PharmBoy]

Wayne, as we all know, "The motorcycle does not make the man" and I have read enough of your posts in the last two years to know that you are still very much of a man.  I am sure that you had an active, happy life before you ever owned a Valkyrie and you can be active and happy after it is gone.  The motorcycles brought us together in this club, but the friendships that we make here will last long after the last Vakyrie has ceased to run.  Inzane 9 was my first to attend, but I will be looking forward to meeting you at Inzane 10...JTL